Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) released a report titled “How Does Climate Change Impact Women and Children Across Agroecological Zones”. The report shows that women and children face a higher risk of death during disasters than men due to existing social roles and responsibilities. It highlights the urgent need for gender-disaggregated data to create better disaster response and climate policies. India has 20 agroecological zones with varied climates, which affect the level of vulnerability differently across regions. States like Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh have five agroecosystems each, while zones like the North Eastern Hills (Region 17) and Western Coastal Plains (Region 19) span multiple states. This overlap calls for coordinated climate adaptation strategies across states for better protection of women and children.

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India ranked 36th out of 170 countries in the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), improving from 48th in 2022. The Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index includes Information and Communication Technology (ICT), skills, Research and Development (R&D), industrial capacity, and finance access. The report shows countries like India, Brazil, China, and the Philippines are doing well despite lower incomes, and must adapt fast to tech changes.

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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”. The report gives gender-based data on population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making using official sources. Gender Parity Index (GPI) remains high in primary and higher secondary levels, while upper primary and elementary levels show near parity. Labour Participation Rate (LPFR) for ages 15+ improved from 49.8% in 2017–18 to 60.1% in 2023–24. Women own 39.2% of bank accounts and contribute 39.7% of deposits; rural women hold 42.2% of all accounts. DEMAT accounts grew from 33.26 million in 2021 to 143.02 million in 2024, showing rising stock market participation. Female DEMAT accounts increased from 6.67 million to 27.71 million, while male accounts rose from 26.59 million to 115.31 million. There is a steady rise in female-headed proprietary establishments in manufacturing, trade, and services. In 2024, female voter turnout surpassed male turnout, narrowing the gender gap in voting.

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India had the second highest maternal deaths in 2023, tied with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at 19,000, behind Nigeria with 75,000 deaths. The data comes from the Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000–2023 report by the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), which includes World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Bank Group, and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). In 2023, 260,000 maternal deaths occurred worldwide, or 712 each day. India’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) dropped from 362 in 2000 to 80 in 2023—a 78% decline.

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The Future of Jobs Report 2025, which analyzes global labor market trends for the period of 2025-2030, was published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 stresses the need to align education with fast-changing global job demands. It highlights key forces shaping the job market by 2030, such as technology, demographics, green transition, and economic uncertainty. About 60% of employers see digital access and tech advancements as major change drivers. Nearly 50% of employers expect economic shifts to displace current jobs. Around 59 out of 100 workers will need training in tech skills, analytical thinking, and resilience. Demand will grow for roles like Artificial Intelligence (AI) engineers and Big Data specialists. The report calls for both technical and soft skills like adaptability, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its Global Financial Stability Report warned that high geopolitical risks may affect global financial and economic stability. It highlighted threats like conflicts, cyberattacks, and resource competition disrupting global supply chains. Shifts in global power, new trade alliances, and investment centers are changing traditional economic dynamics. The global tax system is becoming fragmented as some countries adopt a minimum global tax while others move away from shared tax rules. Workforce challenges such as ageing populations, low birth rates, cultural tensions, and artificial intelligence (AI) integration are also stressing economies and labour markets. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) releases the Global Financial Stability Report. This report, published twice a year in April and October, provides an assessment of the global financial system and markets, including emerging market financing.

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In the India Skills Report 2025, Uttar Pradesh ranked first in mathematical skills and computer proficiency. 80% of youth across India are skilled in maths and computers, with Uttar Pradesh ahead of Andhra Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh also topped in critical thinking, followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In English proficiency, Maharashtra is first, Karnataka second, and Uttar Pradesh third. These results are based on the Global Employability Test (GATE), which assesses job-ready skills worldwide. In total employment, Maharashtra ranks first (84%), followed by Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh (70%).

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NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential – India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’. It highlights how the Hand and Power Tools sector can boost India’s economic growth. The global market for these tools is valued at $100 billion and may grow to $190 billion by 2035. India exports only $600 million in hand tools and $470 million in power tools, with very low market shares. The report suggests India can target $25 billion in exports and generate 35 lakh jobs by gaining 10% in power tools and 25% in hand tools. India can achieve this by encouraging innovation, supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and improving industrial infrastructure. The tools sector is a pillar of global manufacturing and can support India’s goal of becoming Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Growth in construction and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) markets can boost Make in India and expand India’s global footprint by $25 billion.

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In the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India ranks 151 out of 180 countries. This is a slight improvement from 159th in 2024 and 161st in 2023, but India still remains in the “very serious” press freedom category. India ranks lower than neighbours like Nepal (90th), Maldives (104th), Sri Lanka (139th), and Bangladesh (149th). Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands are the top three performers in press freedom globally. For the first time, global press freedom is seen as in a “difficult situation” due to rising economic pressures.

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According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Methane Tracker 2025, the energy sector emitted about 145 million tonnes of methane in 2024. The Global Methane Tracker 2025 is released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Oil and gas facilities alone contributed over 80 million tonnes. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for around 30% of global warming since the Industrial Revolution. Its current level in the atmosphere is 2.5 times higher than in preindustrial times and is increasing faster than other gases. The main human sources of methane are agriculture, energy, and waste sectors. The energy sector alone contributes over 35% of human-caused methane emissions.