NITI Aayog’s report says 248 million rise out of poverty in a decade

India presented the Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2025 at the United Nations highlighting a decade of focused policy action and significant achievements across key areas of sustainable development.

Presented by the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Suman Bery, the report showcases how concerted efforts have led to transformative outcomes, positively impacting the lives of millions.

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One of the most notable achievements has been in the area of poverty alleviation. Over the past 10 years, an estimated 248 million individuals have escaped Multidimensional Poverty (MPI), reflecting the success of inclusive development policies and targeted welfare programs.

Food security has been a critical area of intervention, with the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ensuring the provision of free food grains to millions of vulnerable households. This initiative played a pivotal role in maintaining nutritional stability, especially during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the health and nutrition sector, flagship schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan and Ayushman Bharat have significantly enhanced access to quality nutrition and affordable healthcare, the report highlighted.

India’s clean energy transition has gained momentum through landmark initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

In the domain of innovation and entrepreneurship, India has emerged as the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally. This growth reflects the enabling environment fostered by government support, digital infrastructure, and investment in research and innovation.

The report also highlighted the transformative developments in infrastructure and industry like PM Gati Shakti, Make in India, and the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.

Together, these multi-sectoral efforts underscore India’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future.

The report highlights India’s leadership in building Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) grounded in the Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile (JAM) trinity, which has become a global model for inclusive, transparent, and efficient service delivery.

With tools such as the SDG India Index, North-Eastern Region District SDG Index, and the National Multidimensional Poverty Index, India continues to strengthen its data-driven governance and localise SDG implementation. Initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) ensure last-mile saturation of government services.