India presented its Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on July 23, 2025, reaffirming its commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda. The VNR, steered by NITI Aayog, highlights India's "whole-of-government and whole-of-society" approach, incorporating input from States, Union Territories, civil society, development partners, and the private sector. Key achievements noted in the report include: approximately 248 million people escaping multidimensional poverty, food security ensured by the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, expanded access to nutrition and healthcare through POSHAN Abhiyaan and Ayushman Bharat, and advancements in clean energy via initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission. India is now the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, supported by infrastructure development programs such as PM Gati Shakti and Make in India. The VNR emphasizes India's leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), leveraging the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity. India is strengthening data-driven governance through tools like the SDG India Index and the National Multidimensional Poverty Index, and ensuring last-mile service delivery via the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). India's growing contribution to South-South Cooperation is also highlighted. The VNR aligns with India's long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The report was presented by Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery.
Key Entities Referenced
NITI Aayog: Government of India's policy think tank involved in steering the preparation of India's Voluntary National Review (VNR).
United Nations: International organization hosting the High Level Political Forum where India presented its VNR.
High Level Political Forum: A United Nations platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainable Development Goals: A collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all".
UN 2030 Agenda: A plan of action adopted by the United Nations outlining the Sustainable Development Goals and targets.
PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: A food security scheme in India that provides nutritional support to millions.
Ayushman Bharat: A health scheme in India aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare.
Viksit Bharat 2047: India's long-term vision of becoming a developed nation by its 100th year of independence.
NITI Aayog
Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog presents India’s Third
Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the UN High-
Level Political Forum 2025
VNR Highlights India’s Whole-of-Government and
Whole-of-Society Approach to Achieving the SDGs
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 12:14PM by PIB Delhi
Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery, on 23 July 2025, presented India’s Third Voluntary National
Review (VNR) Report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Ministerial Segment of the High-
Level Political Forum (HLPF) on SDGs convened by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the
United Nations.
He observed that it was an important opportunity to share with the world the combination of
economic growth, investment in infrastructure, efficient delivery of targeted schemes, and local
commitment that had transformed the Sustainable Development Goals into a national movement in
less than a decade.
This VNR marks India’s third submission to the HLPF, reaffirming the country’s sustained commitment to
the UN 2030 Agenda for SDGs.
Anchored in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, the preparation of India’s VNR
2025 was steered by NITI Aayog through a structured and consultative process that drew on the
participation of States, Union Territories, civil society, and development partners and private sector.
Building on the approach adopted in previous VNRs, a clear national roadmap guided the process,
ensuring broad-based engagement while remaining anchored in data and evidence. UNDP has
been very supportive in establishing SDG Coordination and Acceleration Centres in the States/UTs
for deepening SDG localisation.
India’s VNR 2025 captures a decade of decisive policy action and transformative results across
multiple dimensions of sustainable development:
Poverty Alleviation: Around 248 million individuals estimated to have escaped Multidimensional
(cid:108)
Poverty (MPI).
Food Security: PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has ensured nutritional support for millions.
(cid:108)
Health and Nutrition: POSHAN Abhiyaan and Ayushman Bharat have expanded access to quality
(cid:108)
nutrition and healthcare.
Clean Energy: Programmes like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, and PM Surya
(cid:108)
Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana are strengthening India’s transition to clean energy.
Innovation and Growth: India is now the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world.
(cid:108)
Infrastructure and Industry: Schemes such as PM Gati Shakti, Make in India, and the National Industrial
(cid:108)
Corridor Development Programme are building next-generation infrastructure.
The report highlights India’s leadership in building Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) grounded in the Jan
Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile (JAM) trinity, which has become a global model for inclusive, transparent, and
efficient service delivery.
With tools such as the SDG India Index, North-Eastern Region District SDG Index, and the NationalMulti-dimensional Poverty Index, India continues to strengthen its data-driven governance and localise
SDG implementation. Initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational
Blocks Programme (ABP) ensure last-mile saturation of government services.
India’s VNR 2025 further highlights its growing contribution to South-South Cooperation, reflecting its role
as a trusted development partner through capacity-building and institutional support to fellow developing
countries.
Agenda 2030 is aligned with India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 – a developed India by its
th
100 year of independence - underscoring an integrated development strategy grounded in inclusion,
innovation, and institutional strength.
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MJPS/SR
(Release ID: 2149181)