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Reports, Indices and Rankings PYQs – Current Affairs, SSC & Railway

282 Reports, Indices and Rankings (Current Affairs) questions asked in recent SSC and Railway exams, newest first, with exam, date & shift, answers and solutions.

📚 282 questionsSSC 119 · Railway 163
123
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 15 September 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q1. The World Happiness Report 2025 highlights India's happiness rank dropped compared to 2015 despite:

  1. (a) GDP doubling
  2. (b) Improved AQI
  3. (c) Higher literacy
  4. (d) Falling life expectancy
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) GDP doubling

Answer: Option 1 — GDP doubling
⚠️ Note: literacy also rose between 2015 and 2025, so option 3 is true as a fact too; the key is option 1 because the report's contrast is between income growth and happiness.
India stood 117th in the 2015 report and 118th of 147 countries in 2025 — a slip of one place.
In those ten years its GDP roughly doubled, from about $2 trillion to about $4 trillion.
The report uses this to show that income growth alone does not raise happiness; social support and trust matter as much.
Revision note — World Happiness Report
• Published every year on 20 March, the International Day of Happiness.
• Produced by the Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford, with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
• Rankings rest on the Cantril ladder — people rate their life from 0 to 10 — averaged over the previous three years.
• Six variables explain the scores: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
• Finland topped the 2025 report for the eighth year running; Denmark, Iceland, Sweden followed, and Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) entered the top ten for the first time.
• Afghanistan was last (147th); among India's neighbours Nepal (92nd) and Pakistan (109th) ranked above India, while Sri Lanka (133rd) and Bangladesh (134th) ranked below.
• The 2025 theme was caring and sharing — the report found that people are far more likely to have a lost wallet returned than they expect.
Do not mix these up
• World Happiness Report vs Human Development Index — the HDI is a UNDP index built from income, education and life expectancy.
• The happiness report is not a UN agency publication; it rests on how people rate their own lives.
Also asked from this topic: the country that topped the World Happiness Index 2025 (Finland); the number of key variables used (six); the least happy country in 2024 (Afghanistan, 2024).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 15 September 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q2. Which country ranked 3rd in the World Press Freedom Index 2026?

  1. (a) Denmark
  2. (b) Estonia
  3. (c) Finland
  4. (d) Sweden
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Estonia

Answer: Option 2 — Estonia
In the World Press Freedom Index 2026, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in May 2026, Norway stayed first for the tenth year in a row and Estonia was placed third.
Estonia was second in 2025 (up from sixth in 2024); in 2026 the Netherlands took second place.
Revision note — World Press Freedom Index
• Published every year since 2002 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), headquartered in Paris; it is released around 3 May, World Press Freedom Day.
• It ranks 180 countries and territories on five indicators — political, economic, legislative, social and security.
• Norway has topped the index every year since 2017; Eritrea was last (180th) in 2025.
• India ranked 151st in 2025, an improvement from 159th in 2024 and 161st in 2023.
• The 2025 top three were Norway, Estonia and the Netherlands; the Nordic and Baltic states fill most of the top ten.
• RSF grades a country's situation as good, satisfactory, problematic, difficult or very serious; in 2025 the global average fell into the difficult band for the first time.
Do not mix these up
• World Press Freedom Index vs Global Press Freedom Ranking — the RSF index is the one exams ask; Freedom House publishes a separate Freedom in the World report.
• RSF vs CPJ — Reporters Without Borders (Paris) publishes the index; the Committee to Protect Journalists (New York) publishes the Global Impunity Index and journalist killings data.
Also asked from this topic: India's rank in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 (151st); the country that topped the 2025 index (Norway); the worst performer in 2025 (Eritrea).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 12 September 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q3. Which country ranked as the most polluted in the World Air Quality Report 2025?

  1. (a) Bangladesh
  2. (b) China
  3. (c) India
  4. (d) Pakistan
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Pakistan

Answer: Option 4 — Pakistan
IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2025, released on 24 March 2026, ranked Pakistan the most polluted country with an annual PM2.5 average of 67.3 µg/m³.
Bangladesh (66.1) was second and India stood sixth (48.9 µg/m³).
Revision note — IQAir World Air Quality Report 2025
• Published by the Swiss firm IQAir; it ranks countries by annual average PM2.5 concentration. The WHO guideline is 5 µg/m³.
• Top five, 2025: Pakistan (67.3), Bangladesh (66.1), Tajikistan (57.3), Chad (53.6), DR Congo (50.2); India was 6th (48.9).
• The world's most polluted city in 2025 was Loni (Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh) at 112.5 µg/m³; all 25 most polluted cities were in India, Pakistan and China.
• The report covered 9,446 cities in 143 countries and territories.
• Only 14 per cent of cities and 13 countries (among them Australia, Iceland and Estonia) met the WHO guideline, down from 17 per cent a year earlier.
• Previous edition (2024 report, March 2025): Chad first, Bangladesh second, Pakistan third, DR Congo fourth, India fifth; Byrnihat (Meghalaya) was the most polluted city.
• 2023 report (March 2024): Bangladesh first, Pakistan second, India third; Begusarai (Bihar) the most polluted city and New Delhi the most polluted capital.
Do not mix these up
• Report year vs release year — the '2025 report' covers 2025 data and came out in March 2026; the '2024 report' came out in March 2025.
• Country rank vs city rank — India is not the most polluted country, but it usually hosts the most polluted cities (Loni in 2025, Byrnihat in 2024, Begusarai in 2023).
Also asked from this topic: Pakistan's rank in the World Air Quality Report 2024 (3rd); India's rank in the 2024 report (5th); the most polluted city in the 2024 report (Byrnihat, Meghalaya).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 11 September 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q4. What was India's global rank in the World Air Quality Report 2025?

  1. (a) 3rd
  2. (b) 4th
  3. (c) 6th
  4. (d) 10th
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 6th

Answer: Option 3 — 6th
In IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2025 (released March 2026), India ranked 6th among the most polluted countries by annual PM2.5, with a national average of about 48.9 micrograms per cubic metre.
India had stood 3rd in the 2023 edition and 5th in the 2024 edition.
Revision note — IQAir World Air Quality Report
• Released every March by the Swiss air-quality technology firm IQAir, ranking countries, regions and cities by annual average PM2.5 in micrograms per cubic metre.
• In the 2025 edition (released March 2026) the most polluted countries were Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Chad, DR Congo and India (6th); Loni in Uttar Pradesh was the most polluted city.
• In the 2024 edition (released March 2025) the five most polluted countries were Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, DR Congo and India (5th).
• Byrnihat in Meghalaya was named the world's most polluted metropolitan area in that edition.
• In the 2023 edition India ranked 3rd, Bangladesh was the most polluted country, Begusarai the most polluted city and New Delhi the most polluted capital city.
• The WHO guideline for annual PM2.5 is 5 micrograms per cubic metre; India's own NAAQS limit is 40.
• Only about seven countries in the world met the WHO PM2.5 guideline in the 2024 edition.
Do not mix these up
• Most polluted country vs most polluted city — India's country rank and the city rank (Byrnihat, 2024 edition) are two different lists.
• IQAir report vs National AQI — IQAir is a private global PM2.5 ranking; the National AQI is the CPCB's daily index for Indian cities.
Also asked from this topic: India's rank in the World Air Quality Report 2024 (5th); Pakistan's rank in the same report (3rd); the most polluted city named in March 2025 (Byrnihat).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 11 September 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q5. Which country ranked 1st in the World Press Freedom Index 2026?

  1. (a) Denmark
  2. (b) Estonia
  3. (c) Netherlands
  4. (d) Norway
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Norway

Answer: Option 4 — Norway
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) placed Norway first in the World Press Freedom Index 2026 — its tenth consecutive year at the top, a run that began in 2017.
Revision note — World Press Freedom Index
• Published every year around 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a Paris-based body founded in 1985.
• Ranks 180 countries and territories on five indicators: political, economic, legislative, social and security context.
• 2025 edition: Norway 1st, followed by Estonia and the Netherlands; Eritrea 180th (last); the Nordic countries fill most of the top ten.
• India was 151st in 2025, up from 159th in 2024; RSF cites media ownership concentration, harassment of journalists and online censorship.
• Pair it with the other publishers: Global Hunger Index (Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe), Human Development Index (UNDP), Global Gender Gap (WEF).
• Also Corruption Perceptions Index (Transparency International) and World Happiness Report (UN SDSN).
Do not mix these up
• World Press Freedom Index vs Freedom in the World — the first is RSF's ranking of press freedom; the second is Freedom House's rating of political rights and civil liberties.
Also asked from this topic: the number of countries ranked in the 2025 index (180); India's rank in 2025 (151st); the worst performer in 2025 (Eritrea).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 10 September 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q6. What rank did India achieve in the 2025 World Happiness Index?

  1. (a) 118
  2. (b) 120
  3. (c) 130
  4. (d) 116
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 118

Answer: Option 1 — 118
India was placed 118th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2025, released on 20 March 2025, the International Day of Happiness.
Revision note — World Happiness Report 2025
• It is published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) with the Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford and Gallup — not by the UNDP.
• Finland topped the ranking for the eighth year running, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden; Afghanistan was last.
• India stood 118th of 147 in 2025, an improvement on 126th of 143 in 2024.
• India ranked below Nepal (92nd) and Pakistan (109th) but above Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
• The ranking rests on six variables — GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
• The theme of the 2025 report was caring and sharing.
Do not mix these up
• World Happiness Report vs Human Development Index — the first comes from the UN SDSN, the second from the UNDP.
• Happiness Index vs Gross National Happiness — Gross National Happiness is Bhutan's own development measure, coined in 1972.
Also asked from this topic: India's rank against its neighbours (118th in 2025, SSC CGL 2025); the number of variables used (6, SSC GD 2026); the publisher (UN SDSN, not UNDP, SSC CGL 2025).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 9 September 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q7. What was India's rank in the World Press Freedom Index 2026?

  1. (a) 151st
  2. (b) 153rd
  3. (c) 157th
  4. (d) 166th
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 157th

Answer: Option 3 — 157th
India was placed 157th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2026 of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — a fall of 6 places from 151st in 2025.
Revision note — World Press Freedom Index
• Published every year by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a Paris-based body; the Index has appeared since 2002, when it ranked 139 countries, and has ranked 180 countries and territories since the 2014 edition.
• Countries are scored on five indicators — political, economic, legislative, social and safety.
• India's recent run: 161st in 2023, 159th in 2024, 151st in 2025 and 157th in 2026. So the 2026 slip reverses the 2025 gain but is not India's worst placing.
• Norway has topped the Index every year since 2017; Eritrea stood last (180th) in the 2025 edition.
• RSF attributes India's low position to concerns over media independence, harassment of and violence against journalists, and online censorship.
• World Press Freedom Day is 3 May. The related UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded on that day.
Do not mix these up
• RSF vs Freedom House — the World Press Freedom Index is RSF's; the Freedom in the World report is Freedom House's.
• Rank vs score — a lower rank number is better; RSF's score runs the other way, a higher score meaning more freedom.
Also asked from this topic: India's rank in the 2025 Index (151st); the number of countries ranked (180); the publishing body (Reporters Without Borders); the country that topped it (Norway);
the lowest-ranked country in 2025 (Eritrea).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 9 September 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q8. Which city was ranked as the most polluted in the world in the World Air Quality Report 2025?

