Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals

The global community, mediated by the United Nations, has established time-bound targets to tackle poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Understanding the transition from the MDGs to the SDGs is a core requirement of this syllabus.

1. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The MDGs were 8 international development goals established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000. They were tasked to be achieved by the year 2015.

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Improve maternal health.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. Develop a global partnership for development.

2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Following the expiration of the MDGs, the UN General Assembly set up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. It consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets.

3. India's Progress: The NITI Aayog SDG Index

In India, the localization and tracking of the SDGs are managed by NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). They publish the SDG India Index & Dashboard, which ranks States and Union Territories based on their progress (NITI Aayog, 2021).

• Implementation: India has mapped its national schemes directly to the SDGs. For instance, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) directly addresses SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Ayushman Bharat: The world's largest government-funded healthcare program directly targets SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).