NITI Aayog’s North Eastern Region District SDG Index 2023-24: Hnahthial Tops, 85% Districts Show Progress

New Delhi : In a landmark achievement for sustainable development in India’s North Eastern Region (NER), NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER) and technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), released the second edition of the North Eastern Region District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report (2023-24) on July 7, 2025. This comprehensive report evaluates the performance of 121 districts across eight northeastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The index, which builds on the first edition launched on August 26, 2021, underscores India’s commitment to localizing global development goals through a bottom-up approach, fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.

Hnahthial, Mizoram Emerges as Top Performer

The 2023-24 NER District SDG Index crowned Hnahthial district in Mizoram as the highest-scoring district in the entire Northeast, achieving an impressive composite score of 81.43. This remarkable performance highlights Mizoram’s leadership in sustainable development, with all its districts securing Front Runner status (scores between 65 and 99). Alongside Mizoram, all districts in Sikkim and Tripura also achieved Front Runner status, marking a significant milestone in the region’s development journey. Conversely, Longding in Arunachal Pradesh recorded the lowest score of 58.71, reflecting the persistent intra-regional disparities that the index aims to address.

The report categorizes districts into four performance tiers based on their composite scores, which range from 0 to 100:

• Achiever: Score of 100, indicating full achievement of SDG targets.
• Front Runner: Scores between 65 and 99 (excluding 100).
• Performer: Scores between 50 and 65 (excluding 65).
• Aspirant: Scores below 50.

Notably, no district in the NER achieved the Achiever status (score of 100) or fell into the Aspirant category (below 50). However, 85% of the 121 districts improved their composite scores compared to the first edition, a significant leap from 62% in the 2021-22 index, reflecting robust progress in sustainable development across the region.

Key Highlights of the NER District SDG Index 2023-24

The NER District SDG Index assesses districts across 15 SDGs using 84 indicators, covering critical areas such as poverty, hunger, health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, clean energy, economic growth, and responsible consumption and production. SDGs 14 (Life Below Water) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) were excluded due to their limited applicability at the district level. The index serves as a vital policy tool for evidence-based planning, resource allocation, and monitoring, aligning with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Top Performers and Regional Consistency

• Hnahthial and Champhai (Mizoram), Gomati and West Tripura (Tripura), and Mokokchung (Nagaland) secured the top five spots in the index, showcasing exemplary performance in sustainable development.
• Sikkim demonstrated the most consistent performance across its districts, with a narrow score range of 5.5 points between its highest (Gangtok, 76.64) and lowest (Gyalshing, 71.14) districts.
• Tripura also excelled, with minimal intra-state variation (6.5 points) and high-scoring districts like Gomati (78.79) and Dhalai (72.29).
• Nagaland made significant strides, with three districts—Mokokchung (78.43), and two others—breaking into the top 10 performers, a first for the state.
• Mizoram and Nagaland exhibited some of the highest individual district scores but also showed significant intra-state variation, with score ranges of 13.72 and 15.07 points, respectively.

State-Wise Performance

The index provides a detailed breakdown of the highest and lowest-scoring districts within each state:

• Arunachal Pradesh: Lower Dibang Valley (73.36) to Longding (58.71).
• Assam: Dibrugarh (74.29) to South Salmara-Mankachar (59.71).
• Manipur: Imphal West (73.21) to Pherzawl (59.71).
• Meghalaya: East Khasi Hills (73.00) to East Jaintia Hills (63.00).
• Mizoram: Hnahthial (81.43) to Lawngtlai (67.71).
• Nagaland: Mokokchung (78.43) to Zunheboto (63.36).
• Sikkim: Gangtok (76.64) to Gyalshing (71.14).
• Tripura: Gomati (78.79) to Dhalai (72.29).

Sectoral Improvements

The index highlights significant progress in key SDG indicators:

• Good Health & Well-being: Improved scores in 93 districts, driven by advancements in access to health services, maternal and child health, and health insurance.
• Assam showed across-the-board improvements in Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Decent Work and Economic Growth, reflecting the impact of targeted interventions.
• Improvements were also noted in indicators linked to the National Family Health Survey, including access to clean cooking fuel, housing, electricity, sanitation, drinking water, bank accounts, birth registration, and family planning.

