India Ranks 16th in Responsible Nations Index 2026

India’s Global Responsibility Recognition

India Ranks 16th in Responsible Nations Index 2026: India has been ranked 16th among 154 countries in the Responsible Nations Index 2026, marking a strong global acknowledgment of its responsible national conduct. The index evaluates how countries exercise power responsibly beyond mere economic strength.

This ranking reflects India’s performance across governance quality, environmental stewardship, and contribution to global stability. It underlines that responsibility is not limited to high-income nations alone.

Static GK fact: India is the world’s largest democracy and consistently features in global indices assessing governance and development outcomes.

Understanding the Responsible Nations Index

The Responsible Nations Index is a global assessment framework launched by the World Intellectual Foundation. It aims to measure how responsibly nations act towards their citizens, the environment, and the international community.

The index challenges the traditional assumption that GDP size equates to responsible behavior. Instead, it uses transparent and globally sourced data to compare ethical governance and sustainability.

Static GK Tip: Global composite indices often use normalized scores between 0 and 1 to ensure cross-country comparability.

Core Dimensions of the Index

The index is structured around three key dimensions. Internal responsibility focuses on dignity, justice, and citizen well-being.

Environmental responsibility evaluates climate action, natural resource management, and sustainability policies. External responsibility measures contributions to peace, cooperation, and global stability.

This multi-dimensional structure ensures a holistic assessment rather than a single-parameter ranking.

India’s Performance and Significance

India’s 16th position places it ahead of several advanced economies such as France and the Netherlands. This highlights India’s balanced approach to social welfare, environmental initiatives, and international engagement.

The index notes that developing countries often achieve strong ethical and social outcomes despite resource constraints. India’s rank reinforces its role as a responsible global actor rather than just an emerging economic power.

Static GK fact: India is an active participant in multilateral platforms such as the G20, BRICS, and the United Nations.

Top Performers in the Index

Countries like Singapore, Switzerland, and Denmark occupy the top ranks due to consistent governance standards and strong environmental policies.

India’s score of 0.551513 places it firmly within the top 20, demonstrating credible performance across all three dimensions. The presence of both developed and developing nations in the top tier shows that responsibility is policy-driven, not income-driven.

Countries at the Lower End

The bottom ranks include conflict-affected and fragile states such as Afghanistan, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

Lower scores reflect challenges in governance stability, environmental stress, and limited global engagement. This contrast highlights the importance of institutional strength and inclusive policies.

Broader Implications

The index promotes accountability by encouraging nations to adopt people-centric and sustainable policies. For India, the ranking strengthens its international image as a responsible stakeholder in global affairs.

It also supports India’s diplomatic narrative that ethical governance and cooperation are central to long-term global stability.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

India Ranks 16th in Responsible Nations Index 2026: