The two main Sustainable Development Goals, SDG1 and SDG2, are based on reducing poverty and achieving zero hunger. The ultimate goal of increasing income and achieving contentment with food quantity is lost behind negative perceptions and moral valuations that are accepted by consensus. While the SDGs are an opportunity for India to tread on a path of equality and equity, a need to address weaknesses in institutions of accountability is the need of the hour. This can undermine the reform agenda unless distributive justice is built into the system to account for structural barriers to India’s development.