ROLE OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN INDIA
Keywords:
Digital Economy, Internet Subscribers, Jan Dhan Accounts, UPI and SDGAbstract
The digital economy has emerged as a significant driver of sustainable development in India over the past decade. Rapid growth in internet connectivity, digital banking, financial technology and digital governance has transformed economic and social activities, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. This study examines the relationship between digital economy indicators and sustainable development performance in India using secondary data collected from official government and institutional sources for the period 2014-2024. The study is descriptive and analytical in nature and employs statistical tools such as trend analysis, CAGR and Pearson’s correlation analysis. The findings reveal substantial expansion in key digital economy indicators during the study period. Internet subscribers increased from 25.15 crore in 2014 to 96.96 crore in 2024, while UPI transactions rose dramatically from 0.92 billion in 2017 to 172 billion in 2024. Similarly, PMJDY accounts increased from 7.90 crore to 53.13 crore, reflecting significant improvements in financial inclusion and access to banking services. India’s SDG Index Score improved from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023-24, indicating steady progress toward sustainable development. CAGR analysis confirms rapid growth in internet penetration, digital payments and digital banking services. Correlation results indicate a statistically significant positive relationship between digital economy indicators and SDG performance, with internet subscribers exhibiting the highest correlation (r = 0.9887, p = 0.001). Since all p-values are less than 0.05, the results are statistically significant. study concludes that digitalization has significantly contributed to financial inclusion, governance efficiency and inclusive economic growth in India. However, challenges such as the digital divide, cyber security risks and low digital literacy remain. Strengthening digital infrastructure and promoting inclusive digital policies are essential for achieving Agenda 2030 and sustainable development objectives in India.
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