Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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International Rhino Foundation recently published the report named ‘State of the Rhino 2024’ report. It highlights positive trends for Greater One-Horned Rhinos. Their population has increased by 20% in the last decade, now exceeding 4,000. They are found in the Indo-Nepal Terai, northern West Bengal, and Assam. India has 3,262 Greater One-Horned Rhinos (2021), mostly in Assam. Over 90% of them are in Kaziranga National Park.

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Kerala secured the top spot in the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024 for the second consecutive year. The index was released during the FSSAI Global Food Regulators Summit 2024. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) releases this index annually since 2018-19. The SFSI aims to improve food safety standards in India. It evaluates states based on five metrics: data management, compliance, food testing, training, and consumer empowerment. In 2023, a new parameter, ‘Improvement in SFSI Rank,’ was added. The index promotes safe and nutritious food for the population.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the 7th issue of “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts.” EnviStats covers information on natural resources, environmental degradation, and government efforts for management. It follows the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework for compiling environmental accounts. Coverage of mangroves increased by about 8% from 2013 to 2021. There has been a 72% increase in the number and a 16% increase in the area of protected lands from 2000 to 2023. This edition introduces Ocean Accounts for environmental reporting. The report also updates the Soil Nutrient Index using Soil Health Card data for 2023-24.

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NABARD’s second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) for 2021-22 surveyed 1 lakh rural households across India post-COVID. The average monthly income of households rose by 57.6% from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22, with a 9.5% CAGR. Agricultural households earned Rs. 13,661, while non-agricultural households earned Rs. 11,438.
Salaried employment was the largest income source for all households (37%). For agricultural households, cultivation made up one-third of income, while government/private services contributed one-fourth. Non-agricultural households relied primarily on government/private services (57%) and wage labor (26%).

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WHO and UNICEF released a report titled ‘Mental Health of Children and Young People – Service Guidance.’ The report was launched on World Mental Health Day, celebrated every year on October 10 since 1992. Approximately 1 in 7 children aged 10 to 19 are affected by mental health conditions, with anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders being the most common. One-third of mental health conditions emerge before age 14, and half before age 18, highlighting the importance of early intervention. Access to mental health services for young people is inadequate, with many facing barriers like low service availability, high costs, and stigma. Public funding for children’s mental health services is low, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

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India is expected to see the highest increase in energy demand globally over the next decade, as per the World Energy Outlook 2024. The report is published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and provides key energy trends and projections. Low-emission energy sources are projected to generate over half of the world’s electricity by 2030. India is set to add 12,000 cars daily until 2035, with built-up space growing by over 1 billion square meters annually. India’s total energy demand will rise by 35% by 2035, with coal use in industry increasing by 50%. Coal-based electricity generation will grow by 15%.

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The Fraser Institute released the 2024 Economic Freedom of the World Report, ranking 165 countries based on economic choice. The top five most-economically free countries were Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, New Zealand, and the United States. India ranked 84th in the report. The report uses 42 variables, including government size, property rights, monetary policy, and trade freedom.

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India ranks 176th in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index with a score of 45.5, placing it among the five worst performers. The Nature Conservation Index (NCI), developed by Ben-Gurion University and BioDB.com, assesses land management, biodiversity threats, governance, and future conservation trends. India’s high pesticide use and soil pollution impact soil health, with a nitrogen sustainability index of 0.77. Marine conservation needs improvement, as only 0.2% of national waterways are protected, and no areas in India’s EEZ. Significant biodiversity risks include habitat loss, climate change, deforestation, and illegal wildlife trade. Strong political action and conservation laws are essential for sustainable development.

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International Labour Organization (ILO) released the report titled ‘The impact of care responsibilities of women’s labour participation’. According to the report, 53% of women in India are outside the labor force due to care responsibilities, needing more investment in the care economy. Only 1.1% of men are out of work for similar reasons. The report emphasizes the need for early childhood care and education (ECCE) to boost women’s labor force participation and gender equality. In India, 97.8% of women and 91.4% of men are out of the workforce due to personal or family reasons. Globally, 708 million women and 40 million men are outside the labor force due to caregiving, highlighting a significant gender disparity.

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The AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) evaluates nations on digital infrastructure, human capital, technological innovation, and legal frameworks. As of 2023, Singapore leads with a score of 0.80, indicating its strong commitment to AI integration. In contrast, India ranks 72nd with a score of 0.49, despite having a significant number of AI startups and user engagement. This index highlights the disparities in AI readiness between advanced and emerging economies.