How Did India Jump From Rank 81 to 39 in Global Innovation Index? The Answer Lies Beyond Metros

India has made a remarkable leap on the Global Innovation Index (GII)—climbing from Rank 81 to Rank 39 in just a few years. The jump is not a coincidence. It reflects a broader shift in India’s innovation landscape, where ideas are no longer confined to urban metros or elite labs but are emerging from small towns, classrooms, factory floors, and local startups.

This rise puts India firmly on the global innovation map and signals that the country is no longer just a market for technology—it is now a creator of it.

India’s Ascent in Global Rankings

The Global Innovation Index, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) along with INSEAD and Cornell University, evaluates over 130 economies on various innovation metrics.

India’s climb from 81st position in 2015 to 39th in 2024 makes it one of the fastest-rising innovation economies in the world, outperforming several developing countries.

Innovation Spreads Beyond the Metros

A key factor in this progress is the wider reach of innovation. From Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to rural India, local entrepreneurs, startups, and even school students are experimenting with solutions across sectors—health, agriculture, energy, and education.

Government-supported incubators in states like Odisha and Tamil Nadu, as well as university-led innovation cells, are enabling grassroots ideas to take shape and scale.

Government Policy a Major Enabler

Several central government schemes have directly contributed to the innovation push:

• Startup India has recognized over 1 lakh startups, offering them access to tax exemptions, easier compliance, and funding opportunities.

• The Atal Innovation Mission has established thousands of Tinkering Labs in schools and colleges to promote a culture of problem-solving.

• Platforms like Digital India, ONDC, and UPI have provided infrastructure and tools to build innovative digital-first solutions at scale.

These initiatives have helped democratize innovation across sectors and regions.

India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with over 115 unicorns and thousands of active early and growth-stage startups.

From spacetech companies like Agnikul Cosmos, to biotech ventures like String Bio, and SaaS giants like Zoho, Indian startups are innovating across domains. Many are also expanding their global footprint, attracting international funding and recognition.

India’s large pool of STEM graduates continues to be a strength. With over 2.5 million STEM graduates every year, the country has a strong base of technical talent that is powering both startups and R&D efforts for global companies setting up innovation hubs in India.

International Recognition Grows

India’s public digital infrastructure is now being seen as a global case study. Initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI are being explored for replication in developing countries.

Global tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have also set up some of their largest R&D operations in India, leveraging its engineering talent and growing digital ecosystem.

While the climb in GII rankings is encouraging, experts believe that India now needs to focus on:

• Increasing R&D investment and patent filings

• Strengthening industry-academia collaborations

• Supporting deeptech and climate tech innovations

• Enabling innovation in rural and underserved regions

Bridging the gap between research and commercialization will be critical to sustaining and accelerating innovation-led growth.

India’s rise in the Global Innovation Index is a result of multiple factors working together—policy reforms, startup growth, digital infrastructure, and grassroots participation. As innovation becomes more inclusive and widespread, India is poised to not just improve its ranking further but become a leading voice in global innovation efforts.