Assessing Interstate Economic Disparities in India through SDG 9 and SDG 10

This study explores the interplay between structural transformation, social inclusion, and economic prosperity across the Indian federation. Utilizing cross-sectional data for the year 2023–24 for 28 states and two Union Territories, an Ordinary Least Squares regression was employed to evaluate the impact of SDG 9 and SDG 10 scores on Gross State Domestic Product per capita. The results indicate that industrial innovation and infrastructure, represented by SDG 9, act as primary catalysts for interstate income variation. In contrast, while the coefficient for SDG 10 is positive, it lacks statistical significance, suggesting that social equity may not yield immediate linear gains in economic output. These findings underscore a developmental pattern where structural capacity currently dictates productivity levels. Consequently, the study advocates for a synchronized policy framework that integrates robust industrial development with inclusive social initiatives to foster long-term regional convergence.