For first time, India breaks into top 100 in global SDG rankings

India in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2025

India has entered the top 100 for the first time in the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025, published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Key Highlights

• India’s Rank:

  • 99th out of 167 countries

  • Score: 67 (out of 100)

  • Previous Rank: 109 (in 2024)

• Top Global Performers:

  • 1st: Finland

  • Followed by Sweden and Denmark

  • Dominance: 19 of top 20 are European countries

• Neighbourhood Comparison:

  Country	Rank	Score
  Bhutan	74	70.5
  Nepal	85	68.6
  Sri Lanka	93	—
  India	99	67.0
  Bangladesh	114	63.9
  Pakistan	140	57.0
  China	49	74.4
  USA	44	75.2

SDG Index: 

• Measures progress towards 17 Sustainable Development Goals (adopted in 2015).

• Score out of 100: 100 = full achievement of all SDGs.

Global Observations (2025 Report)

• Only 17% of SDG targets are on track for achievement by 2030.

• Setbacks due to:

  • Conflicts

  • Structural vulnerabilities

  • Limited fiscal space

• Even top countries face climate change and biodiversity challenges due to unsustainable consumption.

UPSC GS II/GS III Relevance

• GS II: International reports, India’s global standing, UN bodies

• GS III: Sustainable development, climate goals, environmental governance