Are we measuring the SDGs progress right? Evidence and insights from a review of India’s SDG index

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to review the computational framework of SDGs in India, so that a mid-course correction can be contemplated. Design/methodology/approach This study deploys, inter alia, econometric analysis to probe the robustness of indicators of SDG India Index 3.0. Methodologically, the study intensively probes the robustness of SDG India index and extensively refers to the global SDG indexes for cross-checking. Findings Though the three editions of SDGI index mark significant efforts taken towards measuring the progress of SDGs in India, the paradigm suffers from the problem of too many indicators chasing only few targets, quantitative and qualitative issues with indicators, vintage pollution, partial coverage of targets and robustness issues. Research limitations/implications This study has the limitation that it could not check the robustness of SDG scores with different weights assigned to indicators and future researchers can take up that interesting assignment. Practical implications Since measuring the SDG progress through SDG index is a global endeavour, the findings of this study are important for almost all countries of the world, as it is still not too late to do mid-course correction because it is not the measurement that matters at the end of the day, rather it is the outcome of sustainable development that every country cares about. Social implications The obfuscation of layers of SDG index in crafty, glossy and power-point-presentation-oriented SDG reports should get the reality check through such review of the computational framework of SDGs. Originality/value This is the first study that unpacks the layers of SDG index computation in general and comprehensively reviews the Indian SDG indexing method in particular.