India has improved its position by four places to secure 45th rank in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025, reflecting steady progress in digital infrastructure, innovation, and ICT-driven growth. The improvement highlights India’s expanding digital ecosystem and increasing role in the global technology landscape.
Why in News?
- India rose from 49th to 45th rank in NRI 2025.
- Score improved from 53.63 (2024) to 54.43 (2025).
- Strong performance in telecom investment, AI research, and ICT exports.
- India ranked 2nd among lower-middle-income countries.
About Network Readiness Index (NRI)
The Portulans Institute publishes the Network Readiness Index annually.
Objective of NRI
The index measures how effectively economies use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to:
- Drive economic growth
- Promote innovation
- Enhance governance
- Improve social development
Methodology Used In Evaluation
The NRI evaluates 127 economies across four pillars:
| Pillar | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Technology | ICT infrastructure and digital adoption |
| People | Skills, education, and digital inclusion |
| Governance | Policy environment, regulation, trust |
| Impact | Economic and social outcomes |
- Total Indicators: 53
- Scoring Scale: 0–100
Key Highlights of NRI 2025 for India
1. Overall Performance
- Rank: 45th globally
- Score: 54.43 / 100
- Previous Rank (2024): 49th
- Previous Score (2024): 53.63
This marks steady, incremental improvement.
2. Global Top Rankings
India secured 1st rank globally in:
- Annual investment in telecommunication services
- AI scientific publications
- ICT services exports
- E-commerce legislation
This reflects strong digital infrastructure investment and global leadership in IT services.
3. Strong Performance Areas
India ranked:
- 2nd in:
- FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions
- Mobile broadband internet traffic
- International Internet bandwidth
- 3rd in:
- Domestic market scale
- Income inequality indicator (relative positioning in NRI context)
These indicators reflect expanding digital consumption and market size.
4. Income Group Position
- India ranked 2nd among lower-middle-income countries.
- Demonstrates digital advancement despite income constraints.
Significance for India
1. Digital Economy Expansion
India’s ICT exports and telecom investments strengthen its position as a global IT hub.
2. AI and Innovation Leadership
Top ranking in AI scientific publications indicates robust research output and innovation potential.
3. Infrastructure Growth
Expansion of fiber networks and broadband penetration supports Digital India initiatives.
4. Governance Framework
Strong performance in e-commerce legislation shows regulatory progress.
Areas Needing Attention
Despite improvements, challenges remain:
- Rural-urban digital divide
- Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
- Data protection and privacy frameworks
- Digital literacy gaps
- Affordable access in remote regions
Sustained reforms are required to convert infrastructure gains into inclusive digital empowerment.
Broader Context: Digital India Strategy
India’s improvement aligns with initiatives such as:
- BharatNet
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- Startup ecosystem growth
- National AI strategy
- Digital public infrastructure (DPI)
These measures collectively enhance network readiness.
Conclusion
India’s rise to 45th rank in the Network Readiness Index 2025 signals strengthening digital competitiveness and global ICT leadership. Strong telecom investment, AI research output, and ICT exports underpin this progress. However, bridging digital divides and enhancing governance frameworks will be essential for translating network readiness into inclusive and sustainable development.
Summary
The Network Readiness Index 2025 shows India strengthening its digital capabilities across technology adoption, governance, and impact. High rankings in telecom investment, AI scientific publications, ICT exports, and broadband connectivity demonstrate the country’s growing digital competitiveness. However, continued focus on digital inclusion and equitable access remains essential for sustained growth.
📌 Important Facts for Exams
- Index: Network Readiness Index (NRI)
- Publisher: Portulans Institute
- Economies Covered: 127
- India Rank (2025): 45
- India Score (2025): 54.43
- Four Pillars: Technology, People, Governance, Impact
Network Readiness Index 2025 FAQs
The Network Readiness Index evaluates how effectively countries use ICTs to promote economic growth, innovation, governance, and social development.
India ranks 45th globally in the Network Readiness Index 2025.
The index is published by the Portulans Institute, a Washington DC-based research institute.
India ranked first in annual telecom investment, AI scientific publications, ICT services exports, and e-commerce legislation.
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