Brief description of its relationship with SDG-1

India has pulled over 415 million people out of multidimensional poverty in recent decades. However, due to its population size, it still houses a significant population vulnerable to falling back into poverty due to climate hazards and inflation. (OPHI and UNDP, 2025, 18ff.)

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

India’s relationship with SDG 1 (No Poverty) is highly significant, as it has one of the world’s largest populations affected by poverty, making its progress crucial for the global goal. The country is broadly on track, with extreme poverty declining from 16.2% in 2011–12 to 2.3% in 2022–23; however, significant challenges remain, including income inequality, unemployment, rural–urban divides, and vulnerability to economic and climate shocks, with notable regional disparities as southern states generally perform better than northern ones. 

India addresses SDG 1 (No Poverty) through national strategies and social protection schemes, supported by the United Nations to improve livelihoods, resilience, and access to basic services. Key initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for health insurance, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (free food grains), and heavily digitized direct-benefit cash transfers (DBT) play a crucial role alongside strong economic growth. (Doordarshan India, 2026) 

LIST OF REFERENCES AND USEFUL LINKS

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. (2025). Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework, 2025. Government of India. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication_reports/Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%20%E2%80%93%20National%20Indicator%20Framework%2C%202025.pdf

United Nations in India. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://india.un.org/en/sdgs

United Nations in India. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 1: No poverty - Progress. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://india.un.org/en/sdgs/1/progress

Sustainable Development Solutions Network. (2026). India. Sustainable Development Report 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/india/

United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). UNDP India. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.undp.org/india

Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. (n.d.). India: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://globalallianceagainsthungerandpoverty.org/country-example/india-mahatma-gandhi-national-rural-employment-guarantee-scheme-mgnregs/

Doordarshan India. (2026, June 29). India's social protection coverage rises to 65.3%; MoSPI releases SDG progress report. Retrieved August 28, 2026, from https://ddindia.co.in/2026/06/indias-social-protection-coverage-rises-to-65-3-mospi-releases-sdg-progress-report/