Current Context : The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported that more than 1.73 lakh people were killed and 4.47 lakh injured in 4.64 lakh road accidents across India in 2023, showing an increase compared to 2022. ABOUT NCRB DATA ON ROAD ACCIDENTS Overall Numbers Total accidents: 4,64,029 (17,261 more than 2022). Deaths: 73 lakh+. Injuries: 47 lakh. Time of Accidents 6–9 p.m.: 7% of total accidents (highest). 3–6 p.m.: 3%. 12 noon–3 p.m.: 15%. Vehicle Involvement Two-wheelers: 79,533 deaths (45.8%). Pedestrians: 27,586 deaths (15.9%). SUV/Car/Jeep: 24,776 deaths (14.3%). Tamil Nadu (11,490) and Uttar Pradesh (8,370) reported the highest two-wheeler....Read More

Current Context : The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released data for 2023, showing 1,77,335 cases of crimes against children, an increase of 9.2% over 2022. ABOUT NCRB DATA Overall Cases Total cases: 1,77,335 Crime rate: 9 per one lakh child population (up from 36.6 in 2022). Major Crime Categories Kidnapping and Abduction: 79,884 cases (45%). POCSO Act cases: 67,694 (38.2%), including 40,434 penetrative sexual assaults. Other crimes: murders (1,219), abetment to suicide (373), child marriage cases (6,038), child labour cases (1,390). Victim Demographics Below 6 years: 762 victims. 6–12 years: 3,229 victims. 12–16 years: 15,444 victims. 16–18 years:....Read More

Current Context : The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 4th issue of Children in India 2025 Report covering education, health, nutrition, and child protection. Key Highlights Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Reduced from 44 (2011) to 25 (2023). Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR): Reduced from 30 (2022) to 29 (2023). Birth Rate (2023): 18.4 per 1,000 population (Rural – 20.3, Urban – 14.9). Dropout Rates (2022–23 to 2024–25): Preparatory: 8.7% → 2.3% Middle: 8.1% → 3.5% Secondary: 13.8% → 8.2% Child Marriage (Women 20–24 married before 18): 26.8% (2015–16) → 23.3% (2019–21). Adoptions: Increased from 3,927 (2017–18) to....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : The World Trade Organization (WTO) released its World Trade Report 2025, highlighting the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in boosting global trade and growth by 2040. Relevant Data : AI Impact: Could raise global trade by 34–37% and GDP by 12–13% by 2040 AI-enabling goods trade (2023): USD 3 trillion Digital Gap: If low- and middle-income nations halve their digital gap, income may rise by 14–15% Barriers: Tariffs on AI goods up to 45% Trade restrictions rose from 130 (2012) → 500 (2024) Challenges: Uneven access to AI technologies WTO Role: Promotes commitments under ITA &....Read More

Current Context According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, global R&D growth has slowed — falling to 2.9% in 2024 and projected to decline further to 2.3% in 2025. ABOUT GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX Launched by: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) First Published: 2007 Recognised by: United Nations General Assembly as an authoritative reference for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies Purpose: To rank countries on their innovation capacity and success Covers: Investment patterns Technological progress Adoption rates Socioeconomic impacts Significance: Acts as a global benchmark to measure and compare innovation performance Helps governments, industry,....Read More

Current Context: According to Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) data released by MoSPI, India’s unemployment rate fell to 5.1% in August 2025, showing improvement in rural employment and female participation. KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF PLFS DATA Overall Unemployment Rate (15+ years):1% (lowest in 3 months) Male Unemployment:0% (5-month low) Urban male UR: 6.6% (July) → 5.9% (August) Rural male UR: 4.5% (lowest in 5 months) Rural Recovery: Rural UR dropped from 5.1% (May) → 4.3% (August) RISE IN FEMALE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION Worker Population Ratio (WPR – Female): 2% (June) → 32.0% (August) Rural: 33.6% → 35.9% Urban: 22.9% → 23.8% Labour....Read More

Current Context: India ranked 99th out of 167 countries in the Sustainable Development Report 2025, but faces major challenges in achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). ABOUT SDG 11 CHALLENGES Indicators under SDG 11: Proportion of slum population Air pollution (PM 2.5) Access to improved piped water Public transport availability KEY FINDINGS Stagnant progress on slum population and PM 2.5 pollution levels Decline in access to piped water in 2025; only 65% households had it in 2022 Water supply highly irregular — e.g. Mumbai gets just 5 hours/day High water cost in slums (30× more from tankers); only 45....Read More

Current Context: Kerala’s maternal mortality ratio has risen from 18 to 30 per 100,000 live births as per the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021–2023 bulletin. This rise is linked to COVID-19-related maternal deaths and demographic shifts, though Kerala still shares the lowest MMR in India (along with Andhra Pradesh). ABOUT MMR TRENDS IN KERALA Earlier stable at 30–32 per 100,000 live births from 2014 to 2019. Spike to 51 in 2021-22 due to 220 maternal deaths linked to COVID-19. Now stabilised at 30, though higher than 18 reported previously. DECLINING LIVE BIRTHS & ITS IMPACT Annual live births declined from....Read More

Current Context: UNICEF has released the Child Nutrition Report 2025, warning of a sharp global rise in unhealthy diets and childhood obesity, largely due to ultra-processed foods (UPF) and aggressive marketing. Relevant data : Overweight & Obesity: 5% children under 5 years overweight. 20% children and adolescents (5–19 years) overweight (double since 2000). In 2025 → Obesity prevalence: 9.4%, Underweight: 9.2% (school-age children & adolescents). Regional Concentration: More than half of affected children are in East Asia & Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean, South Asia. In South Asia, overweight among 5–19 years increased fivefold since 2000. Key Drivers: Availability &....Read More

Current Context: On International Literacy Day 2025, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that India’s literacy rate rose from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023–24 driven by ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. About ULLAS – NAV BHARAT SAAKSHARTA KARYAKRAM Enrolled: 3 crore+ learners. Volunteers Mobilized: 42 lakh+. Assessment: 1.83 crore learners tested in basic literacy & numeracy. Pass Rate: 90%. Languages: Learning content in 26 Indian languages for inclusivity. FULL LITERACY REGIONS Union Territory: Ladakh (declared fully literate on 24 June 2024). States: Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh. ABOUT ULLAS Full Form: Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society. Launched....Read More