Women and the sustainable development goals in India: a bibliometric and thematic analysis

Humanity today is confronted with critical global challenges such as inequality, poverty, and shifting climate dynamics. In response to these pressing issues, the United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at improving lives worldwide. The core objective of the SDGs is to transform the world by eradicating poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. Within this framework, the role of women is particularly vital, as their active participation is essential to the achievement of these goals. As the fourth-largest global economy, India faces a pivotal moment where advancing the SDGs is crucial for its continued development. Existing bibliometric reviews overlook the evolution of women’s contributions across the SDGs in India. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of Indian scholarship on women’s SDG contributions, with particular emphasis on SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Drawing on a dataset of 687 Scopus-indexed publications from 2012 to May 2025, the analysis identifies key publication trends, institutional contributions, thematic clusters, and author networks. The study highlights how research on gender and development has evolved, uncovering gaps in representation and regional collaboration. Through co-occurrence and thematic mapping, it also uncovers dominant themes such as social inclusion, maternal health, policy discourse, and environmental sustainability. Findings indicate a growing academic interest in the gender-SDG nexus in India, however, highlights gaps in regional collaboration and uneven thematic depth. By outlining the structure and evolution of this research field, this study offers a foundation for future empirical investigations and policy-oriented research.