A Critical Analysis of India's Human Rights Performance Concerning SDG

Sustainable development, as defined by the Brundtland Commission, aims to meet current needs without compromising future generations. In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, outlining 17 SDGs that focus on people, the planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships. Human rights are essential for achieving these goals, as most of the 169 targets are linked to international human rights and labor standards. The agenda emphasizes "leaving no one behind" and promotes universal respect for human rights, dignity, justice, and equality while recognizing diversity. It seeks to provide equal opportunities to realize human potential and foster a just, inclusive world that addresses the needs of the most vulnerable. As the world’s most populous and fastest-growing large economy, India plays a disproportionately important role in achieving the SDGs. The SDG India Index has emerged as a powerful tool for assessing the country’s progress, offering a comparative analysis across states and Union Territories. The first SDG Index and Dashboard was released in 2018, prepared by NITI Aayog, and is considered an important instrument for evaluating progress and instilling a spirit of competition among states and UTs. The Government of India has been designing and implementing key interventions, programs, and schemes to accelerate progress on the SDGs. With just six years remaining until the 2030 deadline, it is essential to evaluate the progress made so far, as current achievements fall far short of what is required to meet the SDG targets by 2030.