Research on sustainable development in India: Growth, key themes, and challenges

This study provides a systematic and thematic analysis of sustainable development goal (SDG) research in India. The study revealed a significant increase in research productivity and citation impact related to the SDGs in India from 2015 to 2023. While SDG 8 (work) and SDG 12 (consumption) received the highest research focus, SDGs 5 (gender) and 14 (water) were less explored, indicating potential gaps in research alignment with certain goals. International collaboration, particularly with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China, has increased research productivity and impact. The analysis highlights the need for collaboration between public and private institutions to advance SDG research in India. The keyword trend analysis revealed two key thematic clusters: environmental and economic aspects, which focus on climate change and sustainability, and health and human welfare, which emphasize public health and gender issues. India's SDG research has revealed strong links between SDG 8, SDG 12, and SDG 13 (climate), indicating a central focus on these goals in the country's SDG research agenda. However, challenges remain in addressing SDG 2 (hunger) and SDG 5, where national scores remain low. The results show improvements in SDG 1 (poverty), 8, and 13 targets, but challenges persist in SDGs 2 and 5 due to governance issues and regional disparities. Advancing the SDGs requires a comprehensive approach, integrating sustainability into business strategies and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Future research directions include enhancing domestic collaboration to focus on local and regional priorities and addressing underexplored SDGs. Additionally, policy support for interdisciplinary research and more inclusive growth strategies remains crucial to ensure balanced development across all the SDGs in India.