The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical composite index of life expectancy, education (mean years of schooling completed and expected years of schooling upon entering the education system), and per capita income indicators, which is used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. A territory scores a higher level of HDI when the lifespan is higher, the education level is higher, and the gross national income GNI (PPP) per capita is higher.

As per United Nations Development Programme, India had a HDI of 0.434 in 1990, which steadily increased and reached 0.490 in 2000, and 0.572 in 2010. As per the latest report, the HDI climbed to 0.685 in 2023 from 0.676 in 2022, which placed India in the medium category and ranked it 130th out of 193 countries.

The various Indian states and union territories have significant variations in HDI. Goa had the highest HDI amongst the Indian states with Bihar ranking last.