Indexes and Reports MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Indexes and Reports - Download Free PDF

The Correct Answer is ​One out of four.

Key Points

• Only 1 out of 4 banks using AI for competitive advantage: BCG report.

Key Points 

• Only 1 in 4 banks globally are using AI tools for competitive advantage, per BCG.

• The report is titled "The AI Reckoning in Banking".

• It emphasizes that AI—especially generative and agentic AI—is reshaping the banking sector.

• Generative AI includes tools like ChatGPT, which can create content, assist with customer service, etc.

• Agentic AI refers to AI that can make autonomous decisions or take action based on goals.

• Key impact areas in banking include:

  • Risk assessment

  • Fraud detection

  • Personalized customer experiences

  • Operational efficiency

• The report signals an urgent need for banks to adopt AI or risk falling behind.

The correct answer is Gujarat

In News

• The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has achieved 6.85 lakh installations as of December 2024, surpassing 86% of the previous decade’s total installations.

Key Points

• Launched on February 15, 2024, the scheme targets 10 million rooftop solar installations by March 2027.
• Installation milestones include 1 million by March 2025, 2 million by October 2025, and 4 million by March 2026.
• 77% of installations are in the 3-5 kW load segment, with 14% in the higher-than-5 kW segment.
• Gujarat leads with over 3,02,000 installations, followed by Maharashtra (1,39,000) and Uttar Pradesh (56,000). Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan contribute 55,000, 21,000, and 20,000 installations, respectively.
• Six states account for 88% of the total installations under the scheme.
• The program provides up to 40% subsidy and offers low-interest loans to encourage rooftop solar adoption.
• It aims to add 30 GW of solar capacity, saving the government Rs 750 billion annually in electricity costs.
• Over a 25-year lifespan, rooftop solar installations are expected to generate 1,000 billion units of electricity and reduce 720 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
• More than 538,000 residential units and 141,000 homes in residential welfare associations have benefited so far.
• The initiative is set to become the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar program, contributing significantly to India’s renewable energy goals.

The incorrect statement is in Option 3, which is India ranks higher than Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka in the 2025 index.​

• Option 1 is correct: India improved its rank to 151st in 2025 from 159th in 2024.
• Option 2 is correct: Norway topped the World Press Freedom Index in 2025.
• Option 3 is incorrect: India ranks lower than Nepal (90th), Maldives (104th), and Sri Lanka (139th).
• Option 4 is correct: The report highlights worsening global press freedom, with significant restrictions affecting over half the world’s population.

In News

• India’s position improved slightly in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index but remains in the “very serious” category for press freedom challenges.

Key Points

• ​India ranks 151st out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), improving by 8 places from 159th in 2024.
• Score: India scored 32.96 in the 2025 report.
• Trend: India’s ranking has declined significantly over the past two decades, from 80th in 2002 to 151st, with a notable drop from 140th in 2019.
• Challenges: Despite the improvement, India remains in the "very serious" category for press freedom, facing issues like media monopolization, political and economic pressures on journalists, misuse of sedition laws, and censorship on digital platforms.
• Regional Comparison: India ranks lower than several neighbors like Nepal (90th), Maldives (104th), Sri Lanka (139th), and Bangladesh (149th), but ahead of Pakistan (158th), Myanmar (169th), Afghanistan (175th), and China (178th).
• Global Context: Norway tops the index with a score of 92.31, while countries with the worst press freedom include Eritrea (180th), North Korea (179th), China (178th), Syria (177th), and Iran (176th).
• Global Concerns: The RSF 2025 report highlights the "difficult" global press freedom situation for the first time in history, emphasizing threats like economic fragility and politically connected funding undermining editorial independence. Over half the world’s population lives in countries with severely restricted press freedom.

The incorrect statements are in Option 3: Statements 1 and 3 only.

• Statement 1 is correct: India ranked 130th and falls under the "medium human development" category with an HDI of 0.685.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Finland, Sweden, and Norway are not among the top three countries in the HDI rankings. Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are the top three countries in the HDI rankings.
• Statement 3 is correct: South Sudan is ranked last at 193rd place with the lowest HDI value of 0.388.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: The actual title of the 2025 report is “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI.”

