There could be edge cases where the index template could be used. For example, a plugin or a future WordPress version could introduce a new template hierarchy “type” that is not covered by any other template. WordPress would use the index template as a fallback in this case.
Of note, the WordPress Theme Handbook mentions this a little:
Theme Structure
templates/index.html(Templates): The default/fallback template. This is necessary for WordPress to consider this a block theme.
Template Hierarchy
If WordPress cannot find a template file with a matching name, it will skip to the next file in the hierarchy. If WordPress cannot find any matching template file, the theme’s
index.phpfile will be used.
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