India’s digital surge takes center stage with a four-spot jump to 45th in the Network Readiness Index 2025, elevating its score from 53.63 to 54.43. The Communications Ministry’s announcement paints a picture of a nation outpacing global peers.
This Portulans Institute benchmark, covering 127 economies and 53 metrics in tech, people, governance, and outcomes, reveals India’s prowess in high-stakes areas.
India claims global firsts in telecom investments, AI publications, IT exports, and e-commerce frameworks. It follows closely second in fiber links, mobile usage, and internet gateway strength, third in economic scale and equity measures.
Defying income norms, India ranks second among lower-middle-income countries, highlighting equitable digital growth.
Scindia pointed to bargain data rates powering 1.2 billion connections, with universal 4G by June. BSNL leads with nearly 100,000 4G sites operationalizing rapidly toward 5G.
5G now permeates every state, 99.9% districts served by 5.08 lakh BTS. This infrastructure boom bridges urban-rural divides, amplifying India’s digital voice worldwide.
The index affirms India’s strategic pivot to next-gen networks, promising leadership in AI, broadband, and beyond for years to come.