National Monitoring Framework on Sustainable Development Goals

The Union Cabinet has approved the constitution of a High-Level Steering Committee for periodically reviewing and refining the National Indicator Framework (NIF) for monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with associated targets. This will include refinements of the indicators from time to time.

• The High-Level Steering Committee will be chaired by Chief Statistician of India and Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation(MoSPI).

Objective

• Measures to mainstream SDGs into on-going national policies, programmes, and strategic action plans to address the developmental challenges.
• Statistical indicators of NIF will be the backbone of monitoring of SDGs at the national and state level and will scientifically measure the outcomes of the policies to achieve the targets under different SDGs.
• Based on the statistical indicator, the MoSPI will bring out national reports on the implementation of SDGs. The Report will facilitate the assessment of progress, identify challenges and give recommendations for follow up at the national level.
• Data source Ministries / Departments will be responsible for providing regular information to MoSPI on these indicators at required intervals and disaggregation for national and sub-national reporting of SDGs.

Background

• At the Millennium Summit held in 2000 at the UN Headquarters in New York, eight development goals known as the 'Millennium Development Goals' (MDGs) were adopted, which formed the blueprint for countries to pursue their national development strategies from 2000 to 2015.
• The MDGs targets were unevenly achieved across the countries and a need was felt to start fresh discussions to assess the usefulness of the MDGs and to explore possible successor to guide development cooperation in the world beyond 2015.
• The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into force with effect from 1st January 2016.
• Though not legally binding, the SDGs have become de facto international obligations and have the potential to reorient the domestic spending priorities of the countries during the next fifteen years. Countries are expected to take ownership and establish a national framework for achieving these Goals.
• Countries would be responsible for follow-up and review at the national level, with regard to the progress made in implementing the Goals and targets. Actions at the national level to monitor progress under SDGs will require quality, accessible and timely data.