2026 UN Sustainable Development Goals Index released at Hamburg Sustainability Conference

Key facts

• India achieved its highest-ever position in the global United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, ranking 94th among 167 countries in the 2026 edition.
• The 2026 Sustainable Development Report was published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), showing India’s score improved to 68.3 out of 100.
• India and China recorded the strongest advances in the SDG Index since 2015 among major economies, with India rising 18 places from its initial rank of 112th.
• According to the report, India currently lags behind four of its South Asian neighbours in the global rankings: Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
• The report identifies major challenges for India in seven specific goals, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).