India launched the Responsible Nations Index to assess countries on ethical governance, environmental care, and global well-being. By challenging Western-led indices, the RNI shifts focus from power to accountability, promotes a Global South narrative, and positions India as a responsible Vishwa Bandhu in a multipolar world.
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Picture Courtesy: PIB
Context
India launched the Responsible Nations Index (RNI) to assess nations based on ethical governance, social well-being, environmental stewardship, and global responsibility.
What is Responsible Nations Index (RNI)?
It is a new global framework developed by the World Intellectual Foundation in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and IIM Mumbai.
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The World Intellectual Foundation (WIF), established in 2021 as a non-partisan global think tank based in New Delhi, conducts research and develops policy initiatives aimed at addressing complex global issues. |
Why a New Index? The Rationale Behind RNI
Beyond Economic Metrics
Metrics like GDP are inadequate for measuring a nation's true progress, as they overlook critical aspects like citizen well-being, environmental health, and social equity.
Countering Perceived Biases
India has frequently questioned the methodologies of Western-centric indices, such as the Human Development Index (HDI) and World Press Freedom Index, citing systematic biases that allegedly underestimate the country's developmental progress.
The RNI aims to provide an alternative perspective rooted in the experiences of the Global South.
Aligning with Foreign Policy Goals
India aims to become a 'Vishwa Guru' and 'norm-entrepreneur' globally, proactively shaping world discourse and solidifying its role as a leading 'Voice of the Global South.'
Core Pillars of the Responsible Nations Index
The Index built on three core pillars:
These pillars are broken down into 7 sub-dimensions, 15 aspects, and 58 indicators, aiming to shift focus from power to ethical governance, social welfare, environmental care, and international responsibility.
Responsible Nations Index (RNI) 2026
The first edition of the index ranked 154 countries.
Top Performers: Singapore ranked 1st, followed by Switzerland and Denmark.
India's Position: India secured the 16th position, ahead of several developed economies like the UK (25th), Japan (38th) and the USA (66th).
Source: PIB
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements about the Responsible Nations Index (RNI): 1. The RNI evaluates countries based on their economic power and military strength. 2. It is India's first globally anchored index designed to measure national responsibility. 3. The index aims to shift global assessment from GDP-centric metrics to ethical governance. Which of the statements given above are correct? A) 1 and 2 only B) 2 and 3 only C) 1 and 3 only D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: The RNI is designed to measure national responsibility beyond economic and military power. It assesses countries based on responsible governance and ethical conduct, not economic power and military strength. Statement 2 is correct: The RNI is India's first globally anchored index designed to measure national responsibility. Statement 3 is correct: The index aims to shift the global assessment framework from traditional metrics like GDP and military power to ethical governance, social well-being, and environmental stewardship. |
The RNI is a new global index launched by India to assess countries based on their ethical governance, environmental stewardship, and contributions to global well-being. It shifts the focus from traditional metrics like GDP and military power to a more holistic, responsibility-centric evaluation.
The index was launched under the aegis of the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF), a global think tank, in academic collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and with methodological validation by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai.
In the Responsible Nations Index 2026, India secured the 16th position, placing it ahead of several major economies, including the USA (66th), China (68th), and Russia (96th).
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