17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Objectives, Significance, India’s Progress, and SDG Report 2025 for UPSC
Sep, 2025
•4 min read
Sustainable Development Goals are a universal UN agenda of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity by 2030. SDG is an important topic for UPSC Prelims (facts, targets, indicators) and Mains (governance, welfare, environment, international commitments).
Here, we will cover key facts, objectives, 17 SDGs, India-specific progress, and highlights from the 2025 SDG Report.
What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global objectives adopted by all 193 United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals serve as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all people by 2030.
- Implementation: Adopted in 2015 by 193 countries at the UN General Assembly Summit, and came into effect on January 1, 2016.
- Targets: 17 goals encompassing 169 specific targets and 232 indicators to measure progress.
- Universal application: Applies to all countries regardless of development level, unlike the previous Millennium Development Goals.
- Time-bound: Targets to be achieved by 2030, with some having no end date.
- Legal Status: Legally non-binding, but governments are expected to establish national frameworks for implementation.
- Foundational Principles: Built on six essential elements-dignity, people, prosperity, the planet, justice, and partnerships.
List of 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDG)
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap for addressing the world's most pressing challenges while ensuring no one is left behind.
| Goal | Sustainable Development Goal | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Poverty | End poverty in all its forms everywhere. |
| 2 | Zero Hunger | End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. |
| 3 | Good Health and Well-Being | Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. |
| 4 | Quality Education | Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. |
| 5 | Gender Equality | Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. |
| 6 | Clean Water and Sanitation | Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. |
| 7 | Affordable and Clean Energy | Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. |
| 8 | Decent Work and Economic Growth | Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. |
| 9 | Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation. |
| 10 | Reduced Inequalities | Reduce inequality within and among countries. |
| 11 | Sustainable Cities and Communities | Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. |
| 12 | Responsible Consumption and Production | Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. |
| 13 | Climate Action | Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. |
| 14 | Life Below Water | Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. |
| 15 | Life on Land | Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; manage forests; combat desertification; halt biodiversity loss. |
| 16 | Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions. |
| 17 | Partnerships for the Goals | Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. |
Also read: List of International Organisations and Their Headquarters for UPSC
Objectives of SDGs
The primary purpose of the SDGs is to create a comprehensive framework for global sustainable development that addresses multiple challenges simultaneously.
- End extreme poverty in all its forms and dimensions by targeting the most vulnerable populations.
- Protect the planet by addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
- Ensure prosperity for all through inclusive economic growth and decent employment opportunities.
- Promote peace and justice by building effective, accountable institutions and inclusive societies.
- Foster global partnerships to strengthen implementation means and revitalise international cooperation.
- Leave no one behind by prioritising the furthest behind first, focusing on marginalised and vulnerable groups.
- Balance three dimensions of sustainable development - social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Significance of Sustainable Development Goals(SDG)
The Sustainable Development Goals hold immense importance for addressing global challenges and creating a sustainable future for humanity.
- Address Global Challenges: Provide a comprehensive framework for tackling poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation collectively.
- Universal Agenda: Applies to all countries, emphasising shared responsibility regardless of development level.
- Integrated Approach: Recognise interconnectedness between different goals, encouraging synergies for more effective outcomes.
- Promote Inclusivity: Ensure vulnerable and marginalised populations are prioritised in development efforts.
- Evidence-based Framework: Represents a data-driven approach to sustainable development with measurable indicators.
- Drive Innovation: Explicitly call on businesses to apply creativity and innovation to solve sustainable development challenges.