In News

• India improved its HDI ranking to 130th in the 2025 UNDP Human Development Report amid growing global challenges.

Key Points

• India’s Ranking & HDI Score:
  • India ranked 130th out of 193 countries, improving from 133rd in 2022.
  • HDI value rose from 0.676 (2022) to 0.685 (2023), still in the "medium human development" category but closer to the "high human development" threshold (0.700).
• Key Progress Factors:
  • Life Expectancy: Increased from 58.6 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2023.
  • Education: Mean years of schooling rose from 8.2 years in 1990 to 13 years in 2023, driven by policies like the Right to Education Act and National Education Policy 2020.
  • Income: Gross National Income (GNI) per capita grew over fourfold since 1990, reaching $9,046 in 2023, contributing to poverty reduction.
  • Gender Inequality: Ranked 102nd on the Gender Inequality Index (GII), with persistent challenges in female labor force participation, political representation, and reproductive health.
• Challenges:
  • Income Inequality: Reduces India's HDI by 30.7%, one of the highest regional losses.
  • Gender Gap: Ongoing issues in female workforce participation and political empowerment despite reforms.
• Regional Comparison:
  • India ranks below neighbors like China (75th), Sri Lanka (78th), and Bhutan (127th), tied with Bangladesh (130th), and ahead of Nepal (145th), Myanmar (149th), and Pakistan (168th).
• Global Ranking & Context:
  • Iceland leads the HDI rankings with a value of 0.972, followed by Norway and Switzerland. 
  • South Sudan is ranked last (193rd) with an HDI of 0.388.

Additional Information

• Thematic Focus of HDR 2025:
  • The report, titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI”, emphasizes the role of AI in shaping future human development and the need for inclusive and equitable policies.
• Global Highlights from the 2025 Human Development Report:
  • Stalled Progress: The global HDI saw its smallest increase since 1990.
  • Widening Inequality: High-HDI countries progress, while low-HDI countries stagnate.
  • AI and the Future of Work: While 60% believe AI will create new jobs, 50% fear job displacement.

The incorrect option is Option 2: The highest MMR among Indian states is reported in Karnataka, which has a ratio of 175.

• Explanation: Karnataka is actually one of the best performers with the lowest MMR among major states, recorded at 63.

In News

• India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio continues to decline significantly, showcasing progress in maternal healthcare and policy impact.

Key Points

• India’s MMR declined to 93 per 100,000 live births during 2019–21, meeting the National Health Policy target ahead of time.
• States like Madhya Pradesh and Assam report higher MMRs, while Karnataka has the lowest among major states.
• India’s MMR reduction of 86% since 1990 surpasses the global average decline of 48%.
• Government schemes and improved healthcare infrastructure have played key roles in this progress.

Additional Information

• Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births; a key indicator of maternal health.
• National Health Policy (NHP) Target: Aims to reduce MMR below 100 per 100,000 live births by 2020.
• State Disparities: Regional differences in MMR reflect varying healthcare access and socio-economic factors.
• UN SDG Goal: India is progressing towards reducing MMR below 70 by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals framework.

Important Points

• State-wise and Demographic Insights:
  • States with High MMR: Madhya Pradesh (175), Assam (167), Uttar Pradesh (151), Odisha (135), Chhattisgarh (132), West Bengal (109), and Haryana (106) continue to report higher-than-average MMRs.
  • Best Performers: Karnataka’s MMR has reduced to 63, the lowest among major Indian states.
  • Age Groups: The highest MMR is observed in the 20–29 age group, followed by 30–34 years.
• Global Context: The global MMR fell by about 40% from 2000 to 2023, while India’s reduction is notably sharper.

The correct answer is New Zealand.

Key Points

• The Human Freedom Index 2020, a worldwide ranking of civil, economic, and personal freedom, placed India at the 111th spot out of 162 countries.
• Human Freedom Index was published by American think tank Cato Institute and Fraser Institute in Canada.
• India ranked 94 on the index in the year 2019.
• India ranked 111th is ahead of China and Bangladesh, which ranked 129 and 139 on the 2020 index respectively.
• New Zealand, Switzerland, and Hong Kong bagged the first three spots.
• New Zealand:
  • Capital - Wellington.
  • Currency - New Zealand dollar.
  • Prime Minister - Jacinda Ardern.
  • National Sport - Rugby.

