India Ranks 36th in UN’s Global Index for Frontier Technology Readiness

India Climbs to 36th Place in Global Frontier Technologies Readiness Index: UN Report

India has improved its global ranking in frontier technology readiness, securing the 36th position out of 170 nations, according to the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report released by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The country has made significant progress from its 48th rank in 2022, reflecting its growing capabilities in cutting-edge technologies.

Key Highlights of India’s Performance

• Overall Rank: 36th in 2024 (up from 48th in 2022).

• Performance by Sector:

  • ICT Deployment: 99th

  • Skills: 113th

  • Research & Development (R&D): 3rd

  • Industrial Capacity: 10th

  • Access to Finance: 70th

The report highlights that Brazil, China, India, and the Philippines are among the top-performing developing nations in technology readiness, despite their lower per capita income. India's rapid advancements in R&D and industrial capacity have contributed significantly to its improved ranking.

The study also notes that Bhutan, India, Morocco, Moldova, and Timor-Leste have shown improvements in human capital, with longer schooling years and a higher share of high-skill employment in their workforces.

Need for Future Preparedness

With AI and other frontier technologies rapidly reshaping industries, developing nations must enhance their readiness to leverage these advancements. The UNCTAD Frontier Technologies Readiness Index serves as a crucial measure of a country's ability to use, adopt, and adapt to emerging technologies.

India’s upward trajectory signals strong innovation potential, but continued investments in digital infrastructure, education, and financing mechanisms are essential to sustain and accelerate this growth.