Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio highlighted the state’s achievements in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in New Delhi and said Nagaland has emerged as a national leader in SDG-5 on gender equality, while districts like Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur ranked among Northeast’s top performers.
Quick Glance
- Nagaland ranked among India’s top performers in SDG-5 (Gender Equality).
- Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur secured positions in the top 10 of Northeast District SDG Index 2.0.
- CM Neiphiu Rio highlighted women empowerment, digital governance and youth development initiatives.
- State seeks Centre’s support for major infrastructure projects including Trans-Nagaland Highway and Greenfield Airport.
Agartala/Kohima: Nagaland has emerged as a leading state in India’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) performance, especially in the area of gender equality. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio highlighted the achievement during the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog held in New Delhi.
Rio said Nagaland’s progress in SDG-5 reflects the state government’s continued focus on inclusive growth, women empowerment and sustainable development. He stated that the state has made steady improvement across multiple SDG indicators.
The Chief Minister also reiterated Nagaland’s commitment towards the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for convening the Governing Council meeting and providing a platform for discussions on development priorities.
Nagaland Districts Perform Strongly in SDG Index
During the meeting, Rio highlighted the performance of three major districts of Nagaland. Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur secured places among the top 10 performers in the Northeast District SDG Index 2.0.
The ranking reflects the growing focus on sustainable governance, social development and effective implementation of welfare programmes across the state.
| District | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Mokokchung | Among top 10 performers in Northeast District SDG Index 2.0 |
| Kohima | Among top 10 performers in Northeast District SDG Index 2.0 |
| Dimapur | Among top 10 performers in Northeast District SDG Index 2.0 |
Governance Reforms Strengthen Development Planning
Rio explained that Nagaland has introduced several governance reforms to improve planning and accountability. The state has adopted an SDG-linked Budget Architecture, Gender Budget Statement and Outcome Budgeting Framework.
These initiatives aim to connect government spending with measurable development outcomes. They also support transparent decision-making and evidence-based policy planning.
The Chief Minister said these reforms have helped strengthen monitoring systems and improve the effectiveness of development programmes.
Women Empowerment Remains a Key Priority
Women-led development was one of the major highlights of Rio’s address. He spoke about initiatives designed to encourage entrepreneurship among women.
The Innovation Seed Fund supports nano women entrepreneurs by helping them develop small-scale businesses. The state has also introduced Pink Scooty Taxis to create new opportunities for women.
Rio also mentioned the Nagaland Strategic Water Resilience Initiative, expansion of bamboo-based industries and programmes supporting a green economy.
These initiatives focus on sustainable livelihoods while encouraging local participation.
Focus on Youth Skills and Employment
The Chief Minister highlighted several programmes aimed at improving opportunities for young people. These include the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission and the Nagaland Apprenticeship and Placement Exchange.
Other initiatives include the Chief Minister’s STEM Incentive Programme, Academic Excellence Corpus and Open Learning Support Scheme.
According to Rio, these programmes are designed to strengthen education, skills and employment opportunities for the younger generation.
Digital Governance and Financial Reforms Expand
Nagaland has also focused on modernising government services through technology. Rio highlighted several digital governance projects.
Major initiatives include:
- Personal Information Management System (PIMS)
- Nagaland State Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy
- Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative Digital Portal
- Common Scholarship Portal
- Nagaland Spatial Data Infrastructure
He also mentioned the proposed Artificial Intelligence Research Centre in Kohima as part of the state’s future technology roadmap.
The Chief Minister further highlighted financial reforms, including e-Stamping services, expansion of the e-GRAS digital revenue platform, modernisation of land revenue systems and creation of the Revenue and Development Fund Mobilisation Cell.
Agriculture, Tourism and Green Economy Drive Growth
Rio stressed the importance of agriculture-based development. He said Nagaland needs stronger food processing facilities and improved post-harvest infrastructure to reduce losses and increase market access.
The state is promoting coffee cultivation through the Cluster-Based Coffee Value Chain Development Programme. It is also encouraging high-value crops such as kiwi, persimmon, dragon fruit, avocado and pineapple.
Tourism and culture also remain important sectors for economic growth. Rio highlighted the role of Mini Hornbill Festivals in supporting tribal traditions.
He said the Hornbill Festival has become a major platform for promoting cultural heritage. The event provides opportunities for artisans, weavers, performers, food entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Infrastructure Projects Seek Central Support
Rio requested continued support from the Government of India for major infrastructure projects in Nagaland.
The proposals include:
| Project | Sector |
| Foothill Road (Trans-Nagaland Highway) | Road connectivity |
| Greenfield Airport at Ciethu | Aviation infrastructure |
| IIT and AIIMS in Nagaland | Education and healthcare |
| Nagaki City development | Urban growth |
| Railway expansion projects | Transport |
| Oil and natural gas exploration revival | Energy |
| Inland waterways development | Connectivity |
| Power transmission strengthening | Energy infrastructure |
The Chief Minister said these projects would improve connectivity, create employment opportunities and support long-term economic growth.
Human Capital Development for Viksit Bharat 2047
Speaking on the theme “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat @ 2047”, Rio highlighted initiatives covering early childhood education, school education, higher education, skill development, sports and digital transformation.
In sports development, he mentioned the “Catch Them Young, Teach Them Right” tournament, Nagaland Super League and expansion of sports facilities across districts.
Rio expressed confidence that the discussions at the NITI Aayog meeting would strengthen cooperative federalism. He said the combined efforts of the Centre and states would contribute towards building a stronger, resilient and developed India.