Context:
In the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report, India ranked 36th out of 170 countries in the Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index.
Technology and Innovation Report:
- Published by – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
- Objective – Explores critical issues in science, technology, and innovation in developing countries.
- 3 Key Areas of Assessment –
- Infrastructure: Developing robust technological frameworks.
- Data: Ensuring accessibility and quality for innovation.
- Skills: Building human capacity for sustainable industrialization.
- Indicators –
- ICT Deployment
- Skills Development
- R&D Activity
- Industrial Capacity
- Access to Finance
Key Findings Related to India:
- India’s Ranking – Ranked 36th out of 170 countries in 2024, up from 48th in 2022.
- Ranked 3rd in R&D, 10th in industrial capacity, but lagged in ICT deployment (99th), skills (113th), and access to finance (70th).
- Human capital – Improved due to better education and high-skill employment opportunities.
- Identified as one of the top developing countries outperforming in technology readiness, alongside Brazil, China, and the Philippines.
- Leaders in Global AI Investment – U.S. ($67 billion), China ($7.8 billion), India ($1.4 billion)—India is the only developing country contributing significantly.
Government Initiatives:
- AI Centres of Excellence – Partnerships with academia and industry to establish advanced AI research hubs (e.g., IITs, Kotak IIS, and NASSCOM).
- India AI Mission (2024) – Aimed at democratising AI education and opportunities; focus on –
- Reducing barriers to AI programs.
- Expanding AI-related courses in higher education.
- Focus on small and medium-sized cities for inclusive growth.
Source: ET
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
2. “Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of the trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. The value of India-Sri Lanka trade has not considerably increased in the last decade. It registered a downfall post 2014-15.
Statement 3 is not correct. In South Asia, Bangladesh has been India’s largest trading partner.