Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: PIB
Subject: Miscellaneous
Context: India improved its rank to 45th (4 places improvement) in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025, while also increasing its score to 54.43/100, reflecting stronger digital and network preparedness.
About Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025:
What it is?
• The Network Readiness Index (NRI) is a global assessment that evaluates how effectively countries use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to promote economic growth, innovation, governance quality and social development.
Published by: Prepared by the Portulans Institute, an independent, non-profit research and educational institute based in Washington, DC.
• To measure a country’s readiness to leverage digital networks and technologies.
• To assess how ICT adoption translates into inclusive growth, innovation, governance efficiency and societal impact.
Key features:
• Covers 127 economies worldwide.
• Based on 4 pillars: Technology – digital infrastructure, access and future technologies People – skills, digital inclusion and workforce readiness Governance – regulation, trust, security and policy environment Impact – economic, social and environmental outcomes
• Technology – digital infrastructure, access and future technologies
• People – skills, digital inclusion and workforce readiness
• Governance – regulation, trust, security and policy environment
• Impact – economic, social and environmental outcomes
• Uses 53 indicators including broadband penetration, AI research output, digital trade, legislation and market scale.
• Enables income-level comparison, highlighting countries performing above or below expectations.
About India and the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025:
• Rank & score: India climbed 4 places to 45th globally, with its score improving from 53.63 (2024) to 54.43 (2025).
• Global leadership: Ranked 1st in annual investment in telecommunication services, AI scientific publications, ICT services exports, and e-commerce legislation.
• Strong infrastructure & usage: Secured 2nd rank in FTTH/building internet subscriptions, mobile broadband traffic, and international internet bandwidth.
• Scale advantage: Placed 3rd in domestic market scale, underscoring India’s large, digitally active consumer base.
• Income-adjusted performance: The report notes India’s network readiness exceeds expectations for its income level; ranked 2nd among lower-middle-income countries.