A Dive into Sustainable Development: Journey as an Intern at NITI Aayog | Summer Internship Program

I recently had the opportunity to intern with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) vertical at NITI Aayog, New Delhi, as part of the Summer Internship Program (SIP). SIP serves as a bridge between academics and practical applications, laying a strong career-oriented foundation for learning and all-round development. It was a fascinating and transformative experience that allowed me to contribute to the SDG India Index and Dashboard 2023-24 while honing my skills in research, data management, and policy analysis.

About NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog, formed on January 1, 2015, replaced the Planning Commission with a mission to involve states in the development process. As a premier policy think tank of the Indian government, NITI Aayog provides strategic and technical advice to both Central and State Governments across a wide range of areas. It emphasizes cooperative federalism, inclusive growth, and collaboration with educational and research institutions.

Roles and Responsibilities as an Intern at NITI Ayog

Since the beginning, my role was clearly defined: I was responsible for research and data management for policy analysis. My journey started with understanding the structure and mission of NITI Aayog, exploring different areas, and conducting secondary research to comprehend the organization's objectives. My main focus was on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), data management, and NITI Aayog's role in shaping India's policy landscape.

Throughout my internship, I was involved in a variety of engaging tasks, including:

• Data Collection and Management: I gathered quantitative data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), official State Government reports, and various Indian Ministries’ dashboards. This data was then organized by state and specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.
• Data Analysis: I helped create well-organized datasets and identified initial patterns that could be useful for future policymaking.
• SDG India Index and Dashboard: This included manually inputting data from official sources and government reports as well as ensuring consistency and accuracy through regular cross-referencing and verification.

One of my initial tasks was maintaining the SDG Progress Sheet. This spreadsheet tracked India’s performance under all indicators of the 17 SDGs over three different periods. I collected data for around 450-500 indicators and also transcribed official SDG meetings. Additionally, I gathered state-specific reports on various policies and organized them into online folders.

Highlight of My Internship: SDG India Index and Dashboard 2023-24

During my internship, the key highlight was working on the SDG India Index and Dashboard 2023-24. This tool assesses the progress of each state and union territory on 115 indicators aligned with MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework. My responsibilities included entering data, cross-referencing for accuracy, and summarizing metrics for each goal. One of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks was creating detailed profiles for each state, which included tables with historical and current progress rates and indicators.

I was honored to have my name included in the Index's acknowledgments section, and I am grateful for the recognition from the organization. Additionally, I had the privilege of witnessing the launch of the Index in the presence of NITI Aayog's Vice Chairman Shri Suman Bery, CEO Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, UN Resident Coordinator in India Mr. Shombi Sharp, and the entire SDG Vertical Team at NITI Aayog.

This internship had a profound impact on my understanding of public policy. By actively participating in the data analysis and development of the SDG India Index, I saw firsthand how empirical data informs policy decisions. This experience emphasized the importance of using data-driven approaches to formulate effective policies and strategies. It also deepened my appreciation for the complexities involved in policy-making, such as balancing diverse interests, ensuring inclusivity, and addressing regional disparities. These insights significantly enriched my academic background in Public Policy.

Overall, my time at NITI Aayog during this internship was transformative, providing me with essential skills and insights for my career.

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such impactful work and look forward to applying these lessons in my professional journey. This experience has reinforced my commitment to working toward sustainable development.

(Author: Mimansa Sharda, Undergraduate Student)

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