Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian states

This study examines how access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities influences educational outcomes across Indian states and how these relationships support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Study using state-level data from secondary sources. States were class...

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Main Author: Priya Ranjan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Cleaner Water
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950263225000353
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author Priya Ranjan
author_facet Priya Ranjan
author_sort Priya Ranjan
collection DOAJ
description This study examines how access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities influences educational outcomes across Indian states and how these relationships support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Study using state-level data from secondary sources. States were classified into low, middle, and high categories for water, sanitation, and literacy based on percentile rankings for 2019–20 for comparing states' progress and identifying those lagging and successful states. Furthermore, correlation and linear multiple regression were employed in a cross-sectional framework to assess the relationship between variables. The findings reveal a substantial upward trend in access to both safe drinking water and improved sanitation over the past two decades. This progress has notably narrowed rural-urban disparities, yet significant regional inequities persist. The study shows that some states lack behind in access to basic clean water and sanitation facilities, such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha (especially in rural areas). The empirical results show a statistically significant positive relationship between access to improved sanitation facilities and literacy rates. It also shows a negative relationship with school dropout rates, particularly among girls. Improved water access is also linked to higher literacy and lower dropout rates. The study emphasizes the importance of integrated policy approaches in addressing educational and infrastructural deficits, particularly in vulnerable regions, for India's SDG commitments and inclusive, equitable development, including enhanced sanitation and safe water access.
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spelling doaj-art-822c4cfb33d04552becfab4e7ae95db62025-08-20T03:50:22ZengElsevierCleaner Water2950-26322025-12-01410009710.1016/j.clwat.2025.100097Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian statesPriya Ranjan0Department of Economics, School of Management, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, IndiaThis study examines how access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities influences educational outcomes across Indian states and how these relationships support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Study using state-level data from secondary sources. States were classified into low, middle, and high categories for water, sanitation, and literacy based on percentile rankings for 2019–20 for comparing states' progress and identifying those lagging and successful states. Furthermore, correlation and linear multiple regression were employed in a cross-sectional framework to assess the relationship between variables. The findings reveal a substantial upward trend in access to both safe drinking water and improved sanitation over the past two decades. This progress has notably narrowed rural-urban disparities, yet significant regional inequities persist. The study shows that some states lack behind in access to basic clean water and sanitation facilities, such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha (especially in rural areas). The empirical results show a statistically significant positive relationship between access to improved sanitation facilities and literacy rates. It also shows a negative relationship with school dropout rates, particularly among girls. Improved water access is also linked to higher literacy and lower dropout rates. The study emphasizes the importance of integrated policy approaches in addressing educational and infrastructural deficits, particularly in vulnerable regions, for India's SDG commitments and inclusive, equitable development, including enhanced sanitation and safe water access.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950263225000353SDGsImproved water sourcesSanitation facilitiesEducationRural and urban
spellingShingle Priya Ranjan
Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian states
Cleaner Water
SDGs
Improved water sources
Sanitation facilities
Education
Rural and urban
title Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian states
title_full Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian states
title_fullStr Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian states
title_full_unstemmed Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian states
title_short Access to improved water and sanitation: Key drivers for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 in Indian states
title_sort access to improved water and sanitation key drivers for achieving sustainable development goal 4 in indian states
topic SDGs
Improved water sources
Sanitation facilities
Education
Rural and urban
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950263225000353
work_keys_str_mv AT priyaranjan accesstoimprovedwaterandsanitationkeydriversforachievingsustainabledevelopmentgoal4inindianstates