India’s Ranking in Different Indexes 2025: Complete List
Gajendra Singh Godara
Oct 13, 2025
15
mins read
India's Ranking in Different Indexes in 2025 indicates the continuing strides as well as the challenges faced in various sectors. Being the world's largest democracy as well as the fourth largest economy with a GDP of 4.19 trillion dollars, India's advancements are revealed by its standing in various global indices.
Key Performance Highlights:
Economic Growth: India maintains an impressive 6.2% GDP growth projection—highest among top four global economies, securing 4th position in world GDP rankings.
Climate Action: Strong performance at 10th rank in Climate Change Performance Index 2025, though slipping from 8th position in 2024.
Innovation Progress: Steady climb to 38th position in Global Innovation Index 2025 (from 48th in 2020), ranking 1st among lower-middle-income economies.
Development Challenges: Mixed results in human development (130th in HDI), happiness (118th), and peace (115th), highlighting areas needing attention
India's rankings demonstrate a country balancing remarkable economic growth and climate action with persistent challenges in governance, inequality, and social well-being—serving as a comprehensive barometer of its ongoing development journey.
Below are key global indices, their publishers, latest year/data, India’s rank, and what they measure (2024–2025 data shown):
Index | Publisher/ Body | Latest Year | India’s Rank/ Value | Key Metric(s) |
Climate Change Performance Index | Germanwatch / New Climate Institute / CAN | 2025 | 10th | Tracks GHG emissions, renewables, policy. |
Global Innovation Index | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | 2024 | 39th out of 133 | Measures innovation inputs/output. |
Human Development Index (HDI) | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) | 2023 | 130th of 193 | Life expectancy, education, income. |
Global Multidimensional Poverty | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) & Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) | 2024 | ~234 million in poverty | Multidimensional deprivation (health, education, living standards). |
Global Hunger Index | Concern Worldwide & Welt Hunger Hilfe | 2024 | 105th of 127 | Child wasting, stunting, undernourishment, mortality. |
World Happiness Report | Sustainable Dev. Solutions Network (UN) | 2024 | 126th | Subjective well-being, GDP, social support. |
World Economic Outlook (IMF) | International Monetary Fund (IMF) | 2024–2025 | India growth 6.5% (2024–25) | GDP growth forecasts. |
World Competitiveness Index | International Institute for Management Development (IMD) | 2024 | 39th | Business efficiency, government performance. |
Ease of Doing Business (historical) | World Bank (last 2020) | 2020 | 63rd | Regulatory quality for business. |
Remittances Inflow (World Bank) | World Bank | 2024 | USD 129 bn (14.3% global) | Migrant remittances. |
Corruption Perceptions Index | Transparency International | 2023 | 93rd of 180 | Perceived public sector corruption. |
Rule of Law Index | World Justice Project | 2024 | 79th | Legal order, accountability, civil justice. |
Global Firepower Index | Global Firepower (GFP) | 2025 | 4th | Military capacity (conventional forces). |
SIPRI Arms Imports | Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) / Oxford | 2019–23 | #1 arms importer | Weapons import volumes. |
Global Terrorism Index | Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) | 2024 | 14th of 163 | Terrorism impact (incidents, deaths). |
World Press Freedom Index | Reporters Without Borders | 2024 | 162nd | Media freedom and safety. |
Global Soft Power Index | Brand Finance | 2024 | 29th | National brand perception. |
Henley Passport Index | Henley & Partners (IATA data) | 2025 | 85th | Visa-free access for passport holders. |
Logistics Performance Index | World Bank | 2023 | 38th | Efficiency of trade logistics. |
International IP Index | U.S. Chamber of Commerce | 2024 | 42nd of 55 | IP protection & enforcement. |
Energy Transition Index | World Economic Forum | 2024 | 63rd of 120 | Energy system performance & readiness. |
Human Development & Social Indices
Human Development Index (UNDP): India was 130th (2023). It measures longevity, education, and income. (Though improving from 133rd in 2022, still “medium” category.)
