Current Affairs

UNDP Human Development Report 2025 – India 130th of 193; HDI value 0.685

16-10-2026 · English

UNDP Human Development Report 2025 – India 130th of 193; HDI value 0.685

Topics: Indices & Reports · 16 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

UNDP released the Human Development Report 2025, titled 'A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI', on 6 May 2025. India is 130th of 193 countries (133rd for 2022); its HDI rose from 0.676 to 0.685 (2023 data) – 'medium human development'. Life expectancy reached 72 years, the highest since the index began. Iceland is first (0.972); South Sudan is last (193rd).

Key facts

Release6 May 2025; UNDP; title – 'A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of AI'
India130/193; HDI 0.685 (2023); medium human development
India's indicatorsLife expectancy 72; expected schooling ≈13 yrs; mean schooling 6.9 yrs; GNI per capita $9,047 (2021 PPP)
InequalityInequality cuts India's HDI by 30.7%; Gender Inequality Index 102/193
Top / bottomIceland (0.972), Norway, Switzerland / South Sudan (193)
NeighboursBangladesh 130 (tied with India), Nepal 145, Pakistan 168

Background

  • History: UNDP published the first Human Development Report in 1990. The HDI was devised by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq, working with Indian economist Amartya Sen (1998 Economics Nobel). Sen's 'capability approach' is its theoretical basis.
  • Three HDI dimensions: (1) a long and healthy life – life expectancy at birth; (2) knowledge – mean and expected years of schooling; (3) a decent standard of living – GNI per capita (PPP). Groups: very high (≥0.800), high (0.700–0.799), medium (0.550–0.699), low (<0.550).
  • AI findings: India has the highest self-reported AI skill penetration in the report; 20% of Indian AI researchers now stay in India (almost none in 2019). India's HDI has risen by over 53% since 1990.

Tamil Nadu link: the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission brought out the 'Tamil Nadu Human Development Report' in 2003 (it is also listed on UNDP's HDR site). In the 2017 Tamil Nadu Human Development Report, Kanniyakumari district ranked first in HDI and Ariyalur last.

Source: UNDP India press release (6 May 2025); Business Standard (6 May 2025); Thervupettagam (9 May 2025); Vajiram & Ravi; hdr.undp.org

Join our UPSC classroom or online batch: UPSC coaching in Coimbatore · Fees · Call 99941 46662.

Share with friends & study groups
Link to this page from your website / blog (HTML code)
More news from the same day
› CM Vijay opens 'Periyar Arivulagam' library and science centre in Coimbatore › Neyveli and Tiruchi badlands are Mars-analogue sites – University of Kerala scientists › Cotton Revival Mission in Tamil Nadu – ₹26.21 crore sanctioned for 2026–27; Minister R. Vinoth urges farmers to benefit › Chandigarh's Sukhna wetland and UP's Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri) take India's Ramsar sites from 101 to 103; Tamil Nadu (20) tops › MoD signs ₹4,106-crore contracts – 'Varunastra' anti-submarine torpedoes for Navy, GSAT-7C satellite for IAF › Dr Sudha Yadav sworn in as Governor of Karnataka – the State's second woman Governor › Clean hydrogen: India ranks 3rd in the world in cumulative contracted volumes – BNEF 'India Transition Factbook 2026' › HAL-built ALH MK-III helicopter (CG 875) inducted into 831 Squadron at Coast Guard Air Station Ratnagiri All current affairs →

BANK Achievers

  • ARUN VIGNESH

    BANKING BANKING