India’s Shocking Leap: 36th in Global Tech Readiness – UN Report Reveals 5 Powerful Growth Drivers

India has made a remarkable leap in global tech readiness, rising to 36th place out of 170 countries in the UNCTAD 2025 Technology and Innovation Report, up from 48th in 2022. This improvement reflects India’s growing strength in research and development (ranked 3rd globally) and industrial capacity (ranked 10th), despite lagging in ICT infrastructure and skills. The report highlights India’s booming cloud services and its status as the second-largest contributor of developers on GitHub, with over 13 million users.

Government-backed initiatives, such as AI research hubs at top institutions and the recently approved India AI Mission, are fueling this momentum. India also ranks 10th in AI investment, with $1.4 billion in private funding as of 2023. While developed countries dominate the AI landscape, India is emerging as a key player among developing nations. The report calls for strategic investment in education and upskilling to harness AI’s potential and mitigate inequality. Overall, India’s rise underscores how proactive policy, innovation, and industrial growth can drive meaningful progress in the global tech race.

India’s Shocking Leap: 36th in Global Tech Readiness – UN Report Reveals 5 Powerful Growth Drivers

India has made significant strides in preparing for the future of technology, climbing to 36th place out of 170 nations in the United Nations’ 2025 Technology and Innovation Report. Released by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), this ranking reflects India’s improved readiness to adopt cutting-edge technologies, marking a notable rise from its 48th position in 2022. The report evaluates countries based on their preparedness to leverage emerging innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and renewable energy systems, offering key insights into global tech competitiveness.

Key Factors Behind India’s Growth

The UNCTAD report assesses nations across five pillars: ICT infrastructure, skills development, research and development (R&D), industrial capacity, and financial accessibility. India’s performance reveals both strengths and challenges:

• ICT Infrastructure: Ranked 99th, India faces gaps in digital connectivity and access, especially in rural areas, highlighting the need for enhanced internet penetration.
• Skills Development: At 113th, workforce readiness remains a concern due to uneven access to advanced education and training opportunities.
• R&D: India excels here, securing 3rd place globally, backed by strong investments in innovation hubs and academic institutions.
• Industrial Capacity: Ranked 10th, India’s manufacturing and tech production capabilities continue to stand out.
• Financial Access: With a 70th rank, funding remains a challenge for startups and small enterprises, despite growing investor interest.

Despite lower rankings in digital infrastructure and skills, India’s robust R&D ecosystem and growing industrial base have propelled its rise. The report also recognizes developing nations like Bhutan, Morocco, and Timor-Leste for progress driven by educational reforms and the creation of high-skill jobs.

Developing Nations Defying Expectations

Although high-income countries dominate the upper ranks, nations like India, Brazil, China, and the Philippines are exceeding expectations relative to their economic status. These examples show that well-targeted investments in technology, innovation, and education can narrow the gap between developing and developed nations. China’s technological expansion and India’s R&D performance signal their growing influence in the global innovation landscape.

AI’s Global Impact and Investment Trends

The report highlights the transformative potential of AI, forecasting the global market to reach $4.8 trillion by 2033. However, the necessary infrastructure and talent remain concentrated in a few countries. The U.S. leads in private AI investments with $67 billion (as of 2023), followed by China at $7.8 billion, and India at $1.4 billion, placing it 10th globally. Notably, just 100 companies—mostly from the U.S. and China—account for 40% of global corporate R&D spending, raising concerns about access inequality.

While AI could affect up to 40% of global jobs, it also brings opportunities through increased productivity, the emergence of new sectors, and the creation of future-ready roles. The report cautions that countries dependent on low-cost labor may face growing inequality if they fail to adapt. To address this, governments must invest in education, skill-building programs, and workforce training to ensure AI becomes a tool for empowerment rather than disruption.

India’s Emerging Tech Strengths

India’s recent tech progress is the result of deliberate planning and execution. The report notes India’s leadership in cloud computing, where it competes with global players like the U.S., China, and Singapore. With around 13 million developers, India is the second-largest contributor to GitHub, underlining its expanding talent base in AI and generative AI (GenAI) projects.

Key government initiatives have accelerated this growth. Institutions such as the AI Research Centre at IIT Hyderabad, the Kotak-IISc AI-ML Centre, and the NASSCOM Centre of Excellence in Data Science and AI are nurturing research and innovation. The 2024 approval of the India AI Mission is expected to widen access to AI tools, enhance training programs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and foster a vibrant startup ecosystem.

Global Tech Specialization

The report also highlights how different countries are emerging as leaders in specific tech domains: Germany in wind energy, Japan in electric vehicles, South Korea in 5G, and India in nanotechnology. These distinctions emphasize the value of national strategies tailored to local strengths and economic goals.

Manufacturing as a Growth Engine

Industrial development remains a key driver of economic progress. India, alongside China and Brazil, showcases how manufacturing can alleviate poverty and foster inclusive growth. Initiatives like Make in India have reinforced the country’s production capabilities, helping it climb the global industrial ladder.

The Road Ahead

India’s rise in the tech readiness index is a testament to effective governance and targeted investments. However, bridging digital divides and addressing skill shortages must remain a top priority. By expanding ICT infrastructure, strengthening vocational training, and supporting SMEs, India can maintain its upward momentum in the global tech arena.

The UNCTAD report ultimately points to a changing world order—one where developing nations, through foresight and commitment, can challenge traditional power structures in technology. For India, the journey toward global tech leadership is well underway. But sustaining this growth will depend on its ability to combine innovation with inclusion.

In Summary:

• India’s tech readiness climbs to 36th globally, driven by R&D excellence and industrial growth.
• AI presents both opportunities and risks, calling for equitable global collaboration.
• Strategic policies, education reforms, and institutional support are central to India’s success.
• Manufacturing and domain-specific expertise can shape the future for developing nations.

India’s trajectory reflects a powerful blend of ambition, resilience, and strategic vision—proving that with the right foundation, emerging economies can lead in tomorrow’s technology landscape.