Quality over quantity
The Global Innovation Index is frequently asked in UPSC prelims for rankings and the body that publishes it. For mains, India's rank of 39th and policy debates around improving innovation inputs/outputs are relevant to GS III (S&T, economy). China's entry into the top 10 also signals geopolitical dimensions of tech competition.
Key facts
- Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 evaluates 139 countries on innovation performance.
- Switzerland retained the top position for the 15th consecutive year.
- Sweden and the United States held 2nd and 3rd positions for the third consecutive year.
- China entered the top 10 of the GII for the first time in 2025.
- India ranked 39th in the Global Innovation Index 2025.
- GII is published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The Global Innovation Index ranks leading innovators worldwide and evaluates the performance of 139 countries. In the 2025 edition, Switzerland retained the top position for the 15th consecutive year, while Sweden and the U.S. continue to hold second and third place for the third consecutive year. China entered the top 10 for the first time, and India was ranked 39th.
Concepts to know
An annual ranking published by WIPO that measures the innovation ecosystem of countries across inputs (institutions, human capital, infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication) and outputs (knowledge/technology outputs, creative outputs). It is a key benchmark for assessing a country's innovation capacity.
A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting the protection of intellectual property globally. WIPO publishes the Global Innovation Index annually and administers international IP treaties.
The network of institutions, policies, funding mechanisms, and human capital that collectively enable the creation, diffusion, and application of new knowledge and technology within a country or region.
India's policy framework aimed at fostering innovation through schemes like Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission, and the National IPR Policy, all of which contribute to improving India's GII ranking over time.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
Consider the following statements: Industrial development in India, to an extent, is constrained by: 1. lack of adequate entrepreneurship and leadership in business 2. lack of savings to invest 3. lack of technology, skills and infrastructure 4. limited purchasing power among the larger masses Which of the above statements are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 4
- a.1, 2 and 3
- b.1, 3 and 4 ✓
- c.2, 3 and 4
- d.1, 2 and 4
Economy · UPSC 1999With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: 1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy. 3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Qualification Skill Framework. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 and 3 only
- b.2 only
- c.2 and 3 only ✓
- d.1, 2 and 3
Economy · UPSC 2018In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider/greater implementation? 1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place. 2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops. 3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) None
- a.1 and 2
- b.3 only ✓
- c.2 and 3
- d.None
Economy · UPSC 2015Assertion (A): Information technology is fast becoming a very important field of activity in India. Reason (R) : Software is one of the major exports of the country and India has a very strong base in hardware. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A (c) A is true but R is false (d) A is false but R is true
- a.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- b.Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
- c.A is true but R is false ✓
- d.A is false but R is true
Economy · UPSC 1999Consider the following statements : 1. India is the second country in the world to adopt a National Family Planning Programme. 2. The National Population Policy of India 2000 seeks to achieve a replacement level of fertility by 2010 with a population of 111 crores. 3. Kerala is the first state in India to achieve a replacement level of fertility. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 only
- b.1 and 2
- c.2 and 3 ✓
- d.1, 2 and 3
Geography · UPSC 2005Consider the following statements: 1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the minimum qualification laid down by the concerned State Council of Teacher Education. 2. As per the RTE Act, for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines. 3. In India, more than 90% of teacher education institutions are directly under the State Governments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only
- a.1 and 2
- b.2 only ✓
- c.1 and 3
- d.3 only
Polity · UPSC 2018
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