The World Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Index (NRI), also referred to as Technology Readiness, measures the propensity for countries to exploit the opportunities offered by information and communications technology (ICT). It is published in collaboration with INSEAD, as part of their annual Global Information Technology Report (GITR). The report is regarded as the most authoritative and comprehensive assessment of how ICT impacts the competitiveness and well-being of nations.
The index was originally developed by the Information Technology Group, which worked at Harvard University’s Center for International Development until 2002. It seeks to better understand the impact of ICT on the competitiveness of nations and is a composite of three components:

•    The environment for ICT offered by a given country or community (market, political, regulatory, and infrastructure environment)

•    The readiness of the country’s key stakeholders (individuals, businesses, and governments) to use ICT

•    The usage of ICT among these stakeholders.

India ranks 91 on the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) 2016, a key component of the World Economic Forum’s The Global Information Technology Report 2016. The report assesses the state of networked readiness of 139 economies using the NRI and examines the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in driving innovation. The NRI is thus a key tool in assessing a country’s preparedness to reap the benefits of emerging technologies and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the digital transformation. Released by the WEF on Wednesday, thereport assesses the factors, policies, and institutions that enable a country to fully leverage ICT for increased prosperity and crystallizes them into a global ranking of networked readiness at the country level in the form of the NRI.

India’s performance in the Networked Readiness Index 2016

• India’s position on the list has come down for the fourth consecutive year in a row in 2016 from 89th in 2015, 83rd in 2014 and 68th in 2013.

• In different parameters of Index, India has scored better in terms of political and regulatory environment (78th position).

• It ranked very high (8th) place in terms of affordability.

• It scored worse in terms of business and innovation environment (110th).

• In terms of infrastructure, it scored worse place at 114th position.

The 2016 edition of the NRI finds Singapore as the highest-placed country in the world when it comes to networked readiness. Finland, which topped the ranking in 2014, remains in second place for a second year in a row, followed by Sweden (3rd), Norway (4th) and the United States (5th), which climbed two places. Making up the rest of the top 10 are the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Japan. Networked readiness, therefore, remains highly correlated with per capita income.