The अ-Nishchit Index 2.0

The अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 measures the level of uncertainty people experience across India. It captures uncertainty across 11 key life parameters and 49 real-life statements, covering concerns around money, health, safety, emotional well-being, digital security, family responsibilities, and the environment. The national score stands at 79, indicating that uncertainty remains high, even as the country continues to grow economically.

To make these insights easy to understand and explore, ABSLI presents this simple, intuitive interactive model.

We invite you to explore this interactive version of अ-Nishchit Index 2.0

This information is based on findings from a research study commissioned by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited and data-validated by Drshti Strategic Research Services Pvt. Ltd.

Interactive tool created by Hyphen Brands.

Key

National Index

The overall measure of uncertainty across India. Based on responses from across regions, age groups, and socio-economic segments.

Parameter Index

The uncertainty index for one of the 11 parameters selected.

Statement’s Rank

Under each parameter, we asked associated statements to deep dive into the specific parameter. These statements have been ranked from 1 onwards, 1 indicating highest ranked uncertainty within the parameter

Cohort Clusters

Based on their responses, people fall into three broad mindsets:

• Highly Anxious

People experiencing high levels of worry and uncertainty about their future.

• Anxious Steady Climbers

People who feel uncertain but are actively working towards stability and progress.

• Optimists

People who feel relatively confident and in control, even in uncertain times.

How was अ-Nishchit Index computed?

Last year’s score was 74, but it is not directly comparable, as the framework expanded from 7 parameters to 11 parameters this year, sub-divided into 49 attitudinal statements (each treated as a sub-parameter).

Each of the 49 statements was rated on a 0–10 scale (lowest to highest uncertainty).
The average score across all 49 statements was computed and scaled to an index of 100.

• Qualitative phase: 21 in-depth interviews across diverse life stages and backgrounds
• Quantitative phase: 3,583 Pan-India respondents via random sampling

Key Findings

The Index identifies 11 parameters shaping perceptions of uncertainty, grouped into uncontrollable external risks and potentially controllable personal factors.

Top Drivers (Index ~80)	Potentially Controllable Factors	Additional Insights
Uncontrollable factors dominate	Health & lifestyle factors	Survey patterns & demographics
• Economic & financial instability (Rank 1) at an index score of 80	• Health & medical risks (Rank 3) at an index score of 80	Index consistency: Men at 78, Women at 80 Salaried at 79, Business owners at 80 Baby Boomers at 78, Gen X at 80
• Environmental & climate concerns (Rank 2) at an index score of 80	• Emotional & mental wellbeing (Rank 6) at an index score of 79	Regional differences: South at 71 (lowest) East at 83 (highest) Tier 1 cities at 73 Tier 3 towns at 86 (uncertainty rises as city size decreases)
• Digital & cybersecurity risks (Top 5, close to at 80)	• Income, debt & financial planning (Rank 7) at 79	Family structure: Married with children at 80 Number of dependents does not significantly change the index
• Public safety & crime (Rank 4, close to at 80)	• Career & employment challenges (Rank 8) at 79	—
• Government policy & geopolitical risks (Rank 5, close to at 80)	• Family & social responsibilities (Rank 9) at 78	Financial & Retirement Anxiety: • Inflation eroding savings at 81 • Income not keeping pace at 80 • Building adequate wealth at 80 • Emergency buffers at 79 • Insurance coverage for serious illness at 78 • Retirement worries at 78
(Inflation, income volatility, climate events, taxes, safety, global conflicts)	• Retirement & ageing (Rank 10) at 78 • Education & children’s growth (Rank 11) at 75	Insurance & Investment Ownership: Individuals with 1–3 products: 78–80 Holding 4+ products: Insurance at 73, Investments at 75

 

Conclusion

The अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 (79) reflects a nation progressing economically yet living with persistent uncertainty. Three in four Indians describe themselves as extremely worried about their future, indicating that uncertainty is driven not by isolated events, but by the accumulation of multiple, overlapping risks.