India Advances to 130th Rank in 2025 Human Development Report: Key Insights and Challenges

India has seen a notable rise in its ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI), improving from 133rd to 130th position in the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The country’s HDI value has increased from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, reflecting significant improvements in health and education, despite persistent income and gender disparities. The report also underscores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping India’s future development trajectory.

Why in News?

The latest HDR, released on May 6, 2025, brings attention to India’s remarkable recovery from the pandemic, with improvements in life expectancy and education. However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding income inequality and gender disparities.

Key Findings

HDI Ranking & Value

• India improved from 133rd in 2022 to 130th in 2023 among 193 nations.
• The HDI value increased from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, reflecting progress in key development areas.

Health & Life Expectancy

• Life expectancy has risen from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023, marking the highest level recorded in India’s history.
• The improvement is attributed to national health programs like Ayushman Bharat, the National Rural Health Mission, and Poshan Abhiyaan.

Education & Literacy

• Average schooling years for children increased from 8.2 years in 1990 to 13 years in 2023.
• Efforts like the Right to Education Act and National Education Policy 2020 have contributed to these improvements, though challenges in quality and learning outcomes remain.

Income Growth

• India’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased more than fourfold from $2167.22 in 1990 to $9046.76 in 2023.
• Over 135 million Indians emerged from multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21.

Inequality Issues

• Despite these advances, India’s HDI is reduced by 30.7% due to inequality—one of the highest in the region.
• Gender disparities and low female participation in the labor force and political representation continue to hinder overall development.

AI and India’s Role

• India is positioned as an emerging AI powerhouse, with the highest penetration of AI skills in the region.
• 20% of Indian AI researchers remain in India, a significant increase from nearly zero in 2019.

Global Context

• The report indicates a global slowdown in human development, the slowest progress since 1990.
• India’s improvement, although notable, is in line with the broader global trend of stalled development.

Significance of the 2025 HDR

• The HDR emphasizes that despite the rise in India’s HDI, the country faces significant challenges, especially concerning income and gender inequality.
• The increasing role of AI in driving future development highlights the potential for India to leverage technological advancements for economic and social progress.
• India’s health and education achievements provide a strong foundation for addressing these disparities, but sustained efforts are required to overcome them.