Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its biannual Financial Stability Report (FSR), focusing on the health and resilience of the Indian financial system. The RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) highlights improvements in the banking sector’s asset quality and resilience. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) achieved a 12-year low Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio of 2.6% by September 2024. The Provisioning Coverage Ratio (PCR) rose to 77%, mainly due to proactive provisioning by Public Sector Banks (PSBs). The slippage ratio increased slightly to 0.7%, showing controlled NPA growth. Household debt in India reached 42.9% of GDP by June 2024, rising gradually. India’s Real GDP growth is projected at 6.6% for 2024-25, supported by rural consumption, government investments, and services exports.

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Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) released a report titled “Comparative Study of School Education System” (SES). The report analyzes India’s school education system in comparison with countries like the USA, UK, China, Sweden, and Australia. It focuses on various aspects, including education structures, teaching methods, funding, assessments, and equity measures. India spends only 2.7-2.9% of GDP on education, stagnating over six years, while global benchmarks suggest 5-7%. Developed countries like Sweden allocate 6.7-6.9% and the UK 5.3-5.6%, while developing nations like Indonesia and Thailand allocate 3.7-4.3% and 4.0-4.3%, respectively. Australia increased education spending by 8%, and China by 2.4%, highlighting India’s underinvestment. The study calls for raising India’s education spending to 6% of GDP and implementing NEP 2020 reforms, focusing on vocational and digital education.

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The Union Minister of Jal Shakti released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for 2024. The total annual groundwater recharge in India is 446.90 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM), with 406.19 BCM being extractable. The country’s groundwater extraction is 245.64 BCM, with an average extraction rate of 60.47%. Out of 6746 assessment units, 73.4% are categorized as ‘Safe’, while 11.1% are ‘Over-exploited’. Groundwater recharge has increased by 15 BCM since 2017, and extraction has decreased by 3 BCM. Recharge from tanks, ponds, and water conservation structures has significantly improved.

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The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts AI, big data, and security management specialists as the fastest-growing jobs. The report is based on data from over 1,000 global companies, covering 14 million workers in 22 sectors across 55 economies. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 was published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). By 2030, 170 million new jobs will be created, but 92 million jobs will be displaced, leading to a net increase of 78 million jobs. Drivers of change include technology, digital access, economic shifts, green transition, and demographic trends. Fastest-growing roles include FinTech engineers, software developers, and autonomous vehicle specialists. India focuses on AI, robotics, energy technologies, and semiconductors, with AI adoption surpassing the global average.

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The World Economic Forum released the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 report in collaboration with Accenture. It highlights how geopolitical tensions, emerging technologies, and cybercrime sophistication are reshaping cybersecurity. Geopolitical conflicts, like the Ukraine war, increase vulnerabilities in critical sectors such as energy and nuclear power. Two-thirds of organizations expect AI to impact cybersecurity, but only one-third have tools to manage AI-related risks. The cybersecurity workforce faces a 4.8 million professional gap, with only 14% of organizations having skilled teams. Supply chain complexities and third-party vulnerabilities hinder cyber resilience for over 50% of organizations. Generative AI is being used for advanced phishing and social engineering, with 42% of organizations facing such attacks in 2024.

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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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International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released the World Employment and Social Outlook Report for 2025. The report highlights ongoing global labor market struggles due to geopolitical tensions, climate change costs, and unresolved debt issues. The global jobs gap in 2024 was 402 million, including 186 million unemployed, 137 million temporarily unavailable, and 79 million discouraged workers. The global unemployment rate stood at 5%, with youth unemployment at 12.6%. Low-income countries face challenges creating decent jobs, with informal work returning to pre-pandemic levels. Labour force participation declined in low-income nations but increased among older workers and women in high-income countries, though gender gaps persist.

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) released a report titled “Embracing the Quantum Economy: A Pathway for Business Leaders.” The report highlights the economic potential of quantum technologies and their transformative impact. WEF’s Quantum Economy Network (QEN) helps stakeholders prepare for the economic influence of quantum advancements.

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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.