The correct answer is Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points

• Home Minister Amit Shah released the first ‘District Good Governance Index’ for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on 22 January 2022.
• The Jammu district has emerged on top, while the Srinagar district has come at the fifth position.
• The index has been prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in collaboration with the government of Jammu and Kashmir.

Important Points

• The erstwhile state of J&K was split into two Union Territories in 2019 and the Centre took direct charge.
• The 20 districts in the UT of J&K were assessed now in 10 sectors.
• Jammu district was followed by the Doda and Samba districts of the Jammu Division.
• This was followed by the Pulwama district of the Srinagar Division at the fourth spot.
• The district of Rajouri finished at the last spot, while Poonch and Shopian districts also featured towards the end of the rankings.
• The 20 districts were also separately ranked under the various sectors.
• Jammu district ranked best on ‘Commerce and Industry sector, while Srinagar district ranked best on the ‘Public Infrastructure and Utilities’ sector.

Additional Information

• Jammu and Kashmir:
  • Number of Districts - 20.
  • Dams - Baglihar Dam (Chenab River), Dulhasti Dam (Chenab River), Uri-II Dam (Jhelum River).
  • National Parks - Dachigam National Park, Salim Ali National Park, Kazinag National Park, Kishtwar High Altitude National Park.

The correct answer is UNDP.

• The Human Development Index (HDI) is an index that is published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• It measures key dimensions of human development. The three key dimensions are - 
  • A long and healthy life
  • Access to education
  • A decent standard of living  

About UNDP

• Headquarters - New York, United States
• Administrator - Achim Steiner
• Member Countries - 170 (Oct-2020)

The Correct Answer is ​Byrnihat.

In News

• Meghalaya's Byrnihat India's most polluted city In 2023.

Key Points

• Byrnihat in Meghalaya topped the list of the most polluted cities in India in 2023, closely followed by Begusarai in Bihar and Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.
• Delhi, known for its persistently high air pollution levels during winter, ranked as the eighth most polluted city, the report by independent think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
• 227 cities with air quality data available for over 75 percent of the days in 2023 were studied.

The correct answer is 40.

Key Points

• India secured the 40th position in the Global Innovation Index.
• This is the first time the country entered the top 40. 
• The 2022 edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII) tracks the most recent global innovation trends against the background of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• Slow productivity growth and other evolving challenges.
• It reveals the most innovative economies in the world, ranking the innovation performance of around 132 economies while highlighting innovation strengths and weaknesses.

Additional Information

• Switzerland is the most innovative economy in the world in 2022 - for the 12th year in a row - followed by the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Thursday released the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2022.

Important Points

• Global Innovation Index 2023
• Top 10 Countries in GII:

• Last 10 Countries in GII:

The correct answer is Norway.

Key Points

• The 2021 edition of the EIU’s Democracy Index was released on 10 February 2022.
• Since the year 2006, the Economist Intelligence has been bringing forth the state of democracy worldwide in around 165 independent nations and two territories through its democracy index.
• It was topped by Norway.
• India was ranked 46th out of 165 nations.

In News

• India at 108th Position in Electoral Democracy Index 2023: India has now been ranked at the 108th spot globally for electoral democracy, by V-Dem Institute in its Electoral Democracy Report for 2023.

Important Points

•  The annual index, which provides a measurement of the state of global democracy, reveals an overall score of 5.28, down from 5.37 in 2020.
• According to EIU’s measure of democracy, less than half (45.7%) of the world’s population now live in a democracy of some sort, which is a significant decline from 2020 (49.4%).
• Even fewer (6.4%) reside in a “full democracy”; this level is slightly down from 8.4% in 2020, after two countries (Chile and Spain) were downgraded to “flawed democracies”.
• Substantially more than a third of the world’s population (37.1%) live under authoritarian rule, a large share of which are in China. 

The correct answer is rich countries.

