UNCTAD Reports that India Ranked 36th in Global Index for Readiness in Frontier Technologies.
International
In April 2025, the Geneva (Switzerland)-based United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the '2025 Technology and Innovation Report', highlighting global readiness for frontier technologies. According to the report, India secured the 36th rank (for the year 2024) among 170 countries on the ‘Readiness for Frontier Technologies’ Index, marking a significant improvement from the 48th rank in 2022.
- The index evaluates five core indicators: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) deployment, skills, Research and Development (R&D) activity, industrial capacity, and access to finance.
- India’s performance on the ‘Readiness for Frontier Technologies’ Index was mixed across key parameters. It ranked 99th in ICT deployment, 113th in skills, but showed strength in R&D activity (3rd) and industrial capacity (10th).
- In terms of access to finance, India stood at 70th, reflecting areas of both progress and potential improvement.
Main Point :- (i) Among the top 5 countries globally, four were developed nations: the United States of America (1st), Sweden (2nd), Netherlands (3rd), and Switzerland (4th).
(ii) Singapore secured the 5th position, making it the only Asian country featured in the top five rankings.
(iii) According to the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report by UNCTAD, in 2023, only two developing countries made notable private investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI). China ranked 2nd globally, investing approximately USD 7.8 billion, while India secured the 10th position, with AI investments worth USD 1.4 billion. This highlights the growing emphasis on AI development in emerging economies.
About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Secretary-General : Rebeca Grynspan
Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
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