Four reasons why there is not much for businesses in India to be happy about: 

1. Only two cities were surveyed: Delhi and Mumabi were covered.

2. The Improvement in India's ranking is because of a 'better' insolvency and taxes regime. Although how much GST is helping small businesses is for everyone to see in India.

The other place where India did well was in Protecting Minority Investors category, coming in at 4th place.

3. India's ranking has actually gone down in ease of starting business, from #111 in 2008, to #156 in 2017.

4. We are one of the worst (181th) in dealing with construction permits.

Highlights from 'Ease of doing business' report:

(if you look at it, you will actually find India has gone further down. Another case of the governemt PR spin at its best)

Sl.No.    Parameter    Ranking in 2008    Ranking in 2018     
1    Starting a business    111    156  
2    Dealing with licenses / construction permits    134    181     
3    Registering Property    112    154    
4    Getting credit    36    29    
5    Protecting investors (Protecting Minority investors)    33    4     
6    Paying Taxes    165    119    
7    Trading across borders    79    146   
8    Enforcing contracts    177    164   
9    Closing a business (aka Resolving insolvency)    137    103    

A comparison (of ranking) with other countries:

US - 6
Thailand - 26
Japan - 34
Russia - 35
Azerbaijan -57
Jamaica - 70
Indonesia - 72
Bhutan - 75
China - 78
Saudi Arabia - 92
India - 100
Nepal - 105
Brazil - 125
Pakistan - 147
Somalia - 190