India’s ranking in different indexes 2026 reflects a mixed picture of the country’s progress in innovation, human development, gender equality, governance, peace, and global mobility. India has performed strongly in areas such as innovation capability, digital services, and conventional military strength, while challenges remain in social development, gender parity, corruption perception, media freedom, and well-being.
India’s ranking in different indexes 2026 provides an important benchmark of its progress compared to other countries. The latest reports and indices for 2025–26 offer valuable insights into India's achievements as well as the areas that require greater policy attention. They showcase the nation's strengths while identifying key challenges that need to be addressed for sustainable and inclusive development.
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India's Ranking in Different Indexes Latest News
India has continued to improve its position in several innovation and digital economy-related rankings while facing challenges in indices related to hunger, gender equality, press freedom, and peace. In the 2026 global indices, India ranks 176th out of 177 in the Environmental Performance Index, 75th in the Henley Passport Index, 38th in the Global Innovation Index, 96th in the Corruption Perceptions Index, and 118th in the World Happiness Report. Additionally, India secured 16th in the newly launched Responsible Nations Index.
India's Ranking in Different Indexes 2026
India's Ranking in Different Indexes 2026 highlights the country's performance across important sectors such as economic growth, environmental sustainability, defence, education, healthcare, and governance. These global rankings offer valuable insights into India's achievements while also identifying areas that require further policy attention and improvement.
|
Index |
Published by |
India’s Rank |
Specifications |
|
Climate Change Performance 2026 |
Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, Climate Action Network International |
23rd |
The country earns a medium in GHG Emissions, Climate Policy, and Energy Use, and a low in Renewable Energy. |
|
Henley Passport Index 2026 |
Henley & Partners |
81st |
Ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations Holders can visit 56 destinations without a prior visa (visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa), using official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). |
|
QS World Future Skills Index 2027 |
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) |
13th |
- The index uses four indicators to measure a country’s preparedness: Skills Fit, Academic Readiness, Economic Transformation, and Future of Work. |
|
Global Firepower Index 2026 |
Global Firepower |
4th |
- It compares 145 countries' military power based on their war-making capabilities across land, sea, and air. It doesn't include a country's nuclear weapon capability but only includes conventional military capabilities. |
|
Air Quality Life Index 2025 |
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) |
- Not applicable (Report focuses on air pollution reduction trends in different regions). - Delhi is the most polluted city in India, with an average PM2.5 level of 84.3 µg/m³ in 2022 |
- Pollution index that tracks the impact of PM2.5 air pollution on life expectancy. - It combines the relationship between long-term human exposure to air pollution and life expectancy. - The index illustrates how air pollution policies can increase life expectancy when they meet the WHO’s guidelines. |
|
Global Terrorism Index 2026 |
Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) |
13th |
- The report ranks 163 countries on the impact of terrorism, using data from Terrorism Tracker and other sources. - It is based on four indicators (number of incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostages in a year) weighted over five years. |
|
Global Innovation Index 2025 |
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) |
38th/139 economies |
- The GII is a credible instrument for governments to measure innovation-driven social and economic transformation in their countries. |
|
Global Hunger Index 2025 |
Concern Worldwide and Welt Hunger Hilfe |
102nd/123 |
-.Four Component Indicators: Undernourishment, Child Stunting, Child Wasting, and Child Mortality. |
|
World Competitiveness Index 2026 |
International Institute for Management Development (IMD). |
44th/70 |
- It ranks countries based on how they manage their competencies to generate long-term value creation. |
|
Global Peace Index 2026 |
Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) |
127th |
- It measures the state of peace across three domains: Societal safety and security; Ongoing domestic and international conflict; and Militarization. |
|
World Press Freedom Index 2026 |
Reporters Without Borders (RSF). |
157th/180 |
- It compares the level of freedom enjoyed by journalists and media among countries. |
|
World Air Quality Report 2026 |
IQAir |
- 6th Rank - New Delhi is ranked as the most polluted capital city in the world. |
- The Air Quality Index is based on the measurement of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, and Carbon Monoxide emissions. |
|
International Intellectual Property Index 2026 |
U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
43rd |
- It provides a blueprint for economies aiming to enhance the environment for innovation and creativity by implementing more robust intellectual property standards. |
|
Global Soft Power Index 2026 |
Brand Finance |
32nd |
- The Index is an assessment of national brand perceptions, giving an in-depth analysis of the changing state of soft power as countries navigate important global developments and challenges. |
|
Human Development Index (2023-2024) |
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
130th out of 193 countries |
- It assesses a country's average performance in three fundamental areas of human development: health, knowledge, and standard of life. |
| Global Gender Gap Index 2025 |
World Economic Forum |
