Patna: Bihar is increasingly aligning its development programmes with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a move that is essential for ensuring inclusive and balanced growth, a senior official said at the conclusion of a national workshop in Patna.
Addressing the closing session of the workshop on SDG monitoring and data systems, Dr N Vijayalakshmi, additional chief secretary of the planning and development department, said the state had made significant progress across multiple development indicators through sustained policy efforts.
She noted that Bihar had adopted an SDG vision document as early as 2017, linking departmental schemes to global development targets. A state-level monitoring framework comprising 334 indicators has since been developed to track progress and guide policymaking.
According to the department, an analysis of 162 key indicators shows improvement in around 72% of them. Officials said the state is currently making satisfactory progress on eight of the 15 SDGs, while work continues on the remaining goals.
Bihar’s overall SDG score has improved from 48 in 2018 to 57 in 2023-24, with the state ranking among the top performers in certain sectors. In clean water and sanitation (SDG-6), Bihar secured the third position nationally with a score of 98. Officials also highlighted a significant reduction in multidimensional poverty, with around 22.5 million people lifted out of poverty in recent years.
Economic indicators have also shown improvement. The state recorded a GSDP growth rate of 13.1% in 2024-25, higher than the national average, alongside a steady rise in per capita income.
Vijayalakshmi emphasised that gender equality remains a key priority, citing programmes such as Jeevika and the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyami Yojana. Women’s participation in panchayati raj institutions now exceeds 50%, while female labour force participation has risen sharply from about 4% in 2017-18 to 32% in 2023-24.
Looking ahead, she said the state would focus on integrating gender budgeting with SDG targets and strengthening evidence-based planning. Greater emphasis would also be placed on health, nutrition, education and economic empowerment of women and girls.
Officials said improved inter-departmental coordination, technological adoption and public awareness would be critical in accelerating progress towards the SDGs.
The workshop, organised by the planning and development department in collaboration with national and international partners, brought together representatives from multiple states to share best practices and strengthen data-driven governance.
