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Frontier Technologies Index

Last Updated

6th April, 2025

Date Published

6th April, 2025

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Technology Index

India’s advancement in frontier technologies reflects its growing capability to adopt and innovate in cutting-edge fields like AI, IoT, and biotechnology. The UNCTAD’s 2025 Technology and Innovation Report highlights India’s improved ranking in the Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index, offering valuable insights into its technological progress, policy measures, and global standing—crucial for aspirants preparing for competitive examinations.

Key Points

Key Points:

  • Index Overview: The Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index, part of UNCTAD’s 2025 Technology and Innovation Report, assesses 170 countries on their preparedness to adopt and leverage frontier technologies.
  • India’s Ranking: India ranks 36th out of 170 nations in 2024, a significant improvement from its 48th position in 2022, showcasing enhanced technological readiness.
  • Definition of Frontier Technologies: These are advanced technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Blockchain, 5G, 3D Printing, Robotics, Drones, Gene Editing, Nanotechnology, and Solar Photovoltaic systems, poised to transform economies and societies.
  • Evaluation Parameters: The index measures readiness across five key areas: ICT deployment, skills, research and development (R&D), industrial capacity, and finance.
  • Global Context: Only one-third of countries excel in frontier technology readiness, with developed nations like the US, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, and the Netherlands leading the rankings.
  • Developing Nations’ Progress: Alongside India, countries like China (13th), Brazil (40th), South Africa (52nd), Indonesia (61st), and Vietnam (65th) are notable performers among developing economies.
  • India’s Strengths: India excels in R&D, driven by a high number of STEM graduates and significant research output, alongside robust ICT services exports.
  • Challenges: Limited access to financing and gaps in technological skills remain hurdles to fully harnessing frontier technologies.
  • Policy Recommendations: UNCTAD suggests increased investment in skills development, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems to bridge readiness gaps in developing nations like India.
  • NITI Aayog’s Role: The NITI Aayog Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH), launched as a frontier tech action tank, aims to accelerate India’s transition into a tech-driven nation.
  • NITI-FTH Objectives: It focuses on advancing innovation, promoting human-centric technology adoption, and fostering global collaboration for sustainable development.
  • Engagement Strategy: NITI-FTH collaborates with industry, academia, and government to analyze tech trends, assess their implications, and formulate action plans for India’s readiness.
  • Viksit Bharat Vision: The hub aligns with the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by leveraging frontier technologies for economic and societal growth.
  • Global Implications: The report emphasizes that developing countries must prepare for AI and frontier tech disruptions to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
  • Historical Relevance: Past prelims questions (e.g., 2020 on blockchain and AI) underline the importance of understanding emerging technologies and related indices.

Glossary

  • Frontier Technologies: Cutting-edge innovations like AI, IoT, and robotics shaping future economies.
  • Readiness Index: A metric evaluating a country’s capacity to adopt advanced technologies.
  • UNCTAD: UN agency focused on trade, investment, and development issues.
  • ICT Deployment: Availability and use of information and communication technologies.
  • STEM Graduates: Students trained in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  • NITI-FTH: NITI Aayog’s initiative to boost frontier tech innovation in India.
  • Viksit Bharat: Vision for a developed India through strategic advancements.
  • R&D: Research and development activities driving technological progress.

Link To The Original Article – https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-readiness-for-frontier-technologies-index-unctad-upsc-prelims-2025-9924092/