Overview
The lecture covers India's latest national and international rankings, statistics, and significant reports across diverse fields such as press freedom, happiness, economic strength, innovation, environment, and more for 2024–2025.
Global Rankings & Indices
- India ranked 151st in World Press Freedom Index 2025 (Reporters Without Borders); Norway ranked 1st.
- India ranked 118th out of 147 in World Happiness Report 2025 (Well-being Research Center); Finland ranked 1st.
- IISc Bengaluru is India's top university in Asia University Rankings 2025; Tsinghua (China) topped Asia.
- India ranked 14th in Global Terrorism Index 2025 (Institute for Economics and Peace); Burkina Faso ranked 1st.
- India ranked 4th in Global Firepower Index 2025; USA ranked 1st.
- India ranked 105th out of 127 in Global Hunger Index 2024 (Concern Worldwide & Welthungerhilfe).
- India ranked 85th in Henley Passport Index 2025 (International Air Transport Association); Singapore ranked 1st.
- India ranked 10th in Climate Change Performance Index 2025 (Germanwatch); Denmark topped.
- India ranked 39th out of 133 in Global Innovation Index 2024 (World Intellectual Property Organization); Switzerland ranked 1st.
- India ranked 116th in Global Peace Index 2024 (Institute for Economics and Peace).
- India ranked 39th out of 119 in Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024 (World Economic Forum); USA ranked 1st.
- India is 5th most polluted country, and Bayernhat, Malaysia is most polluted city (World Air Quality Report 2024).
- India has the second largest road network globally; USA is first.
- India ranked 24th out of 33 in Free Speech Index (Future of Free Speech); Norway ranked 1st.
- India ranked 23rd in Sustainable Trade Index 2024 (Hinrich Foundation & IMD); New Zealand ranked 1st.
- India ranked 49th in Network Readiness Index 2024.
National Achievements and Reports
- India's exports grew by 5.5% in FY 2024–25.
- India's pharmaceutical exports rose by 9% in FY 2024–25.
- India's automobile exports rose by 19% in FY 2024–25.
- India's GDP increased by 105% in a decade (IMF data).
- IMF estimates India's growth rate at 6.2% for 2025.
- Fiscal deficit estimated at 4.4% of GDP (Union Budget 2025).
- India is the second largest arms importer; Ukraine is first (CRI report).
State & City Rankings
- Odisha topped Fiscal Health Index 2025 (NITI Aayog).
- Rajasthan topped in installing solar panels on railway stations.
- Gujarat has highest number of frontrunner gram panchayats (Panchayat Advancement Index).
- Kerala ranked first in State Food Safety Index 2024 (FSSAI).
- Uttar Pradesh recorded highest Ganga river dolphin count.
- Karnataka topped Local Governance Performance Index (Ministry of Panchayati Raj).
- Indore is India's cleanest city for the seventh consecutive year.
- Delhi Airport is the best in Asia Pacific for seventh year.
Corporate & Brand Rankings
- Tata Group is India's most valuable brand (Brand Finance Global 2025).
- Apple is the most valuable brand globally.
- Yes Bank topped S&P Global Sustainability Ranking 2025.
- LIC ranked third strongest insurance brand globally.
- Indigo is the world's second fastest-growing airline in seat capacity, 2024.
- America (USA) is India's biggest trading partner for fourth year.
Social Indicators & Notable Facts
- 30% decline in India’s suicide death rate from 1992–2021 (Lancet study).
- Rashni Nada became the first Indian woman among world's top 10 richest women.
- Alies Walton topped world’s richest women list; Ambani family is Asia’s richest (Hurun/Bloomberg).
- Shanghai is Asia’s billionaire capital.
- Copenhagen is world’s cleanest city.
- Singapore Changi Airport is world's best airport for 2025.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Fiscal Deficit — The difference between the government’s total expenditure and its total receipts excluding borrowings.
- Gram Panchayat — The basic unit of local self-government in India at the village or small town level.
- Global Firepower Index — Ranks military strength of countries based on weaponry, resources, and manpower.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review all ranks and indices for upcoming quizzes or exams.
- Read the cited global reports for deeper context if required by syllabus.
- Memorize key rankings for current affairs sections in competitive exams.