Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part D (2025)

Access to clean water and basic sanitation facilities is a fundamental right of human beings. Despite significant progress in socio-economic conditions, many people have been deprived of Clean Water and Sanitation in North-East India since independence. This study examines the progress and disparities in achieving access to clean water and sanitation facilities in North-Eastern states based on secondary data extracted from NITI Aayog’s SDG 6 reports published in 2021-22 and 2023-24. The study covers 120 districts across 8 states, viz, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura commonly known as Ashtalakshmi holds a unique position in India’s socio-economic and cultural landscape. The t-test result confirms the significant progress in access to clean water and sanitation facilities in the study area during the investigation period. Further, the ANOVA analysis documented the significant inter-state disparities in achieving the different parameters under SDG 6 target in the North-Eastern states. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical exercise to investigate the inter-state and intra-state disparities in SDG goal 6 achievement in the North-East region of the country. Thus, it provides valuable insights into the progress and inequalities in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene practices at the district level, informing policymakers and stakeholders to enhance access to safe water and adequate sanitation for all in the study area.