India Climbs to 130 on Global Human Development Index, Shows Strong Recovery and AI Promise

 New Delhi, 6 May 2025 : India has moved up to 130th out of 193 countries on the UNDP’s 2025 Human Development Index (HDI), reflecting continued progress in health, education, and income. With an improved HDI value of 0.685, up from 0.676 in 2022, India remains in the medium human development category and is inching closer to the high development threshold.

Life expectancy in India reached 72 years—the highest since the index began—highlighting a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Gains in schooling and income also played key roles. Children now stay in school for 13 years on average, while mean years of schooling rose to 6.88. Gross National Income per capita jumped to $9,046.76 (PPP, 2021 dollars).

The UNDP credited India’s rise to sustained economic growth and impactful social programs like Ayushman Bharat, MGNREGA, and the Right to Education Act. Notably, 135 million people exited multidimensional poverty between 2015 and 2021.

However, inequality continues to challenge progress—India loses 30.7% of its HDI value due to disparities, particularly in income and gender. Still, reforms like the women’s reservation law signal a shift toward inclusion.

Titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI,” the 2025 report also highlights India’s growing global role in AI innovation. With the highest AI skills penetration worldwide, India is using AI in agriculture, public services, and education, paving the way for inclusive digital transformation. India’s progress reflects both resilience and ambition in shaping a human-centered AI future.