India evaluates 28 global indices, finds metrics in some flawed
global indices
such as the
Democracy Index
,
Network Readiness Index
,
Global Hunger Index
to track its performance vis-a-vis other countries, a government official told ET.
New Delhi has termed the methodology followed in some of these indices, including the Global Hunger Index, as flawed.
"We are looking at these indices to identify any imperfections or drawbacks," the official said.
The ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) is analysing the methodologies used by international bodies that conduct cross-country comparisons, including sample sizes and models.
The indices under review are the Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the Network Readiness Index by the Portulans Institute, the Global Hunger Index (GHI) by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, and the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) by Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network International.
The official said preliminary findings have highlighted issues around scoring system and methodology. The MOSPI has already sent inputs to the concerned departments and ministries, the official added.
A paper co-authored by Sanjiv Sanyal, member, Economic Advisory Council to PM, had in 2023 highlighted that India's poor performance on specific international indicators despite rising per capita income was due to methodological issues.
In another working paper the Prime Minister's economic advisory council said there were serious problems with the methodology used in these perception-based indices-Freedom in World Index, V-DEM indices, and EIU Democracy Index.
Indices under scanner
For instance, in 2024, India was placed 41 out of 167 countries and categorised as a 'flawed democracy' on the Democracy Index. In the 2024 edition, India was ranked 105 out of 127 countries on the GHI and classified under the 'serious' hunger category.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
ETtech Explainer: Inside Karnataka's fake news bill, what it means for Big Tech
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills The government looks to criminalise and punish those who spread misinformation. Companies and social media platforms may also be held liable for fake news shared through their networks. Social media users found guilty can face two to five years in jail. If one posts fake news on social media platforms, they can be imprisoned for up to seven years and fined up to Rs 10 lakh. Abetment of such offences will also attract a two-year jail term. The Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025, introduced by the state government, seeks to curb the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media by criminalising offenders. However, the bill's provisions have drawn criticism for being 'vague' and overly 'broad' in are being drawn with the 1975 Emergency, with critics warning of a potential threat to free speech, while supporters, on the other hand, viewing the bill as a weapon to combat digital propaganda surfacing on social media. In a recent interview with ET , Karnataka's IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge said, 'We're not trying to change any policy. We're just trying to connect the dots that already exist and make a bill out of it.''We are not doing anything such as tampering with the IT Act, 2000. We are merely categorising any public interest information as true or false,' he takes a deep dive on the key provisions of the bill, its implications for Big Tech and related to the state government's draft proposal—the Karnataka Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025—placed before the cabinet in mid-June, includes the following provisions:The draft bill includes formulating a six-member 'fake news regulatory authority' tasked with a broad mandate to monitor and regulate the content disseminated on social media includes the prohibition of publication of content amounting to disrespect of Sanatan symbols and beliefs on social media platforms and the prohibition of publication of content promoting social media landscape currently falls under the jurisdiction of the Central government via the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and IT Rules, enacted, Karnataka's bill would mark the first time a state government has introduced criminal penalties for online development comes amid a broader trend of regulatory scrutiny on Big Tech. In March, social media platform X Corp (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, filed a writ petition in the Karnataka high court challenging the central government's authority to issue content-blocking orders under Section 69A of the IT Act.X began blocking over 8,000 accounts in India following executive orders from the Indian government, according to the April last year, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) unveiled the Digital Competition Act to regulate anti-competitive practices by global tech giants like Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Competition Commission of India (CCI) in November last year slapped a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the implementation of the messaging app's 2021 privacy an order, the antitrust regulator said that user data was collected and shared with other Meta companies in contravention of the competition same year, WhatsApp was asked to break the end-to-end encryption norm and require it to trace the originator of certain messages. Delhi High Court heard a petition by WhatsApp challenging the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, which makes it obligatory for social media intermediaries requiring the messaging app to trace chats and make provisions to identify the first originator of information on the court's this, a state-level policy framework to criminalise the spread of misinformation and hold platforms liable introduces an additional layer of regulation. This fragments the digital space, forcing Big Tech companies to navigate different rules in different over 600 million internet users in India, as per a report by CNBC, the platforms currently enjoy 'safe harbour' protection from liability for user-generated shift now would hold platforms criminally liable if they fail to comply with the proposed bill and miss out on restricting fake news or concerns remain over the vague definitions used in the drafted legislation on what qualifies as misinformation and fake IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge, in a statement on X, said the departments of law, home, and IT will hold consultations and come up with a draft proposal before it receives approval.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
What is US' 'Einstein Visa'? What makes EB-1 visa special and why it's in demand among skilled professionals in India
