RT team
In an impressive surge over the past nine years, India has climbed 42 places in the Global Innovation Index (GII), now ranking 39th among the world’s nations in 2024. This position marks a significant improvement from its 81st spot in 2015 and places India at the top among 38 lower-middle-income economies.
The GII, which assesses 133 economies using around 80 different indicators of innovation capacity, recognizes India’s leadership in the Central and Southern Asia region, as well as its fourth-place standing in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Science and Technology Cluster Ranking.
India’s major cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, are highlighted as key hubs in the top 100 global Science and Technology clusters, underscoring their roles in driving research and technological advancements.
Notably, India also ranks seventh worldwide in terms of intangible asset intensity, indicative of its robust base in non-physical assets like patents and trademarks that propel innovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated this achievement, declaring it a “remarkable feat” and affirming the government’s dedication to fostering an innovative ecosystem that can transform the lives of the youth.
The report also notes that along with countries like Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States, India stands out as one of the fastest climbers over a decade, with China reaching the 11th position, making it the only middle-income country in the top 30. Additionally, India continues to excel as an innovation overperformer for the 14th consecutive year, sharing this distinction with the Republic of Moldova and Viet Nam.
