Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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Switzerland retained the No.1 spot in the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Ranking (WTR) 2025 for the tenth consecutive year. Luxembourg rose to No.2, overtaking Singapore, which fell to No.7. Iceland improved from No.6 to No.3 in 2025. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) climbed five places to No.4, its highest ever ranking. India ranked 63rd with a score of 36.06, continuing a downward trend in global talent competitiveness. International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Ranking (WTR) 2025 evaluates growth, retention, and attraction of highly-skilled workforce. Talent competitiveness is now key for long-term economic performance. Financial security drives global relocation more than pre-COVID-19 factors like lifestyle or language.

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The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report on September 16, 2025, titled The Implications of Oil and Gas Field Decline Rates. The report warns that global oil and gas fields are depleting faster, raising supply and price risks. Nearly 90% of upstream investment is now spent on offsetting natural declines, not on expanding supply. Without new investment, global oil output could shrink by 5.5 million barrels per day and gas by 270 billion cubic metres annually. India, which imports over 85% of crude oil and 45% of gas, faces heightened vulnerability. IEA urged India to diversify energy sources, expand reserves, explore domestically, and promote clean fuels like green hydrogen and biofuels. Long project timelines of nearly 20 years add further risk to future energy security.

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Cybercrime in India rose sharply by 31.2% in 2023, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. Total cybercrime cases increased to 86,420 in 2023 from 65,893 in 2022. Fraud dominated with 59,526 cases (68.9%), followed by sexual exploitation 4,199 cases (4.9%) and extortion 3,326 cases (3.8%). Cybercrime rate increased from 4.8% in 2022 to 6.2% in 2023. Karnataka reported the highest cases (21,889), followed by Telangana 18,236 and Uttar Pradesh 10,794. Economic offences rose by 6% to 2,04,973 cases in 2023. Among economic offences, Forgery, Cheating and Fraud (FCF) had 1,81,553 cases, criminal breach of trust 22,759, and counterfeiting 661.

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The 2025 Index of Economic Freedom ranks 176 countries, showing the global economy as mostly unfree despite a slight rise in global average score to 59.7 from 58.6. Only three countries are designated as economically free, down from four last year. Singapore (First), Switzerland (Second), and Ireland (Third) lead the global rankings. India ranks 128th globally with a score of 53.0, under the mostly unfree category. India scores low in fiscal health (6.2), investment freedom (40), financial freedom (40), and government integrity (37.6). Strong areas include government spending (74.2), business freedom (72.3), and tax burden (71.3). The ranking highlights India’s challenges in economic freedom and fiscal reforms while showing potential in business and governance efficiency.

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International Labour Organization (ILO) released “The State of Social Justice: A Work in Progress” ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development, Doha 2025, marking 30 years of the 1995 Copenhagen Summit on Social Development. The report highlights that despite improvements in education, poverty reduction, and productivity over the last 30 years, inequalities, low trust in institutions, and slow sectoral progress hinder global social justice. Social justice means every individual, regardless of race, belief, or gender, has the right to material prosperity and spiritual growth in freedom, respect, and equal opportunity. Between 1995-2024, child labour fell from 250 million to 106 million, work-related mortality declined by over 10%, secondary school completion rose by 22 percentage points.

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The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its delayed 2023 report showing key national crime trends. Murder cases fell by 2.8%, mostly linked to disputes, personal enmity, or gain. Crimes against Scheduled Tribes (ST) surged by 28.8%, mainly due to ethnic violence in Manipur where cases rose from 1 in 2022 to 3,399 in 2023. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan also reported high crimes against tribals, showing their continued vulnerability. Cybercrimes increased by 31.2%, largely involving financial fraud and sexual exploitation due to growing digital use. Crimes against children rose by 9.2%, with offenders known to victims in 96% of cases. Some cases under the POCSO Act involve consensual adolescent relationships, needing sensitive handling.

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The Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Ecological Connectivity and Land Restoration was launched at the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. The report was prepared by the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) and the CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals). It urges countries to integrate ecological connectivity in land, water, and infrastructure planning. Ecological connectivity means the unimpeded movement of species, connection of habitats, and flow of natural processes sustaining life. These processes include the flow of organisms, energy, nutrients, water, sediments, information, knowledge, and culture.

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The 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report was launched on October 10, 2025, covering 136 countries. It is published by Concern Worldwide (Ireland), Welthungerhilfe (Germany), and Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV). At least 56 countries will not reach low hunger or the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger by 2030. The global GHI score in 2025 is 18.3, barely improved from 19.0 in 2016, keeping hunger in the moderate category. India ranks 102nd among 123 countries with a GHI score of 25.8, classified as serious hunger.

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The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) released the report “Status of Elephants in India”, estimating 22,446 elephants across four major landscapes. Though lower than the 2017 count of 29,964, the new figure is based on a DNA-based estimation method used for the first time. The method aims to set a scientific baseline for future monitoring, not to compare with past counts. India’s elephant census evolved from visual counts (1929–1978) to dung and transect sampling under Project Elephant (1992). Despite synchronized censuses in 2005, 2010, and 2017, issues like observer bias and overcounting remained. To overcome this, India adopted Synchronous All-India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2021–25 using DNA-based techniques. The new method ensures greater accuracy, consistency, and scientific credibility in tracking India’s elephant population.

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The Mercer–Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Global Pension Index 2025 shows India’s pension system covers less than 25% of the workforce. Key schemes like the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), National Pension System (NPS), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have limited reach, especially among informal and gig workers. India ranks 45th out of 47 countries, retaining a ‘D’ grade with a score of 43.8, slightly lower than 44 in 2024. The drop reflects weaknesses in sustainability, inclusiveness, and resilience to ageing and climate challenges. India’s pension system now stands among the world’s weakest, alongside Türkiye, Argentina, and the Philippines.