Analysis of the Targets and Progress toward Meeting the 2030 Agenda for SDG 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy: Evidence from India

The success of the SDGs has been a major challenge for governments around the world in recent years. This research focuses specifically on progress toward SDG 7, which aims to ensure that everyone has access to affordable and clean energy. The primary goal of this paper was to assess progress toward SDG 7 objectives in India and Indian states and UTs. Using SDG Index reports for 2018, 2019 and 2020, we assess the progress made in terms of SDG 7. The findings revealed that for SDG 7, the SDG Index Score ranges between 50 and 100 for States and 71 to 100 for UTs. There are fifteen states and five UTs in the class of Achievers (with an Index score of 100) and twelve states and three UTs in the class of Front Runners (with an Index score ranges between 65 and 99). The paper raises various policy issues, including drafting of regulations that benefit the poor and marginalized sections of the society, as well as states and areas that lack access. The importance of formal education, especially for rural women, cannot be overstated, which impacts their decisions about the type of fuel used for cooking. Through strong collaboration between non-state organizations and the government in rural communities within the country, the SDG 7 goals can be achieved through effective planning and delivery of reforms, thereby reducing the harmful effects of the lack of access to clean and affordable energy. It will be crucial in the long run for effective participation of local institutions (PRIs) to carry out reforms in the energy sectors to have adequate budgetary allocations for providing access to affordable energy services.