Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the SDG National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2026 and related publications on the 20th Statistics Day. The National Indicator Framework (NIF) 2026 contains 277 indicators to monitor India’s progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Social protection coverage increased from 22% (2016) to 65.3% (2026). Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 122 to 87 per 1 lakh live births. Sex Ratio at Birth improved from 896 to 918 females per 1,000 males, while the female-to-male ratio among professionals rose to 51.3%. Unemployment rate declined from 6.1% (2017–18) to 3.1% (2025).

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The World Bank Group (specifically through its Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership) released the “2026 Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report”. These countries include Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, and the United States. Global gas flaring increased for the third consecutive year, reaching 167 billion cubic metres in 2025. Gas flaring produces large emissions, contributing about 429 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, including methane emissions. The process involves burning associated natural gas during oil extraction instead of using it productively.

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According to the AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education) 2023–24 report, Tamil Nadu retained the highest Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education among all states. Tamil Nadu recorded a GER of 52.3%, crossing the 50% mark for the first time, with an increase of 3.2 percentage points over the previous year. Around 35.8 lakh out of 68.4 lakh youth (18–23 years) in the state were enrolled in higher education. The female GER (53.1%) was slightly higher than the male GER (51.6%). The state had 2,983 colleges in 2023–24, an increase of 70 colleges over the previous year. Undergraduate enrolment increased by 1 lakh, reaching 25.4 lakh students.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) jointly released the Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, along with the first-ever global survey of people affected by cancer. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death globally, after cardiovascular disease, causing over 26,000 deaths daily, with 20.6 million new cases and around 10 million deaths recorded in 2024. Asia accounted for 50.7% of global cancer cases and 56.5% of cancer deaths in 2024. In India, cancer cases increased by 36% and cancer-related deaths by 30% between 2012 and 2022. Among Indian women, breast and cervical cancers are the most common, while lung and oral cavity cancers are the leading cancers among Indian men.

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The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) released the Global Mining and Metals Water Dataset, highlighting increasing water-related risks for mining operations worldwide. It is the first global study to assess water risks across the mining and metals sector. The report analysed around 12,000 mining and metal-processing facilities across 148 countries/regions. Nearly two-thirds of mining and metal-processing facilities are exposed to high physical water risk. Around 38% of facilities are located in areas facing high water stress or arid conditions. About 27% of global sites are at high drought risk, with the highest exposure seen in Africa and the Middle East.

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The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026 rankings have been released. The EPI 2026 ranks 177 countries on environmental sustainability. It is developed by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, CIESIN (Columbia University), and the Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions. The index evaluates 47 indicators under 12 environmental issue categories. It measures performance in climate change, ecosystem vitality, and environmental public health. Estonia ranked 1st with a score of 74.79. India ranked 176th out of 177 countries, with a score of 22.46. Laos ranked last (177th) in the index.

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Punjab secured the top rank in NITI Aayog’s School Education Quality Index (SEQI) 2026. SEQI (School Education Quality Index) is a composite index developed by NITI Aayog to assess the performance of school education across States and Union Territories. The index evaluates parameters such as learning outcomes, access, equity, infrastructure, and governance. Punjab improved significantly from 27th rank in the 2020 edition to 1st rank in 2026, driven by improved learning outcomes and education reforms.

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NITI Aayog released the report “Key Sectors to Position India as a Global Manufacturing Hub” on August 13, 2026. The report identifies four high-potential manufacturing sectors: chemicals, textiles, telecom & networking equipment and solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. It assesses sectors based on market potential, competitiveness, infrastructure, technology readiness, employment potential and value-chain position. The report aims to strengthen domestic value addition, exports, competitiveness and India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

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The International Labour Organization (ILO) released the Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026: Back to the Future report on 11 August 2026. The report warns that global youth unemployment is rising again after reaching a two-decade low in 2023. The global youth unemployment rate increased to 12.4% in 2025, leaving around 67 million young people aged 15–24 unemployed. The Arab States (26.2%) and North Africa (22.6%) recorded the highest youth unemployment rates globally. In developing economies, nearly 9 out of 10 young workers in low- and lower-middle-income countries are engaged in informal employment. The ILO recommends policies focused on job creation, education and skills, school-to-work transitions, social protection and inclusion.

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Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), released the “National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).” The report compiles nearly four decades of oceanographic research and three decades of systematic surveys across India’s 2.37 million sq km EEZ. It draws on 400+ oceanographic cruises, including expeditions aboard FORV Sagar Sampada. It assesses mesopelagic (200–1,000 m) resources, demersal resources and distant-water species such as tunas, sharks, billfishes and Antarctic krill.