Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
India, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, plays an important role in global affairs. Every year, many international organizations release global indexes that rank countries on factors like health, education, innovation, environment, economy, and governance. These rankings help us understand where India stands and what areas need improvement.
Here is a simple and updated overview of India’s position in major global indexes in 2025:
1. Human Development Index (HDI) – Rank 132
The HDI is released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It measures a country's progress in health, education, and standard of living. India is ranked 132 out of 193 countries. While India has made progress in life expectancy and school enrollment, challenges like poverty and inequality still remain.
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2. Global Innovation Index (GII) – Rank 40
This index, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), ranks countries based on their innovation capabilities. India is placed at 40th position out of 132 countries. India performs well in areas like IT services, startups, and research publications, making it a leader among developing nations.
3. Global Competitiveness Index – Rank 43
The World Economic Forum publishes this index to assess how competitive a country is in its economy. India ranks 43rd, showing strength in market size, business environment, and innovation. However, improvements are still needed in areas like infrastructure and labor productivity.
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4. Global Hunger Index (GHI) – Rank 111
The GHI is released by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe to measure hunger levels in different countries. India ranks 111 out of 125 countries, which is concerning. Despite food production growth, issues like child malnutrition and undernourishment continue to affect millions of people.
5. Environmental Performance Index (EPI) – Rank 180
The EPI is published by Yale and Columbia Universities. It ranks countries on air quality, water, climate change, and ecosystem health. India ranks 180 out of 180 countries, which is the lowest. Air pollution, poor waste management, and deforestation are some key problems.
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6. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) – Rank 93
Released by Transparency International, this index ranks countries based on how corrupt their public sectors are seen to be. India ranks 93rd out of 180 countries. While digital reforms and anti-corruption measures have helped, more transparency is needed at various government levels.
7. World Press Freedom Index – Rank 161
This index is published by Reporters Without Borders. It measures the freedom journalists have in a country. India ranks 161 out of 180 countries. Issues such as censorship, online trolling, and pressure on independent media affect India’s press freedom.
Conclusion
These rankings provide a snapshot of India’s strengths and areas for improvement. India has shown good performance in innovation, market competitiveness, and digital growth. However, rankings related to environment, hunger, and press freedom indicate serious challenges.
For students and aspirants preparing for exams like CAT, XAT, IIFT, and others, staying aware of India’s global position is important. It helps in GK, current affairs, essay writing, and interview rounds.
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