India has made significant strides in its readiness for frontier technologies, climbing to 36th position out of 170 nations in the latest global index, as reported by the United Nations. The report, titled the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report, highlights India’s improvement from its previous ranking of 48th in 2022, reflecting the country’s growing capacity in critical areas such as technology, research, and innovation. This ranking is part of a broader measure assessing how well nations are positioned to harness and deploy frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, and 5G.
The UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) report offers a comprehensive analysis of how different nations are preparing for a rapidly changing technological landscape. The ranking considers factors such as ICT deployment, skills development, research and development (R&D) activities, industrial capacity, and access to finance. In particular, India’s position on the index was influenced by its strengths in R&D, where it ranks 3rd globally, and its robust industrial capacity, which secured it a 10th-place ranking. However, the country lags in areas such as ICT infrastructure (99th) and skills (113th), underscoring the need for continued investment in digital infrastructure and workforce development.
Notably, India’s progress in the frontier technology space is part of a broader trend in developing nations, as several countries, including India, Brazil, China, and the Philippines, have outperformed expectations in terms of their readiness for emerging technologies. While wealthier nations tend to dominate the global rankings, with higher per capita GDP often correlating with higher levels of technological preparedness, India and other emerging economies have managed to bridge this gap through strategic investments, policies, and innovation ecosystems.
In particular, the report points out that India’s growing presence in the global technology landscape is underpinned by its significant developer base. India ranks second globally after the United States in the number of GitHub developers, a crucial indicator of the country’s growing role in global software and technology development. India is home to over 13 million developers, making it one of the largest talent pools for software development and AI innovation worldwide. This large workforce is poised to continue contributing to the development of AI and other advanced technologies, positioning India as a key player in global tech development.
The report also highlights the substantial investment in AI by India, which ranks 10th globally in terms of private sector funding. With $1.4 billion invested in AI in 2023, India is part of a select group of developing countries that are increasingly seen as critical players in the global AI race. This investment, combined with the country’s large developer base, allows India to maintain a competitive edge in the development of AI technologies. Despite facing challenges in other areas, such as digital infrastructure and finance, India’s strategic investments in AI-related projects and its expanding innovation ecosystem are expected to boost its technological capabilities in the coming years.
A key factor behind India’s progress is its government’s proactive role in fostering the growth of frontier technologies. Over the years, the Indian government has worked closely with the private sector and academic institutions to build research and innovation hubs, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Hyderabad and Kharagpur, and the Indian Institute of Science’s AI and Machine Learning Centre. These institutions play a pivotal role in driving India’s AI and data science capabilities, which are critical to the country’s future in the global technology arena.
India’s recent policy initiatives, such as the India AI Mission approved by the Cabinet in 2024, aim to further strengthen the country’s AI ecosystem. This mission focuses on reducing barriers to entry in AI education, expanding AI programs in universities, and increasing the availability of AI-focused courses, especially in smaller cities. The government’s focus on AI education and the inclusion of smaller cities reflects a broader effort to democratize access to advanced technologies and ensure that all segments of the population can contribute to and benefit from the digital transformation.
The UNCTAD report also draws attention to the growing presence of AI in global economies, noting that AI is expected to reach a market value of $4.8 trillion by 2033. This represents a significant opportunity for countries that are well-positioned to leverage AI for digital transformation. However, the report also warns that the benefits of AI-driven automation often favor capital over labor, potentially exacerbating inequalities and reducing the competitive advantage of low-cost labor in developing economies. The impact of AI on jobs remains a concern, with predictions that 40% of global jobs could be affected by automation. While AI can create new industries and job opportunities, the report emphasizes the importance of reskilling and upskilling the workforce to ensure that AI enhances rather than diminishes employment prospects.
In the realm of cloud infrastructure, the report notes that the United States and China dominate the global market, with both countries having more cloud services than the rest of the world combined. India, however, stands out among developing countries, making it to the list of top 10 countries for cloud infrastructure services. This reflects India’s growing capacity in managing and leveraging cloud technologies, which are increasingly essential for businesses to remain competitive in the digital age.
As countries around the world continue to invest in frontier technologies, India’s position on the global readiness index is a testament to its growing technological capabilities. The country’s continued focus on AI, cloud computing, and other emerging technologies, combined with its large talent pool and government-backed initiatives, places it in a strong position to compete in the global technology race. However, significant challenges remain, particularly in bridging gaps in digital infrastructure and skills development. To maintain its momentum, India will need to continue investing in education, innovation, and strategic policy initiatives that support the growth of its tech ecosystem and prepare its workforce for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
India’s rise on the global frontier technologies readiness index is a positive indicator of the country’s growing technological capabilities. While challenges persist, the country’s focus on R&D, AI innovation, and digital transformation offers promising prospects for its future in the global tech landscape. India’s path forward will require continued investment in human capital, infrastructure, and policy reforms, but its progress to date suggests that it is well on its way to becoming a global leader in frontier technologies.
