Prioritizing quality of life determinants for sustainable development goals in rural India: an integrated ISM-fuzzy TOPSIS approach

Improving Quality of Life (QoL) and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural regions of developing nations such as India poses notable challenges. This study aims to identify and prioritize the key factors affecting QoL among rural communities in India, providing actionable insights for policymakers. Using a hybrid Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and the Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Fuzzy TOPSIS) approach, we created a model that illustrates the relationships among the QoL affecting criteria identified through literature review, while Fuzzy TOPSIS ranks them, accommodating the uncertainty and subjectivity inherent in expert assessments. The major findings underline three critical areas for rural development: cultural preservation (corresponds to SDG 11), transparency and accountability (corresponds to SDG 16), and agricultural innovation (corresponds to SDG 2 and 9) for enhanced QoL in rural India. The combined application of ISM and Fuzzy TOPSIS offers a thorough analytical approach, permitting an in-depth examination of the intricate interconnectedness of various socio-economic elements. This paper adds to the conversation on sustainable development by providing a detailed understanding of what influences QoL in rural areas and suggesting practical recommendations for policymakers. The techniques adopted are effective tools for evaluating rural development projects and aligning them with SDGs, thus fostering a more inclusive and fair growth path for India’s rural territories. Thereby, this study fulfills its central aim of prioritizing the key challenges in enhancing QoL in rural India through SDGs.