India global index rankings

India's history in global index rankings reflects its evolving economic, social, and governance landscape over the past few decades as it transitioned from a developing country to an emerging global power:

• In the early 1990s, India began liberalizing its economy, which over time was reflected in improving rankings on economic and business indexes such as the Ease of Doing Business and Global Competitiveness Index. Before reforms, India often scored low due to bureaucratic hurdles and infrastructure constraints.

• Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, India consistently climbed global innovation indexes, such as the Global Innovation Index, reflecting growth in technology, research, and IT services export. The rise of the Indian IT sector contributed strongly to this trend.

• India’s position in social development indexes like the Human Development Index (HDI) showed gradual improvement but remained mid-tier due to challenges in health, education, and income inequality.

• On environmental and sustainability indexes, India’s rankings have been mixed. While it has made progress in climate change action and renewable energy investments, air pollution and energy transition rankings still reflect ongoing challenges.

• India’s rankings in global peace and security indexes have fluctuated, influenced by internal and regional security conditions.

• Labour and social protection rankings have evolved with India’s active engagement in the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the adoption of international labour standards, although some core conventions remain unratified.

Overall, India’s trajectory on global indexes has been one of steady progress, especially in economic competitiveness, innovation, and digital readiness, while also highlighting areas such as social equity, environmental sustainability, and governance where challenges remain. Its growing presence across a wide spectrum of indexes reflects its rising influence and integration into the global community.

Economic and Business Rankings

• India ranks as the 4th largest economy globally in 2025 by nominal GDP (~$4.19 trillion).

• Ease of Doing Business Index: 63rd, reflecting continued reforms but room for improvement.

• Corruption Perceptions Index: 93rd among 180 countries, highlighting ongoing governance challenges.

• Global Competitiveness Index: 40th, showing steady economic progress.

• Global Manufacturing Index: 5th, a strong manufacturing base.

• Global Financial Centres Index: 63rd, indicating evolving financial sector presence.

• Global Trade Performance Index: 18th, showcasing expanding trade presence.

Innovation and Technology Rankings

• Global Innovation Index: 39th out of 133 economies, signaling growing capacity for technology and innovation.

• ICT Services Exports: 1st globally, India leads in IT service outsourcing.

• Science & Technology Cluster Ranking: 4th, reflecting strong research hubs.

• Cyber Security Index: 10th, showing advancements in digital security.

• AI Readiness Index: 35th, indicating increasing AI adoption and infrastructure.

• Space Competitiveness Index: 6th, reflecting significant developments in space science and technology.

Human Development and Social Progress

• Human Development Index (HDI) 2023/2024: 130th place, in the medium human development category.

• Gender Inequality Index: 108th, pointing to challenges with gender equity.

• Global Hunger Index 2024: India ranks 105th, with continuing challenges in nutrition.

• Social Progress Index (SPI): Tracks India’s progress on basic human needs, wellbeing foundations, and opportunity dimensions, providing detailed state and district-level analysis.

• Global Multidimensional Poverty Index: 234 million people in poverty, underscoring persistent socio-economic challenges.

Environmental and Climate Rankings

• Climate Change Performance Index: 10th place, highlighting efforts in climate action.

• World Air Quality Report: India’s capital Delhi is ranked 3rd most polluted city globally.

• Energy Transition Index: 63rd out of 120 countries, showing moderate progress in moving to sustainable energy.

Labour and Related Indexes

• India’s labour market and social protection continue evolving with active participation in international standards through the International Labour Organization (ILO).

• India has ratified 47 ILO conventions, including six of the eight core conventions, with key exceptions on freedom of association and collective bargaining due to public sector legal constraints.

• Consumer Price Index for Agricultural and Rural Labourers (CPI-AL and CPI-RL) shows inflation trends important for wage and labour policy.

• India frequently participates in the International Labour Conference and convenes its own Indian Labour Conference, which informs labour law and policy development.

Other Important Indexes

• Global Peace Index: India ranks 115th out of 163 countries, reflecting ongoing security and societal safety challenges.

• Global Terrorism Index: 14th, indicating concerns in security.

• Henley Passport Index: 85th, measuring the travel freedom of Indian passport holders.

• Global Press Freedom Index: India ranks 151st out of 180 countries, indicating significant challenges to media freedom.

• Logistics Performance Index: India ranks 38th, showing growing trade and transport efficiencies.

• Global Soft Power Index: India ranks 29th, reflecting increasing cultural and diplomatic influence.

This broad mosaic of rankings illustrates India’s multifaceted global position in 2025: a rising economic giant with strong innovation capacities and growing infrastructure but also facing persistent challenges in poverty, inequality, environmental sustainability, and governance. These indexes collectively help highlight strengths to build upon and areas needing focused reform.

If you need detailed data on any specific index or a breakdown of India’s ranking trends over time, feel free to ask.
Here is a comprehensive overview of India’s rankings across major global indexes and standards with live tracking links for up-to-date information:

Economic and Business Rankings

• Ease of Doing Business Index: 63rd
  World Bank Doing Business

• Corruption Perceptions Index: 93rd
  Transparency International CPI

• Global Competitiveness Index: 40th
  World Economic Forum Competitiveness

• Global Manufacturing Index: 5th
  Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index

• Global Financial Centres Index: 63rd
  Z/Yen Group GFCI

• Global Trade Performance Index: 18th
  ITC Trade Map

Innovation and Technology Rankings

• Global Innovation Index: 39th
  Global Innovation Index

• ICT Services Exports: 1st globally
  UNCTAD ICT Trade Statistics

• Cyber Security Index: 10th
  International Telecommunication Union Cybersecurity Index

• AI Readiness Index: 35th
  Oxford Insights AI Readiness

• Space Competitiveness Index: 6th
  Space Foundation Space Report

Human Development and Social Progress

• Human Development Index (HDI): 130th
  UNDP Human Development Reports

• Gender Inequality Index: 108th
  UNDP Gender Inequality Data

• Global Hunger Index: 105th
  Global Hunger Index

• Social Progress Index: Detailed state/district data
  Social Progress Imperative

• Global Multidimensional Poverty Index: Extensive poverty data
  UNDP Poverty Data

Environmental and Climate Rankings

• Climate Change Performance Index: 10th
  Climate Change Performance Index

• World Air Quality Report: Delhi ranked 3rd most polluted city
  IQAir Air Quality

• Energy Transition Index: 63rd
  World Economic Forum Energy Transition

Labour and Related Indexes

• India has ratified 47 ILO conventions including 6 of 8 core conventions
  ILO India Ratifications

• Active participation in International Labour Conference and Indian Labour Conference
  ILO Indian Labour Conference

• Labor market and inflation indices, such as CPI for Agricultural and Rural Labourers
  Government of India Labour Statistics

Other Important Indexes

• Global Peace Index: 115th
  Institute for Economics and Peace GPI

• Global Terrorism Index: 14th
  Global Terrorism Database

• Henley Passport Index: 85th
  Henley Passport Index

• Global Press Freedom Index: 151st
  Reporters Without Borders

• Logistics Performance Index: 38th
  World Bank Logistics Performance

• Global Soft Power Index: 29th
  Brand Finance Soft Power