How Is India Progressing on the SDGs? What Corporates Need to Know

This is a matter of growing urgency as we head towards 2030, the world’s deadline for the SDGs. Governments are leading the charge, but India’s business community—particularly those with mandated CSR responsibilities—must play their part. But first, companies must see where India stands today, what needs to be tackled today, and how CSR can assist.

India’s SDG Performance: Where Do We Stand

According to the SDG India Index 2023–24:

• The overall SDG score of India is 71, an improvement from 66 in 2020–21 and 57 in 2018–19.
• The most powerful progress is experienced in Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
• Thirty-two states/UTs were “front-runner” in SDG performance as of the last count, with new entrants like Maharashtra, UP, and Rajasthan.
• India initially joined the ranks of the top 100 in the UN SDG Index 2025 ranking at number 99 out of 167 countries at a score of 67.

Open Questions for Companies

1. Are CSR activities linked to key SDGs?

Most CSR expenditure goes into education, health, and rural development—SDGs 1–4 in direct alignment. While there is alignment, there is also potential to address Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2. How can corporates contribute to narrowing regional disparities?

Countries like Maharashtra and Gujarat do better than most on SDG index scores—but aspirational districts and the North‑East lag behind. Corporates can step in and bridge the gap by directing CSR towards these forgotten pockets of India or partnering with local players to bridge the gap.

3. Is the CSR funding being strategically invested?

India’s CSR spending will nearly double, from an estimated ₹35,000 crore in FY 2023–24 to ₹1.2 lakh crore in FY 2034–35. With this measurement comes responsibility, CSR must move from transactional giving to outcome-led interventions that promote SDG objectives.

How Indian Corporates Are Adopting Sustainable Development Goal

• Thinking Strategic Focus Alignment: 66% of the leading CSR spenders are now focusing on four or less themes—mostly education and health. That’s a shift from “spray and pray” CSR to focused CSR with core business imperatives.
• Pilot Running, Impact-Driven Programs Corporate giants are investing in Miyawaki forests, urban clean energy, and water conservation initiatives—tackling SDG 13 and SDG 15 in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Gujarat, for example, experienced its CSR expenditure on green causes increase by 90% in FY 2023–24.
• Facilitating SDG Institutionalization NITI Aayog is also implementing district-level SDG monitoring—e.g., monitoring of gender equity in each district (SDG 5)—which holds the potential for greater grassroots-level transparency. Corporates can collaborate with such systems through co-sponsorship or technical support.

Why It Matters: The CSR–SDG Connection

1. Responsibility to Regulators and Investors: SEBI and global ESG standards increasingly expect CSR disclosures to be aligned with SDGs, not just Section 135 compliant.
2. Creating Shared Value SDG-aligning CSR initiatives: Such as nutrition programs (SDG 2) or training programs (SDG 8) generate long-term goodwill and greater community engagement.
3. Reach through Innovation Experts: Suggest spending 20–30% of CSR on experimentative or system-level interventions like tech incubation, social enterprises, or pilots on circular economy.

FAQs: Questions CSR Teams Usually Ask

What is India’s SDG score overall?

 India’s SDG Index value was 71 as of 2023–24, while it was 66 as of 2020–21.

Which SDGs is India performing well in?

 The goals set in 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land) show exemplary progress.

Are Indian states improving SDG rankings?

 Yes—some states like UP, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Assam have recently moved into “front-runner” categories.

How does CSR help in achieving SDGs?

 CSR spend on education, health, environment, and livelihoods directly contributes to SDG goals and accelerates progress. 

What are the current challenges in linking CSR and SDGs?

Geographic imbalances, short-term planning, absence of data-based M&E, and over-emphasis on too few objectives are typical problems.

What is the Role of Corporate CSR Teams?

• Align CSR initiatives with SDGs. For every project, identify which SDG it serves—and measure impact over time.
• Prioritize less developed areas. Employ tools such as district SDG rankings to invest where development is behind.
• Form alliances. Collaborate with replicable models such as UNGC India, NITI Aayog, or state government SDG programs for greater coverage.
• Monitor impact with sensitivity. Move beyond counts of beneficiaries to monitoring well-being, sustainability, or local resilience changes.

How Corporates Can Make CSR Align with SDGs through Chrysalis Services

At Chrysalis Services, we assist the corporates to perceive SDGs as not checkboxes but impact frameworks. The following is how we assist you:

• SDG mapping — align your CSR themes with relevant SDG targets.
• Data analysis & M&E — establish indicators to track SDG-aligned performance.
• Regional planning for strategy — recommend where CSR budget should be spent from a state-level SDG performance perspective.
• Capacity building — build tools and capacity to allow NGOs to contribute to SDG outcomes. Communication support — develop narratives that link CSR initiatives to SDG goals for stakeholders and reports.

Is your CSR helping the SDGs—or only adding to paperwork? Let us help bridge what you do with what India needs today.

Visit Chrysalis Services to learn how we integrate SDGs into CSR strategy with integrity.

Looking Ahead: Strategic Reflections

What kind of legacy is your CSR investment creating?

With CSR spending set to nearly triple to 2035, the direction corporates take, will define India’s SDG path in the decades to come.

The future of CSR must be:

• Inclusive: reaching underserved districts and states.
• Strategic: linked to SDGs beyond the areas of commonality.
• Insight-driven: powered by live data and analysis.
• Innovative: new model investment, partnership, and influence outside of optics.

Sources:

• SDG India Index 2023‑24 – PIB press release
• Sustainable Development Report 2025 (Global Index, UN SDSN)
• Times of India – CSR growth and equity concerns (“CSR spends set to triple…”)
• Karve Institute study: CSR expenditure and SDG impact
• ADB publication: CSR interlinkages with SDGs Asian Development Bank
• National Voluntary Guidelines on Business Responsibility (India ESG policy)