Would you believe that India ranks in top 10 innovative countries in the world?

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: It is heartening to know that India is one of the most innovative nations in the world.

India occupies number 10 spot on the list  prepared by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and filed 10,699 patents. The data shows the countries whose residents filed the most patent applications in 2013 (the latest year for which data is available).

According to the World Economic Forum newsletter report, technological advances are a key driving force of economic growth, and research and innovation can be vital tools in tackling the developmental challenges facing countries around the world.

One way of measuring the level of innovation is the number of applications for patents made.

However, India has miles to go as compared to those ranked in the top positions.

China tops the list, with over 700,000 applications in 2013, well over twice the number in the USA, which is in second place. 

The difference between China in first place, and India in tenth is more than 690,000 – further cementing China’s place as the world innovation leader. Iran also makes an appearance in the top 10, with 11,305 applications.