A step up: As India climbs up HDI rankings, rising inequality poses challenges, Pg8

Key Highlights

• India ranks 130 out of 193 in the 2025 Human Development Report, up from 133 in 2022.

  • HDI value rose to 0.685 in 2023 (from 0.676 in 2022) showing post-pandemic recovery.

  • India’s life expectancy hit a record 72 years, and GNI per capita rose to $9046.76.

  • Programmes like MGNREGA, RTE, and NRHM credited for improvements.

  • Rising income and gender inequalities remain a critical concern, pulling HDI down by 30.7%.

Detailed Insights

• Educational Progress: Average years of schooling for children now 13 years, up from 8.2 in 1990.

  • Poverty Reduction: 13.5 crore people escaped multidimensional poverty between 2015–2021.

  • Female Labour Force Participation: Rose to 41.7% in 2023-24, but retention and political representation still weak.

  • Legislative Lag: No implementation yet of women’s reservation in legislature, despite constitutional amendments.

  • Structural Gaps: Marginalised girls and boys still lack access to quality education, limiting further HDI growth.

  • AI and Human Development: 20% of AI researchers in India are now women (up from nearly 0% in 2019).

  • AI seen as key to future development across sectors, but ethical safeguards are essential to avoid new inequalities.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved

• Human Development Index (HDI): Composite index measuring health, education, and income.

  • Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Measures deprivation across health, education, and standard of living.

  • AI in Development: Use of Artificial Intelligence in service delivery, agriculture, healthcare, and education.

Significance

• Reflects India’s resilience in bouncing back from pandemic shocks.

  • Highlights structural inequalities that inhibit inclusive growth.

  • Stresses the need for female empowerment and political inclusion to sustain HDI progress.

  • Points to the transformative but risky role of AI in future development.

Mains Mock Question:

Critically examine India’s performance in the Human Development Index 2025. What structural inequalities continue to constrain its progress? How can emerging technologies like AI be harnessed responsibly to improve human development outcomes?