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India Ranks 38th in Global Innovation Index 2025, Shows Strong Progress

India has climbed to the 38th position in the Global Innovation Index 2025, marking significant progress from its 66th rank in 2019. The Economic Survey credits government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has attracted over Rs 2 lakh crore in investment and boosted smartphone manufacturing. The country is also advancing in the semiconductor sector with ten approved projects and ranks among the top globally for intellectual property filings. Cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai are now recognized among the world's top innovation clusters.

Key Points: India Climbs to 38th in Global Innovation Index 2025

  • Ranked 38th in Global Innovation Index 2025
  • PLI scheme drove over Rs 2 lakh crore investment
  • 10 semiconductor projects approved with Rs 1.60 lakh crore
  • Leads in innovation among lower middle-income countries
  • Ranks high in global trademark and patent filings
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India climbs to 38th rank in global innovation index 2025, shows strong progress: Economic Survey

India's innovation rank jumps to 38th globally, driven by PLI schemes, semiconductor projects, and strong IP filings, per Economic Survey.

"India's innovation ecosystem has shown strong and steady progress over the past few years - Economic Survey 2025-26"

New Delhi, Jan 29

India's innovation ecosystem has shown strong and steady progress over the past few years, with the country climbing to 38th position in the Global Innovation Index 2025 from 66th in 2019, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in Parliament today by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

The Survey highlights how government initiatives in manufacturing, research, startups and technology have helped India emerge as a growing global hub for innovation and industrial development.

The Economic Survey noted that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme has played a major role in boosting domestic manufacturing, especially in the smartphone sector.

Many global mobile phone companies have shifted their production to India, turning the country into an important manufacturing centre.

Till September 2025, actual investments under the PLI scheme crossed Rs 2 lakh crore, leading to additional production and sales of over Rs 18.70 lakh crore.

The scheme has also generated employment for more than 12.60 lakh people, both directly and indirectly.

The Economic Survey highlighted that India now leads among lower middle-income countries in innovation and ranks first in the Central and Southern Asia region.

Cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai are among the world's top 50 innovation-intensive clusters. Overall innovation output in the country has also increased significantly.

India has also become an important global player in intellectual property. In 2024, the country ranked fourth in trademark filings, sixth in patents and seventh in industrial designs worldwide.

The Economic Survey also pointed to strong progress in the semiconductor sector. As of August 2025, ten semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects have been approved across six states, with a total investment of around Rs 1.60 lakh crore.

Under the India Semiconductor Mission and the Semicon India programme, the government is building a complete domestic semiconductor ecosystem, as per the Survey.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great progress, but I hope this innovation reaches beyond the metros and big cities. We need to ensure Tier 2 and 3 cities also become part of this ecosystem. The employment numbers are encouraging, but quality of jobs matters as much as quantity.
R
Rohit P
Rs 2 lakh crore investment and 12.6 lakh jobs? Wah! This is what happens when policy is focused. The smartphone manufacturing shift is real - just look at the 'Made in India' phones in the market now. Next stop, top 20 ranking! 💪
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the Bangalore tech sector, I can feel this momentum on the ground. The startup culture is thriving. The patent and trademark filing numbers are impressive – shows Indian companies are thinking about protecting their IP, which is key for long-term growth.
V
Vikram M
Leading in Central and Southern Asia is good, but we must aim to compete with the top 10 globally. The semiconductor push is the right direction. We cannot just assemble phones, we need to make the chips inside them. That's real innovation and self-reliance.
K
Kavya N
Positive news for sure. However, I hope the survey also looks at innovation in agriculture and rural sectors. That's where the majority of our population is. Digital innovation for farmers and small businesses is just as important as semiconductors and smartphones.

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