Reports and Indices Current Affairs MCQs

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The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has updated its “Integrated Fire Management Voluntary Guidelines” to address modern climate challenges. The new guidelines emphasize combining scientific and traditional knowledge, including gender inclusion, to improve fire management and wildfire prevention. This update, building on guidelines from nearly 20 years ago, aims for global adoption and supports the Global Fire Management Hub established in May 2023 to enhance international fire management efforts.

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The India Rankings 2024 were released by the Union Education Minister, based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). IIT Madras ranked 1st in the Overall Category for the sixth year and in Engineering for the ninth year.
IISc Bengaluru topped the Universities Category for the ninth year and Research Institutions for the fourth year. IIM Ahmedabad ranked 1st in Management for the fifth year. AIIMS Delhi topped the Medical Category for the seventh year. Jamia Hamdard, Delhi, ranked 1st in Pharmacy. NLSIU Bengaluru retained 1st position in Law. NIRF was launched in 2015 and uses five broad parameters for ranking. The 2024 edition introduced three new categories: State Public Universities, Open Universities, and Skill Universities, and integrated “Innovation” rankings.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 25th issue of the ‘Women and Men in India 2023’ report, offering a comprehensive view of gender-related data. By 2036, India’s population is expected to reach 152.2 crore, with the female percentage increasing to 48.8%. The sex ratio is projected to rise from 943 (2011) to 952 (2036). The working-age population (15-59 years) is expected to grow from 60.7% to 64.9% by 2036. Life expectancy is projected to improve to 71.2 years for males and 74.7 years for females by 2031-36.

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The UN General Assembly recently launched the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) to help small island states and developing countries access low-interest financing. The MVI is a new international benchmark for measuring vulnerability and resilience in sustainable development at the national level. It complements traditional metrics like GDP by addressing the specific needs of countries with unique vulnerabilities that don’t qualify for low-interest financing based solely on GDP per capita. The UN is working with small island developing states (SIDS) to develop and implement the MVI.

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NITI Aayog recently released a “Pathways and Strategies for Accelerating Growth in Edible Oils towards Goal of Atma Nirbharta” report. The report reviews the current state of the sector, its potential, and strategies to address challenges. Nine major oilseed crops cover 14.3% of the cropped area, contributing 12-13% to dietary energy and 8% to agricultural exports. Soybean leads in production, followed by rapeseed-mustard and groundnut. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are the top producers, with Gujarat and Maharashtra also significant contributors. Rising consumption has led to increased imports, with palm oil making up 59% of imports. Oilseed production and yield have been growing, with projections to reach 43 MT by 2030 and 55 MT by 2047.

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The World Bank stated that India’s medium-term outlook remains positive despite challenging global conditions. India’s growth is expected to reach 7% in the financial year 2024-25 and stay strong in 2025-26 and 2026-27. The World Bank released a report ‘India Development Update: India’s Trade Opportunities in a Changing Global Context’ on 3 September 2024. With strong revenue growth and fiscal consolidation, the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to decrease from 83.9% in 2023-24 to 82% by 2026-27. The current account deficit is expected to remain around 1 to 1.6% of GDP until 2026-27. The World Bank emphasized the importance of trade for growth but noted that increased protectionism and barriers could limit trade opportunities.

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The Health Ministry released the “Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23” report, formerly known as Rural Health Statistics. India has 714 district hospitals and 362 medical colleges. Rural health facilities have increased from 2005 to 2023, with around 32,000 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) nationwide, 25,000 of which are in rural areas. Doctors and medical officers in PHCs increased from 20,000 to 32,000, but vacancies have nearly doubled. Many Sub-Centres (SCs) and Urban PHCs (U-PHCs) operate in rented buildings, with a 36% shortfall in U-PHCs as per urban population norms.

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International Rhino Foundation recently published the report named ‘State of the Rhino 2024’ report. It highlights positive trends for Greater One-Horned Rhinos. Their population has increased by 20% in the last decade, now exceeding 4,000. They are found in the Indo-Nepal Terai, northern West Bengal, and Assam. India has 3,262 Greater One-Horned Rhinos (2021), mostly in Assam. Over 90% of them are in Kaziranga National Park.

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Kerala secured the top spot in the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024 for the second consecutive year. The index was released during the FSSAI Global Food Regulators Summit 2024. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) releases this index annually since 2018-19. The SFSI aims to improve food safety standards in India. It evaluates states based on five metrics: data management, compliance, food testing, training, and consumer empowerment. In 2023, a new parameter, ‘Improvement in SFSI Rank,’ was added. The index promotes safe and nutritious food for the population.

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NITI Aayog released an Expert Group report titled ‘Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response —A Framework for Action’. The report offers a blueprint for rapid response to future public health emergencies. COVID-19 is not the last pandemic; 75% of future threats could be zoonotic. The report offers a 100-day response plan for pandemics, focusing on governance, data management, and partnerships. India’s efforts during COVID-19, like digital tools and R&D, were highlighted. The report recommends strengthening legislation, surveillance, and capacity-building. It involved consultations with over 60 experts and stakeholders. The framework aims to better prepare and manage future outbreaks effectively.