• According to the World Development Report, countries having per capita income of more than US$12,000 per annum as on 2016 are called rich countries.

Key Points

• World Bank published the 2020 Atlas of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Sustainable Development Goals seek to guide global action to address many of the world’s greatest challenges such as eradicating poverty, eliminating hunger, expanding access to education, achieving gender equality, and addressing the climate crisis.​

Important Points

The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world:

• GOAL 1: No Poverty
• GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
• GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
• GOAL 4: Quality Education
• GOAL 5: Gender Equality
  GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
• GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• GOAL 13: Climate Action
• GOAL 14: Life Below Water
• GOAL 15: Life on Land
• GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
• GOAL 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal​

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• Andhra Pradesh secured the first rank among police forces of the country in a survey conducted by the Indian Police Foundation (IPF).
• The survey, conducted in 28 states and Union Territories of the country assessed the force on competence, values, and public trust.
• Telangana ranked second while Assam was third.
• Kerala, Gujarat, and Delhi were ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively.

Important Points

• From bottom upwards are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjab.
• The IPF Smart Policing Index 2021 surveyed 10 sets of questionnaires, which included six indices of “Competence-Based Indicators” dealing with issues such as police sensitivity, accessibility, responsiveness and technology adoption among others.
• It had three indices of “Value-Based indicators” dealing with integrity of the police; and one index of “Trust”.
• In Fair and Unbiased Policing category, the best performing states are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Kerala and Gujarat. From the bottom are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Nagaland and Jharkhand.
• In Helpful and Friendly Policing, the best performing states are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Sikkim and Kerala. The worst are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Nagaland.
• In Police Accountability, the top states are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Kerala and Odisha, while Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh are at the bottom.

The correct answer is 87th.

Confusion Points

• India's current position in the Hensley passport Index 2022 is 87th.
• India was ranked  83rd initially in the report when it was launched on 11 Jan 2022 but later dropped to 84th rank.
• Then Armenia decided to drop India from their free visa entry scheme.
• So, now India's ranking was dropped by two places and it stands at 87th rank.
• The ranking was updated by Henley Global on 12 Jan 2022.

Key Points

• India’s passport was ranked at 83rd position in the Henley Passport Index earlier, climbing six places from 90th rank in 2021.
• However, in 2020, its rank stood at 84 while in 2016, India was ranked 85th along with Mali and Uzbekistan.
• Japan and Singapore top the index in 2022 ranking.
• Germany and South Korea hold onto the joint 2nd spot in 2022.
• Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain share 3rd place.
• Afghanistan is ranked at the bottom (112th position).

Important Points

• Indian passport holders now have visa-free access to 60 nations.
• Passport holders from Japan and Singapore can travel visa-free to 192 countries.
• The index ranks all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa and is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• Link: https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking

Additional Information

• International Air Transport Association:
  • Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
  • Founded on: 19 April 1945
  • Chairman: William M. Walsh
• Henley & Partners:
  • Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
  • Founded in: 1997

The correct answer is 150th.

Key Points

• India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index 2022 has fallen down to 150th position from 142nd rank in 2021, out of 180 countries.
• 2023: India is ranked at 161 out of 180 countries.
• Norway (1st), Denmark (2nd), Sweden (3rd) Estonia (4th) and Finland (5th) grabbed the top positions.
• North Korea remained at the bottom of the list.
• Pakistan was at 157th position, Sri Lanka at 146th, Bangladesh at 162nd, and Maynmar at 176th position.

Important Points

•  Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released the World Press Freedom Index 2022, which assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories.
• The Index highlights the disastrous effects of news and information chaos – the effects of a globalized and unregulated online information space that encourages fake news and propaganda.
• According to the RSF 2022 World Press Freedom Index, Nepal has climbed up by 30 points in the global ranking at 76th position.
• Last year, the Himalayan nation had been placed at 106th position, Pakistan at 145th, Sri Lanka 127th, Bangladesh 152nd and Myanmar at 140th position in the index.
• Russia was placed at 155th position, down from 150th last year, while China climbed up by two positions with the Reporters Without Borders placing it at 175th position.
• Last year, China was placed at 177th position.