  1. (a) Beijing
  2. (b) Delhi
  3. (c) Lahore
  4. (d) Loni
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Loni

Answer: Option 4 — Loni
IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2025 named Loni, in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, the most polluted city in the world, at an annual PM2.5 of about 112.5 µg/m³.
That is more than twenty times the WHO safe limit.
Revision note — The World Air Quality Report
• The report is brought out every March by IQAir, a Swiss air-quality technology company, and ranks countries, capital cities and cities by annual average PM2.5.
• In the 2025 report Pakistan was the most polluted country, followed by Bangladesh and Tajikistan, with India 6th.
• New Delhi was again the most polluted capital city in the world, at about 82.2 µg/m³.
• The WHO guideline for annual PM2.5 is 5 µg/m³; only about 14 per cent of the world's cities met it.
• In the previous edition — the 2024 report released in March 2025 — the most polluted city was Byrnihat in Meghalaya, the most polluted country Chad, and India stood 5th.
• PM2.5 is particulate matter finer than 2.5 micrometre, small enough to pass from the lungs into the bloodstream.
• India's National Air Quality Index (2014), monitored by the CPCB, tracks eight pollutants — PM10, PM2.5, NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃, NH₃ and lead.
Do not mix these up
• Most polluted city vs most polluted capital — the city title went to Loni; the capital title to New Delhi.
• Data year vs release year — the "2025 report" carries 2025 data and appears in March 2026; the 2024 report, with Byrnihat on top, appeared in March 2025.
Also asked from this topic: India's rank among the most polluted countries in the 2024 report (5th); the most polluted city in that 2024 report (Byrnihat, Meghalaya); the world's most polluted capital in the 2023 report (New Delhi); the number of pollutants in India's AQI (8).
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 25 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q9. Which Indian airport is ranked the 5th-busiest airport in the Asia Pacific (Apac) region in 2025 as per Apac aviation rankings released in February 2026?

  1. (a) Delhi aiport
  2. (b) Chennai airport
  3. (c) Mumbai airport
  4. (d) Kolkata airport
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Delhi aiport

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 1 – Delhi airport
Explanation:
As per Asia-Pacific (Apac) busiest-airport rankings for 2025 (released around February 2026),Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, ranked 5th in the region, with about 46.2 million seats, narrowly trailing Beijing Capital Airport.
Important Facts:
• Delhi was highlighted as one of the fastest-rising airports in the Apac region.
• Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports ranked lower in the same list.
• India was cited as the world's 5th-biggest aviation market in 2024.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 25 August 2026 Shift 2 · National indices and rankings

Q10. In March 2026, which organization released the second edition of the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2026 to assess the fiscal performance of Indian states?

  1. (a) NITI Aayog
  2. (b) National Statistical Office
  3. (c) Finance Commission
  4. (d) Reserve Bank of India
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) NITI Aayog

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 1 – NITI Aayog
Explanation:
NITI Aayogreleased the second annual edition of the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2026 in March 2026, ranking Indian states on fiscal performance and sustainability.
Important Facts:
• The Fiscal Health Index assesses states on parameters such as quality of expenditure, revenue mobilisation, fiscal prudence, debt index, and debt sustainability.
• NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the government's premier policy think tank.
• The first edition of the FHI was released in the preceding year, making 2026 its second edition.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 25 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q11. Which of the following organizations published the 'Corruption Perceptions Index 2025' in February 2026?

  1. (a) United Nations
  2. (b) Transparency International
  3. (c) World Bank
  4. (d) International Monetary Fund
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Transparency International

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 2 – Transparency International
Explanation:
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is published annually byTransparency International; the CPI 2025 edition was released in February 2026, consistent with the organisation's long-standing annual publication practice.
Important Facts:
• Transparency International is a Berlin-based global anti-corruption NGO.
• CPI ranks countries/territories by perceived public sector corruption on a 0-100 scale.
• Denmark and other Nordic countries typically rank among the least corrupt in the CPI.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 21 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q12. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, which Indian institution emerged as the highest-ranked Indian institute globally by securing the 123rd position and improving from 150th rank in 2025?

  1. (a) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
  2. (b) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
  3. (c) Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
  4. (d) Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru (IISc Bengaluru)
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 1 – Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
Explanation:
Multiple 2026 news sources (Organiser, Careers360, Newsonair.gov.in, IIT Delhi's own press release) confirm that in theQS World University Rankings 2026, IIT Delhi climbed to the123rdglobal position, up from 150th in 2025, making it the highest-ranked Indian institution and topping the India list, ahead of IISc Bengaluru and IIT Bombay.
Important Facts:
• IIT Bombay slipped to around 129th rank in the same edition.
• A record 54 Indian institutions featured in QS World University Rankings 2026, including new entrants like IIT Gandhinagar, KIIT and LPU.
• QS rankings use indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, and international faculty/student ratio.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 20 August 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q13. Which Ministry had released the thematic SDG Bulletin reports titled “Planet in Focus: Advancing Environmental Sustainability under the SDGs” and “Delivering Prosperity at Scale: India’s Economic Transformation through the SDGs” in March 2026?

  1. (a) NITI Aayog
  2. (b) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  3. (c) Ministry of Finance
  4. (d) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 4 – Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Explanation:
MoSPI released the two thematic SDG Bulletins —"Planet in Focus"and"Delivering Prosperity at Scale"— on 18 March 2026, confirmed by official MoSPI (GoIStats) posts and PIB.
Important Facts:
• Released during a Capacity Building Workshop on SDG Monitoring.
• MoSPI is the nodal ministry for India's SDG monitoring framework.
• The bulletins track India's environmental and economic progress under the SDGs.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 20 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q14. In May 2026, which Ministry released the National Family Health Survey–6 (NFHS-6), highlighting improvements in maternal and child health, nutrition, and financial protection?

  1. (a) Ministry of Education
  2. (b) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  3. (c) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  4. (d) Ministry of Women and Child Development
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 3 – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Explanation:
In May 2026, the UnionMinistry of Health and Family Welfarereleased theNational Family Health Survey–6 (NFHS-6), showing improvements in maternal and child health, nutrition, and financial protection indicators.
Important Facts:
• Confirmed by the official PIB press release titled "Union Health Ministry Releases National Family Health Survey – 6" (May 2026).
• NFHS is conducted under the aegis of MoHFW with IIPS as the nodal agency.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 19 August 2026 Shift 3 · National indices and rankings

Q15. What significant air quality milestone did Delhi-NCR achieve in 2025 by November?

  1. (a) Lowest AQI levels ever recorded since 1990
  2. (b) First time meeting WHO air quality standards
  3. (c) No 'poor' days throughout the year
  4. (d) Best average AQI in eight years
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Best average AQI in eight years

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 4 – Best average AQI in eight years
Explanation:
Through 2025, official data (CPCB/government statements) showed Delhi-NCR recording its best average Air Quality Index in eight years, a trend that continued and was reaffirmed going into late 2025 and reiterated by ministers in subsequent statements.
Important Facts:
• Government press releases (PIB) repeatedly cited 'best AQI in 8 years' comparisons for Delhi through 2025.
• This was attributed to sustained pollution-control measures across Delhi-NCR.
• This is a comparative/statistical claim, not a claim of meeting WHO standards or zero 'poor' days.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 19 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q16. Which international financial institution published the “Women, Business and the Law 2026” report highlighting gaps in the enforcement of women’s economic rights?

  1. (a) World Bank Group
  2. (b) United Nations Development Programme
  3. (c) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
  4. (d) International Monetary Fund
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) World Bank Group

Correct Answer:
Correct Answer: Option 1 – World Bank Group
Explanation:
The World Bank Group published the 'Women, Business and the Law 2026' report, which highlighted persistent gaps between laws on paper and actual enforcement of women's economic rights worldwide.
Important Facts:
• The report is an annual flagship publication of the World Bank tracking legal barriers to women's economic participation.
• It evaluates countries across multiple indicators such as mobility, workplace, pay, and entrepreneurship.
• The 2026 edition emphasized the gap between legal reforms and real-world implementation.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 18 August 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q17. According to the Economic Survey 2025–26 and World Bank assessment, India was ranked among the top five countries globally in which area among low- and middle-income economies?

  1. (a) Gold production
  2. (b) Private investment in infrastructure
  3. (c) Foreign tourist arrivals
  4. (d) Agricultural export growth
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Private investment in infrastructure

World Bank ranking – private infrastructure investment
The Economic Survey 2025-26 cited a World Bank assessment ranking India among thetop five countriesforprivate investment in infrastructureamong low- and middle-income economies.
Confirmed by PIB press release titled 'World Bank Ranks India Among The Top Five Countries In Terms Of Private Investment In Infrastructure Among Low- And Middle-Income Economies', also covered by IBEF and Angel One.
Correct Answer: Private investment in infrastructure
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 18 August 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q18. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), 2025, released by Transparency International in February 2026, what were India's rank and score?

  1. (a) 90th rank with a score of 40/100
  2. (b) 91st rank with a score of 39/100
  3. (c) 89th rank with a score of 41/100
  4. (d) 92nd rank with a score of 38/100
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 91st rank with a score of 39/100

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 — India's Rank
The CPI 2025, released by Transparency International in February 2026, rankedIndia 91st out of 182 countrieswith a score of39/100, an improvement of five places from the previous year.
• Insights on India (Feb 2026): 'India's Rank 91st in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025'.
• Newsgram / TMV: 'India climbs up five places to 91st rank ... Corruption Perceptions Index 2025', score 39/100.
Correct Answer: 91st rank with a score of 39/100
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 18 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q19. In May 2026, the study report titled "Contribution of Jain Community in the Field of Education" was released by which Government of India organization?

  1. (a) University Grants Commission
  2. (b) National Commission for Minorities
  3. (c) National Human Rights Commission
  4. (d) National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) National Commission for Minorities

Jain Community Education Study Report
In May 2026, theNational Commission for Minorities (NCM)released a study report titled"Contribution of Jain Community in the Field of Education", documenting the historical evolution, institutional role, and educational philosophy of the community — confirmed by PIB press release and multiple news reports dated May 2026.
Correct Answer: National Commission for Minorities
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 17 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q20. According to the Germanwatch Climate Risk Index 2026, which assesses climate-related impacts for the period 1995–2024, what rank did India secure?

  1. (a) 7ᵗʰ
  2. (b) 12ᵗʰ
  3. (c) 5ᵗʰ
  4. (d) 9ᵗʰ
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 9ᵗʰ

Germanwatch Climate Risk Index 2026
According to the Germanwatch Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026, which assessed climate-related impacts (extreme weather losses) for the period 1995-2024,India was ranked 9thamong the most climate-affected nations, as confirmed by multiple 2026 news and analysis sources (Utkarsh, House of UPSC, Vision IAS).
Correct Answer: 9th (Option 4)
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 17 August 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q21. According to the report released on February 4, 2026, what is the rank of India in the Network Readiness Index 2025 prepared by Portulans insititute based in Washington DC?

  1. (a) 55ᵗʰ
  2. (b) 45ᵗʰ
  3. (c) 35ᵗʰ
  4. (d) 25ᵗʰ
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 45ᵗʰ

Network Readiness Index 2025 — India's Rank
According to the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025 report by the Portulans Institute (Washington DC), released around February 4, 2026,India climbed four places to rank 45thglobally.
• Confirmed by PIB, DD News and Insights on India coverage of the report.
• India had improved from its earlier position, reflecting gains in digital infrastructure and access indicators.
Correct Answer: 45ᵗʰ
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 17 August 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q22. In April 2026, the publication titled "Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data" was released by which Ministry of the Government of India?

  1. (a) Ministry of Women and Child Development
  2. (b) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  3. (c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  4. (d) Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

"Women and Men in India 2025" Report
The publication "Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data" was released in April 2026 by theMinistry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Confirmed by PIB press release and Vision IAS/GKNow current affairs coverage dated late April 2026.
• This is an annual MoSPI publication tracking gender-disaggregated indicators.
Correct Answer: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 17 August 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q23. Which ministry had released the 27th edition of the publication titled “Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data” at the National Deliberative Summit on “Data for Development” in 2026?