Gender Inequality Index (UNDP): India ranked 102nd (2023), up from 108th in 2022. This captures gaps in reproductive health, empowerment and labor.
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index: 234 million Indians live in multi-dimensional poverty, the highest number globally. (MPI looks at health, education and living standards deprivations.)
Global Hunger Index: India’s rank in GHI is 105th of 127 (2024). This is based on undernourishment, child wasting/stunting and mortality, indicating persistent malnutrition.
World Happiness Report: India’s rank is 126th (2024). Low happiness despite GDP growth points to social challenges.
Economy & Competitiveness
World Economic Outlook (IMF): Projects India’s growth at 6.5% (2024–25), far above the ~3.3% global average.
World Competitiveness Index (IMD): India ranks 39th (2024), reflecting moderate business competitiveness.
Ease of Doing Business: (Note: discontinued in 2021) India’s last rank was 63rd (2020).
Global Trade & Manufacturing: India was 5th in the Global Manufacturing Index. It is a top exporter of ICT services.
Remittances: India led the world with USD 129 bn (14.3%) in 2024, bolstering external accounts.
GDP Rank: India is now the 4th largest economy, underscoring its growing global economic clout.
Governance, Rule of Law & Corruption
Corruption Perceptions Index (TI): India stood 93rd (2023) (out of 180), indicating serious governance challenges.
Rule of Law Index (WJP): India is 79th (2024), showing room to strengthen judicial and legal systems.
Global Peace Index (IEP): India ranks 116th (2024) in peace (lower = more peaceful). Combined with the Terrorism Index (14th), these reflect internal security issues.
Innovation, Education & Technology
Global Innovation Index (WIPO): 39th (2024). India excels in ICT services and startups, but lags in R&D investment and patents.
University Rankings: IIT Bombay (QS rank ~220th), IISc Bengaluru (~201st THE) are India’s top varsity slots—mid-tier globally.
Digital/AI Indices: India was 35th in World Digital Competitiveness (2023) and 35th in AI Readiness, reflecting a growing tech base but still behind leaders.
Education Quality: Despite large enrollment, India ranks around 200+ in global university league tables, indicating scope for improving research output.
Environment & Climate
Climate Change Performance Index: 10th (2025), showing strong climate policies relative to emitters.
Yale Environmental Performance Index: India is 180th of 180 (last) in EPI 2022, reflecting very poor performance on air quality, biodiversity and water sanitation.
Air Quality (IQAir/EPIC): Delhi’s PM2.5 average is 84.3 µg/m³ (2019 data), severely above WHO norms, indicating health risks.
Energy Transition Index (WEF): 63rd of 120 (2024), suggesting India is mid-pack on clean energy adoption vs. peers.
SDG Index: (Though not listed above, note that India’s SDG Index score is moderate, with some goal targets behind schedule.)
Security & Defence
Global Firepower Index: India is 4th (2025) in conventional military strength (excluding nukes).
SIPRI Arms Transfers: India was the world’s top arms importer (2019–23), highlighting defence modernization.
Terrorism Index: 14th of 163 (2024), indicating a moderate terrorism impact ranking.
Press, Civil Liberties & Soft Power
World Press Freedom Index (RSF): 162nd (2024), reflecting serious media freedom concerns.
Global Soft Power Index: India ranks 29th (2024), showing growing cultural and diplomatic influence.
Democracy Index: (India is often classified as "flawed democracy," though exact rank varies; e.g., Democracy Index 2022 had India at 41st in "flawed".)
Passport Power (Henley): Indian passport was 85th (2025), allowing visa-free travel to fewer countries than most peers on Henley Passport Index.
Logistics, Trade & Infrastructure
Logistics Performance Index: 38th (2023), indicating moderate trade and infrastructure efficiency.
