Introduction to

India's Human
Development Index
India's human development journey has been one of remarkable
progress and transformation over the past few decades. The Human
Development Index (HDI), a composite measure of a country's
development that considers factors like life expectancy, education, and
standard of living, has become a crucial tool for evaluating India's
progress on the path to sustainable and equitable development. This
introduction will provide an overview of India's HDI trends, highlighting
the country's steady climb towards greater human development and
the challenges it continues to face in ensuring that the benefits of
progress are distributed equitably across all segments of its diverse
population.

NA by Naman Kapoor
Overview of the HDI concept and
methodology
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a comprehensive measure of a country's overall
development and well-being. Developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
the HDI goes beyond just economic indicators like GDP and instead looks at three key dimensions
of human development: a long and healthy life, access to education, and a decent standard of
living. By combining these factors into a single index, the HDI provides a more holistic assessment
of a country's progress and the quality of life experienced by its citizens.

The methodology for calculating the HDI involves gathering data on life expectancy, expected and
mean years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. These raw data points are then
converted into index values on a scale of 0 to 1, with 1 representing the highest level of human
development. The final HDI score is the geometric mean of these three dimension indices.
Countries are then ranked globally based on their HDI score, allowing for comparisons of
development levels between nations over time.
India's HDI Ranking and Performance
1990-2024
1990: Ranked 134th 1
In 1990, India's Human Development
Index (HDI) ranking was a dismal
134th out of 189 countries and 2 2000: Ranked 128th
territories. The country's HDI value at By the year 2000, India had managed
the time was just 0.427, reflecting to improve its HDI ranking to 128th,
significant challenges in areas like life with an HDI value of 0.493. This
expectancy, education, and per capita gradual progress, though modest,
income. This placed India firmly in the signaled the government's increased
"low human development" category, focus on human development
highlighting the urgent need for initiatives, including expanded access
socioeconomic reforms and to healthcare, education, and
investments to improve the well- economic opportunities. However,
being of its citizens. the country still lagged behind many
of its regional peers, underscoring the
need for more robust and equitable
2010: Ranked 119th 3 development strategies.
In 2010, India's HDI ranking climbed
to 119th, with an HDI value of 0.563.
This improvement was driven by
steady gains in life expectancy, mean
years of schooling, and Gross
National Income (GNI) per capita.
The government's efforts to invest in
social programs, infrastructure, and 4 2019: Ranked 129th
economic reforms began to bear fruit, By 2019, India's HDI ranking had
though significant disparities slipped to 129th, with an HDI value of
remained between urban and rural 0.645. This setback was largely
areas, as well as across different attributed to the economic slowdown
states and socioeconomic groups. and the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, which disproportionately
affected the country's most
vulnerable populations. Despite this
2024 (projected): Ranked 122nd 5 temporary decline, India's HDI had
Looking ahead to 2024, India is
continued to improve overall,
projected to improve its HDI ranking
reflecting the government's ongoing
to 122nd, with an estimated HDI value
efforts to address key development
of 0.677. This cautiously optimistic
challenges and improve the well-
outlook is based on the country's
being of its citizens.
renewed focus on inclusive growth,
investments in healthcare and
education, and initiatives to address
regional disparities and poverty
alleviation. However, the pace of
progress will likely be influenced by
factors such as the post-pandemic
economic recovery, policy continuity,
and the ability to address persistent
challenges in areas like gender
equality and environmental
sustainability.
Key factors influencing India's HDI
Economic Growth
India's steady economic growth over the
past three decades has been a key driver of
improvements in its Human Development
Index (HDI). As the country's GDP per
capita has risen, so too have incomes and
living standards for many Indians, enabling
greater access to healthcare, education,
and other essential services. However,
growth has been uneven, with disparities
between urban and rural areas as well as
across different states and social groups.
Demographic Shifts
India's demographic transition, with a
declining fertility rate and growing working-
age population, has contributed to
improvements in HDI. As the dependency
ratio has fallen, more people have been able
to participate in the workforce and
contribute to the country's economic and
social development. However, rapid
urbanization and challenges in providing
adequate services to growing urban
populations present ongoing hurdles.
Government Policies
The Indian government's focus on human
development through initiatives like the
National Health Mission, Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan (universal education program), and
Direct Benefit Transfer schemes have
played a significant role in enhancing access
to healthcare, education, and social welfare
programs. These policies have helped to
improve key HDI indicators like life
expectancy, mean years of schooling, and
per capita income.
Technological Advancements
The rapid spread of digital technologies,
including mobile phones, internet access,
and e-governance initiatives, has helped to
improve service delivery and access to
information in India. This has had a positive
impact on areas like healthcare, education,
and financial inclusion, which are key
components of the HDI. However, the
digital divide between urban and rural
areas, as well as across socioeconomic
groups, remains a concern.
Trends in life expectancy,
education, and income
Over the past few decades, India has seen significant improvements in
its key human development indicators, including life expectancy,
education attainment, and income levels. Life expectancy at birth has
increased from just 59 years in 1990 to over 69 years as of 2020,
reflecting advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation.
Similarly, the average years of schooling for adults has risen from
around 4 years in 1990 to over 6 years currently, with primary and
secondary enrollment rates steadily climbing.

