“India’s rank in the Global Innovation Index?” “Who publishes the Global Hunger Index?” Index questions are asked in almost every exam, and RBI Grade B and SEBI Grade A ask about the publisher too. Here are the latest ranks in one table.
Ranks are for the latest edition released up to November 2026 (as reported). Each index updates once a year; check the latest before your exam.
Economy, innovation and business
Index
Publisher
India’s rank
Top country
Global Innovation Index 2026
WIPO
38th of 139 (unchanged); 1st among lower-middle-income economies
Switzerland (16th year in a row)
IMF World Economic Outlook
IMF
Among the top 5 economies by nominal GDP (approx)
USA
Logistics Performance Index 2023
World Bank
38th
Singapore
Global Remittances
World Bank
Largest recipient in the world
–
Society, happiness and development
Index
Publisher
India’s rank
Top country
World Happiness Report 2026
Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, UN SDSN
116th (up from 118th)
Finland (9th year in a row)
Human Development Index (HDR 2025)
UNDP
130th of 193
Iceland
SDG Index 2026 (Sustainable Development Report)
UN SDSN
94th of 167 (India’s best ever)
Finland
Global Hunger Index 2026
Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe
100th of 122 (“serious”, score 24.1)
–
Global Gender Gap Index 2026
World Economic Forum
131st (unchanged)
Iceland
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2025
UNDP and OPHI
66th of 109 (approx)
–
Governance, freedom and peace
Index
Publisher
India’s rank
Top country
World Press Freedom Index 2026
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
157th of 180 (down 6)
Norway (approx)
Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 (released February 2026)
Transparency International
91st of 182 (up 5)
Denmark
Global Peace Index 2026
Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)
127th of 163 (down from 115th)
Iceland (18th year in a row); least peaceful: Russia
Global Terrorism Index 2026
IEP
13th (approx)
– (higher rank = more affected)
Rule of Law Index 2025
World Justice Project
86th (approx)
Denmark (approx)
Defence, passport and soft power
Index
Publisher
India’s rank
Top country
Global Firepower Index 2026
Global Firepower
4th of 145
USA
Henley Passport Index 2026
Henley & Partners
about 81st (changes every quarter)
Singapore (approx)
Global Soft Power Index 2026
Brand Finance
about 32nd (approx)
USA
SIPRI arms transfers
SIPRI (Stockholm)
Among the world’s largest arms importers
–
Environment and energy
Index
Publisher
India’s rank
Climate Change Performance Index 2026
Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, CAN
23rd (approx)
Energy Transition Index 2026
World Economic Forum
about 70th (approx)
World Air Quality Report
IQAir (Switzerland)
Among the most polluted countries; New Delhi among the most polluted capitals
Publisher quick-match (most asked)
Publisher
Indices
WIPO
Global Innovation Index
UNDP
Human Development Index, Gender Inequality Index, MPI (with OPHI)
World Economic Forum
Global Gender Gap, Energy Transition, (earlier) Global Competitiveness, Travel & Tourism
Institute for Economics and Peace
Global Peace Index, Global Terrorism Index
Transparency International (Berlin)
Corruption Perceptions Index
Reporters Without Borders (Paris)
World Press Freedom Index
UN SDSN
SDG Index, World Happiness Report (with Gallup and Oxford)
Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe
Global Hunger Index
IMD (Lausanne)
World Competitiveness Ranking
Henley & Partners
Passport Index
Exam-ready one-liners
Global Innovation Index 2026: India 38th; Switzerland tops (WIPO).
World Happiness Report 2026: India 116th; Finland happiest for the 9th year.
World Press Freedom Index 2026: India 157th of 180 (RSF).
Global Hunger Index 2026: India 100th of 122 (“serious”).
Global Gender Gap 2026: India 131st; Iceland tops (WEF).
Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: India 91st; Denmark least corrupt.
Global Peace Index 2026: India 127th; Iceland most peaceful for the 18th year.
SDG Index 2026: India 94th, its best ever; Finland tops.
