India has achieved a remarkable milestone in the global digital landscape, advancing 11 positions to secure the 49th rank in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024. The report, published by the Portulans Institute, evaluates the readiness of 133 economies across four critical pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, encompassing 54 key indicators.

India’s score improved from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024, reflecting significant progress in technological and digital transformation. Notably, India has demonstrated leadership in several key indicators, ranking:

• 1st in AI scientific publications, AI talent concentration, and ICT services exports
• 2nd in FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions, mobile broadband traffic, and international Internet bandwidth
• 3rd in domestic market scale
• 4th in annual investment in telecommunication services

India is ranked 2nd among lower-middle-income countries, following Vietnam, further showcasing its exceptional advancements in the digital and telecommunications sectors.

Key Developments Driving Digital Growth

India’s improved ranking reflects the success of transformative initiatives led by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Over the past decade, the nation has witnessed significant advancements in its telecommunications infrastructure, including:

• A rise in teledensity from 75.2% to 84.69%.
• Growth in wireless connections, which now exceeds 1.19 billion subscribers.
• An exponential increase in internet subscribers, from 251 million to 944 million, is largely driven by the Digital India program extending broadband access to rural areas.

The introduction of 5G services in 2022 was a pivotal moment for India, propelling its global mobile broadband speed ranking from 118th to 15th. The country now aims to lead the next generation of telecom technologies with the Bharat 6G Vision, which focuses on future-ready infrastructure and innovation.

Global Leadership in Technology and Innovation

India’s leadership in AI-related metrics, ICT exports, and telecom investments reflects its growing status as a global hub for technology and innovation. Reforms in spectrum management, ease of doing business, and consumer protection have further strengthened the sector, fostering an ecosystem of growth and sustainability.

The Network Readiness Index 2024 underscores India’s commitment to leveraging technology for economic development and social progress. This achievement reaffirms the nation’s position as a leader in the global digital economy and its vision for a digitally empowered future.

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