The initiative aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and encourage sustainable corporate participation

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on 31^st October 2025 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. It envisions developing a Comprehensive SDG Alignment Framework, integrating National, State, ESG and CSR indicators to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat.

At IICA, the collaboration has been envisaged under the dynamic leadership of Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General & CEO, IICA, who has been instrumental in steering IICA’s strategic initiatives in the areas of ESG, CSR, and Responsible Business Conduct, and integrates the same with India’s national development agenda. The signing ceremony was graced with the presence of Sh. Kishor Baburao Surwade, Additional Director General, Capacity development Division, MoSPI; Dr. Garima Dadhich, Associate Professor & Head, School of Business Environment IICA; Ms. Ruchika Gupta, Deputy Director General, Social Statistics Division, MoSPI; Sh. Shivnath Singh Jadawat, Director, Training Unit, Capacity Development Division, MoSPI; Dr. Ziaul Haque, Director, Social Statistics Division, MoSPI, and other members from MoSPI and IICA.

The National Indicator Framework (NIF), which serves as the cornerstone for monitoring India’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will form the foundation for this collaborative effort. Building upon the NIF, the initiative will develop a framework that aligns state-level indicators with national priorities while integrating ESG and CSR dimensions. This harmonized approach will bridge national, state, and corporate sustainability frameworks, ensuring that CSR and ESG initiatives of businesses are effectively aligned with State and Union Territory SDG objectives. Together, the NIF–SIF alignment will strengthen evidence-based policymaking, foster sustainable corporate participation, and advance the government’s vsion of Viksit Bharat through coherent and inclusive SDG monitoring and implementation.

MoU launches a Comprehensive SDG Alignment Framework integrating national, state, ESG and CSR indicators for coherent SDG monitoring. The MoU establishes a Comprehensive SDG Alignment Framework integrating the National Indicator Framework with state indicators, ESG metrics, and CSR reporting to harmonise measurement standards and map corporate ESG/CSR activities to State and Union Territory SDG objectives, thereby strengthening evidence-based policymaking and sustainable corporate participation.