India rises to 130 among 193 countries on human development index

India continues to make steady progress in human development, climbing to 130th place out of 193 countries in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2025 Human Development Report (HDR). India’s Human Development Index (HDI) score rose from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, keeping the country in the medium human development category and edging closer to the high development threshold.

The 2025 HDR, titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI”, emphasises the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, particularly in emerging economies like India.

“We commend India’s continued progress on the Human Development Index,” said Angela Lusigi, UNDP India Resident Representative. “The rise in rank from 133 in 2022 to 130 in 2023 reflects notable improvements in education, income, and health. India’s life expectancy reaching its highest level since the index began is a strong indicator of pandemic recovery and sustained investment in public well-being.”

A Record of Steady Progress

Since 1990, India’s HDI has increased by over 53%, outpacing both global and regional averages. Life expectancy has risen from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023, the highest on record. Key national health initiatives—such as Ayushman Bharat, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and Poshan Abhiyaan—have played a crucial role in this progress.

Education outcomes have also improved, with children now expected to complete an average of 13 years of schooling, up from 8.2 years in 1990. Reforms like the Right to Education Act, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, and the National Education Policy 2020 have supported this growth, though challenges in quality and learning outcomes persist.

Economically, India’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, measured in 2021 PPP dollars, has surged from $2,167 in 1990 to $9,047 in 2023. Welfare and inclusion programmes such as MGNREGA, Jan Dhan Yojana, and digital initiatives have significantly contributed to poverty reduction, helping 135 million Indians escape multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

Remaining Challenges

Despite progress, inequality continues to weigh heavily on India’s HDI, reducing it by 30.7%—one of the highest losses in the region. While disparities in health and education have lessened, income and gender gaps remain stark. Female labour force participation and political representation are notably low, although recent measures, such as the reservation of one-third of legislative seats for women, hold promise for future equity.

AI as a Catalyst for Inclusive Development

India is emerging as a global AI leader, with the highest self-reported AI skills penetration and growing domestic retention of talent—20% of Indian AI researchers now stay in the country, compared to nearly zero in 2019.

AI is being harnessed to drive inclusive development in areas such as:

Agriculture: AI tools help farmers access credit, insurance, and advice in regional languages.
Public Infrastructure: A planned national compute facility aims to democratize AI access for researchers and startups.
Skills Development: AI-supported vocational training initiatives in states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana are expanding opportunities for marginalized groups.

A global UNDP survey reveals that 70% of people expect AI to improve productivity and 64% believe it will generate new jobs—with the greatest optimism among youth.

Global Trends: Slowing Progress

The 2025 HDR also highlights a concerning global slowdown in human development. Progress is now advancing at the slowest rate since the index began in 1990. Had pre-pandemic trends continued, the world would have been on track to achieve very high human development by 2030—aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. That goal is now likely to be delayed by decades.

For the fourth consecutive year, inequality between low and very high HDI countries has widened, reversing previous gains.

Navigating the AI Era: Policy Matters

The report emphasizes that AI’s impact on society is not predetermined—it depends on the choices governments and institutions make. To ensure AI promotes equity rather than deepening divides, UNDP outlines three strategic pathways:

Use AI to complement rather than replace human work;
Design AI around human needs, especially in health, education, and agriculture;
Foster innovation grounded in ethical and inclusive values.

India’s experience shows that deliberate policy, strategic investment, and inclusive governance can turn technological advances into drivers of human development.