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. The EB-1 visa, often dubbed the 'Einstein Visa,' has surged in popularity among skilled professionals globally, especially in India, offering a faster route to US permanent residency. However, while its appeal has widened, so too has the spread of misinformation surrounding what it takes to qualify. What is the EB-1 Visa? The EB-1 is a first-preference employment-based green card category designed for individuals with proven, exceptional ability. As per ET, it is divided into three subcategories, EB-1A (extraordinary ability), EB-1B (outstanding professors and researchers), and EB-1C (multinational executives and managers). Unlike other employment-based visas, it does not require labour certification and is often processed faster, with visa numbers typically 'current,' allowing immediate action once Form I-140 is approved. Who can apply and how? The EB-1A subcategory, open to self-petitioners, applies to individuals with extraordinary ability in fields like science, arts, business, education, or athletics. No employer sponsorship is needed, but applicants must show sustained national or international acclaim. Acceptable proof includes international media recognition, original contributions of major significance, authorship of scholarly articles, and more but applicants must convincingly demonstrate excellence, not just meet a checklist. In contrast, EB-1B and EB-1C require employer sponsorship. EB-1B applicants must be internationally recognised academics with at least three years of teaching or research experience and a job offer in the US. EB-1C caters to executives or managers who have worked for a related company abroad for at least one year in the last three years, entering the US to assume a similar role. Misinformation and dubious practices on the rise But as demand spikes, concerns are growing over how the visa is being marketed. A rise in immigration agents pushing 'profile-building services,' from engineered media visibility to questionable publications aimed at inflating resumes. While these practices may seem like shortcuts, US immigration officers are increasingly trained to detect and reject fraudulent profiles. False claims can lead not just to rejection, but to a permanent bar on reentry. Moreover, USCIS now rigorously checks the authenticity of awards, citations, and affiliations. Application process , costs and timelines Despite these risks, the EB-1 remains a powerful and prestigious pathway. Premium processing of Form I-140 costs $2,805 and guarantees a decision within 15 calendar days, though standard timelines can stretch across months. Following approval, applicants within the US may file Form I-485 to adjust status, while those abroad use Form DS-260 for consular processing, as per ET. Eligible family members, spouses and unmarried children under 21, can also apply for green cards under the same petition. While frustrations over the H-1B visa system and long green card queues have led many to eye the EB-1 as a fast-track solution, immigration experts caution that it is not a shortcut but a reward for verifiable, world-class excellence. The Einstein visa is not a myth, but it's also not magic… Exceptional talent is earned, not engineered. And the US immigration system knows the difference. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Trump–Musk feud impact: Tesla shares slump nearly 6% as political fallout deepens, subsidy threats spook investors
Tesla shares fell sharply on Tuesday as the increasingly bitter feud between CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump flared into the open once again, sparking concerns about potential political retaliation against Musk's businesses and further spooking investors. Shares of Tesla, already down more than 20% in 2025 amid weakening demand and growing backlash against Musk, dropped nearly 6% in early trading. The electric vehicle maker's stock was weighed down by renewed hostilities between Musk and Trump, including threats over subsidies, government contracts, and regulatory scrutiny. As of 10:07 am ET on July 1, Tesla shares were trading at $303.87, down 4.34%. The latest blowup began over the weekend, with Musk posting on X that a new Republican-backed spending bill would be 'political suicide for the Republican Party.' As the Senate worked through the legislation in a tense overnight session, Musk escalated his rhetoric, saying on X: 'Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame... And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.' Hours later, Musk went further, announcing he may launch a new political movement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo 'If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day... Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat–Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE,' he wrote on X. In a Truth Social post early Tuesday, Trump responded with sharp attacks on both Musk and the subsidies that have supported Tesla and SpaceX. 'Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,' Trump wrote, as reported by AP. Trump also implied that Musk's companies — which receive billions in federal contracts and incentives — could be targeted for cost cuts. 'No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE... Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!' he wrote, referencing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk had previously helped establish. Later in the day, speaking from the White House lawn before departing for Florida, Trump reiterated his frustration. 'He's very upset. You know, he can lose a lot more than that, I'll tell you right now. Elon can lose a lot more than that,' he said when asked if he intended to take further action against Musk, according to AP. When pressed on whether Musk could be deported, Trump joked: 'We'll have to take a look... We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible? He gets a lot of subsidies.' Musk, while initially signalling a desire not to escalate the conflict, fired back with another veiled jab at Trump on X: 'What good is Doge saving $160B when this bill increases the debt ceiling by $5T? It makes mockery of the work. In a note to clients on Tuesday, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives described the unfolding feud as a major overhang on Tesla's stock. 'This BFF situation has now turned into a soap opera that remains an overhang on Tesla's stock with investors fearing that the Trump Administration will be more hawkish and show scrutiny around Musk-related US government spending related to Tesla/SpaceX and most importantly the autonomous future with the regulatory environment key to the future of Robotaxis and Cybercabs,' Ives wrote, quoted AP. 'We would expect the stock to be weak to kick off trading this morning as the Street will show concern that the Trump and Musk once BFF relationship now backfires and turns into a junior high school friendship gone bad into an enemy.' Tesla's market share in China — its largest international market — has fallen to 7.6% in the first five months of 2025, down from 10% last year and a peak of 15% in 2020. Analysts attribute the decline to increasing competition from domestic automakers offering newer, feature-rich EVs at lower prices. The most recent threat comes from Xiaomi's YU7 SUV, which received strong pre-orders just hours after its launch, according to Reuters. 'Lagging sales in Europe compared to the rest of the EV market and the increasing competition in China are both working against Tesla going forward,' said Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions, the agency quoted. Tesla's management has hinted at a cheaper version of the Model Y, which was expected to enter production by the end of June, though Reuters reported in April that the model's release had been delayed by 'at least a few months.' Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
