❖ Uttarakhand and Kerala have taken the top spot among states in NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24.

❖ Overall, India’s SDG score improved to 71 points in 2023-24 from 66 points in 2020-21.

❖ Bihar emerged as a laggard with 57 points, followed by Jharkhand at 62 points.

❖ Compared to 2020-21 scores Punjab, Manipur, West Bengal, and Assam recorded the highest increase of 8 points to 76, 72, 70, and 65 points respectively.

❖ Among goals, “No Poverty”, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, and “Life on Land” recorded the highest increase in points across states from 2020-21 scores

.❖ Goals like “Gender Equality” and “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institution” saw the smallest increase in points.

❖ Notably, “Reduced Inequalities” was the only goal to record a reduction in points to 65 in 2022-23 from 67 in 2020-21.