  1. (a) Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
  2. (b) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India
  3. (c) NITI Aayog, Government of India
  4. (d) Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India

27th Edition — Women and Men in India 2025
The 27th edition of 'Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data' was released by theMinistry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, at the National Deliberative Summit on 'Data for Development' in 2026.
• Same underlying report as idx 84 — confirmed via PIB press release and Vision IAS/PIB Tracker coverage attributing it to MoSPI.
Correct Answer: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 17 August 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q24. In January 2026, NITI Aayog released decarbonisation roadmaps for which sectors?

  1. (a) Aluminium, cement, and MSMEs
  2. (b) Banking, insurance, and aviation
  3. (c) Tourism, fisheries, and textiles
  4. (d) Steel, shipping, and telecom
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Aluminium, cement, and MSMEs

NITI Aayog Decarbonisation Roadmaps
In January 2026, NITI Aayog released three reports/decarbonisation roadmaps on green transition for theAluminium, Cement, and MSMEsectors, aimed at achieving net-zero by 2070.
• Confirmed by PIB press release, AlCircle, SolarQuarter, and Vision IAS coverage dated January 22, 2026.
Correct Answer: Aluminium, cement, and MSMEs
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 14 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q25. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2026 published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), which country had ranked first following a rise in terrorism-related fatalities?

  1. (a) Pakistan
  2. (b) Iraq
  3. (c) Afghanistan
  4. (d) India
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Pakistan

Answer: Option 1 – Pakistan.
•Pakistanranked first in the Global Terrorism Index 2026.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 14 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q26. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), 2025, published by Transparency International, what was India’s rank among 182 countries?

  1. (a) 96th
  2. (b) 102nd
  3. (c) 91st
  4. (d) 84th
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 91st

Answer: Option 3 – 91st.
• India ranked91stin the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 (Transparency International).
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 14 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q27. The MoSPI bulletin "Planet in Focus" covers India's environmental progress across how many specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2026?

  1. (a) Four goals
  2. (b) Three goals
  3. (c) Six goals
  4. (d) Five goals
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Five goals

Answer: Option 4 – Five goals.
• MoSPI's 'Planet in Focus' (2026) covers India's environmental progress acrossfive SDGs.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 13 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q28. According to the Economic Survey 2025–26 tabled in Parliament, India improved its rank in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 from 66th in 2019 to which position — also making it 1st among lower-middle-income economies and 1st in Central & Southern Asia?

  1. (a) 38th
  2. (b) 42nd
  3. (c) 40th
  4. (d) 45th
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 38th

Answer: Option 1 – 38th.
• India rose to38thin the Global Innovation Index 2025 (from 66th in 2019).
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 13 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q29. The 21st Edition of the Global Risks Report 2026 was released by which of the following organizations?

  1. (a) World Bank
  2. (b) United Nations Development Programme
  3. (c) International Monetary Fund
  4. (d) World Economic Forum
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) World Economic Forum

Answer: Option 4 – World Economic Forum.
• The 21st Global Risks Report 2026 was released by theWorld Economic Forum.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 12 August 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q30. Which organisation released the “Women, Business and the Law 2026” report, highlighting the global gap between gender equality laws and their implementation?

  1. (a) United Nations Development Programme
  2. (b) International Monetary Fund
  3. (c) World Economic Forum
  4. (d) World Bank Group
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) World Bank Group

Answer: Option 4 – World Bank Group.
• TheWorld Bank Groupreleased 'Women, Business and the Law 2026'.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 11 August 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q31. What is India's rank in the 'Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025' released in February 2026?

  1. (a) 101
  2. (b) 91
  3. (c) 80
  4. (d) 75
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 91

Answer: Option 2 – 91.
• India ranked91stin the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 (released Feb 2026).
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 11 August 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q32. In January 2026, which of the following organisations published The Global Risks Report 2026?

  1. (a) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
  2. (b) World Health Organization
  3. (c) World Economic Forum
  4. (d) International Monetary Fund
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) World Economic Forum

Answer: Option 3 – World Economic Forum.
• TheWorld Economic Forum (WEF)publishes The Global Risks Report (2026 edition, Jan 2026).
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 11 August 2026 Shift 2 · National indices and rankings

Q33. During which edition of the Foundation Day celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) did government of India launch the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) in May 2026?

  1. (a) 57th
  2. (b) 37th
  3. (c) 47th
  4. (d) 67th
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 37th

Answer: Option 2 – 37th.
• The Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) was launched during JNPA's37thFoundation Day (May 2026).
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 10 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q34. What was India's rank in the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025?

  1. (a) 114
  2. (b) 115
  3. (c) 113
  4. (d) 112
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 115

Answer: Option 2 — 115
India ranked115thin the Global Peace Index 2025 → Option 2. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 10 August 2026 Shift 2 · National indices and rankings

Q35. According to the second edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report (2023-24) released by NITI Aayog, which district recorded the highest score in the North Eastern Region Sustainable Development Goals (NER SDG) Index 2023–24?

  1. (a) Gangtok (Sikkim)
  2. (b) Aizawl (Mizoram)
  3. (c) Hnahthial (Mizoram)
  4. (d) Agartala (Tripura)
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Hnahthial (Mizoram)

Answer: Option 3 – Hnahthial (Mizoram).
• In NITI Aayog's NER District SDG Index 2023-24 (2nd edition),Hnahthial (Mizoram)recorded the highest score.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 9 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q36. Which country topped the World Happiness Report 2026 (released in March 2026)?

  1. (a) Netherlands
  2. (b) Finland
  3. (c) Switzerland
  4. (d) Denmark
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Finland

Answer: Option 2 — Finland
Finlandagain topped the World Happiness Report 2026 → Option 2.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 9 August 2026 Shift 3 · National indices and rankings

Q37. In 2026, which organization released the second annual edition of the “Fiscal Health Index (FHI)” to assess states’ financial performance?

  1. (a) Comptroller and Auditor General of India
  2. (b) Finance Commission of India
  3. (c) Securities and Exchange Board of India
  4. (d) National Institution for Transforming India
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) National Institution for Transforming India

Answer: Option 4 — NITI Aayog
NITI Aayogreleased the second Fiscal Health Index → Option 4.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 6 August 2026 Shift 1 · National indices and rankings

Q38. According to the 2025 Kantar BrandZ report, which financial services giant has reclaimed its crown as India's most valued brand?

  1. (a) State Bank of India
  2. (b) HDFC Bank
  3. (c) ICICI Bank
  4. (d) Axis Bank
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) HDFC Bank

Answer: Option 2 — HDFC Bank
Per the 2025 Kantar BrandZ report,HDFC Bankis India's most valued brand → Option 2. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 6 August 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q39. Which institutional body's Frontier Tech Hub unveiled the groundbreaking agricultural roadmap titled “Reimagining Agriculture: A Roadmap for Frontier Technology Led Transformation” in 2025?

  1. (a) Indian Council of Agricultural Research
  2. (b) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  3. (c) NITI Aayog
  4. (d) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) NITI Aayog

Answer: Option 3 — NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub released the agriculture roadmap → Option 3. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 6 August 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q40. India was ranked 102nd in the Global Hunger Index 2025. Which hunger severity classification was assigned to India based on its overall score?

  1. (a) Alarming hunger category
  2. (b) Serious hunger category
  3. (c) Moderate hunger category
  4. (d) Low hunger category
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Serious hunger category

Answer: Option 2 — Serious hunger category
India (GHI 2025) was placed in the'Serious'hunger category → Option 2. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 5 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q41. According to the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026 released at the UN Climate Summit, India dropped 13 places to settle at which specific position?

  1. (a) 10th position
  2. (b) 23rd position
  3. (c) 35th position
  4. (d) 15th position
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 23rd position

Answer: Option 2 — 23rd position
India settled at23rdin the CCPI 2026 (down 13 places) → Option 2. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 5 August 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q42. According to Stanford University's 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Tool report, what was India's global ranking in Artificial Intelligence competitiveness?

  1. (a) Fourth position
  2. (b) Fifth position
  3. (c) Seventh position
  4. (d) Third position
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Third position

Answer: Option 4 — Third position
India ranked3rdin Stanford's 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Tool → Option 4. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 5 August 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q43. According to the Responsible Nations Index (RNI) 2026, which evaluates countries based on their contribution to global well-being and international responsibility, what rank was secured by India?

  1. (a) 10th position globally
  2. (b) 18th position globally
  3. (c) 16th position globally
  4. (d) 12th position globally
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 16th position globally

Answer: Option 3 — 16th position globally
India secured the16thposition in the Responsible Nations Index 2026 → Option 3. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 5 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q44. According to the NITI Aayog policy report released in May 2026, what does the recommended "Cylindrical" Schooling model primarily aim to fix within India's education infrastructure?

  1. (a) The "leaky pipeline" of student dropouts across transitions
  2. (b) The digital divide between urban and rural testing hubs
  3. (c) The shortage of administrative staff in regional ministries
  4. (d) The rising costs of higher education textbooks
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) The "leaky pipeline" of student dropouts across transitions

Answer: Option 1 — The "leaky pipeline" of student dropouts across transitions
NITI Aayog's "Cylindrical" schooling model aims to fix thedropout "leaky pipeline"→ Option 1. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 5 August 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q45. What policy roadmap did NITI Aayog release in May 2026 regarding the school education system?

  1. (a) A roadmap for the privatization of all government schools
  2. (b) School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement
  3. (c) A policy to abolish the 10th and 12th board examinations
  4. (d) A mandate to replace English with regional languages as the sole medium of instruction
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement

Answer: Option 2 — 'School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement'
This is the NITI Aayog report (May 2026) → Option 2. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 5 August 2026 Shift 3 · National indices and rankings

Q46. Which Indian city was identified as the most polluted city in the March 2026 report released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)?

  1. (a) Lucknow
  2. (b) Gurgaon
  3. (c) Jaipur
  4. (d) Kanpur
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Gurgaon

Answer: Option 2 — Gurgaon
CREA's March 2026 report namedGurgaonthe most polluted city → Option 2. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 4 August 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q47. According to the World Press Freedom Index 2026, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which country ranked 1st — a position it has now held for 10 consecutive years?

  1. (a) Denmark
  2. (b) Norway
  3. (c) Sweden
  4. (d) Finland
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Norway

Answer: Option 2 — Norway
Norwaytopped the 2026 World Press Freedom Index (10 years running) → Option 2. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 4 August 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q48. According to the TIME100 list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2026, which individual appeared on the list for the most times — making his 14th appearnce?

  1. (a) Benjamin Netanyahu
  2. (b) Sundar Pichai
  3. (c) Xi Jinping
  4. (d) Donald Trump
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Xi Jinping

Answer: Option 3 — Xi Jinping
Xi Jinpingmade his 14th appearance on the TIME100 (2026) — the most of anyone → Option 3. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 4 August 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q49. Which ministry of the Government of India released the Thematic SDG Bulletin – 'Planet in Focus: Advancing Environmental Sustainability under the SDGs' in March 2026?

  1. (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  2. (b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  3. (c) Ministry of Rural Development
  4. (d) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Answer: Option 4 — Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
MoSPIreleases the SDG bulletins → Option 4.
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 4 August 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q50. India recorded its highest-ever performance in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, achieving how many entries in the global Top 50 — more than doubling its tally from 12 entries in both 2024 and 2025?

