Context:

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and UNDP, has released the second edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2023–24. Covering 121 districts across eight states, this index measures progress on SDGs to guide policies and monitor development at the district level. The first edition was launched in 2021, and since then, the index has become an important reference for regional planning.

Key Highlights:

• Overall Performance:

Composite scores ranged from 58.71 in Longding, Arunachal Pradesh (lowest) to 81.43 in Hnahthial, Mizoram (highest).

Districts were classified into:

• Achiever: Score 100 (none this year)
• Front Runner: Scores 65–99
• Performer: Scores 50–65
• Aspirant: Scores below 50 (none recorded)

• Top Performing States and Districts:
• All districts in Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura achieved Front Runner status.
• Hnahthial, Mizoram ranked as the best-performing district in the region.
• Nagaland made strong gains, with three districts entering the top 10.
• Sikkim displayed the most consistent performance, with only a 5.5-point gap between its highest and lowest-scoring districts.
• State-wise Range of District Scores:
• Arunachal Pradesh: Lower Dibang Valley (73.36), Longding (58.71)
• Assam: Dibrugarh (74.29), South Salmara-Mankachar (59.71)
• Manipur: Imphal West (73.21), Pherzawl (59.71)
• Meghalaya: East Khasi Hills (73.00), East Jaintia Hills (63.00)
• Mizoram: Hnahthial (81.43), Lawngtlai (67.71)
• Nagaland: Mokokchung (78.43), Zunheboto (63.36)
• Sikkim: Gangtok (76.64), Gyalshing (71.14)
• Tripura: Gomati (78.79), Dhalai (72.29)
• Sectoral Improvements:
• 85% of districts increased their composite scores compared to the previous edition.
• Good Health and Well-being indicators improved in 93 districts.
• All districts in Assam showed gains in Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Decent Work and Economic Growth.
• Consistency and Variations:
• Tripura showed strong performance with minimal intra-state variation (6.5 points).
• Mizoram and Nagaland had some of the highest-scoring districts but also displayed wider ranges (13.72 and 15.07 points respectively).

The index follows NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index methodology and aims to localise monitoring and drive targeted action across sectors.

Conclusion:

The second NER District SDG Index highlights steady improvement across the region, driven by national flagship schemes and local efforts. Progress is visible in health, education, and livelihoods, with Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura emerging as consistent performers. Sustained focus on low-scoring districts and reducing gaps within states will be key to achieving the SDG targets by 2030. The index remains a critical tool for evidence-based planning and inclusive development in the Northeast.