Network Readiness Index 2025 India Climbs Four Spots to Rank 45th Globally

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

India improved its global rank to 45th in Network Readiness Index 2025.
Overall score rose to 54.43, up from 53.63 in 2024.
India ranked first globally in telecom investment, AI publications and ICT exports.

Bangalore: India has recorded a notable improvement in its global digital competitiveness, climbing four places to rank 45th in the Network Readiness Index 2025 India standings. The latest report, released on February 4 by the Portulans Institute, highlights India’s growing ability to leverage digital technologies for economic growth, innovation and social development.

Along with the jump in rankings, India also improved its overall score, rising from 53.63 out of 100 in 2024 to 54.43 in 2025, reflecting steady progress across multiple dimensions of digital readiness.

Network Readiness Index 2025 India Shows Strong Score Growth

The Network Readiness Index evaluates 127 economies based on 53 indicators grouped under four key pillars: Technology, People, Governance and Impact. India’s improved position signals balanced progress across these pillars, particularly in technology adoption, digital infrastructure investment and regulatory frameworks.

The report underscores that India is no longer advancing only in scale but is also improving in quality, efficiency and impact of its digital ecosystem.

India Tops Global Rankings in Key Digital Indicators

India secured the number one global position in several high-impact indicators, reinforcing its role as a major digital and technology hub. These include annual investment in telecommunication services, AI scientific publications, ICT services exports and e-commerce legislation.

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Such leadership reflects India’s expanding digital economy, strong policy push toward technology-led growth and its rising influence in global digital trade and artificial intelligence research.

Broadband, Internet Capacity and Market Scale Strengthen India’s Position

Beyond top rankings, India also placed second globally in fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and building internet subscriptions, mobile broadband internet traffic within the country and international internet bandwidth. These indicators highlight rapid expansion in connectivity and data consumption across urban and rural regions.

India ranked third in domestic market scale and income inequality metrics, underlining the country’s vast digital consumer base and gradual progress toward inclusive digital growth.

Digital Readiness Fuels Growth and Innovation

The Network Readiness Index maps how effectively economies use information and communication technologies to drive productivity, innovation and social development. India’s improved standing in the 2025 edition reflects the cumulative impact of digital public infrastructure, policy reforms and growing private-sector participation.

Experts note that sustained investments in digital governance, skills and infrastructure could further accelerate India’s climb in future rankings, strengthening its position as a leading digital economy on the global stage.