Indexes & Reports — Indian Economy

Q.1

WBCS prelims 2024

Among the following indices which one is not used for the construction of Human Development Index?

A. Health Index

B. Price Index

C. Education Index

D. Income Index

Explanation

Why Correct: The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. The three dimensions are a long and healthy life (Health Index), knowledge (Education Index), and a decent standard of living (Income Index). The Price Index, which measures the average change in prices over time, is not a component of the HDI.
Distractor Analysis: The Health Index is a component of the HDI, measured by life expectancy at birth. The Education Index is a component, measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling. The Income Index is a component, measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. The Price Index is not a component; it is used in economic indicators like inflation and purchasing power parity, not in the HDI.
Takeaway: The HDI was developed by the Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq and introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its first Human Development Report in 1990. The HDI value ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating higher human development.

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Q.2

WBCS prelims 2023

NITI Aayog has released the “North-East Region District SDG Index” with the support from

A. UNDP

B. World Bank

C. Asian Development Bank

D. IMF

Explanation

Why Correct: NITI Aayog released the “North-East Region District SDG Index” in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
Distractor Analysis: World Bank provides financial and technical assistance for development projects. Asian Development Bank focuses on lending to infrastructure projects in Asia-Pacific. IMF provides financial stability and monetary cooperation.
Takeaway: NITI Aayog also released the “SDG India Index” in partnership with UNDP.

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Q.3

WBCS prelims 2020

The Human Development Index (HDI) is published by the

A. World bank

B. UNDP

C. IMF

D. NITI Aayog

Explanation

Why Correct: The Human Development Index (HDI) is published annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its Human Development Report.
Distractor Analysis: The World Bank publishes reports like World Development Indicators but not HDI. The IMF publishes financial stability and economic outlook reports. NITI Aayog is India's policy think tank and does not publish the global HDI.
Takeaway: HDI was introduced by Mahbub ul Haq in 1990; it measures achievements in health, education, and income.

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Q.4

WBCS prelims 2019

In the latest ‘Ease of Doing Business Report 2019′ released by the World Bank, India has secured

A. 67th rank

B. 77th rank

C. 87th rank

D. 100th rank

Explanation

Why Correct: In the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Report 2019 (published in 2018, covering reforms up to June 2018), India ranked 77th.
Distractor Analysis: 67th rank was India's rank in the 2018 report (published 2017). 87th rank corresponds to the 2016 report. 100th rank was India's rank in the 2017 report (published 2016).
Takeaway: India's rank improved from 100th in 2017 to 77th in 2019. In the 2020 report, India jumped to 63rd.

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Q.5

WBCS prelims 2019

Which of the following organisation released Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index ?

A. NITI Aayog

B. Ministry of Agriculture

C. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)

D. None of the above

Explanation

Why Correct: NITI Aayog released the Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index to rank states based on implementation of reforms under the Essential Commodities Act, APMC Act, and Land Leasing Act.
Distractor Analysis: Ministry of Agriculture formulates policies but does not release this specific index. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices recommends MSPs but does not release state-level reform indices.
Takeaway: NITI Aayog has also released the Export Preparedness Index, Health Index, and Education Index.

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Q.6

WBCS prelims 2017

The Human Development Index was first introduced in the year

A. 1980

B. 1990

C. 1995

D. 2000

Explanation

Why Correct: The Human Development Index was introduced by the United Nations Development Programme in its first Human Development Report in 1990.
Distractor Analysis: 1980 predates the HDI; the concept emerged later. 1995 and 2000 are after the 1990 debut.
Takeaway: The HDR has been published annually since 1990, with the HDI as its centerpiece.

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Q.7

WBCS prelims 2017

World Development Report is published by

A. the United Nations Organisation

B. the Asian Development Bank

C. the World Bank

D. the World Trade Organisation

Explanation

Why Correct: The World Development Report is an annual flagship publication of the World Bank since 1978.
Distractor Analysis: The United Nations Organisation publishes the Human Development Report. The Asian Development Bank publishes the Asian Development Outlook. The World Trade Organisation publishes the World Trade Report.
Takeaway: World Development Report – World Bank; Human Development Report – UNDP; World Trade Report – WTO; Asian Development Outlook – ADB.

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Q.8

WBCS prelims 2008

In terms of Human Development Index, India falls under the following category

A. High

B. Medium

C. Low

D. Very Low

Explanation

Why Correct: India's HDI value, as per 2005 data, was approximately 0.619, placing it in the Medium human development category (0.550-0.699).
Distractor Analysis: High category includes countries with HDI above 0.800, such as Norway. Low category includes countries with HDI below 0.550, such as Niger. Very Low category was used for countries with HDI below 0.500 in earlier reports.
Takeaway: India has consistently remained in the Medium HDI category since the 1990s, with gradual improvement in rank and value.

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Q.9

WBCS prelims 2007

When was the concept of the Human Development Index (HDI) introduced by the United Nations Development Programme?

A. 1990

B. 1991

C. 1993

D. 1995

Explanation

Why Correct: The United Nations Development Programme introduced the HDI in its first Human Development Report in 1990.
Distractor Analysis: 1991 saw the second Human Development Report. 1993 is the year the Human Development Index was revised for the first time. 1995 was when the Gender-related Development Index was introduced.
Takeaway: The first Human Development Report was published in 1990 by UNDP, authored by Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen.

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Q.10

WBCS prelims 2001

World Investment Report 2000 has been published by

A. World Bank

B. UNDP

C. IMF

D. UNCTAD

Explanation

Why Correct: The World Investment Report is published annually by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The 2000 report focused on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and their impact on development.
Distractor Analysis: The World Bank publishes the World Development Report. UNDP publishes the Human Development Report. IMF publishes the World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report.
Takeaway: UNCTAD is the publisher of the World Investment Report, which covers global foreign direct investment trends.

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