Hnahthial Distt of Mizoram tops NITI Aayog NER SDG Index Report 2023–24

The Hnahthial district of Mizoram has been ranked as the top district among the 121 districts of the eight northeastern states in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. 

The Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh was ranked 121st.

The NITI Aayog revealed the performance of the districts of the North Eastern states in its second edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report (2023-24).

The NITI Aayog released its report in New Delhi on July 7, 2025.

The first edition of the NER District SDG Index Report 2021–22 was released on 26 August 2021.

Who has prepared the NER SDG Report 2023-24?

The North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report (2023-24) was prepared by the NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in India provided technical support in preparing the report.

About the NER SDG Report

The NER District SDG Index assesses the performance of selected districts in the eight northeastern states—Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, and Meghalaya—on the SDGs and their corresponding targets. 

The index has a maximum score of 100 and a minimum score of zero.

The Index is based on NITI Aayog's SDG India Index.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015, setting 17 goals to eliminate poverty, ensure quality education, promote gender equality, and achieve other objectives by 2030.

Features of the Second Edition of the Report

Total districts 

• 121 districts out of the 131 districts of the eight North Eastern states were covered.

Indicators and data sources

• It comprises a total of 84 indicators, of which 41 indicators are sourced from various ministries and departments of the Central Government, and data for 43 indicators is obtained from State sources.

Four Categories 

The districts have been divided into four categories;

• Achiever: District that has achieved all targets with a score of 100; 
• Front Runner: District having a score between 65 and 99;
• Performer: District having a score between 50 and 64; and 
• Aspirant: District having a score of less than 50.

Improvement in performance 

•  Eighty-five per cent of the districts are in the front-runner category.

Top 10 Districts of the North East 

Following is the list of the top 10 districts as per the Niti Aayog’s North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report (2023-24).

Highest and lowest Rank Districts in each State 

The districts with the highest and lowest ranks in each State are as follows:

Arunachal Pradesh: Lower Dibang Valley (overall rank in region 23), Longding (overall rank in region 121)

Assam: Dibrugarh (Rank 17), South Salmara-Mankachar (Rank 118) 

Manipur: Imphal West (Rank 24), Pherzawl (Rank 118) 

 Meghalaya: East Khasi Hills (Rank 26), East Jaintia Hills (Rank 114) 

Mizoram: Hnahthial (Rank 1), Lawngtlai (Rank 86)

Nagaland: Mokokchung (Rank 4), Zunheboto (Rank 110) 

Sikkim: Gangtok (Rank 8), Gyalshing (Rank 49)

Tripura: Gomati ( Rank 78.79), Dhalai ( Rank 72.29)

About the NITI Aayog

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog was established by the Government of India through an executive order.

Establishment Date- 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.

The Prime Minister is the chairman of the NITI Aayog.

Vice Chairman- Suman Bery

Chief Executive Officer- BVR Subrahmanyam