NEW DELHI, July 5 -- India has emerged as one of the most equal societies globally, with a Gini Index of 25.5, according to the latest data from the World Bank.

Ranking fourth worldwide in income equality, India now stands just behind the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus.

"It reflects how India's economic progress is being shared more evenly across its population. Behind this success is a consistent policy focus on reducing poverty, expanding financial access, and delivering welfare support directly to those who need it most," a release from the Social Welfare said.

The Gini Index, a key measure of income distribution where 0 represents perfect equality and 100 denotes maximum inequality, places India ahead of advanced economies,...