Why in news?
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released its Global Innovation Index 2025, ranking 139 economies. India rose to 38th place, sustaining its status as the top performer in Central and Southern Asia and among lower‑middle‑income economies.
Overview of the Global Innovation Index (GII)
- Conceptual framework: The GII measures innovation performance through about 80 indicators, grouped into innovation inputs (institutions, human capital, infrastructure, market sophistication and business sophistication) and innovation outputs (knowledge & technology and creative outputs).
- Top global performers: Switzerland, Sweden and the United States retained the top three positions, reflecting strong R&D investment, high patent filings and robust entrepreneurship.
India’s performance
- Rank and score: India ranked 38th with a score of 38.2. This is an improvement from 48th position in 2020 and reflects consistent progress.
- Regional leader: India topped the 37 lower‑middle‑income economies and the 10 economies in Central & Southern Asia.
- Strengths: India performs well in ICT services exports, unicorn valuations, late‑stage venture capital deals and the creation of new knowledge. A vibrant startup ecosystem and policy support like the National Innovation Mission contribute to this.
- Areas for improvement: R&D spending remains low compared with global leaders and is heavily dependent on the public sector. Enhancing private sector research and improving education quality are necessary.
Significance
- Policy implications: The ranking signals that supportive policies, such as Startup India and Make in India, are yielding results. Continued investment in research, intellectual property and STEM education can help India climb further.
- Regional impact: As a regional leader, India’s innovation growth can spill over to neighbouring countries through technology transfer and collaborations.
Conclusion
India’s rise in the GII underscores the importance of sustained innovation policy, investment in research and a dynamic entrepreneurial culture. To enter the top 25, India needs to increase private sector R&D expenditure and improve the quality of education and infrastructure.
