Introduction

• In June 2025, India reached its highest-ever ranking in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, placing 99th out of 167 countries, an improvement from 109th in 2024. This upward trend reflects steady advancement since 2021, particularly in expanding access to basic services and infrastructure across the country. Despite this progress, the latest SDG Report underscores ongoing and significant challenges in health and nutrition, with uneven outcomes especially pronounced in rural and tribal areas.
• This article examines India’s progress and persistent obstacles in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which focuses on health and well-being. It draws attention to critical gaps in maternal mortality, child survival, life expectancy, healthcare access, and the urgent need for systemic reforms alongside enhanced health education.

Challenges Faced

• India’s journey toward fulfilling SDG 3, which aims to guarantee healthy lives and promote well-being for all by 2030, remains off course despite some improvements. The country’s Maternal Mortality Ratio stands at 97 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly above the target of 70. The under-five mortality rate is currently 32 per 1,000 live births, compared to the desired goal of 25. Meanwhile, life expectancy in India is 70 years, still below the target figure of 73.63 years. Out-of-pocket health expenditure poses a substantial burden, accounting for 13% of household consumption—almost twice the targeted rate of 7.83%. Although immunisation coverage is relatively strong at 93.23%, it remains short of the universal coverage goal of 100%.
• Several factors contribute to this slow pace of progress. A major barrier is the inadequate access to quality healthcare, often due to fragile infrastructure and economic limitations. Beyond economic constraints, non-financial issues such as poor nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and unhealthy lifestyle choices exacerbate health outcomes. Additionally, entrenched cultural practices, stigma related to health matters, and low awareness prevent many communities from utilizing available healthcare services effectively.

Way Forward

To accelerate progress towards SDG 3, a multifaceted approach is essential:

• First, the implementation of universal health insurance can reduce financial hardships and promote equitable access to healthcare, as demonstrated by successful models worldwide. Second, strengthening primary health centres and ensuring seamless coordination between primary, secondary, and tertiary care can facilitate early disease detection, reduce treatment costs, and improve overall health outcomes. The World Health Organization’s World Health Statistics 2022 highlights the critical role of robust primary healthcare systems in achieving these benefits.
• In addition, leveraging digital health technologies such as telemedicine and integrated health records can help bridge the access gap in rural and remote areas. Global evidence, including findings from The Lancet Digital Health Commission, shows how digital innovations have positively impacted maternal care and vaccination rates—valuable lessons that India can adapt to its unique context.
• Equally important is the role of health education in schools as a preventive strategy. Prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment, and equipping children with knowledge about nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, reproductive health, road safety, and mental health can foster healthier behaviors early in life. Educated girls, who will become future mothers, are particularly instrumental in advocating for family health, thereby reducing maternal and child mortality, road accidents, and improving life expectancy and immunisation rates. International experiences support this approach: Finland’s reforms in the 1970s led to a sharp decline in cardiovascular diseases, while Japan’s mandatory health education contributed to better hygiene and longer lifespans. A similarly structured and progressive health curriculum in India could yield transformative health benefits over time.

Conclusion:

• Achieving the SDG targets in India demands concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders. Policymakers must prioritize embedding comprehensive health education within school curricula, expand universal health coverage, and enhance primary healthcare services. Meanwhile, parents play a critical role by ensuring that schools provide education on physical, mental, and social health and by advocating for necessary reforms. Although India’s improved SDG ranking is a positive sign, only about 17% of the global targets are currently on track to be met by 2030. Educating young people on healthy behaviors, supported by resilient healthcare infrastructure, is essential to laying a sustainable foundation for future progress.
• Looking beyond the 2030 horizon, integrating health education systematically into the educational framework is crucial for realizing the vision of a healthier and stronger Viksit Bharat 2047—a goal that envisions a prosperous and well-nourished India by its 100th year of independence.