India has taken impressive steps towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as explained in the National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2025. The NIF Report, released on Statistics Day, presents time series data on SDG indicators. The Report shows progress in health, education, and social protection sectors, and that over the period from 2015 – 16, there has been progress in these sectors. There is also progress in social protection. There are still challenges in clean energy and inequality.
Key Achievements in Health and Social Protection
The report shows a massive change in the population covered by social protection. The proportion of the population covered by social protection has increased from 22% in 2016 to 64.3% in 2025. The report identifies improvements in maternal and child health progress indicators. This demonstrates how health programmes are working. The report also shows that the number of citizens over the age of 60 receiving a type of institutional assistance increased to 157,000 citizens in 2023 – 24, up from 23,000 citizens in 2015.
Impressive Growth in Education
The gross enrolment ratio (GER) for tertiary education increased from 23.7% in 2015 – 16 to 29.5% in 2022 – 23. This has drawn attention to the trend that higher education access is increasing, improving educational access. The emphasis on education by government reforms is credited with the change in levels of education, and possible increased capacity for a workforce.
Impressive Growth in Economic Growth and Agricultural Productivity
The gross value added (GVA) in agriculture per worker increased from ₹61,247₹61,247 in 2015 – 16 to ₹94,110 in 2024 – 25. This indicates that the productivity of agriculture improved, and so did the income from agriculture. Rural economies and food security rely on sustained increases in agricultural productivity and incomes.
Impressive Improvement in the Environment
The report showed the increase of renewable energies share of total installed electricity generation increased from 16.02% in 2015 – 16 to 22.13% in 2024 – 25. Since climate change is a planned SDG initiative, and the figure represents a minor success in climate change adaptation. The report also showed that forest cover increased by 0.42% from 21.34% of the geographical area to 21.76% of the geographical area identified as forest cover.
Technological Integration in Data Collection
The launch of the GoIStats mobile application marks step in data accessibility. This app provides real-time access to crucial socio-economic indicators. The initiative aims to enhance data-driven policymaking, making statistics more available to the public.
The Role of Statistics in Development
Statistics Day commemorates the contributions of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. The government emphasises the importance of statistical reforms. Technological advancements are transforming the statistical system for better data monitoring. This evolution supports the broader goal of Viksit Bharat.
