We’re at half time and still far from the targets for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) articulated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. Several initiatives have been launched, and various activities have been implemented by governments, multilateral agencies, private corporations and civil society organisations to further the progress towards these SDGs. While recognised as key players, higher education institutions have had a less clear pathway to engagement. Universities are centres of knowledge creation and dissemination and agents of social and cultural (ex)change.  The involvement of large multi-disciplinary universities is crucial for realising the SDGs in India and worldwide.