Sustainable development goals in jammu kashmir and ladakh: assessing progress, trends and Development gaps

This study examines the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, emphasizing their distinct socio-economic and environmental challenges. The SDGs aim to promote sustainability by addressing social, economic, and environmental priorities. The analysis utilizes the SDG India Index to evaluate trends from 2018 to 2023-24, providing a temporal overview of the regions’ developmental trajectories post-bifurcation in 2019. Using the SDG India Index framework, which classifies regions into tiers—"Aspirant," "Performer," "Front Runner," and "Achiever"—it compares progress in Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh against national averages. India has shown notable progress in achieving SDGs, as reflected in the SDG India Index, which tracks the performance of states and union territories. In Jammu Kashmir, key advancements are observed in poverty reduction, healthcare, education, infrastructure development and sustainable cities and communities; however, persistent challenges remain in areas such as inequality, urban sustainability, and climate resilience. Meanwhile, Ladakh excels in gender equality, renewable energy adoption and decent work and economic growth, but faces challenges in reducing inequalities, urban sustainability, responsible consumption and production and climate action. By comparing regional performances with national benchmarks, this study identifies critical gaps and highlights the need for tailored policy interventions to address these disparities. This study underscores the ongoing developmental needs of these regions, providing insights to guide localized policies for sustainable development.