SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) – THE ULTIMATE MASTER NOTES

The only set you’ll ever need. Unstoppable. Untouchable. Unbeatable.

What is Sustainable Development?

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs."
— Brundtland Report, 1987

Combines:

 Economic growth

 Social inclusion

 Environmental protection

INTRODUCING THE SDGs – GLOBAL MASTERPLAN FOR SURVIVAL

 Full Form: Sustainable Development Goals

 Launched by: United Nations

 Adopted in: 2015 (in UN General Assembly, New York)

 Total Goals: 17

 Total Targets: 169

 Time Frame: 2015 – 2030

 Replaced: Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (2000–2015)

Remember: The SDGs are Universal, Integrated, and Transformative.

PURPOSE OF SDGs (Why They Exist)

 Eradicate poverty

 Achieve gender equality

 Promote sustainable economic growth

 Combat climate change

 Ensure peace, justice, and strong institutions

 Protect the planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity

THE 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS – MASTER VERSION

1 No Poverty End poverty in all forms everywhere

2 Zero Hunger End hunger, achieve food security, promote sustainable agriculture

3 Good Health and Well-being Ensure healthy lives and well-being for all

4 Quality Education Inclusive, equitable education & lifelong learning

5 Gender Equality End all forms of gender discrimination and violence

6 Clean Water and Sanitation Safe drinking water & sanitation for all

7 Affordable and Clean Energy Access to renewable, clean energy

8 Decent Work and Economic Growth Productive employment, economic opportunities

9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Build resilient infrastructure, promote innovation

10 Reduced Inequalities Reduce inequality within and among countries

11 Sustainable Cities and Communities Make cities inclusive, resilient & environmentally safe

12 Responsible Consumption and Production Sustainable use of resources, reduce waste

13 Climate Action Combat climate change and its impacts

14 Life Below Water Conserve oceans, seas, marine resources

15 Life on Land Protect forests, biodiversity, land ecosystems

16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Promote peaceful societies, justice, strong institutions

17 Partnerships for the Goals Global partnerships to implement SDGs

Tip: Group them in 5 Ps:

HOW THE GOALS ARE INTERLINKED

 SDG 1 (No Poverty) depends on SDG 8 (Jobs) and SDG 4 (Education)

 SDG 13 (Climate Action) is connected to SDG 14 & 15 (Oceans + Land)

 SDG 5 (Gender Equality) is key for achieving SDG 3, 4, 8

The goals are not isolated — progress in one boosts the others.

INDIA AND THE SDGs

 India’s SDG Index is released annually

 Top-performing states (as per NITI Aayog): Kerala, Himachal Pradesh

 Aspirational districts: Focused government effort for backward areas

 Key Indian initiatives aligned with SDGs:

o Swachh Bharat Mission → SDG 6

o Ujjwala Yojana → SDG 7

o Ayushman Bharat → SDG 3

o Beti Bachao Beti Padhao → SDG 5

o PM Jan Dhan Yojana → SDG 1, 8

WHY ARE SDGs CRITICAL? (Exam-Proof Answer)

 They are a blueprint for survival of humanity and Earth

 Ensure no one is left behind

 Tackle global crises: poverty, hunger, war, pollution, climate collapse

 Promote intergenerational justice

 Foster global cooperation for a peaceful, prosperous world

TOP CUET-LEVEL FACTS (1-Liner Superbullets)

 SDGs are part of UN Agenda 2030

 Total: 17 Goals, 169 Targets, 247 Indicators

 India’s implementing agency: NITI Aayog

 SDG 13 is directly linked to Climate Change

 "Leave no one behind" is the motto of the SDGs

 SDG 12 focuses on responsible consumption

 SDG 16 is about peace and justice

SDGs vs MDGs (What Changed?)

Feature MDGs (2000–2015) SDGs (2015–2030)

Goals 8 17

Focus Only developing nations Universal (all countries)

Dimensions Mostly health and poverty Economic + social + environmental

Approach Top-down Participatory + inclusive

FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES OF SDGs

Principle What it means

Universality Apply to all nations equally

Integration Balance economic, social, and environmental goals

Leaving No One Behind Focus on the most marginalized

Accountability Progress must be tracked and reviewed

GLOBAL MONITORING

 Tracked by: UN SDG Indicator Framework

 Reviewed annually at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)

 Data published in the Global SDG Progress Report

ASSERTION–REASON READY THEORY POINTS

Assertion Reason

SDGs promote global peace Because they ensure justice, strong institutions (SDG 16)

SDGs are universal Because they apply to both rich and poor countries

India tracks SDG progress Through NITI Aayog’s SDG Index

SDGs help in environmental conservation Because goals 13, 14, 15 directly target environment

SDG 4 targets gender equality Wrong — SDG 5 targets it

BONUS: Mnemonic to Remember All 17 Goals ( Legendary Hack)

“No Zebra Goes Quietly Growing Clean Apples During Important Rainy Cold Lovely Light Peaceful Parties.”
| No | = No Poverty
| Zebra | = Zero Hunger
| Goes | = Good Health
| Quietly| = Quality Education
| Growing| = Gender Equality
| Clean | = Clean Water
| Apples | = Affordable Energy
| During | = Decent Work
| Important| = Industry & Innovation
| Rainy | = Reduced Inequality
| Cold | = Cities
| Lovely | = Life on Land
| Light | = Life Below Water
| Peaceful| = Peace & Justice
| Parties| = Partnerships

FINAL INVINCIBLE SUMMARY

 SDGs = Blueprint to save the world by 2030

 17 Goals → Integrated, Universal, Time-Bound

 Cover every human challenge, from food to forests, peace to pollution

 India aligns SDGs with flagship schemes

 Tracking done by UN & NITI Aayog