Problematizing accountability mechanisms in the Sustainable Development Goals: The case of India

This research paper provides a discussion on the accountability mechanisms in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), known as the follow-up and review system to report progress. While analysing the way accountability is framed for soft law agreements in multi-level governance regimes, this research problematises the ambiguities inherent in the SDG accountability framework. The paper analysis how the ill-defined mechanisms have trickled down to the national level by focusing on the case of India. The research investigates the strategies adopted by the Indian government to report progress on SDGs and the role that civil society organizations can play in holding the Indian government accountable. The research also explores whether there is collaboration, or potential for collaboration, between the two actors to overcome weak institutional capacities for data collection and reporting on SDG progress.