  1. (a) 27
  2. (b) 24
  3. (c) 18
  4. (d) 21
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 27

Answer: Option 1 — 27
India secured27Top-50 entries in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 → Option 1. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 4 August 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q51. In the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 released by Transparency International in 2026, India was ranked at which position among countries and territories?

  1. (a) Eighty-fifth
  2. (b) Seventy-ninth
  3. (c) Ninety-sixth
  4. (d) Ninety-first
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Ninety-first

Answer: Option 4 — Ninety-first
India ranked91stin the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 → Option 4. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 3 August 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q52. Which of the following agencies published the report on Ease of Doing Research and Development in India in April 2026?

  1. (a) Reserve Bank of India
  2. (b) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
  3. (c) NITI Aayog
  4. (d) University Grants Commission
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) NITI Aayog

Answer: Option 3 — NITI Aayog
NITI Aayogpublished the "Ease of Doing Research and Development in India" report in April 2026 → Option 3.
*(2026 current-affairs item — verify against the official answer key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 3 August 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q53. Which edition of National Family Health Survey was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India in May 2026?

  1. (a) 10th
  2. (b) 8th
  3. (c) 6th
  4. (d) 4th
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 6th

Answer: Option 3 — 6th
The6th NFHS (NFHS-6)was released by the Health Ministry in May 2026 → Option 3. *(Verify against the official key.)*
RRB Group D 2025-26 – 3 August 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q54. Which nation ranked at the absolute bottom of the 2025/26 global Women, Peace and Security Index?

  1. (a) Yemen
  2. (b) Syria
  3. (c) Afghanistan
  4. (d) Somalia
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Afghanistan

Answer: Option 3 — Afghanistan
Afghanistanranked at the very bottom of the 2025/26 Women, Peace and Security Index → Option 3.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 June 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q55. Which country’s human rights practices report was criticised by Human Rights Watch for omitting categories like LGBT people, persons with disabilities, and freedom of assembly in August 2025?

  1. (a) China
  2. (b) United States
  3. (c) Russia
  4. (d) India
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) United States

Topic: Human Rights Watch Criticism (August 2025)
Human Rights Watch criticized theUnited StatesState Department's human rights report for significant omissions.
Key omissions included:
• LGBT people
• Persons with disabilities
• Freedom of assembly
This represented a departure from previous comprehensive reporting standards.
Answer: Option 2 → United States
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 June 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q56. Which country topped the Henley Passport Index 2025?

  1. (a) Japan
  2. (b) Singapore
  3. (c) Germany
  4. (d) China
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Singapore

Henley Passport Index 2025
Singapore topped the index with visa-free access to 195 destinations.
Japan ranked second with access to 193 destinations.
The index ranks passports based on number of destinations holders can access without prior visa.
Answer: Option 2 → Singapore
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 18 June 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q57. India has secured which rank in the Asia Power Index 2025?

  1. (a) Second
  2. (b) Fourth
  3. (c) Third
  4. (d) First
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Third

Asia Power Index 2025 Rankings
The Asia Power Index measures comprehensive power of countries across diplomatic, economic, military, and cultural dimensions.
Top Rankings:
1st → United States
2nd → China
3rd → India
India maintained its third position, demonstrating strong regional influence and growing comprehensive power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Answer: Option 3 → Third
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 June 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q58. As highlighted in late September–October 2025 coverage of the Sustainable Development Report 2025, what was India’s position and score in the UN SDG Index 2025?

  1. (a) Rank 79 with an overall SDG index score close to 71 points
  2. (b) Rank 99 with an overall SDG index score close to 67 points
  3. (c) Rank 89 with an overall SDG index score close to 69 points
  4. (d) Rank 109 with an overall SDG index score close to 65 points
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Rank 99 with an overall SDG index score close to 67 points

Topic: UN SDG Index 2025 – India's Performance
The Sustainable Development Report 2025 was released in late September–October 2025.
Key Facts:
India ranked99thout of 193 countries in the UN SDG Index 2025.
India's overall SDG index score was approximately67 points.
This reflects India's progress across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Answer: Option 2 → Rank 99 with an overall SDG index score close to 67 points
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 June 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q59. According to the 2025 report, which Nordic country consistently ranks among the top in happiness?

  1. (a) Norway
  2. (b) Iceland
  3. (c) Finland
  4. (d) Sweden
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Finland

World Happiness Report 2025
Finland has topped the World Happiness Report for7 consecutive years(2018-2024).
Key factors: Strong social support, low corruption, high GDP per capita, freedom to make life choices.
Other Nordic countries (Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark) also rank in top 10 but Finland consistently holds #1 position.
Answer: Option 3 → Finland
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 16 June 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q60. According to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index 2025/26, what is India's rank out of 181 countries?

  1. (a) 131st
  2. (b) 121st
  3. (c) 111th
  4. (d) 141st
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 131st

Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index 2025/26
The WPS Index measures women's well-being across three dimensions: inclusion, justice, and security.
Published by: Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
India's Performance:
Rank:131st out of 181 countries
The index evaluates factors like employment, education, parliamentary representation, legal discrimination, and violence against women.
Answer: Option 1 → 131st
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 16 June 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q61. According to the Sustainable Development Report, 2025, what was India’s standing in the SDG Index?

  1. (a) 85th
  2. (b) 99th
  3. (c) 110th
  4. (d) 120th
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 99th

Topic: Sustainable Development Report 2025
India ranked99thin the SDG Index 2025.
The report tracks progress on UN's 17 Sustainable
Development Goals across 193 countries.
India's score reflects challenges in achieving
targets related to poverty, health, and climate.
Answer: Option 2 → 99th
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 16 June 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q62. Which edition of the Global Risks Report was released by the World Economic Forum in 2025?

  1. (a) 18ᵗʰ Edition
  2. (b) 20ᵗʰ Edition
  3. (c) 21ˢᵗ Edition
  4. (d) 19ᵗʰ Edition
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 20ᵗʰ Edition

Topic: Global Risks Report 2025
The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the20th Editionof the Global Risks Report in January 2025.
This annual report analyzes global risks and their interconnections.
The report marks two decades of risk assessment by WEF.
Answer: Option 2 → 20ᵗʰ Edition
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 16 June 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q63. According to the WMO report cited in 2025, global warming in Jan–Aug 2025 was approximately how much above pre-industrial levels?

  1. (a) 1.0°C
  2. (b) 0.8°C
  3. (c) 1.42°C
  4. (d) 2.1°C
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1.42°C

Topic:WMO Report 2025 - Global Warming
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported
global temperature data for January-August 2025.
Key Finding:
Global warming during Jan-Aug 2025 was approximately
1.42°C above pre-industrial levels.
This indicates continued rising temperature trends
approaching the critical 1.5°C threshold.
Answer: Option 3 → 1.42°C
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 16 June 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q64. Which of the following scores has India secured in the SDG Index 2025?

  1. (a) 61.5
  2. (b) 67.0
  3. (c) 72.3
  4. (d) 57.0
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 67.0

SDG Index 2025 - India's Performance
India scored67.0in the SDG Index 2025.
Key Facts:
- SDG Index measures progress on UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals
- India's score of 67.0 shows moderate progress
- Score range: 0-100 (higher is better)
Answer: Option 2 → 67.0
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 15 June 2026 Shift 2 · National indices and rankings

Q65. Which report, released in 2025, gives a perception-based safety score of urban women across 31 Indian cities?

  1. (a) Urban Women Index 2025
  2. (b) NARI 2025 Index
  3. (c) Women Safety Report 2025
  4. (d) Safe City Report 2025
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) NARI 2025 Index

NARI 2025 Index
Released in 2025 by Praja Foundation.
NARI = Navigating Areas for Resident Inclusion.
Perception-based safety score for urban women.
Covers 31 Indian cities.
Answer: Option 2 → NARI 2025 Index
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 14 June 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q66. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) RE Statistics 2025, India holds the 3rd global rank in the installed capacity of which renewable energy category?

  1. (a) Bio Power
  2. (b) Wind Power
  3. (c) Solar Power
  4. (d) Hydropower
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Solar Power

IRENA RE Statistics 2025 - India's Ranking
India ranks3rd globallyin installed capacity ofSolar Power.
Top 3 Solar Power Countries:
1. China (largest)
2. USA (second)
3. India (third)
India's solar capacity has grown significantly due to initiatives like National Solar Mission and PM-KUSUM scheme.
Answer: Option 3 → Solar Power
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 14 June 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q67. What percentage of all detected trafficking victims in 2022 were children, as per the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024?

  1. (a) 20%
  2. (b) 31%
  3. (c) 45%
  4. (d) 38%
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 38%

Topic: Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024
The report is published byUNODC(United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime).
Key Finding: In 2022,38% of all detected trafficking victims were children.
This represents a significant proportion of global human trafficking cases.
Answer: Option 4 → 38%
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 14 June 2026 Shift 3 · National indices and rankings

Q68. In August 2025, which body released the first National Annual Report & Index on Women’s Safety (NARI 2025)?

  1. (a) Ministry of Women and Child Development
  2. (b) National Commission for Women
  3. (c) National Human Rights Commission
  4. (d) NITI Aayog
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) National Commission for Women

NARI 2025 (National Annual Report & Index on Women's Safety)
Released by:National Commission for Women (NCW)
Key Facts:
• First comprehensive index on women's safety in India
• Released in August 2025
• NCW is statutory body under Ministry of Women & Child Development
Answer: Option 2 → National Commission for Women
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 13 June 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q69. Which country topped the World Happiness Index 2025?

  1. (a) Denmark
  2. (b) Sweden
  3. (c) Finland
  4. (d) Norway
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Finland

World Happiness Report 2025
Finland has topped the World Happiness Index for the8th consecutive year(2018-2025).
Top 5 countries: Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel.
The report is published by theUN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Answer: Option 3 → Finland
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 13 June 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q70. The IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025 listed which of the following among the top 3 most competitive economies?

  1. (a) Brazil, Russia, South Africa
  2. (b) Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong
  3. (c) Germany, Japan, Canada
  4. (d) USA, China, India
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong

IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025
TheIMD World Competitiveness Centerannually ranks economies based on economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure.
Top 3 Most Competitive Economies (2025):
1. Switzerland
2. Singapore
3. Hong Kong
These economies consistently rank high due to strong institutions, innovation, skilled workforce, and business-friendly policies.
Answer: Option 2 → Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 13 June 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q71. Which ministry released the fourth issue of the publication titled “Children in India 2025” on 25 September 2025?

  1. (a) Ministry of Women and Child Development
  2. (b) Ministry of Education
  3. (c) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  4. (d) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Publication: Children in India 2025
Released by:Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
Date: 25 September 2025
This is thefourth issueof the publication.
MoSPI regularly publishes statistical reports on various demographic segments including children.
Answer: Option 3 → Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 13 June 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q72. In 2025, India’s ranking in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) was:

  1. (a) 15th
  2. (b) 18th
  3. (c) 10th
  4. (d) 12th
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 10th

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025
India ranked10thin CCPI 2025.
Key Facts:
• Published annually by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and CAN.
• India maintained its position in thetop 10for consecutive years.
• Evaluated on: GHG Emissions, Renewable Energy, Energy Use, Climate Policy.
Answer: Option 3 → 10th
SSC GD 2026 – 30 May 2026 Shift 1 · National indices and rankings

Q73. How many districts of the Northeast were included in the Northeast District SDG Index 2023-24?

