Responsible Nations Index Launch: Measuring Governance, Sustainability and Global Conduct

Responsible Nations Index to Debut: A New Global Benchmark for Ethical Governance and Sustainability

A new global framework to evaluate how responsibly nations govern, protect the environment, and engage with the international community is set to be unveiled with the launch of the Responsible Nations Index on January 19. The initiative reflects a growing international shift towards measuring national progress beyond economic output, with greater focus on ethics, sustainability, and cooperative global conduct.

Institutions Behind the Initiative and Launch Event

The Responsible Nations Index is being launched by the World Intellectual Foundation in partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru University , Indian Institute of Management Mumbai , and the Dr Ambedkar International Centre .

The official unveiling will take place in New Delhi in the presence of Ram Nath Kovind , underscoring the national and international importance of the initiative.

Rationale and Vision of the Responsible Nations Index

Explaining the motivation behind the Index, Jagdish Mukhi stated that the goal is to create a credible, data-driven tool that captures the broader idea of national responsibility. Rather than focusing narrowly on GDP or growth rates, the Index seeks to highlight how countries care for their citizens, manage natural resources, and contribute to global peace and cooperation.

The initiative responds to global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, democratic backsliding, and geopolitical tensions, which require a more holistic understanding of national performance.

Three Pillars of National Responsibility

The Responsible Nations Index is built around three core dimensions:

• Internal Responsibility – assesses dignity, justice, inclusion, and overall citizen well-being within a country.

• Environmental Responsibility – evaluates climate action, conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources.

• External Responsibility – measures contributions to peace, multilateralism, international cooperation, and global stability.

Together, these pillars aim to present a comprehensive portrait of how responsibly a nation functions in both domestic and global contexts.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• The Responsible Nations Index evaluates internal, environmental, and external responsibility .

• It covers 154 countries across different regions and income groups.

• The Index uses globally sourced, transparent datasets for credibility and comparability.

• It moves beyond GDP to focus on governance, sustainability, and global cooperation .

Methodology, Coverage, and Policy Relevance

Covering 154 countries, the Index draws on internationally recognised and publicly available data sources to ensure objectivity and transparency. Organisers noted that the framework is designed to help governments, researchers, and institutions benchmark performance, identify gaps, and design evidence-based reforms.

By offering a comparative perspective on responsibility, the Index is expected to support policy innovation, encourage best practices, and strengthen international dialogue on sustainable and