India's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, adjusted for

purchasing power parity, has more than tripled since 1990, growing
from $1,820 to over $6,680 today. This indicates rising standards of
living and increased access to economic opportunities, though
significant disparities persist between urban and rural populations as
well as across different states and income groups. The government's
focus on expanding social welfare programs, investing in infrastructure,
and promoting inclusive growth has contributed to these positive
human development trends.
Regional Disparities in HDI within India
India is a vast and diverse country, and this diversity is reflected in the significant regional
disparities in its Human Development Index (HDI). While India has made impressive strides in
improving its overall HDI in recent decades, the progress has not been evenly distributed across the
country. Some states and regions have consistently outperformed others, leading to widening gaps
in human development outcomes.

The states of Kerala, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh, for example, have consistently ranked
among the highest in terms of HDI, with high levels of literacy, life expectancy, and per capita
income. In contrast, states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have lagged behind,
struggling with low literacy rates, poor healthcare access, and high levels of poverty. These regional
disparities are often rooted in historical, socio-economic, and political factors, such as uneven
distribution of resources, variations in governance quality, and entrenched social inequalities.

Addressing these regional HDI gaps has been a significant challenge for the Indian government.
Targeted policies and investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development in
underperforming regions have been implemented, but more needs to be done to ensure inclusive
and equitable human development across the country.
Government Initiatives to Improve HDI
Investing in Education
The Indian government has
made significant strides in
improving access to
education, a key component
of the Human Development
Index (HDI). Initiatives like the
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
(Universal Education Mission)
have focused on increasing
enrollment, reducing dropout
rates, and improving
infrastructure in schools
across the country. The
government has also invested
in teacher training, curriculum
development, and digital
learning to enhance the
quality of education.
Strengthening
Healthcare
Improving healthcare has
been a priority for the Indian
government in its efforts to
boost the HDI. Schemes like
the Ayushman Bharat program
have expanded access to
affordable healthcare,
particularly for underprivileged
communities. The government
has also worked to enhance
infrastructure, increase the
availability of medical facilities
and personnel, and promote
preventive healthcare
measures such as vaccination
drives and awareness
campaigns.
Promoting Economic
Empowerment
The Indian government has
implemented a range of
initiatives aimed at improving
the economic well-being of its
citizens, which is a crucial
aspect of the HDI. Programs
like the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
have provided employment
opportunities and income
support to rural households.
Additionally, the government
has introduced measures to
improve financial inclusion,
such as the Jan Dhan Yojana
(financial inclusion scheme)
and various microfinance
initiatives, to help lift people
out of poverty.
Challenges and Barriers to HDI Progress
Despite India's steady progress in improving its Human Development Index (HDI) over the past few
decades, the country still faces significant challenges and barriers in continuing to drive this
positive trajectory. One key obstacle is the vast economic and social disparities that exist across
different regions, communities, and demographics within India. Inequalities in access to quality
education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure remain stubbornly high, particularly in rural and
remote areas. This uneven development has prevented many segments of the population from
fully benefiting from the country's overall economic growth and improvements in human
development indicators.

