NITI Aayog-JICA Phase II Pact on SDGs in Aspirational Districts
Why in the news
In March 2026 India’s policy think tank NITI Aayog and the Japanese agency JICA signed the second phase of their joint work on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Key facts
- Document signed: Record of Discussions for Phase II.
- Partners: NITI Aayog and JICA.
- Project name: Japan-India Cooperative Actions towards SDGs.
- Coverage: Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme.
| Goal of Phase II | Level |
|---|---|
| Build institutional capacity | District and block |
| Improve governance systems | District and block |
| Strengthen monitoring using evidence-based planning | District and block |
Exam angle
- Signatories: NITI Aayog and JICA.
- Programmes supported: Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks.
- Theme: Sustainable Development Goals; month of signing: March 2026.