Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the report “Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking.” The Devolution Index analyzes decentralization progress across States and Union Territories. Top five states are Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh improved from 15th to 5th due to enhanced accountability, transparency initiatives, and anti-corruption measures.

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The “World Social Protection Report 2024-26” has been published by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26 states that India’s social protection coverage (excluding health) increased from 24% in 2021 to 49% in 2024. Social protection supports people facing risks like unemployment, disability, and poverty. It ensures security for children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It helps in tackling poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. It aids climate adaptation and promotes sustainable economic practices. It also facilitates the transition to greener jobs.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 2nd edition of the Time Use Survey (TUS) 2024. The National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI conducted the first all-India TUS in 2019. The latest survey was conducted from January to December 2024. It analyzes how Indians allocate time to employment, caregiving, and leisure. A key finding is the rise in women’s participation in paid jobs, shifting from unpaid domestic work. This trend reflects economic and social changes, impacting India’s labor market dynamics.

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World Health Organization (WHO) released the report titled “Compassion and Primary Health Care”. The report highlights compassion as a key factor in transforming health care. Compassion improves patient recovery rates, mental well-being, and doctor-patient relationships, while reducing burnout among healthcare workers. Research shows compassionate care leads to faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. A study from Johns Hopkins Hospital found that a 40-second compassionate conversation helps reduce patient anxiety and speeds recovery, especially in cancer patients. For healthcare providers, compassionate care reduces stress and enhances job satisfaction and patient relationships.

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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released the report “Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well” at the ‘Nutrition for Growth’ event in France on March 27-28, 2025. The report highlights poor nutritional quality in school meals and urges governments to improve food standards. In 2024, 47% of primary school students received school meals, but many lacked proper nutrition. In 2022, 27% of school meals were not designed with nutritionist input. Out of 187 countries, only 93 had school food policies, and 65% had cafeteria food standards. Childhood obesity has more than doubled since 1990, while food insecurity remains a challenge. UNESCO recommends fresh, locally sourced food over ultra-processed options.

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The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) released a report titled “How Does Climate Change Impact Women and Children Across Agroecological Zones”. The report shows that women and children face a higher risk of death during disasters than men due to existing social roles and responsibilities. It highlights the urgent need for gender-disaggregated data to create better disaster response and climate policies. India has 20 agroecological zones with varied climates, which affect the level of vulnerability differently across regions. States like Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh have five agroecosystems each, while zones like the North Eastern Hills (Region 17) and Western Coastal Plains (Region 19) span multiple states. This overlap calls for coordinated climate adaptation strategies across states for better protection of women and children.

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India ranked 10th globally in private investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2023, as per the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report. The report was released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It focuses on key science, technology, and innovation issues relevant to developing countries, offering practical policy insights. The 2025 report is titled “Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for Development.” It aims to help governments understand the AI landscape and create inclusive policies for fair and balanced tech progress across society.

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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”. The report gives gender-based data on population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making using official sources. Gender Parity Index (GPI) remains high in primary and higher secondary levels, while upper primary and elementary levels show near parity. Labour Participation Rate (LPFR) for ages 15+ improved from 49.8% in 2017–18 to 60.1% in 2023–24. Women own 39.2% of bank accounts and contribute 39.7% of deposits; rural women hold 42.2% of all accounts. DEMAT accounts grew from 33.26 million in 2021 to 143.02 million in 2024, showing rising stock market participation. Female DEMAT accounts increased from 6.67 million to 27.71 million, while male accounts rose from 26.59 million to 115.31 million. There is a steady rise in female-headed proprietary establishments in manufacturing, trade, and services. In 2024, female voter turnout surpassed male turnout, narrowing the gender gap in voting.

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In the India Skills Report 2025, Uttar Pradesh ranked first in mathematical skills and computer proficiency. 80% of youth across India are skilled in maths and computers, with Uttar Pradesh ahead of Andhra Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh also topped in critical thinking, followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In English proficiency, Maharashtra is first, Karnataka second, and Uttar Pradesh third. These results are based on the Global Employability Test (GATE), which assesses job-ready skills worldwide. In total employment, Maharashtra ranks first (84%), followed by Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh (70%).

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently released its “World Economic Outlook (WEO): A Critical Juncture Among Policy Shift” report. The report cuts the global growth forecast to 2.8% and India’s to 6.2% from the earlier January 2025 update. This downgrade is due to global trade tensions and policy uncertainty. The report highlights rapid population ageing as a key concern for economies worldwide.