India
1,438.1
Population 2023 (Millions)
0.6
HDI Score
2022 (Max. 1)
64.0
SDG Score
2023
(Max. 100)
0.4
Gender Inequality
Index Score
(Max. 1)
50
Internet Inclusivity
Index 2022
(100 countries)
Overview
Situated in South Asia and stretching from the Himalayas in the north to the tropical coasts in the south, India is a vast and diverse country with a history that spans thousands of years. Often referred to as the world’s largest democracy, India is home to more than 1.4 billion people and a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and religions. Once the center of powerful ancient civilizations and empires, India came under British colonial rule in the mid-19th century before gaining independence in 1947 through a nonviolent struggle led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi. Today, India is a global economic and technological force, yet faces complex challenges including poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and religious and caste-based tensions. Rapid urbanization and population growth strain infrastructure and public services, while political polarization and concerns over civil liberties remain topics of national debate. Despite these issues, India continues to be a nation of remarkable resilience and creativity, with a thriving democracy, influential cultural exports, and a population driving innovation and change on the world stage.
Projects
- Partner(s): UNDP (Funder), UNDP Europe and Central Asia
In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), DPA provided support to the Europe and Central Asia Regional Hub in Istanbul for the project “Measuring the Unmeasured” to contribute to SDG measurement and achievement. The effective use of data for public policy was of critical importance to the UN in its efforts to strengthen evidence-based programming and policy development. In particular, generating, analyzing, presenting, and using data was vital to global and regional efforts to monitor and promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our project aimed to scope, develop, and test different methods for measuring Tier III indicators of high SDG priorities for 11 countries in the Arab States, Europe and Central Asia, and Asia Pacific, with the main goal of utilizing this information in policy responses.
- Partner(s): UNFPA, UNICEF (Funder)
The need to end child marriage and FGM has never been greater –without accelerated progress to end both of these harmful practices, millions of women and girls across the globe will continue to be in danger. DPA, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, conducted a comprehensive landscape mapping and review of key technology-based interventions to address child marriage and FGM across 13 countries in Africa and Asia (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia). During the second phase of the project, DPA carried out an in depth review of three selected interventions to better understand their effectiveness, key success factors, and potential areas for improvement.
The methodology proposed by DPA was based on intersectional feminist approach and an analysis integrating both quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as traditional and non-traditional data sources collected at different stages of the study, underpinned by a participatory approach involving UNICEF, UNFPA, and other stakeholders.