SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
India has officially launched the Responsible Nations Index (RNI), a first-of-its-kind global framework designed to evaluate countries based on their ethical conduct and stewardship rather than traditional measures of power like GDP or military strength. Launched on January 19, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, the index evaluates 154 countries across the globe. The RNI is the result of a three-year academic and policy initiative led by the World Intellectual Foundation in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai.
Core Dimensions of Responsibility
The index is structured around three primary pillars, operationalized through 7 dimensions, 15 aspects, and 58 indicators:
Internal Responsibility: Focuses on a nation’s duty to its own citizens, measuring human dignity, social justice, and citizen well-being.
Environmental Responsibility: Assesses how nations manage natural resources and their commitment to climate action and biodiversity protection.
External Responsibility: Evaluates a country’s contribution to global peace, international cooperation, and ethical diplomacy.
Inaugural Global Rankings and India’s Performance (2026)
The RNI 2026 report highlights that responsible conduct is driven by institutional integrity rather than sheer wealth.
The Global Top 10: Singapore (1st), followed by Switzerland (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Cyprus (4th), Sweden (5th), Belgium (6th), Georgia (7th), Czechia (8th), Austria (9th), and Croatia (10th).
India’s Performance: India is ranked 16th globally with a score of 0.551513, surpassing several high-income nations including Italy, France, and Poland.
Emerging Trends: Several emerging economies showed exceptional performance in peacekeeping and inclusive development, reaffirming that responsibility is a product of political will.
What makes the Responsible Nations Index different from the GDP-based rankings? Traditional indices often reward nations based on their economic size, trade competitiveness, or military influence, regardless of the ethical cost. The RNI represents a paradigm shift by asking: “How responsibly does a nation exercise its power?”. It uses transparent, globally sourced data from the World Bank, UN agencies, and the IMF to measure how fairly and sustainably a country behaves toward its people and the planet. For example, emerging economies may outrank wealthier nations if they show superior performance in peacekeeping contributions or renewable energy adoption.
Policy Relevance
The RNI provides a moral compass for 21st-century international relations, aligning with India’s civilizational values of dharma and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Strategic Impact:
Redefining Global Leadership: India is positioning itself as a leader in value-based governance, moving global discourse from dominance to responsibility.
Incentivizing Ethical Governance: The index acts as a “mirror of morality,” encouraging nations to improve their social welfare and environmental policies to boost their standing.
Promoting Inclusive Development: By prioritizing dignity and justice, the RNI supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and human rights.
Fostering Global Dialogue: The RNI report initiates a new conversation on responsible nationhood, helping countries learn best practices from high-ranking peers.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) ensure the ‘Responsible Nations Index’ is integrated into multilateral forums like the G20 to serve as a benchmark for equitable global governance reform?
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