What is the Global Hunger Index and India's performance?

Global Hunger Index (GHI): Published jointly by Concern Worldwide (Ireland) and Welthungerhilfe (Germany); annual report. Four indicators: (1) Undernourishment (calorie deficiency); (2) Child wasting (low weight for height — acute); (3) Child stunting (low height for age — chronic); (4) Child mortality. Scale: 0–100 (0 = no hunger, 100 = worst). GHI 2024: India ranked 105 out of 127 countries; GHI score 27.3 (Serious level). India's criticism of GHI: Government disputes methodology — claims survey-based data on undernourishment uses only 3,000 sample households; doesn't account for PMGKAY free food distribution. Top performers: Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Chile, Croatia. India performs worse than neighbours Pakistan (109) but better than some.

Which organisation publishes the Corruption Perception Index and what is India's rank?

Corruption Perception Index (CPI): Published by Transparency International (Berlin); annual report. Measures perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries. Scale: 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). CPI 2023: India rank 93 out of 180 countries; score 39. Denmark consistently ranks 1st (cleanest). Neighbours: China (76), Sri Lanka (115), Pakistan (133), Bangladesh (149). India's score has improved marginally over years (28 in 2013 to 39 in 2023). Note: CPI measures PERCEPTION of corruption — not actual corruption levels.

What replaced the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index?

The World Bank's Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Index was discontinued in September 2021 following a data integrity scandal (data manipulation allegations involving several countries including China). India had improved dramatically: from rank 142 (2014) to rank 63 (2019). The World Bank is developing a new Business Ready (B-READY) framework to replace EoDB — pilot launched 2023. India's government continues to track investment climate through its own DPIIT rankings and industry surveys. The improvement from 142 to 63 is still cited as an achievement of the Modi government's regulatory reform agenda.

Global Indices & International Reports — TNPSC Group 1 Reference

How to Use This Reference

TNPSC Group 1 tests global indices in two ways: 1. Direct recall — "Who publishes HDI?" or "India's rank in CPI 2023?" 2. Contextual — "What does India's GHI ranking reveal about nutrition policy?"

For Mains, use these indices to support arguments in economy, governance, and social justice answers. For Prelims, memorise the publisher + subject + India's approximate rank.

Category 1 — Human Development & Welfare

1. Human Development Index (HDI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)
Report name	Human Development Report (annual)
Measures	Life expectancy + Education (mean + expected years) + GNI per capita (PPP)
Scale	0 to 1
India 2023	Rank 134/193; Value 0.644; Medium HD category
Top country	Switzerland (2023)
Neighbours	Sri Lanka (78), China (75), Bangladesh (129), Pakistan (164)

HDI sub-indices:

Gender Development Index (GDI): HDI calculated separately for women and men; ratio = GDI
Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI): HDI discounted for inequality; India drops further
Gender Inequality Index (GII): See below
Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): See below

2. Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	UNDP + Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)
Measures	Poverty across 3 dimensions: Health (nutrition + child mortality), Education (years of schooling + school attendance), Living standards (cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, assets) — 10 indicators
India 2023	11.28% of population multidimensionally poor (248 million people)
Progress	415 million Indians escaped MPI poverty in 15 years (2005–06 to 2019–21) — largest reduction globally
NITI Aayog MPI	India uses its own National MPI; 2023 report shows 14.96% MPI poor (2019–21)

Key finding: India's MPI poverty reduction is one of the fastest globally — driven by improvements in cooking fuel (PM Ujjwala), sanitation (Swachh Bharat), nutrition, and electricity (PM SAUBHAGYA).

3. Gender Inequality Index (GII)

Parameter	Details
Published by	UNDP (in Human Development Report)
Measures	Gender-based disadvantage in 3 dimensions: Reproductive health (maternal mortality + adolescent birth rate), Empowerment (parliamentary seats + secondary education), Labour market (participation rate)
India 2023	Rank 108/166; GII value 0.437
Best country	Denmark, Switzerland

4. Global Hunger Index (GHI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Concern Worldwide + Welthungerhilfe (jointly)
Measures	Undernourishment + Child wasting + Child stunting + Child mortality
Scale	0 (no hunger) to 100 (worst hunger)
India 2024	Rank 105/127; Score 27.3 (Serious level)
India's position	Worse than Pakistan (109? — varies annually); much worse than China, Sri Lanka
Government's stand	Disputes methodology; claims survey sample too small; PMGKAY not reflected

GHI Severity Scale:

≤9.9 = Low
10–19.9 = Moderate
20–34.9 = Serious (India's category)
35–49.9 = Alarming
≥50 = Extremely Alarming

5. Global Nutrition Report

Parameter	Details
Published by	Independent Expert Group; stakeholder-led
Measures	Progress on global nutrition targets (stunting, wasting, anaemia, breastfeeding, obesity)
India concern	High burden of anaemia in women; child stunting above global average

