Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) released the ‘Smuggling in India – Report 2023-24’ highlighting major trends in illegal trade. Cocaine trafficking has surged in India, with 47 cases recorded in 2023-24, up from 21 the previous year, using direct routes from South America and African countries. Black cocaine, a chemically masked variant, evades standard detection methods, posing a new challenge. Hydroponic marijuana is being smuggled from countries like the US and Thailand. Gold smuggling from West Asia, including UAE and Saudi Arabia, is rising, using diverse couriers, including families and foreign nationals. Established in 1957, DRI tackles smuggling of narcotics, gold, wildlife products, arms, and more, while also addressing customs fraud.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released the report titled “Global Spending on Health: Emerging from the Pandemic.” The report analyzed global health spending in 2022, the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It revealed a decline in health spending from its peak during the pandemic, with total global health expenditure at $9.8 trillion, equating to 9.9% of global GDP. The report emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between health and finance ministries to ensure sustainable health funding, especially in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

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Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations released the report, titled The Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils on December 11, 2024. The report highlights that 1.4 billion hectares of land (10.7% of global land) are salt-affected, with another billion hectares at risk due to climate change and mismanagement. Globally, 10% of irrigated and rainfed croplands are salinity-affected, with worst impacts in developing nations and countries like Australia, Argentina, and China. India has 6.72 million hectares of salt-affected soils, with hotspots in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, affecting 20% of agricultural land. FAO recommends strategies like breeding salt-tolerant crops, bioremediation, and better water management to combat salinity.

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The report Waste to Worth: Managing India’s Urban Water Crisis through Wastewater Reuse was released jointly by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). It focuses on using wastewater treatment for water sustainability and circularity. India’s per capita freshwater availability is now below 1,700 cubic metres. Around 72% of urban wastewater remains untreated and ends up in rivers and lakes. 20% of groundwater blocks in India are overexploited or in critical condition. 55% of households have open or no drainage systems, adding to the water management challenges. The report stresses the importance of wastewater reuse to address the water crisis.

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India ranks 39th in the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) by the World Economic Forum, improving from its 54th rank in 2021, later revised to 38th due to methodology changes. The Ministry of Tourism provides financial aid under schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies for developing tourism infrastructure. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the Advantage Healthcare India portal (www.healinindia.gov.in) to assist international patients seeking medical treatment in India. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, shared this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

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India ranks 49th in the Network Readiness Index 2024 (NRI 2024), improving by 11 places from last year. The Network Readiness Index, published by the Portulans Institute, evaluates countries on technology use in governance, citizen engagement, and impact. India’s score increased from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024, reflecting advancements in technology and digital infrastructure. Key areas driving this growth include artificial intelligence, mobile networks, and broadband development. These technologies enhance ease of living and support global research efforts. The improved ranking underscores India’s progress in digital transformation and its emergence as a global tech leader.

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The Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023’ (ISFR 2023) at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. The report, published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, assesses forest and tree resources using satellite data and National Forest Inventory (NFI). India’s forest and tree cover is 8,27,357 sq km (25.17% of the country’s area), with forest cover at 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) and tree cover at 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%). There is an increase in forest and tree cover, with states like Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha showing significant growth. Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra have the largest forest and tree covers. Lakshadweep has the highest forest cover percentage (91.33%). 19 states/UTs have over 33% forest cover, with eight exceeding 75%. Mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km, and bamboo-bearing areas have increased. India’s carbon stock reached 30.43 billion tonnes, surpassing its 2030 carbon sink target.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its biannual Financial Stability Report (FSR), focusing on the health and resilience of the Indian financial system. The RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) highlights improvements in the banking sector’s asset quality and resilience. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) achieved a 12-year low Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio of 2.6% by September 2024. The Provisioning Coverage Ratio (PCR) rose to 77%, mainly due to proactive provisioning by Public Sector Banks (PSBs). The slippage ratio increased slightly to 0.7%, showing controlled NPA growth. Household debt in India reached 42.9% of GDP by June 2024, rising gradually. India’s Real GDP growth is projected at 6.6% for 2024-25, supported by rural consumption, government investments, and services exports.

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The Confederation of Indian Industry released a ‘Industry 4.0 adoption and strategic roadmap for Indian manufacturing Report’. Industry 4.0 refers to smart, connected production systems that interact with the physical world. Automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals are leading in adoption, while textiles, metals, and mining face challenges. Key drivers for Industry 4.0 in India include workforce up-skilling, digital infrastructure, and sustainability to meet global green manufacturing standards.

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The World Bank launched the Business Ready (B-READY) report, replacing the paused Ease of Doing Business report. The Ease of Doing Business report was suspended in 2020 due to data manipulation and ranking integrity concerns. B-READY serves as a benchmarking tool to evaluate the global business climate and promote inclusive private sector growth. It focuses on ten core topics: Business Entry, Location, Utility Services, Labor, Financial Services, International Trade, Taxation, Dispute Resolution, Market Competition, and Insolvency.