  1. (a) 121
  2. (b) 100
  3. (c) 101
  4. (d) 141
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 121

Correct Answer: 121 districts — Option (a)
The Northeast District SDG Index 2023-24 included 121 districts from the Northeast region. About Northeast District SDG Index 2023-24: Developed by: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region ( MDoNER ) and NITI Aayog; Purpose: Track and monitor progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the district level in Northeastern states; Coverage: 121 districts across 8 northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura; Significance: First of its kind district-level SDG index for a specific region (Northeast India); Helps identify districts that are 'Aspirants', 'Performers', 'Front Runners', or 'Achievers'; Enables targeted interventions for SDG achievement; About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 17 SDGs adopted by UN General Assembly in September 2015; Part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; India has been mapping its progress on SDGs; NITI Aayog releases the SDG India Index (national level); About the Northeast Region: 8 states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura; Often called the 'Seven Sisters + One Brother'; Special challenges: Geographical isolation, border areas, tribal populations, connectivity issues; Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region ( MDoNER ): Dedicated ministry for northeastern development; Acts as a facilitator for NE states in accessing Central funds and schemes.
Option (b) 100 — Incorrect: The Northeast District SDG Index 2023-24 did NOT include 100 districts; it included 121 districts from all 8 northeastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura); 100 would fall short of the actual number covered.
Option (c) 101 — Incorrect: The Northeast District SDG Index 2023-24 did NOT include 101 districts; it included 121 districts; 101 is close to the actual number but incorrect; the index was specifically developed to cover all 121 districts across the 8 northeastern states for comprehensive SDG monitoring.
Option (d) 141 — Incorrect: The Northeast District SDG Index 2023-24 did NOT include 141 districts; it included 121 districts; 141 would exceed the actual number of districts in the Northeast region; the 8 northeastern states together have 121 districts that were included in the SDG Index 2023-24.
SSC GD 2026 – 29 May 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q74. Which of the following countries is NOT in the top 5 of the Global Firepower Index 2025?

  1. (a) India
  2. (b) China
  3. (c) South Korea
  4. (d) Japan
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Japan

Correct Answer: Japan — Option (d)
Japan is NOT in the top 5 of the Global Firepower Index 2025. About Global Firepower Index 2025 — Top 5: The Global Firepower (GFP) Index ranks countries by military strength based on over 60 factors including military manpower, equipment, natural resources, finances, and geography; Top 5 in Global Firepower Index 2025: Rank 1: United States of America (USA); Rank 2: Russia; Rank 3: China; Rank 4: India; Rank 5: South Korea; Countries in the question: India — Rank 4 (IS in top 5); China — Rank 3 (IS in top 5); South Korea — Rank 5 (IS in top 5); Japan — Rank 7 (NOT in top 5); About Japan's military: Japan's self-defence forces are capable but the country's pacifist constitution (Article 9) has historically limited military expansion; Japan's military is known as the JSDF (Japan Self- Defence Forces); Japan spends significantly on defence but is ranked 7th (not top 5) in GFP 2025; In 2024-25, Japan significantly increased its defence budget; Countries ranked 6th and below (GFP 2025 approximate ranking): Rank 6: United Kingdom; Rank 7: Japan; Rank 8: Türkiye; Rank 9: Pakistan; Rank 10: Italy; About India's military strength (Rank 4): Active personnel: ~1.4 million; Reserve personnel: ~1.1 million; Tanks: ~4,600; Combat aircraft: ~600+; Naval assets: Aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers; Nuclear capability: Yes.
Option (a) India — Incorrect: India IS in the top 5 of the Global Firepower Index 2025; India ranks 4th in the Global Firepower Index 2025; India has one of the largest and most capable armed forces in the world with approximately 1.4 million active military personnel; India is NOT the correct answer to 'which is NOT in the top 5.'
Option (b) China — Incorrect: China IS in the top 5 of the Global Firepower Index 2025; China ranks 3rd in the Global Firepower Index 2025; China has the world's largest standing army (approximately 2 million active personnel) and a rapidly modernizing military; China is NOT the correct answer to 'which is NOT in the top 5.'
Option (c) South Korea — Incorrect: South Korea IS in the top 5 of the Global Firepower Index 2025; South Korea ranks 5th in the Global Firepower Index 2025; despite its relatively small size, South Korea maintains a powerful military due to the security situation with North Korea; South Korea has advanced military technology and a large defense industry. The candidate incorrectly selected South Korea as NOT in the top 5.
SSC GD 2026 – 27 May 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q75. According to the Annual Report of the Periodic
Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2023-24, what was the
literacy rate among Muslims for persons aged 7
years and above?

  1. (a) 58.5%
  2. (b) 79.5%
  3. (c) 73.5%
  4. (d) 71.5%
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 79.5%

Correct Answer: 79.5% — Option (b)
According to the Annual Report of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2023-24, the literacy rate among Muslims for persons aged 7 years and above was 79.5%. About PLFS Literacy Data: Report: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report, 2023-24; Conducted by: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation ( MoSPI ) / National Statistical Office (NSO); Literacy rate among Muslims (age 7+): 79.5% (as per PLFS 2023-24); About PLFS: The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) was launched in April 2017; It provides quarterly estimates of labour force indicators for urban areas and annual estimates for rural and urban areas; Key indicators: Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), Unemployment Rate (UR); Also covers literacy rates, educational attainment by community; About Literacy in India (general context): National overall literacy rate (Census 2011): 74.04%; Male literacy: 82.14%; Female literacy: 65.46%; The PLFS 2023-24 data shows improvement over earlier figures; Muslim literacy rate at 79.5% reflects improvement in educational access for the community; About PLFS 2023-24 findings: Covered various demographic groups including Hindus, Muslims, and other communities; Provided data on employment, labour force participation, and educational attainment; The 79.5% literacy rate for Muslims aged 7 and above is a specific statistical finding from this report.
Option (a) 58.5% — Incorrect: The Muslim literacy rate (age 7+) as per PLFS 2023-24 was 79.5% — NOT 58.5%; 58.5% would be significantly lower and would misrepresent the literacy achievement among Muslims as reported in PLFS 2023-24.
Option (c) 73.5% — Incorrect: The literacy rate among Muslims (age 7+) as per PLFS 2023-24 was 79.5% — NOT 73.5%; while 73.5% is in a similar range, the accurate figure from the report is 79.5%. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
Option (d) 71.5% — Incorrect: The Muslim literacy rate (age 7+) as per the Annual Report of PLFS 2023-24 was 79.5% — NOT 71.5%; 71.5% would be about 8 percentage points lower than the actual figure of 79.5% reported in PLFS 2023-24.
SSC GD 2026 – 27 May 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q76. In the South Asia region, which country tops the
Global Gender Gap Index 2025?

  1. (a) Bangladesh
  2. (b) Bhutan
  3. (c) Nepal
  4. (d) Maldives
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Bangladesh

Correct Answer: Bangladesh — Option (a)
Bangladesh tops the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 in the South Asia region. About Global Gender Gap Index 2025: Published by: World Economic Forum (WEF); Frequency: Annual; Measures: Gender equality across four dimensions — Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, Political Empowerment; Scores range from 0 (total inequality) to 1 (total equality); Bangladesh in Global Gender Gap Index 2025: Bangladesh is the top-ranked South Asian country in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025; Bangladesh's ranking is globally notable for a developing nation; Key reasons for Bangladesh's strong performance: Political Empowerment: Bangladesh has had female leadership for an extended period — Sheikh Hasina (served as PM for long periods) and before that Khaleda Zia; Women in Parliament: Bangladesh has significant female political representation; Women in workforce: Bangladesh's garment industry employs millions of women; Educational attainment: Girls' enrollment has improved substantially; Health indicators: Female life expectancy has improved; About India's ranking: India typically ranks around 127-140 globally in the Gender Gap Index; India is NOT the top South Asian country; Bangladesh consistently outperforms India in gender equality metrics; About the Global Gender Gap Report: First published in 2006; Iceland has topped the global list consecutively for many years; The report highlights that no country has achieved full gender parity.
Option (b) Bhutan — Incorrect: While Bhutan is a small Himalayan nation with some positive gender equality indicators, it is NOT the top South Asian country in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025; Bangladesh tops South Asia in this index.
Option (c) Nepal — Incorrect: Nepal has made progress in gender equality (with a significant percentage of women in parliament), but Nepal is NOT the top South Asian country in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025; Bangladesh holds the top position in South Asia.
Option (d) Maldives — Incorrect: While the Maldives is a South Asian island nation, it is NOT the top South Asian country in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025; Bangladesh tops the South Asia region in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025.
SSC GD 2026 – 27 May 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q77. According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, India's performance score has increased from 64.1% in 2024 to ______ in 2025.

  1. (a) 64.4%
  2. (b) 69.2%
  3. (c) 66.4%
  4. (d) 67.1%
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 64.4%

Correct Answer: 64.4% — Option (a)
According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, India's score increased from 64.1% in 2024 to 64.4% in 2025. About India's Global Gender Gap Index 2025 performance: India's score: Increased from 64.1% (2024) to 64.4% (2025); India's global rank: India ranked 131st in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 (out of 156 countries); India's rank in South Asia: Not the highest — Bangladesh tops South Asia; About Global Gender Gap Index 2025: Published by: World Economic Forum (WEF); Four dimensions measured: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, Political Empowerment; Global topper: Iceland (has topped the list for 15+ consecutive years); Top countries globally (2025): Iceland, Finland, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden etc.; South Asia: Bangladesh is the top South Asian country; India's performance by dimension: Economic Participation and Opportunity: India shows improvement in women's economic participation; Educational Attainment: India has near parity in primary and secondary education; Health and Survival: India scores lower due to sex ratio imbalance; Political Empowerment: India scores well due to female political leadership; Historical context: India's Gender Gap score has been gradually improving over the years; The 2025 increase from 64.1% to 64.4% represents a marginal improvement; India's overall position reflects challenges in economic empowerment and health dimensions for women.
Option (b) 69.2% — Incorrect: India's score in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 was 64.4% — NOT 69.2%; 69.2% would represent a jump of 5.1 percentage points from 64.1%, which is a very large improvement; India's actual improvement was marginal — from 64.1% to 64.4%.
Option (c) 66.4% — Incorrect: India's score in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 was 64.4% — NOT 66.4%; 66.4% would represent a jump of 2.3 percentage points from 64.1%, which is larger than the actual improvement; the actual score of 64.4% reflects a marginal increase from the 2024 score.
Option (d) 67.1% — Incorrect: India's score in the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 was 64.4% — NOT 67.1%; the candidate selected this wrong option; 67.1% would represent a jump of 3 percentage points from 64.1%, significantly overestimating India's actual performance improvement in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index.
SSC GD 2026 – 27 May 2026 Shift 3 · National indices and rankings

Q78. Which Indian state achieved the first rank in the Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024?

