From Aspirations to Action: Can India Achieve SDG 3 by 2030?

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of India’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) using authentic data from NITI Aayog, NFHS-5, and WHO reports spanning 2015-2024. While India has achieved significant improvements in maternal mortality reduction (from 130 to 97 per 100,000 live births) and immunization coverage expansion, critical gaps persist. Analysis reveals extreme regional disparities with Assam showing 237 MMR versus Kerala’s 46, representing a 5.2x difference. Our trajectory analysis indicates only 4 states will likely achieve 2030 targets, while 15 states covering 400+ million people require unprecedented acceleration. The research demonstrates that achieving universal SDG 3 targets demands immediate transformational interventions in health system capacity, with required progress rates (27.8 annual MMR reduction for Assam) exceeding historical achievements. Policy recommendations include emergency health missions for lagging states, health financing surge to 3% GDP, and comprehensive health system architecture reforms.