Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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India ranks second after the US in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025 for job market preparedness in AI, digital, and green sectors. India scores highly in the “Future of Work” indicator, trailing the US by less than a point. The country excels in readiness for digital roles alongside Mexico. However, India faces challenges in its higher education system, industry collaboration, and equipping graduates with in-demand skills. Despite strong GDP growth and a youthful population, India lags in sustainability and innovation metrics. To unlock potential, India needs better integration between education and industry.

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report “Prospects for Children in 2025” warns of escalating crises affecting children globally. More than 473 million children, or 19%, lived in conflict zones in 2023, facing risks like displacement, starvation, and trauma. Nearly 400 million children are in countries burdened by debt, limiting education, healthcare, and social services. In low-income nations, debt servicing outpaces social spending, deepening poverty for 1.8 billion children. Climate change impacts children, with only 2.4% of climate finance directed to child-responsive initiatives. Digital inequality affects access to essential services, especially for youth in low-income countries and adolescent girls. UNICEF calls for increased financing to protect children’s health, education, and well-being.

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The World Economic Forum released the Global Risk Report, first published in 2006, categorizing extreme weather as an “environmental risk.” The 2024-2025 report is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) and assesses risks over short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10 years) periods. Short-term risks include misinformation, extreme weather events, and state-based armed conflict. Long-term risks include extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and critical earth system changes. Four key spheres shaping global risks are technological, geostrategic, climatic, and demographic, expected to intensify. The report highlights addressing short-lived climate pollutants like black carbon, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons.

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The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects Report highlights the rising influence of Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs), led by China, India, and Brazil. EMDEs have significantly increased their global economic share from 2000 to 2025, with India maintaining leadership as the fastest-growing economy. India’s growth rate is projected at 6.7% annually for FY26–FY27, driven by robust services and manufacturing sectors. Services expansion and increased exports are enhancing South Asia’s trade integration, while manufacturing benefits from improved logistics and tax reforms. Private consumption is rising due to a strong labor market, better credit access, and declining inflation.

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey Health Institute released the “Blueprint to Close the Women’s Health Gap” report. A WEF report highlights that addressing women-specific health issues could boost global GDP by $400 billion annually by 2040. Women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to men. Nine key health conditions affect women’s lifespan and health span, including maternal disorders, heart disease, cancer, menopause, and migraines. The Women’s Health Impact Tracking (WHIT) platform measures health disparities and promotes solutions. The report urges better data collection, increased research, tailored healthcare guidelines, and investment in women’s health to reduce disparities and improve outcomes, especially in low-income regions.

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India has been ranked as the 4th most powerful military in the world according to the Global Firepower Index 2025. The top 3 countries are United States of America, Russia and China. Bhutan ranked lowest at 145th, while Pakistan dropped from 9th to 12th position. The top four countries’ rankings remain unchanged from 2024. The Global Firepower Index compares 145 countries military power based on their war-making capabilities and excludes a country’s nuclear weapon capability.

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the “Navigating Global Financial System Fragmentation” report, urging policymakers to promote an integrated financial system. Fragmentation of Global Financial Systems (GFS) refers to differences in asset prices or capital movement across borders, leading to increased tariffs, sanctions, and export controls. The World Economic Forum’s report highlights that geopolitical actions, such as sanctions and industrial policies, are driving this fragmentation. The impact could reduce trade, cross-border capital flows, and economic efficiencies, and increase global inflation by over 5% in extreme cases.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Payment System Report for December 2024, analyzing payment transaction trends over the last five years. Digital payment transactions increased 94 times in volume and 3.5 times in value since 2013. UPI transactions saw a 74.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in volume and 68.14% CAGR in value over the last five years. Credit card numbers doubled, while debit cards remained stable. India joined Project Nexus for cross-border retail payments linking ASEAN nations with India. Payment systems in India facilitate monetary and financial transaction settlements.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released findings from the second Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES). The survey collects data on household spending on goods and services. It helps assess economic well-being, update the Consumer Price Index, and measure poverty and inequality. The Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) is the main indicator for analysis. Urban-rural consumption differences declined in 2023-24 across major states. MPCE increased for all household types in both rural and urban areas. Kerala has the lowest urban-rural MPCE gap, followed by Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. Consumption inequality declined across almost all major states. The Gini coefficient fell to 0.237 (rural) and 0.284 (urban) in 2023-24.

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The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the “India Gas Market Report: Outlook to 2030.” India aims to increase natural gas share in its energy mix from 6% to 15% by 2030. Gas consumption will grow by 60%, with the City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector driving demand. CGD supplies natural gas to households, industries, and other sectors through pipelines. India produced 35 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in 2023, with the Krishna-Godavari deepwater fields contributing 25%. India is the world’s fourth-largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importer, with imports set to more than double by 2030. Compressed Biogas (CBG) potential remains largely untapped, with current capacity below 1%.