Has India’s Position in the Global Innovation Index Improved Over the Last Decade?
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Synopsis
India's remarkable ascent in the Global Innovation Index over the past decade reflects significant socio-economic progress. With a rise from rank 81 to 39, this achievement marks a pivotal change in India's innovation landscape, bolstered by advancements in key sectors.
Key Takeaways
- India's GII rank rose from 81 to 39 in a decade.
- Over 70 indicators are used to measure innovation.
- Investment in science and technology research has significantly increased.
- Key advancements in various sectors support this progress.
- India ranks seventh globally in R&D expenditure.
New Delhi, Aug 18 (NationPress) The government has disclosed in Parliament that India's rank in the Global Innovation Index (GII) has steadily enhanced over the past decade.
In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Planning, reported that “India's rank was 81 in 2015, and it has significantly improved to 39 as of 2024.”
The GII ranking aims to evaluate a nation's performance using data from over 70 indicators, reflecting various dimensions of a country's socio-economic development.
“The advancement in India's GII rank can be viewed as an indirect indicator of favorable transformations in the nation's overall socio-economic landscape,” Singh remarked.
He highlighted that recent improvements encompass India's developments in the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of applications and services in critical fields such as “space; renewable energy; defence, particularly the indigenous development and manufacturing of various defence equipment; biotechnology, especially in local vaccine development and production of oxygen concentrators during the Covid-19 pandemic; affordable education through online learning tools; and the establishment of S&T clusters to support innovation and startups.”
Singh also provided insights into the funding allocated by the government for science and technology research over the past five years.
“Expenditure on science and technology research escalated from over Rs 6.3 crore in 2016-17 to more than Rs 8 crore in 2020-21,” the Minister of State noted, referencing the latest R&D Statistics, 2022-23 released by the Department of Science and Technology.
“Furthermore, from 2016-17, 2019-20, and 2022-23, India has maintained its seventh position globally in R&D expenditure (in Billion PPP $),” he added.
Point of View
It is imperative to recognize India’s advancements in the Global Innovation Index as a testament to its growing potential. The consistent improvement in ranking not only reflects the government’s focus on innovation but also the resilience and creativity of the Indian populace. This progress is crucial for positioning India as a global leader in technology and research.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Innovation Index?
The Global Innovation Index (GII) is a ranking that measures the innovation capabilities of countries using over 70 indicators related to socio-economic development.
How has India's GII rank changed over the years?
India's GII ranking improved from 81 in 2015 to 39 in 2024, indicating significant strides in innovation and development.
What sectors contributed to India's improvement in GII?
Key sectors include space, renewable energy, indigenous defence production, biotechnology, and online education tools.
How much has the Indian government invested in science and technology research?
The investment in science and technology research increased from over Rs 6.3 crore in 2016-17 to more than Rs 8 crore in 2020-21.
Where does India stand globally in R&D expenditure?
India holds the seventh position globally in R&D expenditure (in Billion PPP $) during the years 2016-17, 2019-20, and 2022-23.
