Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
In the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, nine of the top 10 Indian institutions — including seven IITs — saw a decline in ranks, while universities in China, Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia advanced. IIT Delhi remains India’s top-ranked institution at 59th, but dropped 15 places from last year’s 44th rank. IIT Bombay saw the sharpest fall, slipping 23 positions to rank 71, after leading among Indian institutions from 2021–2024. Chandigarh University was the only Indian institution to improve, rising from 120th to 109th rank. The University of Hong Kong topped the list globally, followed by Peking University (China) and National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) sharing third.

Notes:
Madurai drew public attention after Swachh Survekshan 2025 rankings went viral, labelling it among India’s dirtiest cities. As per the Swachh Survekshan 2025 report, Madurai in Tamil Nadu (TN) was ranked the dirtiest city among Indian cities with a population above 10 lakh. The city scored well in cleanliness of markets, water bodies, and residential zones but fared poorly in waste processing (4%), toilet cleanliness (3%), door-to-door collection (37%), segregation (26%), and dumpsite remediation (25%). Madurai generates 850–900 tonnes of waste daily, with 60% wet waste. 30 micro compost centres and a biogas plant at Vellakkal yard are being developed.

Notes:
The International Cryosphere Climate Initiative released the State of the Cryosphere Report 2025. The report covers five key cryosphere components: Ice Sheets, Mountain Glaciers and Snow, Polar Oceans, Sea Ice, and Permafrost. Greenland and Antarctic losses have quadrupled since the 1990s, causing sea-level rise that threatens infrastructure, homes, farmland, and livelihoods in coastal areas. Rising greenhouse gases weaken heat and carbon absorption and slow Antarctic Overturning Circulation (AOC) and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). 273 gigatons of ice lost per year (2000–2023), threatening water, food, and security for billions. Extent and thickness declined 40–60% since 1979, impacting Arctic amplification, species, weather, and ocean currents.

Notes:
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) retained its position as India’s most sustainable university in the QS University Sustainability Rankings 2026, securing rank 205 with a score of 83.1. It was followed by IIT Bombay (235) and IIT Kharagpur (236). IIT Delhi also entered the top 100 globally for employability, ranking 93rd, while IIT Kharagpur ranked 96th. India now has 103 universities in the rankings, with 32 improving their positions. Six IITs showed major progress since the ranking began.

Notes:
NITI Aayog has released a Report on Water Budgeting for Aspiration Blocks, highlighting the need for efficient planning of water use in the recent context. Water budgeting gives a clear picture of how much water is available from all sources and how it is being used. It helps identify areas where there is water shortage or surplus to ensure better planning. It highlights the demand–supply gap in water and supports long-term water security. It promotes Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) for sustainable use of water. Water budgeting is a key activity under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which aims to improve groundwater management.

Notes:
World Urbanisation Prospects 2025 Report was released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Cities now host 45% of the global population, estimated at around 8.2 billion. The number of megacities has increased from eight in 1975 to thirty-three in 2025, where a megacity means a city with more than ten million people. Jakarta (Indonesia) is now the world’s most populous city, followed by Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tokyo (Japan) and New Delhi. India has 44% of its population living in towns, showing rapid urban growth. India, along with six other countries, is projected to add over 500 million new urban residents between 2025 and 2050.

Notes:
2025 Commitment to Development Index (CDI) shows countries are giving less finance for international development in a globally interconnected world. The index is published by the Centre for Global Development (CGD) based in Washington DC and London. CDI evaluates countries on eight components including development finance investment migration trade and global public goods in environment health security and technology. Sweden ranks 1st overall for the second time with top performance in environment and strong results in development finance and health. Germany ranks 2nd and Norway ranks 3rd followed by Finland and United Kingdom in the top five. India ranks 36th overall with 8th rank in environment due to low emissions per capita. India needs major improvement in trade development finance investment migration and security where it ranks among the lowest performers

Notes:
The warning was released in the United Nations 2025 Asia-Pacific Disaster Report by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Cities like Delhi, Karachi, Shanghai, Dhaka, Manila, and Seoul may face an extra 2 to 7 degree Celsius rise due to the urban heat island effect. Even if global warming is limited to 1.5–2 degree Celsius, city temperatures will rise much higher locally. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh may face over 300 days above 35 degree Celsius heat index each year. A heat index above 41 degree Celsius poses extreme danger of heat stroke. The April–May 2024 Bangladesh heatwave affected 33 million people, while India lost about 700 lives.

Notes:
India secured third rank as a major power in the Asia Power Index by the Lowy Institute based on overall national power. United States and China retained the first and second superpower positions. India improved from a middle power score of 38.1 in 2024 to 40 out of 100 this year. It ranked ahead of Japan and Russia. The rise is linked to economic and military strength, and strong performance in Operation Sindoor. The Central Industrial Security Force stopped a Pakistan-backed attack on the Uri Hydropower Plant. Economic ranking rose due to higher foreign investment and better global connectivity.

Notes:
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) publishes The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW) 2025 every two years. SOLAW 2025 highlights the untapped potential of land, soil, and water to improve sustainable agricultural production, food security, ecosystem services, and resilience. By 2050, agriculture must produce 50% more food, feed, and fibre compared to 2012 and use 25% more freshwater, while expanding farmland is no longer feasible. More than 60% of human-induced land degradation occurs on agricultural lands. Agriculture accounts for more than 70% of global freshwater withdrawal. Intensive farming and excessive chemical use cause pollution and depletion of soil, land, and water resources.