Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, NITI Aayog released the third edition of its quarterly insights series, Future Front, titled India’s Data Imperative: The Pivot Towards Quality, in New Delhi. The report highlights the urgent need to improve data quality for stronger digital governance, better public trust, and efficient service delivery. It discusses the major issues caused by poor data quality and suggests simple and practical tools to improve it.

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Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Financial Stability Report for June 2025. The Financial Stability Report is a twice-yearly report by the Reserve Bank of India. It shows the joint assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council on risks to financial stability and the strength of the Indian financial system. The report highlights that India continues to drive global growth due to solid economic fundamentals and wise policies. Risks include geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and weather-related uncertainties.

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Recently, the National Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, released the “Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011–12 to 2023–24)” on its website. The report covers Crop, Livestock, Forestry and Logging, Fishing and Aquaculture data at current and constant prices. Gross Value Added of agriculture rose by 225% from ₹1,502 thousand crore in 2011-12 to ₹4,878 thousand crore in 2023-24. Gross Value of Output grew 54.6% at constant prices from ₹1,908 thousand crore to ₹2,949 thousand crore in this period. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, and Haryana contributed 53% of cereals GVO.

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Recently, NITI Aayog released the report “Chemical Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains.” It highlights India’s chemical sector potential but notes challenges like infrastructure gaps, regulatory delays, and 30% skill shortfall. India has a 3.5% share in global chemical value chains with a trade deficit of USD 31 billion in 2023. The report proposes world-class chemical hubs, better port infrastructure, and an operating expense subsidy scheme. It suggests boosting research and development, fast-tracking environmental clearance, and leveraging Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

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On July 15, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that South Asia achieved its highest-ever child immunization coverage in 2024.. India reduced zero-dose children (no vaccine received) by 43%, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024. Nepal cut zero-dose children by 52%, from 23,000 to 11,000. Pakistan achieved its highest Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis third-dose (DTP3) coverage at 87%. Afghanistan recorded the lowest regional coverage with a 1% drop.

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The United Nations has released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report 2025. Five key goals — SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG6 (Clean Water), SDG8 (Decent Work), and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities) — are worst hit, with 50–57% of targets off-track. Global hunger affects 713–757 million people, worsened by conflict, climate change, and economic shocks. Food insecurity affected 2.33 billion people in 2023 — 383 million more than in 2019. SDG8 sees half of its indicators declining, with 57.8% of global workforce in informal jobs and youth unemployment at 12.9%. SDG14 (Life Below Water) is least funded and shows 40% decline in key targets. SDG3 (Good Health) shows stagnation in maternal health and universal coverage, with post-COVID strain persisting.

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On July 17, 2025, the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards were announced by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Indore retained its top spot as the cleanest city for the 8th time in a row under the ‘Super Swachh League’ category. Surat and Navi Mumbai secured the second and third ranks respectively in the same category. In the new ‘Swachh Shahar’ category for cities with over 10 lakh population, Ahmedabad ranked first, followed by Bhopal and Lucknow. Noida was ranked cleanest among cities with 3 to 10 lakh population, followed by Chandigarh and Mysore.

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India ranked 67th in the Numbeo Safety Index mid-2025 with a score of 55.8. Mangalore emerged as India’s safest city, ranked 49th globally with a safety index score of 74.2. Gujarat’s Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Surat followed with scores of 69.2, 68.2, and 66.6 respectively. New Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad were among India’s most unsafe cities with high crime index scores of 59.03, 55.1, and 58.44. Rankings were based on public perceptions of crimes like robbery, assault, harassment, and vandalism. Globally, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, led for the ninth year with a score of 88.8.

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The global economy is changing due to geopolitical tensions and financial volatility. Nations are redefining competition based on growth, stability, and adaptability. The latest International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) shows developed economies facing challenges. Switzerland remains the most competitive economy globally with strengths in economic, business, and governance factors. Singapore ranks second, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is third. India dropped to 41st place in 2025 from 39th in 2024. India performs well in economic performance and business efficiency.

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Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-Madras) ranked first in the overall National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, secured second position, followed by IIT-Mumbai at third. IIT-Madras also topped in Innovation and Best Engineering Institution categories. IISc Bengaluru was ranked as the Best University, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Rankings cover 17 categories based on teaching, research, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception. The NIRF 2025 reflects stable growth in India’s higher education sector with emphasis on transparency and quality.