SF Prep Notes

Reports & Indices Current Affairs Quiz — All time

Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.

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103 news · 277 MCQs
Score: 0 / 0 attempted · 43 questions
India Bioeconomy Report 2025: bioeconomy grows 16-fold to $165.7 billion in 2024
Q1

According to the India Bioeconomy Report 2025, released on 21 March 2025, what was the size of India's bioeconomy in 2024?

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Correct answer: B — $165.7 billion

IBER 2025 put India's bioeconomy at $165.7 billion in 2024, up from $10 billion in 2014.

Q2 Advanced

What share of India's GDP did the bioeconomy contribute, as per the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?

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Correct answer: C — 4.25%

IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy contributes 4.25% to India's GDP.

Q3 Advanced

What is 'BioSaarthi', launched by Dr Jitendra Singh on 21 March 2025?

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Correct answer: D — A global mentorship initiative for biotech startups

BioSaarthi is a six-month cohort-based global mentorship initiative for biotech startups, engaging overseas experts, especially from the Indian diaspora.

Q4 Advanced

How many biotech startups does India have, as cited at the release of the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?

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Correct answer: B — Over 10,075

The Minister said biotech startups have grown from about 50 a decade ago to over 10,075.

Q5 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the India Bioeconomy Report 2025: 1. India's bioeconomy surpassed the target of $150 billion set for 2025. 2. The bioeconomy grew at a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years. Which of the above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2

IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy reached $165.7 billion in 2024, surpassing the $150 billion target for 2025, with a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years.

World Happiness Report 2025: India ranks 118th of 147; Finland tops for eighth year
Q6

What was India's rank in the World Happiness Report 2025, released on 20 March 2025?

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Correct answer: B — 118th

India ranked 118th of 147 countries, up from 126th in 2024.

Q7 Advanced

Which country was ranked the happiest in the World Happiness Report 2025, for the eighth year in a row?

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Correct answer: A — Finland

Finland led the ranking for the eighth consecutive year with an average score of 7.736.

Q8 Advanced

What was the theme of the World Happiness Report 2025?

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Correct answer: B — Caring and sharing

The 2025 report focused on the impact of caring and sharing on people's happiness.

Q9 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the World Happiness Report 2025: 1. It is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. 2. It is released every year to mark World Mental Health Day. Which of the above is/are correct?

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Correct answer: A — 1 only

The report is published by Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre with Gallup, the UN SDSN and an independent editorial board. It is released to mark the UN International Day of Happiness on 20 March, not World Mental Health Day (10 October).

IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024: Byrnihat most polluted city, India fifth most polluted country, Delhi most polluted capital
Q10

Which town was named the world's most polluted metropolitan area in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?

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Correct answer: B — Byrnihat

Byrnihat, on the Assam–Meghalaya border, topped the list with an annual average PM2.5 of 128.2 µg/m³.

Q11 Advanced

What was India's rank among the most polluted countries in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?

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Correct answer: D — Fifth

India ranked fifth at 50.6 µg/m³, improving from third in 2023.

Q12 Advanced

Which country was ranked the most polluted in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?

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Correct answer: A — Chad

Chad topped the list at 91.8 µg/m³, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the DR Congo and India.

Q13 Advanced

Consider the following statements about IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024: 1. India's annual average PM2.5 concentration was more than ten times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. 2. New Delhi was the most polluted capital city. Which of the above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2

Both are correct: India averaged 50.6 µg/m³ against the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, and New Delhi remained the world's most polluted capital.

Economic Survey 2024-25 tabled: FY25 growth 6.4%, FY26 projected at 6.3–6.8%
Q14

What real GDP growth range did the Economic Survey 2024-25 project for FY26?

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Correct answer: B — 6.3–6.8%

PIB 2097919: the real GDP is projected to grow between 6.3 and 6.8 per cent in FY26; FY25 growth was estimated at 6.4%.

Q15 Advanced

According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, the gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks fell to a 12-year low of:

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Correct answer: A — 2.6%

PIB 2097919: GNPA of scheduled commercial banks declined to a 12-year low of 2.6 per cent.

