Kerala’s presence as a high-performing State in the NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) index may not have come as a surprise, but the State can reap better benefits if it adopts an introspective approach to the rankings, say experts. In the overall placing, the State tied for the top spot with Himachal Pradesh scoring 69 out of 100. Each State and Union Territory won a composite score based on its aggregate performance across 13 out of 17 SDGs defined by the UN. Topped list Kerala topped the list in good health and well-being, quality education and stood joint first with Sikkim on gender equality. The report notes that a child born in Kerala can expect to live 11 years more than a child born in Uttar Pradesh. In industry, innovation and infrastructure, the State tied for the second position with Manipur, and in zero hunger goal, it stood third after Goa and Manipur. In several other categories such as no poverty, reduced inequalities, peace, and building strong and accountable institutions, the State emerged a front runner, but at varying positions as low as 10 and 12 – below other States. The rankings categorise the States into achiever, front runner, performer and aspirant. The rankings should, in fact, help to draw the State’s attention to individual goals and spur public policy decisions, rather than making it complacent, Sunil Mani, professor and director, Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvananthapuram, said. In reality, Kerala is a front runner’ only in two goals good health and well-being and quality education. But are we really at the top? The State is still grappling with communicable diseases, for instance. Earlier studies have shown that the morbidity rate is very high,” Prof. Mani said. In quality of education also, the contemporary Kerala situation left much to be desired, he said. Learning outcome In a measure of learning outcome, for instance mathematical ability or language comprehension, I don’t think Kerala schools rank that high. Again, in industry, innovation and infrastructure, if you look at the medium and large enterprises that have come to Kerala, overall the State is nowhere. Mobile phone and Internet penetration may be high in Kerala, but are they true indicators of industry and innovation,” he asked. In the parameters set for eradicating hunger and poverty, Kerala ranked respectively three and five. The State was ranked 12th in reduced inequalities and clean water and sanitation and 13th in decent work and economic growth. Next level The real challenge before Kerala is progressing to the next level, economist and Planning Board member K.N. Harilal said. After you climb to a certain level, incremental progress then becomes difficult. We have achieved certain things, true, but we are in a position where we cannot stand still. Next generation challenges are manifold. We have to invest more in higher education and in tackling lifestyle diseases,” Prof. Harilal said.