India slips 5 ranks in innovation index

India has slipped further down the annual Global Innovation Index, ranking 81 , from 76 in 2014.

This marks a sharp decline in the assessment of the state of innovation in India over the past few years: in 2008-09, the nation had ranked 41st globally.

While the creators of the index, published in a report on Thursday, said the figures for India did not yet fully reflect the reforms to innovation policy being brought in by the new Central government, the country’s ranking is in sharp contrast to other Asian economies, including China, which retained its position as the 29th most innovative country .

China shining China scored well in areas such as human capital and research, infrastructure and business sophistication. Malaysia came in at 32, while Japan ranks 19th.

Complex index The “complex index” — which uses 79 metrics of innovation to benchmark the state of innovation across 141 countries — was not intended to be seen simply as a ranking but as a “tool for action,” said Francis Gurry, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

However, particularly for emerging markets, innovation is an important driver of growth and development, he said.

The WIPO was one of the three publishers of the report alongside INSEAD and Cornell University. “Innovation is a long-term game that requires perseverance,” said Gurry, who stressed the importance of a well coordinated and consistent policy, particularly in an emerging market where the “perilous journey” from developing an idea to bringing a successful product to market could be particularly challenging.

While some countries have been moving up the ranking, the constituent members of top 25 have remained quite consistent, with the quality of innovation making the real difference.

Switzerland leads Switzerland topped the list, with Britain coming second — a big rise from its position in 2008, when it ranked 10th. A progressive immigration policy also made a difference in ensuring countries had the ability to attract diversity and talent, according to the report.

Gurry pointed to the example of China, whose ability to attract foreign students to higher education institutions would over time increase the diversity of the domestic workforce, driving innovation.

While India fared well in areas such as research and development (44th in the world), industry collaboration and the development of clusters, it fared poorly on other measures,.

These include the state of infrastructure, regulatory environment and ease of starting a business.

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