Category 2 — Economy & Competitiveness

6. Global Competitiveness Index (GCI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	World Economic Forum (WEF) — Davos
Report	Global Competitiveness Report (annual)
Measures	12 pillars: Institutions, Infrastructure, ICT adoption, Macroeconomic stability, Health, Skills, Product market, Labour market, Financial system, Market size, Business dynamism, Innovation capability
India 2019	Rank 68/141 (last full report; methodology revamped since COVID)
Top country	Singapore (2019); USA, Hong Kong

7. Ease of Doing Business Index (EoDB)

Parameter	Details
Published by	World Bank (DISCONTINUED in 2021)
Measured	Starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency
India peak	Rank 63 (2019); was 142 in 2014
Status	Discontinued due to data integrity issues; replaced by Business Ready (B-READY)

8. Global Innovation Index (GII)

Parameter	Details
Published by	WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) + Cornell + INSEAD
Measures	Innovation inputs (institutions, human capital, infrastructure, market, business) and Innovation outputs (knowledge + technology, creative outputs)
India 2023	Rank 40/132 — up from 81 in 2015; consistent improvement
Top country	Switzerland

India's GII story: Improved from rank 81 (2015) → 52 (2019) → 46 (2021) → 40 (2023) — reflects growth in IT, startups, patents.

9. World Economic Outlook (WEO)

Parameter	Details
Published by	IMF (International Monetary Fund)
Frequency	Twice yearly (April + October) + updates
Content	GDP growth projections for all countries; inflation forecasts; trade data
India 2024	IMF projected India's GDP growth at 7% — fastest among major economies

10. World Development Report

Parameter	Details
Published by	World Bank
Frequency	Annual; focuses on one theme each year
Recent themes	Jobs (2013), Governance (2017), Learning (2018), Changing Nature of Work (2019), Data for Better Lives (2021)

11. Global Trade Report / World Trade Outlook

Parameter	Details
Published by	WTO (World Trade Organization)
India trade	India's goods exports ~$447 billion (2023–24); services exports ~$341 billion
India's WTO rank	18th largest merchandise trader globally

Category 3 — Governance & Democracy

12. Corruption Perception Index (CPI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Transparency International (Berlin-based NGO)
Measures	Perceived public sector corruption; survey of business people and country experts
Scale	0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean)
India 2023	Rank 93/180; Score 39
Top country	Denmark (90); Finland, New Zealand
Worst	Somalia, Syria, South Sudan
Neighbours	China (76), Sri Lanka (115), Bangladesh (149), Pakistan (133)

13. World Press Freedom Index

Parameter	Details
Published by	Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — Paris
Measures	Political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, safety of journalists
India 2024	Rank 159/180 — significant decline (was 140 in 2019)
Top country	Norway, Denmark, Sweden consistently top
Concern	India's declining rank reflects constraints on media freedom; journalist safety

14. Democracy Index

Parameter	Details
Published by	Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) — UK
Measures	Electoral process + pluralism, Functioning of government, Political participation, Political culture, Civil liberties
Categories	Full democracy, Flawed democracy, Hybrid regime, Authoritarian regime
India 2023	Rank 41; Category: Flawed Democracy (was "Full Democracy" earlier; downgraded)
Top country	Norway

15. Fragile States Index (FSI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Fund for Peace (USA)
Earlier name	Failed States Index
Measures	12 social, economic, political indicators of state fragility
India	In the "Warning" category (not fragile, but some stress indicators)

16. Global Peace Index (GPI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Institute for Economics and Peace (Australia)
Measures	Ongoing conflicts, societal safety and security, militarisation
India 2024	Rank 116/163
Most peaceful	Iceland (consistently #1 for 16 years)

Category 4 — Gender & Social

17. Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	World Economic Forum (WEF)
Measures	Economic participation + opportunity, Educational attainment, Health + survival, Political empowerment
Scale	0 to 1 (1 = full parity)
India 2024	Rank 129/146; Score 0.641
Top country	Iceland (consistently #1)
Note	India ranks poorly mainly due to low female labour force participation and political empowerment

18. Women, Peace and Security Index

Parameter	Details
Published by	Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security + PRIO
Measures	Inclusion (economic, social, political), Justice (formal laws + discrimination), Security (personal, community, national)

Category 5 — Environment & Sustainability

19. Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Yale University + Columbia University
Measures	40 performance indicators across 11 issue categories; ecosystem vitality + environmental health
India 2022	Rank 180/180 — last position; very poor EPI score
India's view	Government disputes methodology; says it penalises developing nations' growth
Top country	Denmark

20. Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Germanwatch + Climate Action Network + NewClimate Institute
Measures	GHG emissions, Renewable energy, Energy efficiency, Climate policy
India 2024	Rank 7 — one of the best-ranked major economies (high performers)
Note	No country ranks 1st–3rd (reserved as "no country doing enough")

21. SDG Index

Parameter	Details
Published by	Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
Report	Sustainable Development Report (annual)
Measures	Progress on all 17 SDGs
India 2023	Rank 112/166; Score 63.5
Top country	Finland, Sweden, Denmark

Category 6 — Health & Education

22. Global Health Security Index (GHSI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Johns Hopkins + Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)
Measures	Prevention, detection, response, health system, compliance with international norms, risk environment
India 2021	Rank 66/195

23. World Happiness Report

Parameter	Details
Published by	UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
Measures	GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, corruption perceptions (Cantril ladder self-reporting)
India 2024	Rank 126/143
Top country	Finland (7 consecutive years #1)

24. Education for All Development Index / Global Education Monitoring Report

Parameter	Details
Published by	UNESCO
Content	Global progress on education goals; Out-of-school children; teacher quality; learning outcomes

Category 7 — Competitiveness & Technology

25. Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	ITU (International Telecommunication Union)
Measures	Legal, technical, organisational, capacity development, cooperation measures
India 2024	Tier 1 (highest) — rank improved significantly; among top 10

26. Network Readiness Index (NRI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	Portulans Institute
Measures	Technology, People, Governance, Impact of ICT
India 2023	Rank 49/131

27. Logistics Performance Index (LPI)

Parameter	Details
Published by	World Bank
Measures	Customs efficiency, infrastructure quality, ease of arranging shipments, logistics competence, tracking + tracing, timeliness
India 2023	Rank 38/139 — improved from 44 (2018)

Quick Reference Master Table

Index	Publisher	India Rank (Latest)	Subject
HDI	UNDP	134/193	Human development
MPI	UNDP + OPHI	11.28% poor	Multidimensional poverty
GII (Gender)	UNDP	108/166	Gender inequality
GHI	Concern + Welthungerhilfe	105/127	Hunger
GCI	WEF	68/141 (2019)	Competitiveness
EoDB	World Bank	63/190 (discontinued)	Business climate
GII (Innovation)	WIPO	40/132	Innovation
CPI	Transparency International	93/180	Corruption perception
Press Freedom	RSF	159/180	Media freedom
Democracy Index	EIU	41 (Flawed Democracy)	Democracy
Global Gender Gap	WEF	129/146	Gender parity
EPI	Yale + Columbia	180/180	Environment
CCPI	Germanwatch	7 (high performer)	Climate
SDG Index	SDSN	112/166	SDG progress
Happiness	SDSN	126/143	Well-being
Peace Index	IEP	116/163	Peace
Cybersecurity	ITU	Tier 1 (Top 10)	Cyber readiness
Logistics (LPI)	World Bank	38/139	Supply chain

Board Exam Tips — Global Indices

HDI = UNDP; India rank 134; 3 dimensions (life + education + income); Finland/Norway top
GHI = Concern Worldwide + Welthungerhilfe; India rank 105; "Serious" category
CPI = Transparency International; India rank 93; scale 0–100; Denmark tops
GII (Innovation) = WIPO; India rank 40; improving from 81 (2015)
Global Gender Gap = WEF; India rank 129; Iceland tops
Press Freedom = Reporters Without Borders (RSF); India rank 159
Democracy Index = EIU; India = "Flawed Democracy"
EoDB = World Bank; DISCONTINUED 2021; India peak = 63 (2019)
CCPI = Germanwatch; India rank 7 (positive — one of best among major economies)
EPI = Yale; India rank 180/180 (last) — government disputes
World Happiness = SDSN; India rank 126; Finland = #1 (7 years)
WEF publishes: GCI + Global Gender Gap + Energy Transition Index + Travel & Tourism
UNDP publishes: HDI + GII (Gender) + MPI + Human Development Report
World Bank publishes: WDR + EoDB + LPI + Poverty data
IMF publishes: World Economic Outlook + Fiscal Monitor + Global Financial Stability Report

Frequently Asked Questions

Human Development Index (HDI): Published by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in the annual Human Development Report. Measures: (1) Long and healthy life — Life Expectancy at Birth; (2) Knowledge — Mean years of schooling + Expected years of schooling; (3) Decent standard of living — Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP). Scale: 0 to 1 (1 = highest). Four categories: Very High HD (0.800+), High HD (0.700–0.799), Medium HD (0.550–0.699), Low HD (below 0.550). India's HDI 2023–24 Report: Rank 134 out of 193 countries; HDI value 0.644; Category: Medium Human Development. Neighbours: Sri Lanka (78), China (75), Bangladesh (129), Pakistan (164). Top countries: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Hong Kong.