Millennium & Sustainable Development Goals
A complete comparison of MDGs (2000-2015) and SDGs (2015-2030) with exam-focused mnemonics and key facts for UGC NET Paper 1.
1. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Timeline: 2000 – 2015
Structure: 8 Goals, 21 Targets
Origin: Millennium Summit (2000)
The 8 Goals of MDGs:
- Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
- Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education.
- Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women.
- Goal 4: Reduce child mortality.
- Goal 5: Improve maternal health.
- Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
- Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability.
- Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development.
🧠 Mnemonic: "Freedom from Poverty and Hunger, empowered by Education, fosters Gender Equality, reducing Child Mortality and improving Maternal Health. This strengthens the fight against HIV/AIDS, ensures Environmental Sustainability, and paves the way for Global Partnerships."
2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Timeline: 2016 – 2030 (Agenda 2030)
Structure: 17 Goals, 169 Targets, 232 Indicators
Adoption: 2015
The 17 Goals of SDGs:
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life On Land
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
🧠 Mnemonic:
1-5: Eradicating Poverty and Hunger through Health and Education fosters Gender Equality.
6-10: Clean Water and Energy drive Economic Growth, strengthening Industry, reducing Inequality.
11-15: Sustainable Cities promote Responsible Consumption, tackling Climate Change, preserving Life Below Water and Life on Land.
16-17: This leads to Peace, Justice, and Partnerships.
1-5: Eradicating Poverty and Hunger through Health and Education fosters Gender Equality.
6-10: Clean Water and Energy drive Economic Growth, strengthening Industry, reducing Inequality.
11-15: Sustainable Cities promote Responsible Consumption, tackling Climate Change, preserving Life Below Water and Life on Land.
16-17: This leads to Peace, Justice, and Partnerships.
3. Key Comparisons (Asked in Exam)
- Common Goals: Both MDGs and SDGs explicitly target Poverty, Hunger, and Gender Equality.
- Expansion: MDG 1 (Poverty/Hunger) split into SDG 1 and SDG 2.
- Environment: MDG 7 (Sustainability) expanded into SDG 13, 14, and 15.