Another major challenge is the vast scale and complexity of India, with its population of over 1.3
billion people spread across a diverse array of cultures, languages, and socioeconomic conditions.
Implementing effective, nationwide policies and programs to enhance HDI metrics like life
expectancy, educational attainment, and per capita income has proven extremely difficult, given
the need to cater to such a vast and heterogeneous populace. Bureaucratic inefficiency, lack of
coordination between different levels of government, and corruption have also hindered the
effective delivery of critical social services in many parts of the country.

Rapid urbanization and the growth of sprawling megacities have also presented new obstacles, as
the strain on infrastructure and public services in these densely populated urban centers has led to
the proliferation of slums and informal settlements that lack access to basic amenities. Climate
change and natural disasters pose an additional threat, disproportionately impacting the most
vulnerable communities and exacerbating existing inequalities. Overcoming these complex,
multifaceted challenges will require a sustained, coordinated, and comprehensive effort from the
government, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that the benefits of India's development
are more equitably distributed across the country.
Comparison of India's HDI to Other
Developing Countries
When comparing India's Human Development Index (HDI) to other developing countries, it is
important to consider both the absolute values and the relative rankings. India's HDI has steadily
improved over the past decades, but it still lags behind many of its peers in the developing world.

In 2020, India's HDI value stood at 0.645, placing it in the "medium human development" category.
This puts India in the 131st position out of 189 countries and territories ranked by the United
Nations Development Programme. By comparison, countries like China, Brazil, and South Africa
have higher HDI values and rankings, indicating more advanced levels of human development.

Country HDI Value (2020) HDI Rank (2020)

China 0.761 85

Brazil 0.765 84

South Africa 0.709 114

India 0.645 131

The key factors contributing to India's relatively lower HDI compared to these other developing
countries include lower life expectancy, lower educational attainment, and lower per capita
income. India has made significant progress in these areas, but it still has room for improvement to
catch up with the more advanced developing nations.
Conclusion and future outlook for
India's HDI
Steady Progress Remaining Future Outlook Global
Challenges Cooperation
Over the past three Looking ahead, the
decades, India has Despite this future outlook for Ultimately, India's
made steady progress, India still India's HDI is progress in
progress in faces significant cautiously enhancing its HDI
improving its Human challenges in further optimistic. With the will also depend on
Development Index elevating its HDI. government's global cooperation
(HDI), which Disparities in renewed focus on and support. As a
measures a development social welfare developing nation,
country's between urban and programs, India will require
achievements in rural areas, as well as investment in assistance from the
health, education, between different human capital, and international
and standard of states and regions, targeted initiatives community in areas
living. From a remain a barrier to to address regional such as technology
relatively low achieving more imbalances, India is transfer, knowledge
ranking in 1990, equitable growth. poised to make sharing, and access
India has climbed Addressing issues further strides in to financial
the HDI ladder, like access to quality improving the well- resources. By
demonstrating its healthcare, being of its forging strong
commitment to improving population. partnerships and
sustainable educational Continued economic collaborating on
development and outcomes, and growth, coupled sustainable
the wellbeing of its reducing income with inclusive development goals,
citizens. inequality will be development India can accelerate
crucial for India to policies, could propel its journey towards a
continue its HDI India towards more vibrant and
advancement. achieving its goal of inclusive future for
becoming a more all its citizens.
prosperous and
equitable society in
the coming years.