Airports & Ports: Mumbai airport is the 38th busiest globally (2019 pre-COVID); India’s mega-port (Jawaharlal Nehru Port) ranks ~28th. (Facts: Mumbai 38th busiest by passengers).
Ease of Shipping: India’s trade infrastructure is improving under policies like PM Gati-Shakti, but still trails developed nations in global rankings.
Miscellaneous / Special Indices
Global Gender Gap Index (WEF): India 127th (2025), highlighting gender equity challenges.
Intellectual Property Index: 42nd/55 (2024), showing moderate IP protection.
Future Possibilities Index: 35th (2024), measuring readiness for future changes (e.g. tech, climate).
Global Governance/Accountability Index: (Various; e.g., Rule of Law (79th) and Corruption (93rd) already listed.)
Prelims: Often tests specific facts. Be prepared for MCQs about which body publishes an index, not full rankings (e.g. “HDI is by UNDP” or “Rule of Law Index by WJP”).
Mains: Use rankings as evidence. E.g., “India’s GII rank of 39th (2024) shows its innovation potential.” This bolsters arguments with current data.
Interview: Demonstrates awareness. An aspirant might note India’s recent HDI improvement or soft power scores when discussing policy or world affairs.
Linking Rank to Policy Arguments (Examples)
“India’s low HDI rank (130th), despite high GDP, highlights gaps in education and health, supporting calls for stronger welfare policies.”
“A Press Freedom Index rank of 162nd underscores challenges to media independence, suggesting a need for legal safeguards for journalists.”
“India’s #1 remittance rank (USD 129 bn) can be cited to show how diaspora inflows boost the economy and rural incomes.”
Human Development vs. Economic Growth: India’s rising GDP (4th largest) is not yet matched by human development (HDI ranks around 130th). This gap is evident in high poverty (234 million MPI-poor) and malnutrition (hunger rank 105th) despite economic gains.
Environmental Challenge: India has strong climate policies (CCPI rank 10th) but severe pollution and low EPI score. The mismatch highlights implementation gaps. Rapid industrialization and coal use have worsened air quality (Delhi is the world's most polluted capital), underscoring urgent public health concerns.
Innovation vs. R&D: India’s soft tech power is growing (Global Innovation Index 39th, leading ICT exports) thanks to a vibrant startup ecosystem. However, R&D investment (~0.6% GDP) and patenting remain low, meaning infrastructure for innovation lags behind its outcomes.
Security Strength vs. Internal Peace: India is a strong military power (4th in GFP), reflecting regional clout. Yet domestic security concerns persist — Global Peace Index at 116th and significant terrorism incidents (14th) suggest issues with internal peace and border tensions.
Governance & Rights: Low ranks in press freedom (162nd) and corruption (93rd) highlight areas needing reform. These rankings imply that economic success hasn’t fully translated into inclusive governance or civil liberties.
Social Well-being vs. Metrics: India ranks 1st in remittances and leading in certain sectors (ICT, STEM education), yet lags in happiness (126th) and liveability. This suggests economic gains aren’t evenly improving citizens’ quality of life.
Q. The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the (UPSC Prelims 2019)
International Monetary Fund
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
World Economic Forum
World Bank
Answer: (c)
Q. "Rule of Law Index" is released by which of the following? (UPSC Prelims 2018)
Amnesty International
International Court of Justice
The office of UN Commissioner for Human Rights
World Justice Project
Answer: (d)
Q. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of the Air Quality Index? (UPSC Prelims 2016)
Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Sulphur dioxide
Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1, 2 and 3 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 4 and 5 only
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b)
India’s rankings in different indexes paint a nuanced picture: there are clear strengths (large economy, IT prowess, low unemployment) and persistent challenges (health, education, environment). UPSC aspirants should track the latest reports and cite these figures judiciously to strengthen their answers. Keep updated with each new edition of major indices to reflect current data in your preparation.
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