Q16 Advanced

The Economic Survey 2024-25 used the German term 'Mittelstand' to refer to which sector it wants to build up in India?

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Correct answer: A — Small and medium enterprises

PIB 2097919: the focus of reforms and Ease of Doing Business 2.0 is to create India's Mittelstand, i.e. India's SME sector.

Q17 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the Economic Survey 2024-25: 1. It estimated FY25 real GDP growth at 6.4%. 2. It said forex reserves of USD 640.3 billion could cover 10.9 months of imports. 3. It reported retail inflation rising from 4.9% in FY24 to 5.4% in April–December 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only

PIB 2097919: FY25 growth was 6.4% and forex of USD 640.3 billion covered 10.9 months of imports; retail inflation softened from 5.4% in FY24 to 4.9% in April–December 2024, so statement 3 reverses the figures.

HCES 2023-24 report: rural MPCE ₹4,122, urban ₹6,996; consumption inequality falls
Q18

What was the average monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) in rural India in 2023-24, as per HCES 2023-24 (without imputation)?

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Correct answer: D — ₹4,122

PIB 2097601: average MPCE in 2023-24 was ₹4,122 (rural) and ₹6,996 (urban) without imputed values; with imputation ₹4,247 and ₹7,078.

Q19 Advanced

Among major states, which state had the lowest urban–rural gap in average MPCE in 2023-24 according to HCES 2023-24?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Kerala

PIB 2097601: the lowest urban–rural gap in 2023-24 was in Kerala (about 18%) and the highest in Jharkhand (around 83%).

Q20 Advanced

Consider the following statements about HCES 2023-24: 1. The urban–rural gap in MPCE declined to 70% in 2023-24. 2. The Gini coefficient of consumption in rural areas declined to 0.237. 3. The Gini coefficient in urban areas rose compared to 2022-23. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only

PIB 2097601: the urban–rural gap fell to 70% and rural Gini fell to 0.237; urban Gini also fell, from 0.314 to 0.284, so statement 3 is wrong.

ASUSE 2023-24: unincorporated sector establishments grow 12.84% to 7.34 crore
Q21 Advanced

According to ASUSE 2023-24, which state had the highest number of unincorporated sector establishments?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Uttar Pradesh

PIB 2097316: Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of establishments, followed by West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Q22 Advanced

By how much did the number of establishments in the unincorporated sector grow in ASUSE 2023-24 over 2022-23?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 12.84%

PIB 2097316: establishments grew 12.84% (6.50 crore to 7.34 crore); workers grew 10.01% and GVA 16.52%.

Q23 Advanced

Which state topped Gross Value Added in the unincorporated sector as per ASUSE 2023-24?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Maharashtra

PIB 2097316: the top three states in GVA were Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

SBI report: investment announcements rise 39% to ₹32.01 lakh crore in April–December 2024
Q24 Advanced

According to the SBI report highlighted on 26 January 2025, what were total investment announcements in April–December 2024?

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Correct answer: C — ₹32.01 lakh crore

PIB 2096480: investment announcements in 9MFY25 stood at ₹32.01 lakh crore, up 39% from ₹23 lakh crore in 9MFY24.

Q25 Advanced

Consider the following statements based on the SBI report highlighted by the Finance Ministry in January 2025: 1. Household net financial savings rose to 5.3% of GDP in FY24. 2. Private corporate investment reached 11.9% of GDP in FY23, the highest since FY16. 3. The public sector accounted for nearly 70% of investment announcements in 9MFY25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only

PIB 2096480: HNFS rose to 5.3% of GDP in FY24 and private corporate investment hit 11.9% of GDP in FY23; nearly 70% of 9MFY25 announcements came from the private sector, not the public sector.

NITI Aayog's first Fiscal Health Index 2025 ranks Odisha top among 18 major states
Q26

Which state topped NITI Aayog's inaugural Fiscal Health Index 2025?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Odisha

PIB 2095974: Odisha topped with a score of 67.8, followed by Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6).

Q27 Advanced

Who launched NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025 on 24 January 2025?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Arvind Panagariya

PIB 2095974: 16th Finance Commission Chairman Arvind Panagariya launched the inaugural FHI 2025.

