SDG-4 Education and Sustainable Development: Mapping Initiatives in India

Title

SDG-4 Education and Sustainable Development: Mapping Initiatives in India

Creator

Prakasha, G.S.; Menon, Malavika

Description

This chapter, in keeping with the larger theme of the volume, will present a critical overview of the steps taken by the Indian Government toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), in particular Goal 4: Inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong opportunities for all. The initiatives are mapped across primary, secondary, higher, and technical education from 2015 to 2024. The chapter looks at policy initiatives, budgetary allocation to education in the Five-Year Plan (20152020), infrastructure development, and inclusivity. The Indian state has always been conscious of its responsibility toward education. Through this chapter, the authors can help situate the position of the Indian education system vis-vis global indicators like SDGs. Moreover, the chapter will attempt to demonstrate the marked changes in the education system in India in the 21st century. The chapter argues that Indian educational initiatives since independence have prioritized quality, inclusive, and lifelong learning, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established in 2015. Hence, India had always addressed these concerns systematically, and now, identifying with UN SDGs has a global benchmarking. The chapter begins with a brief introduction of the developmental goals set by the United Nations and discusses its transition from millennium development goals (MDGs) to SDGs. This is followed by an overview of educational landmarks in the short history of Indias independence. The last section looks at policy initiatives and legislation across primary, secondary, and higher education, focusing largely on the two decades of the 21st century. Copyright 2026 by G S Prakasha and Malavika Menon Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited

Source

Quality Education for All in Asia-Pacific Countries: Research Insights, Reflections and Initiatives on SDG 4;pp.41-60

Date

01-01-2026

Publisher

Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.

Subject

Diksha; MDG; NEP-2020; SDG-4 India; Vidyalaxmi

Coverage

Prakasha G.S., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India; Menon M., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISBN: 978-183608872-1; 978-183608873-8; 978-183608874-5;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Book chapter

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-872-120251003

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029786446?origin=resultslist