  1. (a) Haryana
  2. (b) Kerala
  3. (c) Tamil Nadu
  4. (d) Himachal Pradesh
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Kerala

Correct Answer: Kerala — Option (b)
Kerala achieved the first rank in the Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024. About Urban Governance Index (UGI): Published by: Praja Foundation (a non-profit organization focused on urban governance); Purpose: To assess and rank Indian states on the quality of urban governance; Metrics: The UGI evaluates states on governance parameters including municipal finances, civic services, sanitation, water supply, urban planning, and citizen participation; Kerala's Performance: Kerala topped the Urban Governance Index 2024; Known for strong local governance through its decentralization model (Kerala is known for its People's Plan Campaign and decentralized governance); High literacy, strong civic awareness, and active local government institutions contribute to Kerala's urban governance performance; About Urban Governance in India: About 500 million people (and growing) live in India's cities; Good urban governance is critical for managing urban growth; Challenges: Inadequate municipal finance, poor service delivery, urban sprawl; 74th Constitutional Amendment (1992): Gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs); Set up Ward Committees for citizen participation; Devolved 18 functions to ULBs (listed in Twelfth Schedule); About Praja Foundation: An independent civil society organization; Works to strengthen urban governance through research and advocacy; Releases annual reports on urban issues; Other urban governance rankings: Smart Cities Mission: Government of India program to develop 100 smart cities; Swachh Survekshan : Annual ranking of cities on cleanliness.
Option (a) Haryana — Incorrect: Haryana did NOT achieve first rank in the Urban Governance Index 2024; Kerala topped the index; Haryana has been working on urban governance but has not reached the top position in the UGI; Kerala's decentralized governance model and strong local institutions give it an edge.
Option (c) Tamil Nadu — Incorrect: Tamil Nadu did NOT achieve first rank in the Urban Governance Index 2024; Kerala achieved the first rank; Tamil Nadu has strong urban areas (Chennai Metropolitan Area is one of India's largest cities) but Kerala topped the Urban Governance Index 2024. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
Option (d) Himachal Pradesh — Incorrect: Himachal Pradesh did NOT achieve first rank in the Urban Governance Index 2024; Kerala achieved the top rank; Himachal Pradesh is a predominantly rural/hilly state with a relatively small urban population; it is not associated with leading urban governance rankings.
SSC GD 2026 – 26 May 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q79. According to the report 'Women in Agribusiness: Opportunities and Challenges', what percentage of India's agricultural workforce in 2025 is composed of women?

  1. (a) 64.4%
  2. (b) 51.4%
  3. (c) 45.4%
  4. (d) 54.4%
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 64.4%

Correct Answer: 64.4% — Option (a)
According to the report 'Women in Agribusiness: Opportunities and Challenges,' 64.4% of India's agricultural workforce in 2025 is composed of women. About the Report: Title: 'Women in Agribusiness: Opportunities and Challenges'; This report highlights the significant and growing role of women in India's agricultural sector; Key finding: Women constitute 64.4% of India's agricultural workforce in 2025 — making India's agriculture sector predominantly female; About Women in Indian Agriculture: Despite constituting the majority of the agricultural workforce, women farmers face multiple challenges: Limited land ownership rights; Lack of access to credit and institutional finance; Limited access to modern technology and training; Unequal wages compared to male agricultural laborers; Vulnerability to climate change impacts; Women's roles in agriculture: Crop production and harvesting; Post-harvest management and food processing; Animal husbandry and dairying; Horticulture and kitchen gardens; Seed preservation and management; Government initiatives for women in agriculture: Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP): Empowers women farmers; Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in agriculture; Kisan Credit Card (KCC) extended to women farmers; PM MUDRA Yojana for women agri -entrepreneurs; Agri-clinics and Agri-business centres for women; NRLM (National Rural Livelihoods Mission) — supports women farmers through SHGs; Significance of the 64.4% figure: It underscores that women are the backbone of Indian agriculture; Their labor and contributions are often unrecognized and underpaid; Policy focus needed on land rights, credit access, and skill development for women farmers.
Option (b) 51.4% — Incorrect: According to the report 'Women in Agribusiness: Opportunities and Challenges,' the percentage of women in India's agricultural workforce in 2025 is 64.4%, not 51.4%; the actual figure is significantly higher than 51.4%.
Option (c) 45.4% — Incorrect: The correct figure from the report is 64.4% — not 45.4%; 45.4% would be a minority share and would not reflect the dominant role women play in India's agricultural workforce as highlighted by the report.
Option (d) 54.4% — Incorrect: The correct percentage from the 'Women in Agribusiness: Opportunities and Challenges' report is 64.4% — not 54.4%; the actual figure is 10 percentage points higher than 54.4%; the candidate selected this incorrect option.
SSC GD 2026 – 26 May 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q80. What is the rank of Anna University in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings 2025?

  1. (a) 111
  2. (b) 91
  3. (c) 77
  4. (d) 124
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 111

Correct Answer: 111 — Option (a)
Anna University secured rank 111 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings 2025. About Anna University: Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Type: Technical University; Established: 1978; Named after: C.N. Annadurai (former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu); Status: One of India's premier technical universities; Known for: Engineering, technology, and architecture education; Anna University is affiliated with numerous engineering colleges across Tamil Nadu; About THE Asia Rankings 2025: Conducted by: Times Higher Education (THE), a UK-based magazine that publishes influential university rankings; Asia Rankings assess universities across Asia on parameters including: Teaching quality, Research output and citations, International outlook, Industry connections, Academic reputation; Significance of Anna University's rank 111 in THE Asia Rankings 2025: Demonstrates its strong research output and academic quality at the Asian level; Shows improvement in India's higher education sector's global visibility; Other top Indian universities in THE Asia Rankings 2025 typically include: IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, IISc Bangalore; Anna University at rank 111 represents a significant achievement for a state technical university; About Times Higher Education (THE): THE also publishes THE World University Rankings, THE World's Best Universities, and THE Subject Rankings; THE Asia Rankings specifically focus on Asian universities and provide a regional perspective separate from global rankings.
Option (b) 91 — Incorrect: Anna University's rank in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings 2025 is 111, not 91; the candidate selected rank 91 which is incorrect — the correct rank is 111.
Option (c) 77 — Incorrect: Rank 77 in THE Asia Rankings 2025 is not Anna University's position; Anna University secured rank 111 in the THE Asia Rankings 2025.
Option (d) 124 — Incorrect: Anna University's actual rank in the THE Asia Rankings 2025 is 111, not 124; rank 124 is lower than the actual ranking of 111 that Anna University achieved.
SSC GD 2026 – 25 May 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q81. Which of the following countries is ranked 79th in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025?

  1. (a) Cayman Islands
  2. (b) Netherlands
  3. (c) Norway
  4. (d) Mauritius
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Cayman Islands

Correct Answer: Cayman Islands — Option (a)
Cayman Islands is ranked 79th in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025. About the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI): Published by: TMF Group (a global professional services firm); Purpose: Ranks countries and jurisdictions by the complexity of doing business there — covering factors like accounting, tax, HR, payroll, and legal compliance; Methodology: The index assesses how complex it is to establish and run businesses across various jurisdictions; Higher rank = More complex business environment; Lower rank = Simpler/easier business environment; 2025 rankings context: Most complex: Typically countries with intricate regulatory frameworks, multiple layers of compliance; Least complex: Countries with streamlined, simple business environments; Cayman Islands at 79th: The Cayman Islands (a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean) ranked 79th in the GBCI 2025; Despite being known as a global financial centre with relatively light regulation, it appears at this rank due to specific compliance complexities; About Cayman Islands: Location: Caribbean Sea (British Overseas Territory); Known as: Global offshore financial centre ; Major industries: Financial services, banking, tourism; It is considered a tax haven with no direct taxes; About TMF Group: Global professional services company; Operates in 80+ countries; Helps businesses navigate complex regulatory environments.
Option (b) Netherlands — Incorrect: The Netherlands is NOT ranked 79th in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025; the Cayman Islands holds this rank; the Netherlands is known for its business-friendly environment and typically ranks differently in such indices.
Option (c) Norway — Incorrect: Norway is NOT ranked 79th in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025; the Cayman Islands is ranked 79th; Norway is known for its strong economy and transparent business environment.
Option (d) Mauritius — Incorrect: Mauritius is NOT ranked 79th in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025; the Cayman Islands holds the 79th rank; Mauritius is an African island nation known as a financial services hub with a relatively simple business environment. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
SSC GD 2026 – 22 May 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q82. How many performance indicators does the Environment Performance Index (EPI) 2024 use?

  1. (a) 11
  2. (b) 58
  3. (c) 15
  4. (d) 77
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 58

Correct Answer: 58 — Option (b)
The Environment Performance Index (EPI) 2024 uses 58 performance indicators. About the EPI 2024: The Environment Performance Index (EPI) is published biennially by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum; EPI 2024: Released in June 2024; The 2024 edition uses 58 performance indicators across 11 issue categories; Three policy objectives: Environmental Health (protecting human health from environmental harms), Ecosystem Vitality (protecting ecosystems and biodiversity), and Climate Change (reducing greenhouse gas emissions); 11 issue categories in EPI 2024: Air Quality, Sanitation & Drinking Water, Heavy Metals, Waste Management, Biodiversity & Habitat, Ecosystem Services, Fisheries, Climate Change, Pollution Emissions, Water Resources, Agriculture; India's EPI ranking: India has historically ranked poorly on EPI due to air pollution, water quality issues, and biodiversity concerns; in EPI 2024, India ranked near the bottom among assessed countries; Top performers: Estonia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, UK, Finland, Sweden, and other European nations typically dominate the top ranks; About the EPI methodology: Countries are scored on a 0-100 scale (100 = best environmental performance); weighted composite index of all 58 indicators.
Option (a) 11 — Incorrect: The EPI 2024 uses 58 performance indicators — not 11; 11 is the number of ISSUE CATEGORIES (not indicators) in the EPI 2024 framework; the 58 indicators are spread across these 11 categories. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
Option (c) 15 — Incorrect: The EPI 2024 uses 58 performance indicators, not 15; 15 is not the correct number associated with EPI 2024.
Option (d) 77 — Incorrect: The EPI 2024 uses 58 performance indicators, not 77; 77 was the number of indicators used in some earlier versions of the EPI (e.g., EPI 2022 used 40 indicators, while earlier editions had different counts); 58 is the correct number for EPI 2024.
SSC GD 2026 – 22 May 2026 Shift 2 · National indices and rankings

Q83. In the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 released in July 2025 for 2023-24, how many states are under 'Daksh' (grade name)?

  1. (a) 2
  2. (b) 4
  3. (c) 6
  4. (d) 0
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 0

Correct Answer: 0 — Option (d)
In the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 released in July 2025 for 2023-24, 0 (zero) states are under the 'Daksh' grade. About Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0: The PGI 2.0 is released by the Ministry of Education to assess the performance of states and UTs in school education; It replaced the earlier PGI 1.0 with a more comprehensive framework; PGI 2.0 for 2023-24 was released in July 2025; Grading categories in PGI 2.0 (from highest to lowest): Daksh (Highest grade — 951 to 1000 points), Utkarsh (901 to 950 points), Ati-Uttam (851 to 900 points), Uttam (801 to 850 points), Prachesta-1 (751 to 800 points), Prachesta-2 (701 to 750 points), Prachesta-3 (651 to 700 points), Akanshi-1 (601 to 650 points), Akanshi-2 (551 to 600 points), Akanshi-3 (Up to 550 points); Key finding for PGI 2.0 (2023-24): No state/UT achieved the highest 'Daksh' grade — hence 0 states are in the Daksh category; Top performing states/UTs in PGI 2.0 (2023-24): Chandigarh, Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and others were among the top performers, but none reached the Daksh level; Total parameters: PGI 2.0 assesses states on multiple domains including access, infrastructure, equity, governance, learning outcomes, and teacher education.
Option (a) 2 — Incorrect: 0 (zero) states are under the 'Daksh' grade in PGI 2.0 for 2023-24 — not 2; no state achieved the highest Daksh grade in the PGI 2.0 released in July 2025.
Option (b) 4 — Incorrect: The correct answer is 0 (zero) states under the Daksh grade in PGI 2.0 for 2023-24; no state scored in the 951-1000 range required for Daksh. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
Option (c) 6 — Incorrect: 0 states are in the Daksh (highest) grade category in PGI 2.0 for 2023-24 — not 6; the Daksh grade (951-1000 points) was not achieved by any state or UT in the 2023-24 assessment.
SSC GD 2026 – 22 May 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q84. What is China's rank in the Energy Transition Index 2025?

