Navigating India’s path to sustainable development goals: optimization and forecasting approaches

Abstract The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in Agenda 2030 provide a global framework for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. This study examines India’s progress toward these goals and proposes innovative solutions using forecasting and optimization modeling. The research focuses on balancing economic development—primarily measured through GDP growth—sustainability, and employment, which are central to India’s sustainable development challenges. To achieve this, we adopt a lexicographic goal programming framework, structuring the decision-making process into four hierarchical levels. The most critical goal is prioritized first, ensuring that decisions are made sequentially from the highest to the lowest priority. This approach allows for a structured evaluation of India’s development across key sectors such as agriculture, mining, trade, and construction. Beyond assessment, the study offers practical, data-driven solutions to accelerate SDG progress. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology, and the results are compared with fuzzy goal programming to validate the effectiveness of the approach. By integrating a structured decision-making framework with optimization techniques, this research provides context-aware strategies to align India’s economic, environmental, and social objectives. The findings contribute to informed policymaking, offering actionable insights to drive a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable future by 2030.