Karnataka tops NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index

Karnataka among major states, Delhi among Union Territories and Sikkim among hilly states have topped the ranking in NITI Aayog's first ever India Innovation Index aimed at examining the innovation capabilities and performance of Indian states.

The index attempts to create an extensive framework for the continual evaluation of the innovation environment of 29 states and seven union territories. It intends to rank states and UTs based on their index score, recognise opportunities and challenges, and assist in tailoring governmental policies to foster innovation.

The index measures innovation inputs through five enabler parameters and innovation output through two performance parameters. While human capital, investment, knowledge workers, business environment, safety and legal environment have been identified as enabler parameters, knowledge output and knowledge diffusion have been selected as performance parameters.

NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar said the index will further drive a culture of innovation across Indian states and help create a conducive ecosystem for innovation to flourish across the country. "Such an index will not only help states to devise their own strategy for fostering an innovation climate, it will also enable them to benchmark their performance with other states," he added.