India and the MDGs: Towards a Sustainable Future for All

India has made notable progress in achieving poverty reduction and other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) since their adoption at the turn of the century but this progress has been uneven and millions continue to remain trapped in extreme poverty. As the MDGs reach their deadline, and world leaders prepare to adopt new Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, it is an opportune moment to make an assessment of India’s achievement of MDGs and lessons learned for the future. Meanwhile, the responsibility of steering development in India has been passed on to a new Government with a decisive mandate for change. Through its principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and its policy actions since assuming office, more than ever before, the Government is calling for improved sanitation, health, education, financial inclusion, security and dignity of all, especially women. It is also prioritizing environmental protection by treating the challenge of climate change adaptation as an opportunity rather than a problem. There seems to be a remarkable convergence of vision underlying the sustainable development goals and those of the Government, although it remains to be seen how effectively it implements its new strategic direction to provide a life of dignity to all. India and the MDGs: Towards a Sustainable Future for All makes an assessment of achievement of MDGs by India over the past 14 years and draws policy lessons for accelerating progress for closing the gaps and carrying momentum post-2015 to end poverty and other deprivations and provide sustainable prosperity for all. Prepared by the South and South-West Asia Office of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP-SSWA), on behalf of the United Nations Country Team in India.