New Delhi: In a significant leap forward, India has climbed to 36th out of 170 nations in the UN’s ‘Readiness for Frontier Technologies’ index, a marked improvement from its 48th position in 2022. This ascension is reflective of India’s robust advancements in research and development (R&D) and industrial capacity, as highlighted in the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report. The country’s strategic positioning in these areas underscores its potential to leverage technological innovations for economic growth.
The index assesses readiness based on indicators such as ICT deployment, skills, R&D activity, industrial capacity, and access to finance. While India ranks high in R&D (3rd) and industrial capacity (10th), it faces challenges in ICT deployment (99th) and skills (113th). Despite these, India joins countries like Brazil, China, and the Philippines in outperforming expectations in technology readiness.
Globally, the United States leads in private AI investment with $67 billion, followed by China and India, which secured the 10th spot with $1.4 billion. AI is projected to reach a market value of $4.8 trillion by 2033, potentially impacting 40% of jobs worldwide. This technological shift presents both opportunities for growth and challenges such as job displacement and inequality.
India boasts a vast talent pool of around 13 million developers, contributing significantly to AI advancements. The government has launched the India AI Mission to strengthen the AI innovation ecosystem by expanding education opportunities and reducing barriers to entry. This proactive approach positions India as a leader among developing countries in the AI race.
