Assam’s SDG Paradox – Between Early Promise and Persistent Gaps

Assam’s journey with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) began with promise and early leadership. Yet, as the latest NITI Aayog SDG India Index 2023–24 reveals, the state now stands at a critical crossroads. Despite bold ambitions and being the first Indian state to adopt the SDG framework in 2016, Assam continues to underperform compared to national averages and even smaller northeastern states.

Let’s unpack the paradox step by step and explore what’s truly holding Assam back.

1. Assam’s Early Start and Promises Raised High Hopes

• Assam adopted the SDG framework as early as 2016, positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable development planning.
  
• In July 2024, the Chief Minister reaffirmed this commitment, aiming to make Assam one of the top five SDG performers in India.
  
• However, despite this ambitious promise, the latest data tells a sobering story. Assam ranks only 23rd out of 28 states.
  

Transition Insight: Although Assam’s early start gave it a strategic advantage, the momentum has not translated into sustained performance.

2. Northeast SDG Rankings Reflect Sharp District-Wise Disparities

• According to the Northeast District SDG Index, Mizoram’s Hnahthial district tops the region with a score of 81.43.
  
• In contrast, Assam’s best-performing district, Dibrugarh, lags far behind with just 71.29.
  
• Alarmingly, South Salmara-Mankachar, Assam’s lowest-ranked district, scored only 59.71, highlighting regional imbalance.
  

Transition Insight: Clearly, these disparities reveal that progress is not uniform, even within the same state.

3. Assam Struggles With Structural Deficiencies That Hinder Progress

• Poor road connectivity, unstable electricity supply, and limited healthcare infrastructure continue to plague both rural and urban areas.
  
• These structural challenges obstruct Assam’s progress across multiple SDG goals, particularly in health, education, and innovation.
  

Transition Insight: Unless these core infrastructure gaps are addressed, SDG success will remain a distant goal.

4. Health and Education Indicators Still Show National Lag

• Infant and under-five mortality rates in Assam remain higher than the national average.
  
• The education system suffers from high dropout rates and poor quality of instruction, especially at the secondary level.
  

Transition Insight: Although policy intentions are clear, actual delivery on the ground remains weak.

5. Economic Overdependence and Weak Industrial Base Add Pressure

• Assam’s economy still relies heavily on agriculture, while its industrial sector has seen little diversification.
  
• This imbalance has stifled employment and innovation, reflected in poor performance on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure).
  

Transition Insight: Without economic diversification, long-term development goals will always face resistance.

6. Governance and Institutional Bottlenecks Limit Policy Execution

• Assam has yet to build robust interdepartmental coordination mechanisms for SDG implementation.
  
• Despite having committed departments and goals on paper, real-time monitoring systems and skilled personnel are largely missing.
  

Transition Insight: Policies without mechanisms for execution become nothing more than written aspirations.

7. Even High-Scoring SDGs Show Gaps Beneath the Surface

• Assam performs relatively better on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation).
  
• However, due to a lack of timely data and local monitoring, these numbers often fail to reflect on-ground realities.
  

Transition Insight: Unless data is made more transparent and district-level assessments improve, development will stay reactive instead of proactive.

8. A Closer Look at the Numbers – Assam’s SDG Standing

Here’s a simple breakdown of Assam’s key indicators based on the SDG India Index 2023–24:

Indicator	Observation
SDG India Rank (2023–24)	23rd among 28 Indian States
Best District	Dibrugarh – Score: 71.29
Lowest District	South Salmara-Mankachar – Score: 59.71
Health & Infant Mortality	Still above national average
Dropout Rates	High at secondary school level
Industry & Innovation (SDG 9)	Poor performance due to weak industrial growth
SDG 1 (No Poverty)	Ranked 5th nationally, but data remains limited

 Conclusion: The Way Forward for Assam’s SDG Ambitions

To conclude, Assam’s SDG paradox highlights the gap between early vision and actual progress. While the state led with foresight and frameworks, it now needs to double down on implementation. From strengthening infrastructure and boosting data transparency to building strong governance frameworks, Assam must shift from promise to performance.

Only when execution matches intention can Assam truly live up to its SDG potential and lead the Northeast in sustainable and equitable growth.

 FAQs

1. What are SDGs and why are they important for Assam?
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global targets set by the United Nations. For Assam, they provide a roadmap to improve health, education, environment, and equality by 2030.

2. How is Assam performing in achieving these goals?
Assam has shown mixed progress. While improvements in clean energy and health are visible, challenges remain in poverty reduction, education access, and gender equality.

3. Who monitors Assam’s SDG progress?
NITI Aayog tracks state-wise progress through the SDG India Index, and Assam’s own Planning & Development Department oversees implementation locally.

4. Which districts in Assam are doing well in SDG rankings?
Districts like Kamrup Metro and Jorhat have performed relatively better, especially in health and sanitation indicators, according to recent SDG district-level reports.

5. How can citizens contribute to SDG goals in Assam?
Small actions matter. From using eco-friendly practices to promoting education and supporting local health initiatives, citizens play a vital role in building a sustainable Assam.

CITATIONS 

• Assam Tribune-  July 17, 2025