The title win in Lucknow was the 26-year-old's maiden one in tier three event.
PV Sindhu, who lost in the women's singles final of the Syed Modi tournament, also reached her career-best ranking of 19 after gaining five places.
Shuttle queen and London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, who had pulled out of the Lucknow event in controversial circumstances, will end the year as the third best in the world behind the Chinese duo of Li Xuerui and Wang Yihan.
The men's list is being headed by Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei followed by China's Chen Long.
London Games gold medallist Lin Dan from China is in the fourth place behind Chen Jin.