India’s 3rd Voluntary National Review on SDGs | 12 Aug 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

NITI Aayog presented its 3rd Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) convened by the UN- Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 

  • India presented the first voluntary national review of SDGs in 2017 & second in 2020.

Note: VNR is a country-led, voluntary process that promotes the sharing of experiences to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

  • VNR highlights India’s Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach to Achieving the SDGs. 
  • NITI Aayog is the nodal authority for SDG implementation and VNR preparation in India. 

What are the Key Highlights of India's 3rd  Voluntary National Review (VNR)? 

  • Implementation Strategy: India employs data tools like the SDG India Index, North-Eastern Region District SDG Index, and Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to monitor progress, identify lagging areas, and guide policies. 
    • Its emphasis is placed on localizing SDGs through sub-national and district-level actions. 
  • Key Progress: 
    • SDG 1 (No Poverty): An estimated 248 million people have escaped multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23, highlighting effective poverty alleviation strategies. 
    • SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):  
    • The PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has provided vital nutritional support to millions, aiming to assist approximately 81.35 crore beneficiaries. Starting in 2024, the scheme will continue for the next five years. 
    • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):  POSHAN Abhiyaan and Ayushman Bharat have expanded access to quality nutrition and healthcare.  
      • Out-of-pocket health expenditure as a percentage of total health spending declined from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 39.4% in 2020-21. 
    • SDG 7 (Clean Energy Transition): Initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana have accelerated India’s adoption of sustainable energy sources. 
    • SDG Progress Through Digital Financial Inclusion: India’s Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile (JAM) based Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) drives inclusive, transparent services. 
      • India accounted for 48.5% of global real-time payment volume in FY 2025, driven by a 41.7% increase in UPI transaction volume. 

UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 

  • About: HLPF is the main United Nations platform dealing with sustainable development, and was formally established in July 2013.  
    • It meets every year under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, and every four years under the auspices of the General Assembly. 
  • Functions: It adopts negotiated declarations and serves as a central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs. 
    • It is responsible for guiding the entire UN policy framework on sustainable development. 
  • Reporting Mechanism: Member countries are required to voluntarily present their progress through VNR reports. 
    • The VNR enables member states to report periodically on SDG progress through a voluntary, transparent, and accountable process, fostering knowledge sharing and best practices. 

Drishti Mains Question:

How does Voluntary National Review contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Discuss its significance in fostering transparency, accountability among countries.

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Q. With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements: (2009)

  1. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of UN consists of 24 member States. 
  2. It is elected by a 2/3rd majority of the General Assembly for a 3-year term. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only  
(c) Both 1 and 2  
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (b)

Q. Sustainable development is described as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this perspective, inherently the concept of sustainable development is intertwined with which of the following concepts? (2010) 

(a) Social justice and empowerment  
(b) Inclusive Growth  
(c) Globalization  
(d) Carrying capacity  

Ans: (d)

Mains

Q. Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (2018)