Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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NITI Aayog released an Expert Group report titled ‘Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response —A Framework for Action’. The report offers a blueprint for rapid response to future public health emergencies. COVID-19 is not the last pandemic; 75% of future threats could be zoonotic. The report offers a 100-day response plan for pandemics, focusing on governance, data management, and partnerships. India’s efforts during COVID-19, like digital tools and R&D, were highlighted. The report recommends strengthening legislation, surveillance, and capacity-building. It involved consultations with over 60 experts and stakeholders. The framework aims to better prepare and manage future outbreaks effectively.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the 7th issue of “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts.” EnviStats covers information on natural resources, environmental degradation, and government efforts for management. It follows the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework for compiling environmental accounts. Coverage of mangroves increased by about 8% from 2013 to 2021. There has been a 72% increase in the number and a 16% increase in the area of protected lands from 2000 to 2023. This edition introduces Ocean Accounts for environmental reporting. The report also updates the Soil Nutrient Index using Soil Health Card data for 2023-24.

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The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released its latest biennial ‘Living Planet’ report. Wildlife populations have dropped by 73% over the last 50 years (1970–2020). Freshwater species faced the largest declines, followed by terrestrial and marine populations. Main reasons for this decline include habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species. India’s consumption patterns would require less than one Earth by 2050 if adopted globally. Andhra Pradesh’s Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) shows positive socio-economic impacts. India’s millet mission received praise for promoting nature-positive food production.

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NABARD’s second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) for 2021-22 surveyed 1 lakh rural households across India post-COVID. The average monthly income of households rose by 57.6% from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22, with a 9.5% CAGR. Agricultural households earned Rs. 13,661, while non-agricultural households earned Rs. 11,438.
Salaried employment was the largest income source for all households (37%). For agricultural households, cultivation made up one-third of income, while government/private services contributed one-fourth. Non-agricultural households relied primarily on government/private services (57%) and wage labor (26%).

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The World Bank released the South Asian Development Update report, indicating that output growth in South Asia will exceed that of other emerging market regions. Climate change is exposing South Asia to extreme heat, floods, and other weather-related shocks, with smaller firms in India being particularly vulnerable. Female labor force participation in the region is low at 32%, highlighting the potential for income growth through gender equity. The report mentions a marriage penalty, noting that marriage decreases women’s labor force participation. Bhutan’s economy is projected to grow by 7.2% in FY25, with India close behind at 7%, driven by private consumption, tourism, and hydropower exports.

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The World Bank released the “Pathways out of the Polycrisis: Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report 2024”. The report highlights challenges in economic development. Global poverty reduction has nearly stalled over the past 5 years due to the “polycrisis.” Polycrisis refers to multiple overlapping crises like slow growth, fragility, climate risks, and uncertainty. Extreme poverty is projected at 7.3% in 2030, far from the UN SDG target of eliminating it. The global prosperity gap has widened, with income growth slowing since the pandemic. In India, extreme poverty has dropped from 431 million in 1990 to 129 million in 2024.

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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a report titled “Agriculture and Conservation.” The report explores the complex relationship between agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Agriculture directly threatens 34% of species on the IUCN Red List due to habitat conversion to croplands, pasturelands, plantations, and irrigation. Indirect threats include invasive species, nutrient loading, soil erosion, agrochemicals, and climate change.
On the positive side, agriculture provides habitat for about 17% of species on the IUCN Red List.

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India ranks 176th in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index with a score of 45.5, placing it among the five worst performers. The Nature Conservation Index (NCI), developed by Ben-Gurion University and BioDB.com, assesses land management, biodiversity threats, governance, and future conservation trends. India’s high pesticide use and soil pollution impact soil health, with a nitrogen sustainability index of 0.77. Marine conservation needs improvement, as only 0.2% of national waterways are protected, and no areas in India’s EEZ. Significant biodiversity risks include habitat loss, climate change, deforestation, and illegal wildlife trade. Strong political action and conservation laws are essential for sustainable development.

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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Review of Maritime Transport 2024 report, highlighting trends in global maritime trade. Global maritime trade grew by 2.4% in 2023, rebounding from a contraction in 2022, but the recovery is still fragile. Key chokepoints like the Suez and Panama Canals experienced significant disruptions. Chokepoints are narrow geographical features that are strategically important for trade. They enhance connectivity, such as the Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Chokepoints also play a vital role in energy security, like the Strait of Hormuz for global petroleum transport.

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The AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) evaluates nations on digital infrastructure, human capital, technological innovation, and legal frameworks. As of 2023, Singapore leads with a score of 0.80, indicating its strong commitment to AI integration. In contrast, India ranks 72nd with a score of 0.49, despite having a significant number of AI startups and user engagement. This index highlights the disparities in AI readiness between advanced and emerging economies.