The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and intensified a range of sustainability challenges in India, from pressures on public health systems and education to rising poverty, inequality, waste generation, and environmental degradation. Examining these interconnected issues through the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this contributed volume explores how the pandemic reshaped development priorities and outcomes across the country.

The chapters address key themes including public health, education, gender equality, poverty reduction, climate action, clean energy, and environmental management. Particular attention is given to the impacts of increased medical waste, changing patterns of resource use, and the challenges of balancing economic recovery with long-term sustainability objectives.

Drawing on case studies, empirical research, and policy analysis, the book provides a detailed assessment of India's post-pandemic development landscape. It highlights emerging challenges, evaluates responses at multiple levels of governance, and considers pathways for advancing the SDGs in the years ahead. The volume will be of interest to researchers, students, policymakers, and practitioners concerned with sustainable development in India and beyond.

Paromita Chakraborty is Professor and Head of the Centre for Research in Environment, Sustainability Advocacy and Climate Change (REACH) at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India. Her research focuses on environmental pollution, climate change, sustainability, environmental health, and emerging contaminants. She has led several national and international research projects and has published extensively in the fields of environmental science and sustainability. Her work contributes to advancing evidence-based policies and sustainable development strategies in India and globally.