Significance of SDG Localization in the NER

The NER District SDG Index underscores the importance of localizing global SDGs to address region-specific challenges. The report emphasizes a bottom-up approach, with subnational governments acting as bridges between national policies and local communities. Key aspects of SDG localization include:

• Local Delivery: State-level vision documents, such as those in Mizoram, set targets monitored through Village-Level Monitoring Committees.
• Community Engagement: Collaboration with civil society, academia, and the private sector fosters inclusive development.
• Resource Mobilization: Aligning state budgets with SDGs to optimize local resources.
• Addressing Disparities: Reducing intra-regional and inter-district disparities to align with national averages.

However, challenges persist:

• Financial Constraints: Municipal budgets often prioritize essential services like healthcare and education over sustainability projects.
• Balancing Goals: Local governments struggle to reconcile economic growth with environmental sustainability.
• Data Quality: Lack of up-to-date socio-economic data hampers evidence-based decision-making.

Strengthening local governance and adopting innovative financial mechanisms are critical to tailoring strategies to the NER’s unique socio-economic and cultural landscapes.

India’s Broader SDG Framework

NITI Aayog’s efforts to localize SDGs align with India’s commitment to Agenda 2030. Key initiatives include:

• Cooperative and Competitive Federalism: The SDG India Index and programs like the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) promote collaboration and competition among states.
• Central Schemes: Programs like Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana drive sustainable development at the grassroots level.
• State Schemes: Initiatives like Assam’s CM’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana complement national efforts.

The Aspirational Districts Programme has been instrumental in driving localized interventions, contributing to the significant improvements observed in the 2023-24 index.

Leadership Perspectives

The report was launched by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of MoDoNER, and Dr. Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in India, in the presence of Shri Rajib Kumar Sen, Programme Director (SDGs), NITI Aayog, and other senior officials.

• Shri Suman Bery emphasized that achieving SDG targets by 2030 is a critical milestone toward Viksit Bharat @2047, highlighting the NER’s pivotal role in India’s development journey.
• Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam referred to the Northeast as the “Ashta Lakshmi” (eight states symbolizing prosperity), underscoring the region’s importance in national growth.
• Shri Chanchal Kumar highlighted the index’s role in identifying gaps and guiding efficient resource deployment.
• Dr. Angela Lusigi stressed the need to translate data into “meaningful action” to advance human development outcomes.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the progress, the NER faces unique challenges:

• Geographic Isolation: Historical neglect in infrastructure and connectivity has stalled development compared to the rest of India.
• Intra-State Disparities: Wide score gaps, such as Nagaland’s 15.07-point range, highlight uneven progress within states.
• Fragile Biodiversity: The region’s rich ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, making SDG achievement an urgent necessity.
• Traditional Knowledge: The NER’s diverse languages, cultures, and traditional knowledge systems require hyperlocal strategies to ensure inclusive development without threatening cultural heritage.

The index also highlights opportunities, such as leveraging women’s social empowerment through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in sectors like handloom, handicrafts, and agriculture. Transforming SHGs into independent social institutions could enhance women’s roles in policymaking and strengthen rural economies.

A Diagnostic Mirror for the Northeast

The NER District SDG Index 2023-24 serves as a “diagnostic mirror,” reflecting both achievements and areas needing urgent attention. The significant improvement in 85% of districts underscores the effectiveness of national flagship schemes and localized interventions. However, the wide gap between top performers like Hnahthial and lower-scoring districts like Longding highlights the need for targeted interventions to bridge disparities.

The index’s focus on hyperlocal monitoring ensures that marginalized communities are included in development efforts, particularly in areas like health, education, financial inclusion, and digital literacy. States must also address persistent issues like unutilized funds to achieve the goal of every district becoming an Achiever by 2030.

Conclusion

The release of the North Eastern Region District SDG Index 2023-24 marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward sustainable and inclusive development. With Hnahthial leading the way and 85% of districts showing progress, the NER is making significant strides toward achieving the SDGs. However, challenges like intra-state disparities, financial constraints, and data gaps require concerted efforts from policymakers, local governments, and communities. By leveraging the index as a tool for evidence-based governance and prioritizing hyperlocal strategies, the Northeast can continue its transformation into a beacon of sustainable development, contributing to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

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