Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report highlighted that that extreme natural events in 2024 caused over 2,000 deaths in India. State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report was released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO). More than 450 people died due to intense heat waves, with temperatures nearing 50°C, especially in northern India. Asia’s average temperature in 2024 was 1.04°C above the 1991–2020 average, making it the warmest or second-warmest year on record. Four tropical cyclones formed in the north Indian Ocean in 2024—Remal, Dana, Fengal in the Bay of Bengal, and Asna in the Arabian Sea.

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India ranks 99th in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2025 with a score of 67 as per the recently released Sustainable Development Report 2025. It is India’s first time entering the top 100 out of 193 United Nations (UN) member countries. The report is published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and tracks yearly progress since 2015. Finland, Sweden and Denmark top the index, despite facing environmental issues from high consumption.

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A recent Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report ranked India among countries with best-practice-level graphic health warnings in 2024, as part of efforts to reduce tobacco use. Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report was released by World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report focuses on the MPOWER measures under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to reduce tobacco-related deaths. India’s cigarette packs have one of the world’s largest pictorial warnings at 85%, placing it in the highest category for ‘W’ (Warn) since 2016. India also leads in ‘O’ (Offer help to quit) and ranks second-highest in ‘M’ (Mass media) efforts.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) National Indicator Framework Progress Report 2025 on the 19th Statistics Day. The report shows India’s progress on 284 indicators across 17 SDG goals. Maternal and child health, education, poverty reduction, and climate change efforts have improved since 2015–16. Social protection coverage rose to 64.3% in 2025 from 22% in 2016. Senior citizen assistance rose to 1,57,000 in 2023–24 from 23,000 in 2015. Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture per worker rose to ₹94,110 in 2024–25 from ₹61,247 in 2015–16.

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Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Financial Stability Report for June 2025. The Financial Stability Report is a twice-yearly report by the Reserve Bank of India. It shows the joint assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council on risks to financial stability and the strength of the Indian financial system. The report highlights that India continues to drive global growth due to solid economic fundamentals and wise policies. Risks include geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and weather-related uncertainties.

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Recently, NITI Aayog released the report “Chemical Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains.” It highlights India’s chemical sector potential but notes challenges like infrastructure gaps, regulatory delays, and 30% skill shortfall. India has a 3.5% share in global chemical value chains with a trade deficit of USD 31 billion in 2023. The report proposes world-class chemical hubs, better port infrastructure, and an operating expense subsidy scheme. It suggests boosting research and development, fast-tracking environmental clearance, and leveraging Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

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Recently, a World Bank report ranked India fourth in the world for income equality with a Gini Index of 25.5. Only the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus have better equality indicators. India’s Gini Index shows moderately low inequality, between 25 and 30. The Gini Index measures income, wealth, or consumption inequality, with 0 as perfect equality and 100 as maximum inequality. India’s Gini Index is lower than China at 35.7 and the United States at 41.8.

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Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai improved their ranks in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Seoul, Tokyo and London are the top three globally. Delhi ranked 104th, climbing 7 spots, and emerged as the world’s most affordable student city. India saw 390% rise in universities featured in QS rankings in 10 years.

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The United Nations has released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report 2025. Five key goals — SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG6 (Clean Water), SDG8 (Decent Work), and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities) — are worst hit, with 50–57% of targets off-track. Global hunger affects 713–757 million people, worsened by conflict, climate change, and economic shocks. Food insecurity affected 2.33 billion people in 2023 — 383 million more than in 2019. SDG8 sees half of its indicators declining, with 57.8% of global workforce in informal jobs and youth unemployment at 12.9%. SDG14 (Life Below Water) is least funded and shows 40% decline in key targets. SDG3 (Good Health) shows stagnation in maternal health and universal coverage, with post-COVID strain persisting.

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The World Bank recently released the report “Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India” in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It studied 24 Indian cities with a focus on Chennai, Indore, New Delhi, Lucknow, Surat, and Thiruvananthapuram. By 2030, 70% of new jobs in India are expected to come from cities, showing strong urban growth potential. India’s urban population may nearly double to 951 million by 2050, needing over 144 million new homes by 2070. Smart investments can prevent 5 billion in flood damage annually by 2030 and save 30 billion by 2070.