India’s AI & Tech Power Surges: Now Among Top 40 Countries Globally
India Jumps to 36th in Global Tech Readiness Index, Shows Massive Progress: UN Report
India has made a big leap on the world stage in terms of technology and innovation. According to the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India now ranks 36th out of 170 countries in its readiness for frontier technologies. This is a significant improvement from its 48th position in 2022.
What is the Tech Readiness Index?
The Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index is a global benchmark that evaluates how well countries are prepared to adopt and lead in advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, blockchain, and green energy. The index is based on five major factors:
- ICT Deployment (Internet & Communication Technology)
- Skills (Education and Workforce Training)
- Research & Development (R&D)
- Industrial Capacity
- Access to Finance
India’s Performance in Key Areas:
- R&D: 3rd globally – a major strength.
- Industrial Capacity: 10th – India’s strong manufacturing backbone.
- Finance: 70th – access to funding still needs improvement.
- ICT: 99th – a weak area that needs focus.
- Skills: 113th – more efforts needed to upskill the workforce.
Despite lower scores in ICT and skills, India’s high performance in research and industrial capabilities gives it a competitive edge.
India Among Top Performing Developing Nations
Alongside China, Brazil, and the Philippines, India is among the few developing countries that are outperforming their income levels when it comes to adopting advanced technologies.
“Some countries perform far better than their levels of income may suggest,” says the UN report.
India is particularly strong in AI research and development, thanks to its large developer base and government-backed innovation programs.
AI: India’s Next Big Opportunity
The report highlights India’s growing presence in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
- India ranks 10th in the world for private AI investment, with $1.4 billion invested in 2023.
- India is the second-largest contributor of GitHub developers, after the US.
- India is home to over 13 million developers, many of whom are actively contributing to Generative AI (GenAI) projects.
Government’s Role in Boosting AI:
India’s rise is not accidental—it’s fueled by policies and initiatives like:
- India AI Mission (2024): Encourages AI innovation in smaller cities.
- Centres of Excellence in IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kharagpur, and IISc.
- Collaboration with private sector and academia to scale AI education.
These steps are ensuring India builds a solid ecosystem for digital innovation and AI leadership.
Challenges Ahead: Skills and Digital Access
Despite the growth, India faces key challenges:
- Lack of digital infrastructure in rural areas.
- Education and skill development still lag behind global leaders.
- Access to finance for startups and innovators remains limited.
Improving internet access, upgrading educational institutions, and providing funding for startups could further boost India’s global standing.
Global Trends: AI to Reshape the World
According to the report:
- AI market value could reach $4.8 trillion by 2033.
- 40% of global jobs could be impacted by automation.
- Only 100 firms (mostly in the US and China) account for 40% of corporate R&D.
While AI poses a threat to traditional jobs, it also has the potential to create new industries and opportunities, especially for nations like India with a massive youth population and fast-growing digital economy.
“AI is not just about replacing jobs—it can also empower workers and open up new industries,” the report concludes.
India’s Specialisations in Emerging Tech
India is building a reputation in:
- Nanotechnology – a global leader.
- Artificial Intelligence – top 3 in R&D globally.
- Cloud Infrastructure – among the top 10 globally.
Alongside China and Brazil, India is setting an example of how smart policies and a focus on education can help developing nations compete with advanced economies.
A Rising Global Tech Power
India’s rise from 48th to 36th in the global tech readiness index shows that the country is on the fast track to becoming a global tech powerhouse. While challenges in skills and ICT remain, strong industrial capacity, AI research, and proactive government support are pushing India ahead.
As the digital revolution gains speed, India is well-positioned to shape the future of technology—not just for itself, but for the world.
With continued investment in people, policy, and innovation, India could very well break into the top 20 tech-ready nations in the coming years
