Why this matters now
HDI is the most-tested index in UPSC because it operationalises Amartya Sen and Mahbub ul Haq’s capability approach — development as the expansion of human choices, not just GDP. The report is annual, so cite the latest value and rank, and note India’s steady long-term improvement.
Who publishes it
The HDI is published in the Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The concept was pioneered by economists Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen in 1990.
The three dimensions of HDI
| Dimension | Indicator |
|---|---|
| Long & healthy life | Life expectancy at birth |
| Knowledge | Mean years of schooling + expected years of schooling |
| Decent standard of living | Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP) |
HDI is the geometric mean of the three normalised dimension indices, on a 0-1 scale. Countries are grouped into low (<0.550), medium (0.550-0.699), high (0.700-0.799) and very high (≥0.800) human development.
Related UNDP indices
The Human Development Report also publishes the Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) — HDI discounted for inequality; the Gender Inequality Index (GII); the Gender Development Index (GDI); and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) (with OPHI). India’s HDI is significantly higher than its IHDI, signalling substantial inequality.
India’s position and trend
In the 2025 report, India’s HDI was about 0.685, ranking roughly 130 of 193 — just inside the high human-development threshold on the rise. India’s HDI has climbed steadily over decades on the back of longer life expectancy and rising schooling, though inequality and gender gaps remain drags. (Always update the value and rank to the latest edition.)
UPSC angle
Lock the three dimensions (life expectancy; schooling; GNI per capita) and the geometric-mean method. Distinguish HDI from IHDI, GII and MPI. Update India’s value/rank each year.
Frequently asked questions
Who publishes the Human Development Index?
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in its annual Human Development Report. The concept was created by Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen in 1990.
What are the three components of HDI?
Life expectancy at birth (health), years of schooling (education) and Gross National Income per capita (standard of living), combined as a geometric mean on a 0-1 scale.
What was India’s HDI rank in 2025?
India recorded an HDI of about 0.685, ranking roughly 130 of 193 countries in the 2025 Human Development Report. (Figures are updated each year.)
What is the difference between HDI and IHDI?
The IHDI is the HDI discounted for inequality in its three dimensions. A large gap between HDI and IHDI signals high inequality — which is the case for India.