Districts in Mizoram, Tripura, and Nagaland have shown impressive performance in the NITI Aayog’s North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index 2023-24. The index, a joint effort by NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER), and the UNDP, assessed 131 districts across the North East on 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 84 indicators.
Hnahthial district in Mizoram secured the top spot with a score of 81.43, followed by Champhai (Mizoram), Gomati and West Tripura (Tripura), and Mokokchung (Nagaland) in the top five districts. The index classified districts as Achievers, Front Runners, Performers, and Aspirants based on their scores. This edition saw a significant increase in the number of districts classified as Front Runners, indicating progress from the previous edition.
Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura stood out as all their districts achieved Front Runner status. However, Longding district in Arunachal Pradesh scored the lowest in the region. Nagaland exhibited the widest intra-state disparity, with a 15.07-point difference between its top and bottom districts, while Sikkim showed the most consistent performance with only a 5.5-point range. Tripura also performed well, with high-scoring districts and minimal variation.
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain, including development gaps within states and data reliability issues in some districts. Ten districts were excluded from the computation due to unreliable data. The report emphasized the importance of evidence-based planning and monitoring to ensure inclusive development across all districts in the region.
The release of the second edition of the NER District SDG Index after a two-year gap is seen as a crucial tool for guiding development strategies and ensuring that all districts in the North East are on track to achieve the SDGs. The report serves as a benchmark for measuring progress and identifying areas that require focused attention to bridge development gaps and promote sustainable growth across the region.
