Global Innovation Index 2025

1. Introduction

The Global Innovation Index 2025 is an annual global ranking published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that measures the innovation performance of economies. Introduced in 2007, the Global Innovation Index 2025 assesses a country’s ability to foster innovation by evaluating its institutions, research capacity, infrastructure, business environment, and knowledge outputs. It serves as an important benchmark for policymakers to identify strengths, address gaps, and formulate innovation-driven development strategies. For India, the Global Innovation Index 2025 India provides a valuable measure of the country’s progress in building a knowledge-based economy, strengthening the start-up ecosystem, and enhancing global competitiveness through science, technology, and innovation.

2. Methodology of the Global Innovation Index

• The Global Innovation Index 2025 evaluates the innovation performance of countries using 7 pillars and 80+ indicators.
• The five Innovation Input Pillars are:
  • Institutions
  • Human Capital & Research
  • Infrastructure
  • Market Sophistication
  • Business Sophistication
• The two Innovation Output Pillars are:
  • Knowledge & Technology Outputs
  • Creative Outputs
• The Global Innovation Index 2025 assesses indicators such as R&D expenditure, patent applications, trademark filings, scientific publications, ICT infrastructure, venture capital, start-up ecosystem, high-tech exports, and intellectual property creation.
• Countries are ranked based on their overall innovation ecosystem and their ability to convert innovation inputs into tangible outputs.

3. Key Findings of the Global Innovation Index 2025

• Switzerland retained the 1st position, followed by Sweden, the United States, Republic of Korea, and Singapore.
• The Top 10 innovative economies continue to be dominated by high-income countries, with China remaining the only upper-middle-income economy in the top 10.
• Global innovation investment has slowed due to weaker growth in R&D expenditure, venture capital funding, and technology financing.
• Despite this slowdown, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, biotechnology, semiconductors, and advanced digital technologies continue to drive global innovation.
• The Global Innovation Index 2025 highlights the growing importance of innovation-led productivity, digital transformation, and resilient innovation ecosystems for long-term economic growth.

4. India’s Performance in the Global Innovation Index

• India ranked 38th among 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2025, improving from 39th in 2024 and 81st in 2015.
• India is ranked 1st among Lower-Middle-Income Economies and remains the innovation leader in the Central and Southern Asia region.
• India’s major strengths include ICT Services Exports (1st globally), Knowledge & Technology Outputs (22nd), Late-stage Venture Capital Deals (4th), and Unicorn Valuation (11th).
• India’s strong performance is driven by its start-up ecosystem, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), IT services, growing patent and trademark filings, and expanding innovation ecosystem.
• Key challenges include low R&D expenditure (around 0.65% of GDP), weak industry-academia collaboration, infrastructure gaps, and limited commercialisation of research.

The India Innovation Ranking 2025 reflects India’s continued improvement in innovation performance, while the India Rank in Global Innovation Index 2025 also highlights the country’s growing role in the global innovation ecosystem.

5. Factors Contributing to India’s Improved Performance in the Global Innovation Index

Rapid Growth of the Start-up Ecosystem

India has emerged as the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world, driven by a vibrant entrepreneurial culture, increasing venture capital investments, and a growing number of unicorns. The expansion of incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs has strengthened India’s capacity to develop and commercialise innovative solutions across sectors.

Expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

India’s robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), DigiLocker, CoWIN, and ONDC, has transformed public service delivery and digital innovation. These platforms have created a strong digital ecosystem that promotes financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and technology-led governance.

Supportive Government Policies

Government initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, National Research Foundation (NRF), Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, and IndiaAI Mission have strengthened the country’s innovation ecosystem by promoting research, entrepreneurship, and technology development.

Growth in Intellectual Property (IP) Creation

India has witnessed a steady rise in patent applications, trademark registrations, and design filings, indicating increasing innovation and greater awareness of intellectual property rights. The strengthening of the IP ecosystem has encouraged research institutions, universities, and industries to invest more in innovation.

Strong Performance in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

India continues to be a global leader in ICT services exports, supported by a large pool of skilled professionals, a thriving software industry, and rapid adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, fintech, and digital payments. This has significantly enhanced India’s knowledge and technology outputs.

Increasing Research and Innovation Ecosystem

The establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs, Centres of Excellence, research parks, incubation centres, and university-industry collaborations has improved the country’s innovation capacity. Greater participation of academic institutions, start-ups, and the private sector is gradually strengthening India’s research and development ecosystem.

These factors have contributed significantly to India’s improving position in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and strengthened India’s position as an emerging innovation hub.

6. Government Initiatives Promoting Innovation

• Startup India (2016): Promotes entrepreneurship through tax incentives, easier compliance, funding support, and incubation facilities.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Established by NITI Aayog to foster innovation through Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), and innovation challenges.
• Digital India: Strengthens digital infrastructure, promotes e-governance, and expands access to digital services, creating a conducive environment for innovation.
• National Research Foundation (NRF): Established under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to enhance research quality and strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
• IndiaAI Mission: Promotes the development of Artificial Intelligence through investments in computing infrastructure, datasets, research, innovation, and skill development.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Encourages domestic manufacturing and innovation in sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and telecommunications.
• Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): Supports biotechnology research, start-ups, and commercialization of innovations in the life sciences sector.

These initiatives have contributed to India’s improving performance in the Global Innovation Index 2025 by strengthening entrepreneurship, research, digital infrastructure and technology development.

7. Challenges

• Low R&D Expenditure: India’s expenditure on research and development remains around 0.65% of GDP, significantly lower than leading innovation-driven economies.
• Weak Industry–Academia Linkages: Limited collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industries hinders the commercialization of research.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate research infrastructure, laboratories, and innovation facilities, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, restrict innovation.
• Regional Disparities: Innovation activities remain concentrated in a few states and metropolitan cities, leading to unequal regional development.
• Limited Commercialisation of Research: Many research outcomes do not translate into marketable products, technologies, or start-ups.

These challenges need to be addressed to sustain India’s progress in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and strengthen its position in the Global Innovation Index India landscape.

8. Way Forward

• Increase public and private investment in Research and Development (R&D).
• Strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions.
• Promote deep-tech innovation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, and clean energy.
• Expand innovation infrastructure through more incubators, research parks, and Centres of Excellence across the country.
• Strengthen the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) ecosystem and encourage faster commercialization of research.

These measures can help India sustain its progress in the Global Innovation Index 2025, improve the India Innovation Ranking 2025, and strengthen its position as a global innovation leader.

9. Conclusion

The Global Innovation Index 2025 serves as an important indicator of a country’s innovation capacity and its ability to convert knowledge and technology into economic and social progress. India has shown consistent improvement, supported by initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, and the expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure.

The Global Innovation Index 2025 India performance reflects the growing strength of India’s startup ecosystem, digital infrastructure, ICT services, and intellectual property creation. However, increasing R&D expenditure, strengthening industry–academia collaboration, improving innovation infrastructure, and ensuring better commercialisation of research remain essential.

The continued improvement in the India Rank in Global Innovation Index 2025 can contribute to India’s long-term goal of sustainable economic growth, global competitiveness, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

BPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the methodology of the Global Innovation Index 2025. Evaluate India’s performance in the index and examine the factors responsible for its improved ranking. What challenges does India face in becoming a global innovation leader?

In your answer, highlight the India Innovation Ranking 2025, major strengths of India’s innovation ecosystem, key government initiatives, and the challenges related to R&D, industry–academia collaboration, infrastructure, and commercialisation of research.

Learn More from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

For official rankings, methodology, data and the complete Global Innovation Index 2025 report, refer to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which publishes the index annually.