Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The World Malaria Report 2024 is an annual publication by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It evaluates global progress and identifies gaps in the fight against malaria. Malaria cases in India dropped 69%, from 6.4 million in 2017 to 2 million in 2023, and deaths decreased by 68%, from 11,100 to 3,500. Globally, there were 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths in 2023. Africa accounted for 94% of global cases and 95% of deaths, with children under 5 making up 76% of deaths. The WHO South-East Asia Region saw an 82.4% reduction in malaria cases since 2000.

Notes:
The Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024 was released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The report highlights rising child trafficking, forced labor, and forced criminality due to poverty, conflict, and climate crises. Trafficking victims detected globally increased by 25% in 2022 compared to 2019. Child trafficking rose by 31%, with a 38% increase in girl victims, especially in high-income countries for sexual exploitation. Women and girls made up 61% of all trafficking victims in 2022, with 60% of girls trafficked for sexual exploitation. Trafficking for forced criminality, including online scams, rose to 8% of victims in 2022. Africa accounts for the most detailed trafficking data, with children often trafficked for forced labor and begging. The report, covering 156 countries, offers global insights and policy recommendations to combat trafficking effectively.

Notes:
International Energy Agency (IEA) published the ‘Coal 2024: Analysis and Forecast to 2027’ Report. The report forecasts global coal demand, supply, and trade trends until 2027. Coal demand is shrinking in advanced economies but rising in emerging economies like India, China, and Indonesia. India is projected to see the highest coal demand growth, driven by increased power needs due to economic growth. Global coal production is expected to hit a record high in 2024 and then stabilize through 2027. India is the largest contributor to global coal production growth, with production exceeding 1 billion tonnes for the first time in 2023. Indian coal production grew by 10% in 2023 and is expected to rise by 8% in 2024.

Notes:
NITI Aayog released a report “S.A.F.E. Accommodation – Worker Housing for manufacturing growth”. The report highlights the need for secure, affordable, flexible, and efficient housing for industrial workers to boost India’s manufacturing sector. The Union Budget 2024-25 proposes rental housing with dormitory-style accommodations for workers under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and industry commitments. India aims to raise the manufacturing sector’s GDP share from 17% to 25% by 2047, aligning with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals. The S.A.F.E. initiative seeks to align regulations and finances for sustainable housing, boosting workforce stability, productivity, and global investments.

Notes:
The Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023’ (ISFR 2023) at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. The report, published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987, assesses forest and tree resources using satellite data and National Forest Inventory (NFI). India’s forest and tree cover is 8,27,357 sq km (25.17% of the country’s area), with forest cover at 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) and tree cover at 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%). There is an increase in forest and tree cover, with states like Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha showing significant growth. Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra have the largest forest and tree covers. Lakshadweep has the highest forest cover percentage (91.33%). 19 states/UTs have over 33% forest cover, with eight exceeding 75%. Mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km, and bamboo-bearing areas have increased. India’s carbon stock reached 30.43 billion tonnes, surpassing its 2030 carbon sink target.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
India’s passport ranking has dropped to 85th in the Henley Passport Index 2025, down from 80th in 2024. The index evaluates passports based on visa-free access to global destinations. India now allows visa-free travel to 57 countries. The top-ranking passport belongs to Singapore, which offers access to 195 destinations. Over the past two decades, India’s ranking has fluctuated significantly, peaking at 71st in 2006. The index relies on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to assess travel access.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.