India’s Ranking in Key Global Indexes – UPSC 2025 Focus

For aspirants preparing for UPSC 2025, knowledge of India's performance in global indexes and reports is crucial for GS Paper 2 and GS Paper 3, as well as for essays and prelims.

These indexes are published by renowned international institutions and assess nations on parameters like economy, governance, health, education, innovation, and sustainability. Understanding these rankings helps in analyzing India's global standing and identifying areas of policy improvement.

Here's a quick rundown of important global indexes and India's rankings in the most recent reports relevant for UPSC:

Important Global Indexes & India's Rankings

1. Human Development Index (HDI) 2024 - UNDP

• India's Rank: 134 out of 193
• Key Parameter: Life expectancy, education, per capita income
• Context: India improved slightly in life expectancy and education indicators.

2. Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 - Concern Worldwide & Welthungerhilfe

• India's Rank: 111 out of 125
• Category: Serious
• Key Issue: Criticized by GoI for outdated methodology.

3. Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024 - WIPO

• India's Rank: 40 out of 132
• Highlight: Leading in innovation among lower-middle-income countries.

4. World Press Freedom Index 2024 - Reporters Without Borders

• India's Rank: 159 out of 180
• Key Concern: Decline in media independence and journalist safety.

5. Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024 - Yale University

• India's Rank: 180 out of 180
• Reason: Poor air quality, waste management, and low emissions trajectory.

6. Ease of Doing Business Index - (Discontinued by World Bank)

• Last known rank (2020): 63
• Note: Replaced with new indicators under development.

7. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 - Transparency International

• India's Rank: 93 out of 180
• Status: Slight drop compared to previous years.

8. Global Peace Index 2024 - Institute for Economics & Peace

• India's Rank: 126 out of 163
• Insight: Ranked lower due to internal conflict and regional tensions.

9. Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023 - World Bank

• India's Rank: 38 out of 139
• Boost: Due to PM Gati Shakti & improved port connectivity.

10. Gender Gap Report 2024 - World Economic Forum

• India's Rank: 127 out of 146
• Lagging Areas: Economic participation and political empowerment.

How It Helps in UPSC:

Prelims: Direct factual questions on India's rank or index authority.

Mains GS2 & GS3: Use in governance, economy, health, education, and environment-related answers.

Essay & Interview: Support critical opinions with global benchmarks.