Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The 2025 Asia Power Index, published by the Lowy Institute, assesses Asian countries’ resources and influence, including nations as far north as Russia and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The United States remains the leading power in Asia, with influence extending beyond any single administration. China is the second-most powerful, narrowing its gap with the US to the lowest since 2020, partly due to policies during the Donald Trump administration. India ranks third, surpassing Japan last year, with a comprehensive power score over 40 points, making it a “major power.” India’s economic, military, cultural, and geopolitical capabilities have grown modestly, though diplomatic and defence influence has not expanded equally.

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Switzerland is ranked the world’s most resilient country for investors in 2025, according to Henley & Partners and AlphaGeo Global Investment Risk and Resilience Index. Switzerland scored 88.42 overall, with a risk score of 9.1 (low risk) and resilience score of 85.94 (high resilience), driven by innovation, governance, and social stability. Singapore is the only Asian country in the top 10, ranking 4th, with the lowest legal and regulatory risk globally. India ranks 104th with a total investment risk and resilience score of 54.42, showing moderate resilience (resilience score 49.76) but elevated risks. India’s high risk profile is due to uncertain political, legal, and regulatory environments, combined with exposure to physical climate hazards.

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Bengaluru has been ranked the best city for women in India in 2025, according to a study by Chennai-based workplace inclusion firm Avtar. The study assessed 125 cities on how effectively they support women through a combination of social infrastructure and industrial inclusion. Bengaluru topped the list with a City Inclusion Score (CIS) of 53.29, followed by Chennai (49.86), Pune (46.27), Hyderabad (46.04), and Mumbai (44.49). The index is based on two pillars: Social Inclusion Score (SIS), which measures safety, health, education, mobility, and liveability, and Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS), which tracks formal job opportunities, corporate inclusion practices, skilling, and women’s workforce participation.

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NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, assessing export readiness of India’s States and Union Territories (UTs) to support the goal of USD 1 trillion merchandise exports by 2030 and Viksit Bharat @2047. EPI 2024 is structured around four pillars—Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance, and Export Performance. It is further divided into 13 sub-pillars and 70 indicators for granular assessment. Top-performing Large States are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, while top-performing Small/North Eastern States & UTs are Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, and Goa.

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The Global Risk Report 2026 was released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the most significant global risk. In the short term (2026–2028), key risks include geoeconomic confrontation, state-based armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and rising societal polarisation. In the long term (up to 2036), major risks are extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse. India faces major risks like cyber insecurity, inequality, and weak public services. Geoeconomic confrontation means using trade, technology, sanctions, and investment controls for strategic advantage.

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NITI Aayog released the report “Achieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemes” to strengthen government support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It provides a roadmap to improve MSME outcomes by streamlining scheme implementation, enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, and boosting financial, skill, marketing, and innovation support. The report evaluates existing central and state MSME schemes, examines convergence levels, and identifies best practices from India and abroad.

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India ranked sixth among 11 Asian countries in the Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026, showing the need to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness. The Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) measures competitiveness across eight key pillars and 43 sub-parameters. The index is in its third year and is released by Dezan Shira and Associates. Malaysia rose to second place in 2026, replacing Vietnam. Vietnam slipped to third position. These changes indicate intensifying competition within Asia’s manufacturing sector.

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The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health released a report on Global Water Bankruptcy. It warns that the planet has entered a Global Water Bankruptcy era. Water Bankruptcy means long-term water use has exceeded renewable supply and safe limits, causing irreversible damage. Rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, soils, and glaciers are degraded beyond full recovery. This differs from water stress, which is high demand but largely reversible. It also differs from water crisis, which is temporary and manageable with restoration. Key causes include chronic overuse of water resources, dam-driven overexpansion, ecological degradation, and climate change intensifying existing water stress.

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India’s innovation ecosystem has steadily improved, climbing to 38th position in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 from 66th in 2019, as per Economic Survey 2025-26. Government initiatives in manufacturing, research, startups, and technology have helped India emerge as a global hub for innovation and industrial development. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme boosted domestic manufacturing, especially in smartphones, attracting global companies to India. Till September 2025, PLI investments exceeded Rs 2 lakh crore, generating additional production/sales of Rs 18.70 lakh crore and employment for 12.60 lakh people.

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Tripura has achieved top ranks in the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0, highlighting excellence in its Panchayati Raj system. Three Tripura Panchayats among the top four reflect strong grassroots governance and efficiency in the state. The recognition sets a benchmark for rural development, inclusive governance, and public service delivery in Tripura. It reinforces Tripura’s reputation as a model state in decentralized governance and village-level administration.