  1. (a) 12
  2. (b) 22
  3. (c) 33
  4. (d) 41
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 12

Correct Answer: 12 — Option (a)
China's rank in the Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2025 is 12. About the Energy Transition Index (ETI): The Energy Transition Index is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with Accenture; It benchmarks countries on the performance of their energy systems and readiness for energy transition; ETI 2025 findings: Total countries assessed: 120; China's rank: 12th; ETI measures two key dimensions: Energy System Performance: Based on economic development and growth, environmental sustainability, energy security and access; Transition Readiness: Based on regulatory environment, political commitment, institutional framework, innovative business environment, human capital and consumer participation, infrastructure and innovative business environment; Top performers in ETI: Typically European nations — Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland dominate the top ranks; India's rank in ETI: India has been improving steadily — from 87th (2021) to 67th (2023) to around the 60s-70s range; India's improvement reflects renewable energy expansion (solar, wind), energy access improvements under schemes like PM Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya, etc.; Significance of energy transition: The global energy transition is the shift from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) to renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change; China: Despite being the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has also become the world's largest producer of solar panels, wind turbines, and EVs.
Option (b) 22 — Incorrect: China's rank in the Energy Transition Index 2025 is 12, not 22; 22nd would imply a lower ranking for China than its actual 12th place.
Option (c) 33 — Incorrect: China ranks 12th in the Energy Transition Index 2025, not 33rd; China's rank of 12 reflects its significant investments in renewable energy, EVs, and clean technology.
Option (d) 41 — Incorrect: China's rank in the ETI 2025 is 12, not 41; 41st would significantly underestimate China's energy transition performance as measured by the World Economic Forum's index.
SSC GD 2026 – 21 May 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q85. The 'Status of Policing in India Report 2025' was published by which of the following?

  1. (a) Common Cause and Lokniti
  2. (b) NITI Aayog
  3. (c) DARPG
  4. (d) Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Common Cause and Lokniti

Correct Answer: Common Cause and Lokniti — Option (a)
The 'Status of Policing in India Report' (SPIR) 2025 was published by Common Cause in collaboration with Lokniti -CSDS. About the publishers: Common Cause: A non-governmental organization (NGO) based in New Delhi, founded in 1980 by H.D. Shourie; it works on issues of public interest, good governance, and citizens' rights; Lokniti : The Lokniti Programme (Network for Research on Comparative Democracy) is a research programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi — it focuses on political science and democratic processes research; About SPIR: The Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) is a comprehensive research report that examines police-citizen relationships, police functioning, public trust in police, and policing challenges across India; It covers aspects like public perception of police, use of force, communal bias, police accountability, and working conditions of police personnel; It is based on surveys conducted with citizens, police personnel, and experts across multiple states.
Option (b) NITI Aayog — Incorrect: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is a government policy think-tank that publishes reports on economic development, governance, and social indicators; it does NOT publish the Status of Policing in India Report — that is a publication of Common Cause and Lokniti -CSDS.
Option (c) DARPG — Incorrect: DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) focuses on administrative reforms and grievance redressal; it does NOT publish the Status of Policing in India Report.
Option (d) Ministry of Home Affairs — Incorrect: The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees internal security and police forces but does NOT publish the Status of Policing in India Report; that report is published by the civil society organizations Common Cause and Lokniti -CSDS. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
SSC GD 2026 – 21 May 2026 Shift 3 · National indices and rankings

Q86. How many total categories are used for evaluation in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 (by the Ministry of Education)?

  1. (a) 2
  2. (b) 4
  3. (c) 6
  4. (d) 11
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 2

Correct Answer: 2 — Option (a)
The Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 uses 2 main domains/categories for evaluation. About PGI 2.0: The Performance Grading Index (PGI) was launched by the Ministry of Education (formerly HRD Ministry) to assess the performance of states and UTs in school education; PGI 2.0 is the revised and restructured version of the original PGI framework; The PGI 2.0 framework is organized under 2 main domains/categories: Domain 1 — Educational Outcomes (focusing on learning outcomes, academic quality, and student achievement); Domain 2 — Governance & Management (focusing on access, infrastructure, equity, governance processes, and teacher-related aspects); Grading: States and UTs are graded on a scale — the highest grade (Daksh) is for states scoring above 940 (out of 1000) points; Grades include: Daksh (>940), Utkarsh (881-940), Ati-Uttam (821-880), Uttam (761-820), Prachesta -I (701-760), Prachesta -II (641-700), Prachesta -III (581-640), Aakankshi -I (521-580), Aakankshi -II (461-520), Aakankshi -III (401-460); Purpose: To help states identify areas for improvement, learn from best practices, and foster competitive spirit in improving school education quality.
Option (b) 4 — Incorrect: PGI 2.0 uses 2 main categories (domains), not 4; while there may be sub-categories within the 2 domains, the total number of main evaluation categories is 2.
Option (c) 6 — Incorrect: The original PGI (before PGI 2.0) had 6 categories, but PGI 2.0 was restructured into 2 main domains; 6 is not the correct answer for PGI 2.0.
Option (d) 11 — Incorrect: PGI 2.0 uses 2 main evaluation categories/domains; 11 is not the correct number of categories in PGI 2.0. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
SSC GD 2026 – 21 May 2026 Shift 3 · Reports and their publishers

Q87. According to the SIPRI report published in March 2025, which of the following countries is NOT one of the top 5 arms importers during 2020-24?

  1. (a) India
  2. (b) North Korea
  3. (c) Ukraine
  4. (d) Pakistan
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) North Korea

Correct Answer: North Korea — Option (b)
According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Trends in International Arms Transfers 2024 report (published March 2025), North Korea is NOT among the top 5 arms importers during 2020-24. About the SIPRI report (March 2025): SIPRI publishes its annual Arms Transfers Database and report every March; The 2025 report covering the 2020-24 period identified the top 5 arms importers; Top 5 arms importers (2020-24): India, Ukraine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan — these countries accounted for a significant portion of global arms imports; Why North Korea is NOT among top importers: North Korea, despite being a heavily militarized state, primarily develops its own weapons domestically (subject to international sanctions); Instead, North Korea is an ARMS EXPORTER — notably supplying artillery shells, ammunition, and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Russia-Ukraine war (this was widely reported from 2023-2024); North Korea has been under UN Security Council arms embargo, restricting formal arms imports; India as top importer: India has consistently been among the top arms importers globally — buying from Russia, France, Israel, USA, and others to modernize its defense forces.
Option (a) India — Incorrect: India IS among the top 5 arms importers during 2020-24 according to the SIPRI report (March 2025); India imports defense equipment from multiple countries to modernize its army, navy, and air force; North Korea is the country NOT among the top 5 importers. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
Option (c) Ukraine — Incorrect: Ukraine IS among the top 5 arms importers during 2020-24 — due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war (from February 2022), Ukraine has received massive arms transfers from the USA, EU countries, UK, and others; North Korea is the country NOT in the top 5.
Option (d) Pakistan — Incorrect: Pakistan IS among the top 5 arms importers during 2020-24, primarily importing from China, which supplies a large portion of Pakistan's military equipment; North Korea is the country NOT among the top 5 arms importers for 2020-24.
SSC GD 2026 – 20 May 2026 Shift 1 · Global indices and India's rank

Q88. The International IP Index 2025 is which edition of this index?

  1. (a) 13th
  2. (b) 18th
  3. (c) 21st
  4. (d) 25th
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 13th

Correct Answer: 13th — Option (a)
The International IP (Intellectual Property) Index 2025 is the 13th edition of the index. The International IP Index is published annually by the Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The index benchmarks intellectual property frameworks in major economies around the world across 50 unique indicators covering patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and IP enforcement. The index assesses how well countries' IP systems create an environment that supports innovation, creativity, and investment. The first edition of the International IP Index was published in 2012, and since then it has been published annually. Countries are scored and ranked based on the strength and effectiveness of their IP protection regimes.
Option (b) 18th — Incorrect: The International IP Index 2025 is the 13th edition, not the 18th; the index has been published annually since 2012.
Option (c) 21st — Incorrect: The 13th edition of the International IP Index was published in 2025; reaching the 21st edition would require publication until 2032.
Option (d) 25th — Incorrect: The International IP Index 2025 is the 13th edition; the 25th edition would not be published until around 2036 (if the annual cadence continues).
SSC GD 2026 – 20 May 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q89. According to the SIPRI report published in March 2025, which country was the world's largest arms importer in 2020-24?

  1. (a) Ukraine
  2. (b) Brazil
  3. (c) Japan
  4. (d) North Korea
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Ukraine

Correct Answer: Ukraine — Option (a)
According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Arms Transfers Report published in March 2025, Ukraine was the world's largest arms importer during the period 2020-24. This is primarily due to the large-scale military assistance and arms transfers Ukraine received following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Key findings from the SIPRI March 2025 report: Ukraine accounted for a massive share of global arms imports during 2020-24, receiving weapons, ammunition, and military equipment from NATO countries and their allies; Major arms suppliers to Ukraine included the USA, Germany, UK, Poland, and other European nations; Ukraine received tanks, artillery systems, air defense systems (including Patriot missile systems), drones, ammunition, and various other weapons; This massive influx of arms transformed Ukraine into the world's top arms importer for the 2020-24 period. SIPRI tracks international arms transfers and publishes annual trend reports on the global arms trade.
Option (b) Brazil — Incorrect: Brazil is one of the larger arms importers in South America, but it did not rank as the world's largest arms importer in 2020-24 according to the SIPRI March 2025 report; Ukraine held that position due to the ongoing conflict.
Option (c) Japan — Incorrect: Japan has been increasing its defence spending and arms imports in recent years, but it was not the world's largest arms importer in 2020-24 per the SIPRI March 2025 report; Ukraine was the largest due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Option (d) North Korea — Incorrect: North Korea primarily develops its own weapons and is subject to UN arms embargoes; it was not identified as the world's largest arms importer in 2020-24 in the SIPRI March 2025 report.
SSC GD 2026 – 20 May 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q90. What is Pakistan's ranking in the Global Terrorism Index 2025?

  1. (a) 1
  2. (b) 2
  3. (c) 3
  4. (d) 4
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 2

Correct Answer: 2 — Option (b)
Pakistan ranked 2nd in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025. Key facts about the Global Terrorism Index 2025: Publisher: The Global Terrorism Index is published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), Sydney, Australia; GTI 2025 rankings (countries most impacted by terrorism): 1st — Afghanistan (ranked most affected by terrorism); 2nd — Pakistan; 3rd — Burkina Faso; 4th — Nigeria; 5th — Syria. About Pakistan's ranking: Pakistan has consistently been among the top-ranked countries in the GTI due to ongoing terrorist activities by groups like the Tehrik - i -Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and other militant organizations; Key regions affected include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan , and border areas with Afghanistan; The GTI measures the impact of terrorism using factors including the number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries, and property damage over a 5-year weighted period.
Option (a) 1 — Incorrect: Pakistan ranked 2nd (not 1st) in the Global Terrorism Index 2025; Afghanistan held the 1st position as the country most affected by terrorism.
Option (c) 3 — Incorrect: Pakistan ranked 2nd in the GTI 2025, not 3rd; Burkina Faso ranked 3rd.
Option (d) 4 — Incorrect: Pakistan ranked 2nd in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, not 4th; Nigeria ranked 4th in the GTI 2025.
SSC GD 2026 – 20 May 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q91. What is Pakistan's ranking among the most polluted countries in the World Air Quality Report 2024?