Q28 Advanced

Which of the following is NOT one of the five sub-indices of NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Ease of Doing Business

PIB 2095974: the sub-indices are Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index and Debt Sustainability.

Q29 Advanced

Which state ranked second in NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Chhattisgarh

PIB 2095974: Odisha (67.8) was followed by Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6).

MeitY report puts India's digital economy at 11.74% of national income in 2022-23
Q30 Advanced

According to MeitY's January 2025 report, what share of national income did India's digital economy account for in 2022-23?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 11.74%

PIB 2095260: India's digital economy was estimated at 11.74% of national income in 2022-23.

Q31 Advanced

With MeitY's digital economy estimates, India became the first developing country to use which organisation's framework to size its digital economy?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — OECD

PIB 2095260: India is the first among developing countries to use the OECD framework; alternate estimates use the ADB input-output approach.

Q32 Advanced

Consider the following about MeitY's report on India's digital economy (January 2025): 1. The digital economy was worth ₹31.64 lakh crore in 2022-23. 2. It is projected to contribute one-fifth of GDP by 2030. 3. It also gives alternate estimates using the ADB's input-output approach. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3

PIB 2095260: the digital economy equalled ₹31.64 lakh crore in 2022-23, is projected at one-fifth of GDP by 2030, and alternate estimates use the ADB input-output approach.

WIPO's WIPI 2024: India 6th in patent applications; residents file over half for the first time
Q33

As per WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, what is India's global rank in patent applications?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 6th

PIB: India ranks 6th globally in patent applications, with 64,480 filings in 2023.

Q34 Advanced

As per WIPI 2024, what share of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents, the first time above half?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 55.2%

PIB: for the first time, more than half (55.2%) of India's patent applications in 2023 were filed by residents.

Q35 Advanced

Consider the following about India in WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024: 1. India had 64,480 patent filings in 2023. 2. Patents granted in India in 2023 fell compared with the previous year. Which of the above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 1 only

PIB: India had 64,480 filings in 2023, and patents granted rose 149.4% (not fell). So only 1 is correct.

WIPO report: India in top 10 for patents, trademarks and industrial designs
Q36

According to WIPO's World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, where does India rank globally for patent applications?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Sixth

PIB (Commerce): India ranks sixth globally for patents with 64,480 applications.

Q37 Advanced

By how much did India's patent applications grow in 2023, the fastest among the top 20 origins, as per WIPI 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 15.7%

PIB (Commerce): India recorded the fastest growth in patent applications (+15.7%) in 2023 among the top 20 origins. 36.4% is design growth, 6.1% trademark growth and 55.2% the resident share.

Q38 Advanced

In WIPI 2024, India ranked where globally in trademark filings?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Fourth

PIB (Commerce): India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase in 2023. (Its trademark office holds the second-largest number of active registrations.)

QS Asia Rankings 2025: IIT Delhi tops Indian list at 44th; India has most ranked institutions
Q39

Which Indian institution ranked highest in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025?

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Correct answer: A — IIT Delhi

PIB (Education): IIT Delhi achieved India's highest ranking, moving up to 44th from 46th.

Q40 Advanced

The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025 assessed how many institutions?

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Correct answer: D — 984 in 25 countries

PIB (Education): the ranking assesses 984 institutions covering 25 countries.

Q41 Advanced

How many Indian institutions are in the top 50 of the QS Asia Rankings 2025?

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Correct answer: B — Two

PIB (Education): India has two institutions in the top 50 (IIT Delhi 44, IIT Bombay 48) and seven in the top 100.

PM lauds WHO-recognised 17.7% decline in India's TB incidence
Q42 Advanced

By what percentage did India reduce TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, as recognised by the WHO and lauded by the PM in November 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — 17.7%

PIB (PMO): the WHO recognised India's progress in reducing tuberculosis by 17.7% from 2015 to 2023.

Q43

Which organisation recognised India's 17.7% reduction in TB incidence (2015–2023), as cited by the PM on 3 November 2024?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — World Health Organisation

PIB (PMO): the recognition of India's progress in reducing TB was by the World Health Organisation.