Also read: World Day Against Child Labour 2025: Theme, Significance, and UPSC Relevance
Millennium Development Goals Vs Sustainable Development Goals
Here are the key differences between Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
| Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) | Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |
|---|---|
| 2000–2015 | 2015–2030 |
| 8 goals | 17 goals |
| 21 specific targets | 169 specific targets |
| 60+ indicators | 232 indicators |
| Focus on poverty reduction, health, education, and gender. | Integrated approach covering social, economic, environmental, and governance dimensions. |
| Focused mainly on developing countries. | Universal, applicable to all countries worldwide. |
| Top-down, expert-driven | Bottom-up participatory process with wide stakeholder engagement. |
| Limited environmental goals | Strong emphasis on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainability. |
| National averages | Disaggregated data to ensure the "Leave No One Behind" agenda. |
| Mainly government aid and public finance. | Mix of public, private, and blended finance with partnerships. |
| Governments and donors | Governments, the private sector, civil society, and local bodies. |
| Reduce extreme poverty and improve major deprivations. | Transform socio-economic systems for sustainable development. |
Multiple Choice Questions
QUESTION 1
Easy
Consider the following statements:
1.The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the 'Club of Rome'. 2.The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Select an option to attempt
Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025
The tenth annual SDG Report 2025 provides a comprehensive assessment of global progress with five years remaining to achieve the 2030 targets.
- Mixed Progress: SDGs have improved millions of lives, but the current pace is insufficient to meet 2030 targets.
- Limited Targets on Track: Only 35% of targets are on track or making moderate progress.
- Significant Challenges: Nearly half of the targets are moving too slowly, and 18% have regressed.
- Global Development Emergency: UN Secretary-General António Guterres declared the situation requires urgent action.
- Notable Achievements: Substantial gains in education access, maternal and child health, digital connectivity, and renewable energy expansion.
- Persistent Challenges: Millions still face extreme poverty, hunger, inadequate housing, and a lack of basic services.
- Priority Areas: Report calls for action in food systems, energy access, digital transformation, education, jobs and social protection, and climate and biodiversity.
- Success Stories: 45 countries achieved universal electricity access, and 54 countries eliminated neglected tropical diseases.
- Call for Co-operation: Emphasises the need for increased international cooperation and sustained investment.
Sustainable Development Goals in India
India plays a critical role in determining global SDG success, representing one-sixth of humanity with significant potential impact on planetary outcomes.
- Universal Electricity Access (Saubhagya): Over 30 million households electrified under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, achieving nearly 100% rural electrification as of 2023.
- Renewable Energy Expansion (National Solar Mission): Cumulative solar capacity surpassed 120 GW by mid-2025, up from 2.6 GW in 2014, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
- Digital Connectivity (Digital India): Broadband connectivity was provided to over 650,000 gram panchayats, and digital services were rolled out nationwide under the Digital India programme.
- Poverty Reduction (PM Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana): Free foodgrains distribution to more than 800 million beneficiaries during 2020–25 under PMGKAY.
- Quality Education (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan): Over 1 million schools upgraded with smart classrooms and basic infrastructure, boosting enrolment and learning outcomes.
- Social Protection (MGNREGA): Generated over 3 billion person-days of paid work in 2024–25, strengthening rural livelihoods.
- Nutrition & Hunger Reduction (Poshan Abhiyaan): Childhood stunting rates declined from 38% in 2014 to 30% in 2023 through targeted maternal and child nutrition interventions.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Critically examine India’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2015. Identify challenges and suggest course corrections.
Evaluate Your Answer Now!Way Forward
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, countries must continue their focused efforts, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress in all sectors. Here’s what we can adopt:
Increase investment in clean energy.
- Expand renewable capacity beyond current targets.
- Access to healthcare and education, especially in remote areas.
- Strengthen schemes to support vulnerable and marginalised groups.
- Enhance digital and physical infrastructure.
- Promote sustainable use of natural resources.
- Take stronger action on climate change.
Elevate Your UPSC Prep with SuperKalam!
Say hello to SuperKalam, your Personal Super Mentor for targeted UPSC preparation. Unlock unlimited MCQs, Practice mains answers with Instant Mains Answer Evaluation, and real-time performance tracking.
Explore SuperKalam's resources and start a focused & disciplined preparation!
