About the HDI
The Human Development Index is a composite index measuring three dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life (life expectancy at birth), knowledge (expected and mean years of schooling), and a decent standard of living (GNI per capita in PPP terms).
India’s Performance
India moved up one position to 134th out of 193 countries in the 2024 report. India remains in the Medium Human Development category (HDI range: 0.550-0.699).
Regional Comparison (South Asia)
| Country | HDI Rank | HDI Value |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 78 | 0.780 |
| Maldives | 87 | 0.747 |
| India | 134 | 0.644 |
| Bangladesh | 129 | 0.670 |
| Nepal | 146 | 0.601 |
| Pakistan | 164 | 0.540 |
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: HDI components, India’s rank, top/bottom performers Mains GS-1: Social indicators, regional disparities Mains GS-2: Welfare policies, development indicators