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Key Points

India's impressive jump in the Global Innovation Index is a direct result of intentional government policy. The country now boasts the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with significant growth originating beyond major metros. While celebrating this progress, the minister also pointed out key challenges that need addressing, such as securing patient capital for deep-tech. Ultimately, achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047 will require a collaborative effort from the government, industry, and academia.

Key Points: India Ranks 39th in Global Innovation Index Due to Policy Push

  • India climbed from 81st to 39th in the Global Innovation Index since 2015
  • The nation now hosts the world's third-largest startup ecosystem
  • Nearly half of all startups now emerge from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
  • Minister Singh highlighted challenges like weak academia-industry linkages
  • New policies aim to build sovereignty in frontier technologies
  • The vision is for a collaborative approach to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047
2 min read

India's position in Global Innovation Index is outcome of deliberate policy choices, investments in entrepreneurship: Minister

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh credits India's rise to 39th in the Global Innovation Index to strategic policies, a thriving startup ecosystem, and young innovators.

"India’s innovation journey cannot rely on government alone. It requires a whole-of-nation approach - Dr Jitendra Singh"

New Delhi, Sep 23

India’s steady climb in the Global Innovation Index, from the 81st position in 2015 to the 39th in 2025, is not accidental but the outcome of deliberate policy choices, investments in entrepreneurship, and the spirit of India’s young innovators, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday.

Currently, India hosts the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with more than 1 lakh government-recognised startups and over 100 unicorns.

Importantly, nearly 50 per cent of startups now originate from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, demonstrating the democratisation of entrepreneurship and India’s inclusive innovation story, the minister said at a NITI Aayog event.

Dr Singh emphasised that the innovation journey to Viksit Bharat demands global thinking and a reoriented mindset.

He underlined that both the government and the private sector must shed inhibitions and work in true synergy.

The minister acknowledged persistent challenges: lack of synergy across institutions, need for patient capital for deep-tech ventures, weak academia–industry linkages, uneven state-level innovation capacities, and gaps in intellectual property protection and commercialisation.

He noted that creating specialised interfaces on the lines of the BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) and the IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) in other critical areas of technology.

Such platforms are essential for fostering seamless collaboration between the government and the private sector.

According to him, government initiatives like the National Deep Tech Startup Policy and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) represent a fundamental shift towards building sovereignty in frontier technologies.

These efforts, he said, will reward risk-taking, creativity, and collaboration, ensuring that India is not merely a consumer of global technologies but a producer and leader.

"India’s innovation journey cannot rely on government alone. It requires a whole-of-nation approach—government providing the enabling framework, industry bringing scale and investment, academia driving knowledge creation, and young innovators supplying energy and creativity. Together, we can transform aspirations into achievements and realise the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047," the minister noted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the progress is commendable, I hope the government addresses the challenges mentioned - especially the weak academia-industry linkages. Our engineering colleges need to produce industry-ready innovators, not just degree holders.
R
Rohit P
As someone who started a tech startup in Jaipur, I can confirm the ecosystem is growing rapidly! The government's startup India initiative has been a game-changer for entrepreneurs outside metro cities. 🚀
S
Sarah B
The focus on deep-tech and research foundation is crucial. Many countries became innovation leaders by investing in fundamental research. Hope India continues this momentum with proper funding and execution.
K
Kavya N
"Whole-of-nation approach" is the right way forward. Innovation cannot happen in silos. Need more collaboration between established companies and startups, and better mentorship for young entrepreneurs.
M
Michael C
Impressive growth from 81st to 39th in a decade! The challenge now is sustaining this momentum and ensuring the benefits reach all sections of society. Quality of innovation matters as much as quantity.

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