131st out of 148 countries |
- It benchmarks countries on their progress toward gender parity across four key dimensions: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment. |
|
Gender Inequality Index 2022 |
UNDP |
108th out of 193 countries (122 rank in 2021) |
- It measures gender disparity across three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment, and the labour market. |
|
Future Possibilities Index 2025 |
Newsweek Vantage and Horizon Group |
35th |
- It is a global study of future trends that would enable governments, investors, and other stakeholders in the private sector to lead global transformations. |
|
World Happiness Report 2025 |
UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) |
116th/147 |
- It is based on global survey data from people based on people's assessments of their happiness, along with economic and social data. |
|
Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 |
Transparency International |
91st rank out of 180 countries |
- It ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. |
|
Rule of Law Index 2025 |
World Justice Project |
86th rank |
- This index is the world’s leading source of original, independent rule of law data. |
|
Global Liveability Index 2024 |
Economist Intelligence Unit |
New Delhi: 10th Mumbai: 121st Vienna: 1st ranked city |
- It quantifies the challenges presented to an individual’s lifestyle and standard of living in 173 cities worldwide. |
|
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2025 |
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) |
66th out of 109 countries, with an MPI value of 0.069 |
- The global MPI is a vital international resource for measuring severe multidimensional poverty in over 100 developing nations. - Multi-dimensional Poverty in India: Poverty fell from 55.1% (2005–2006) to 16.4% (2019–2021). Large areas of India face a severe mix of poverty, high heat, flooding, and air pollution. |
|
Energy Transition Index 2026 |
World Economic Forum |
70th out of 118 countries |
- The Index compares 120 nations' present energy system performance and the readiness of their enabling environment. |
|
World Economic Outlook 2026 |
International Monetary Fund |
India ranks as the 6th largest economy by nominal GDP - India's nominal GDP is projected at $4.15 trillion in 2026. |
- It covers IMF estimates and forecasts for global output growth, inflation, real GDP growth, consumer prices, current account balances, and unemployment. |
|
Global Remittances Inflow Report 2024 |
World Bank |
India's top remittance flows at USD 129 billion in 2024. (14.3% of global remittances) |
- The World Bank provides annual estimates of remittance flows globally (and bilaterally), based on national balance of payment statistics produced by central Banks and compiled by the IMF. |
|
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Report |
Oxford University Press |
India was the world’s top arms importer in 2019-23 |
- It calculates the volume of transfers to, from, and between all parties using the TIV and the number of weapon systems or subsystems delivered in a given year. |
|
Logistics Performance Index 2023 |
World Bank |
38th |
- It helps countries identify trade logistics challenges and opportunities, and improve their performance. |
India’s Performance in Different Indexes
India's performance in global indices reflects progress in innovation, logistics, and digital development, while challenges remain in human development, gender equality, environmental sustainability, governance, and nutrition.
- Innovation leadership: India’s 38th position in the Global Innovation Index reflects continued growth in digital services, start-ups, research output, and knowledge creation.
- Technology exports: India ranks first globally in ICT services exports under the Global Innovation Index framework.
- Military capability: India remains fourth in conventional military strength according to the Global Firepower Index.
- Improving well-being rank: India improved to 116th in the World Happiness Report 2026.
- Climate action potential: India’s renewable-energy expansion and international climate initiatives provide a foundation for further improvement.
- Large demographic and market base: India’s youth population, digital adoption, and expanding economy offer major long-term advantages.
India’s Ranking in Different Indexes Challenges
India ranks high in global metrics like military strength (4th) and digital/AI performance (4th), but lags in social, environmental, and governance indexes.
- Environmental Degradation: India ranks 176th globally in the Environmental Performance Index, struggling heavily with air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystem vitality.
- Gender Disparity: Persistent inequalities in reproductive health, labor market participation, and political empowerment keep India ranked low (e.g., 131st in the Global Gender Gap Index).
- Poverty & Inequality: Despite economic growth, a large portion of the population faces severe multidimensional poverty, reflected by a low rank in global poverty and inequality indices.
- Governance and Rule of Law: India scores relatively low on metrics measuring perceived corruption, judicial delays, and bureaucratic red tape.
- Climate Vulnerability: While mitigating emissions, India is highly vulnerable to extreme weather, ranking 9th in the long-term Climate Risk Index.
India’s Ranking in Different Indexes UPSC PYQs
Q1: The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the (UPSC Prelims 2019)
(a) International Monetary Fund
(b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(c) World Economic Forum
(d) World Bank
Ans: (c)
Q2: "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
Ans: (d)
Q3: 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:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b)
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India’s Ranking in Different Indexes 2026 FAQs
Q1. What is India's rank in the Global Peace Index?+
Q2. What is India's rank in the Poverty Index?+
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