In a testament to its digital ambitions, India surged four places to 45th in the Network Readiness Index 2025, boosting its score to 54.43 from 53.63 last year. The Ministry of Communications shared this encouraging update, spotlighting India’s leadership in multiple high-impact digital domains.
Published by the independent Portulans Institute, the index scrutinizes 127 nations on 53 parameters under four pillars: technology, people, governance, and impact. India’s ascent highlights strategic gains in telecom investments and tech exports.
India dominated globally in telecom service investments, AI research papers, IT/comms exports, and e-commerce laws. It secured runner-up spots for fiber connectivity, mobile data usage, and international bandwidth, alongside third ranks in market scale and inequality metrics.
Impressively, among lower-middle-income peers, India ranks second overall, outperforming income-based projections. This leap reflects visionary governance and infrastructure scaling.
Minister Scindia noted India’s edge with affordable data fueling massive usage—1.2 billion subscribers strong—with rural 4G rollout nearing completion. BSNL’s 4G network now spans 93,511 active sites out of 97,068, eyeing full 5G conversion.
5G blankets 99.9% of districts via 5.08 lakh BTS installations nationwide. From urban hubs to remote villages, this expansion cements India’s digital infrastructure as a model for emerging economies.
The NRI 2025 not only validates India’s progress but also charts a course for sustained innovation, positioning the country as a powerhouse in the global network ecosystem.