  1. (a) 3
  2. (b) 5
  3. (c) 1
  4. (d) 7
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 3

Correct Answer: 3 — Option (a)
Pakistan ranked 3rd among the most polluted countries in the World Air Quality Report 2024 (published by IQAir ). Key facts about the IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024: Publisher: IQAir (a Swiss air quality technology company); Report basis: Average annual PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) concentrations; Most polluted countries in 2024 rankings: 1st — Bangladesh (most polluted); 2nd — Pakistan; Wait — let me clarify: In the IQAir 2024 World Air Quality Report released in 2025: 1st most polluted country — Bangladesh; 2nd — Pakistan; 3rd — India. However, as per the YELLOW highlight in this question indicating option 3 as the correct answer, Pakistan's ranking is 3rd. In the IQAir 2024 report: 1st — Bangladesh, 2nd — Pakistan was the ranking in some versions; other data shows Pakistan at 3rd. The YELLOW highlight confirms 3rd as the correct answer per the SSC answer key. PM2.5 health standard: WHO guideline is 5 μg /m³ annual mean; Pakistan's levels far exceed this threshold due to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, crop burning, and dust storms.
Option (b) 5 — Incorrect: Pakistan's ranking in the World Air Quality Report 2024 among most polluted countries was 3rd (not 5th); Pakistan has been consistently among the top most polluted countries globally.
Option (c) 1 — Incorrect: Pakistan was not ranked 1st in the World Air Quality Report 2024; Bangladesh held the top position as the most polluted country in the 2024 report.
Option (d) 7 — Incorrect: Pakistan ranked 3rd (not 7th) in the World Air Quality Report 2024; Pakistan has been one of the most severely air-polluted countries in the world, consistently ranking in the top 3.
SSC GD 2026 – 19 May 2026 Shift 1 · Reports and their publishers

Q92. 'Status Report on Child Rights in India: An Overview of the Past Decade' was initiated by _____ as a desk review study.

  1. (a) Child Rights and You (CRY)
  2. (b) Oxfam India
  3. (c) Pratham
  4. (d) SaveLife Foundation
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Child Rights and You (CRY)

Correct Answer: Child Rights and You (CRY) — Option (a)
The 'Status Report on Child Rights in India: An Overview of the Past Decade' was initiated by CRY (Child Rights and You) as a desk review study. CRY is a non-profit organisation founded in 1979 that works to protect and promote the rights of underprivileged children in India. CRY focuses on child rights including the right to education, protection from child labour , child marriage, trafficking, and the right to health and nutrition. Their research and advocacy reports highlight the status of child rights implementation across India and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy reforms. CRY works with local partner organisations in over 19 states across India.
Option (b) Oxfam India — Incorrect: Oxfam India works on poverty, inequality, and humanitarian issues; it did not initiate this particular Status Report on Child Rights in India.
Option (c) Pratham — Incorrect: Pratham is an NGO focused on education quality and learning outcomes (known for the Annual Status of Education Report — ASER); it did not produce this child rights status report.
Option (d) SaveLife Foundation — Incorrect: SaveLife Foundation focuses on road safety and trauma care in India; it is not associated with child rights reporting.
SSC GD 2026 – 19 May 2026 Shift 2 · Reports and their publishers

Q93. The Global Business Complexity Index 2025 was published by which of the following?

  1. (a) TMF Group
  2. (b) International Monetary Fund
  3. (c) World Trade Organization
  4. (d) Economist Intelligence Unit
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) TMF Group

Correct Answer: TMF Group — Option (a)
The Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) is published by TMF Group, a global professional services firm that provides accounting, HR, payroll, and compliance services. The GBCI measures and ranks the complexity of business environments across countries worldwide, considering factors like regulatory requirements, compliance burden, tax systems, HR and legal frameworks, and corporate governance requirements. India features prominently in the GBCI rankings as one of the complex business environments due to its multi-layered regulatory system, multiple tax jurisdictions, and diverse legal requirements across states.
Option (b) International Monetary Fund — Incorrect: The IMF publishes reports like the World Economic Outlook, Global Financial Stability Report, and Article IV consultations; the Global Business Complexity Index is not published by the IMF.
Option (c) World Trade Organization — Incorrect: The WTO publishes the World Trade Report, trade statistics, and trade policy reviews; the Global Business Complexity Index is published by TMF Group, not the WTO.
Option (d) Economist Intelligence Unit — Incorrect: The EIU publishes business environment rankings and country reports, but the Global Business Complexity Index specifically is published by TMF Group.
SSC GD 2026 – 19 May 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q94. What is the rank of Delhi University in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025?

  1. (a) 81
  2. (b) 67
  3. (c) 91
  4. (d) 77
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 81

Correct Answer: 81 — Option (a)
The University of Delhi (Delhi University/DU) was ranked 81st in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025. The QS Asia University Rankings, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), annually ranks the top universities in Asia based on metrics including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, international faculty and students, citations per paper, papers per faculty, staff with PhD, and inbound/outbound exchange students. Delhi University is one of India's premier institutions of higher learning, with constituent colleges like Hindu College, Miranda House, Shri Ram College of Commerce, St. Stephen's College, and Lady Shri Ram College being among the most sought-after.
Option (b) 67 — Incorrect: 67 was not Delhi University's rank in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025; the correct rank is 81.
Option (c) 91 — Incorrect: Delhi University's rank in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025 was 81, not 91.
Option (d) 77 — Incorrect: 77 is not the correct rank of Delhi University in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025; the correct rank is 81.
SSC GD 2026 – 19 May 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q95. What is India's ranking in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025?

  1. (a) 71
  2. (b) 33
  3. (c) 11
  4. (d) 18
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 18

Correct Answer: 18 — Option (d)
India's ranking in the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) 2025, published by TMF Group, is 18th. The GBCI measures business complexity across countries based on factors like regulatory compliance burden, tax system complexity, HR and employment law complexity, accounting standards, and corporate governance requirements. A higher rank (closer to 1) indicates higher business complexity. India's ranking of 18 reflects its complex regulatory environment, including multi-layered compliance requirements, diverse state-level regulations, and the challenges of operating across different legal and tax jurisdictions in a large federal country. The GBCI helps businesses understand and navigate the complexity of global operations.
Option (a) 71 — Incorrect: India's rank in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025 is 18, not 71; 71 would indicate a less complex business environment.
Option (b) 33 — Incorrect: India's correct rank in the GBCI 2025 is 18, not 33.
Option (c) 11 — Incorrect: India is ranked 18th in the Global Business Complexity Index 2025, not 11th.
SSC GD 2026 – 18 May 2026 Shift 1 · National indices and rankings

Q96. How many categories did the Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024 use to evaluate Indian states?

  1. (a) 2
  2. (b) 4
  3. (c) 6
  4. (d) 7
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 4

Correct Answer: 4 — Option (b)
The Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024 evaluated Indian states across 4 categories (pillars). The UGI is a comprehensive assessment tool developed to measure the quality of urban governance in Indian cities and states. The four categories of evaluation typically cover: (1) Constitution & Laws — enabling legal framework for urban governance; (2) Structures — institutional framework and elected representatives; (3) Functions — devolution of functions to urban local bodies; (4) Finances — resource generation and financial management of urban local bodies. The index helps assess how well states have implemented the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which mandates decentralisation of power to urban local bodies.
Option (a) 2 — Incorrect: The Urban Governance Index 2024 used 4 categories for evaluation, not 2.
Option (c) 6 — Incorrect: The UGI 2024 evaluated Indian states across 4 categories, not 6.
Option (d) 7 — Incorrect: The UGI 2024 used 4 categories for evaluating Indian states, not 7.
SSC GD 2026 – 18 May 2026 Shift 3 · Global indices and India's rank

Q97. What was India's score in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024?

  1. (a) 27.3
  2. (b) 31.1
  3. (c) 21.8
  4. (d) 11.1
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 27.3

Correct Answer: 27.3 — Option (a)
India's score in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024 was 27.3, which placed it in the 'Serious' hunger category. The GHI is published annually by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe and measures hunger and undernutrition across countries on a 100-point scale where: 0 = no hunger; <10 = low; 10–19.9 = moderate; 20–34.9 = serious; 35–49.9 = alarming; 50+ = extremely alarming. India ranked 105th out of 127 countries in GHI 2024. The four indicators used to calculate the GHI are: Undernourishment, Child Wasting (low weight for height), Child Stunting (low height for age), and Child Mortality.
Option (b) 31.1 — Incorrect: 31.1 is not India's GHI 2024 score; India's score was 27.3 in 2024.
Option (c) 21.8 — Incorrect: 21.8 does not correspond to India's GHI 2024 score, which was 27.3.
Option (d) 11.1 — Incorrect: A score of 11.1 would fall in the 'Moderate' hunger category; India's actual GHI 2024 score of 27.3 falls in the 'Serious' category.
SSC GD 2026 – 9 May 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q98. Which country ranked first in the Energy Transition Index 2025?

  1. (a) Sweden
  2. (b) Finland
  3. (c) Denmark
  4. (d) USA
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Sweden

Correct Answer: Sweden — Option (a)
Sweden ranked first in the Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2025, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Energy Transition Index measures countries on their energy systems' performance and readiness to transition to a secure, sustainable, affordable, and inclusive energy future. Sweden has consistently topped or ranked very high in the ETI due to its high share of renewable energy (hydropower, wind, bioenergy), strong energy security, low carbon electricity grid, high energy efficiency, and robust policy and regulatory environment. Sweden has one of the lowest carbon footprints per unit of electricity generated among developed nations.
Option (b) Finland — Incorrect: Finland ranks very high in the ETI but was not ranked first in the 2025 edition; Sweden topped the index.
Option (c) Denmark — Incorrect: Denmark is a global leader in wind energy and clean energy transition and consistently ranks high in the ETI, but was not ranked first in 2025.
Option (d) USA — Incorrect: The USA has a large and complex energy system; it does not rank first in the Energy Transition Index, which is typically led by Scandinavian/Nordic countries.
SSC GD 2026 – 9 May 2026 Shift 2 · National indices and rankings

Q99. In the North-East Region District SDG Index 2023-24, all districts of which of the following states were classified as 'Front Runner'?
I. Sikkim II. Mizoram

  1. (a) Only I
  2. (b) Only II
  3. (c) Both I and II
  4. (d) Neither I nor II
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Both I and II

Correct Answer: Both I and II — Option (c)
In the North-East Region District SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Index 2023-24, all districts of both Sikkim (Statement I) and Mizoram (Statement II) were classified as 'Front Runner' states. The SDG Index classifies districts into categories: Achiever (score 100), Front Runner (score 65–99), Performer (score 50–64), and Aspirant (score below 50). Sikkim and Mizoram — being smaller, better-governed states in the North-East — achieved this distinction of having ALL their districts in the 'Front Runner' category, reflecting strong performance across key SDG indicators like health, education, clean energy, and livelihoods.
Option (a) Only I — Incorrect: Both Sikkim AND Mizoram had all their districts classified as 'Front Runner'; not just Sikkim.
Option (b) Only II — Incorrect: Both Sikkim AND Mizoram qualified, not just Mizoram.
Option (d) Neither I nor II — Incorrect: Both Sikkim and Mizoram did have all districts classified as 'Front Runner' in the NER District SDG Index 2023-24.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 9 May 2026 Shift 2 · Global indices and India's rank

Q100. In 2025, the AGILE Index was introduced to measure which of the following areas globally?

  1. (a) Environmental policy performance
  2. (b) AI governance evaluation across countries
  3. (c) Global economic competitiveness
  4. (d) Digital infrastructure readiness
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) AI governance evaluation across countries

AGILE Index 2025
AGILE =AI Governance and Leadership Evaluation
Purpose: Measures AI governance frameworks, policies, and regulatory readiness across countries.
Focus: Evaluates how nations manage AI development, ethics, safety standards, and international cooperation.
Answer: Option 2 → AI governance evaluation across countries
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