1. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways ranked 2nd on Data Governance Quality Index
Tags: INDEX National News
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has been ranked second among 66 ministries in the Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) assessment for the December quarter (Q3) of FY23.
An overview of the news
The ministry scored 4.7 out of 5, indicating its commitment to excellence in data governance.
Conducted by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog, the DGQI survey aims to measure the maturity level of administrative data systems and their use in decision making of various ministries and departments on the implementation of central sector schemes.
MoPSW's success in DGQI assessment was aided by the concerted efforts of the National Technology Center for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras, which was tasked to improve MoPSW's Management Information System (MIS) in compliance with DGQI standards I went.
Six key indicators
The DGQI assessment covers six key themes including data generation, data quality, use of technology, data analysis, access and dissemination, data security and human resource capability, and case studies.
Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI)
The Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) survey is conducted by NITI Aayog's Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office.
The survey aims to evaluate the performance of different Ministries /Departments in implementing Central Sector Schemes (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
2. Index of Eight Core Industries increases by 3.6 percent in March 2023
Tags: INDEX Economy/Finance
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 3.6 percent (provisional) in March 2023 as compared to the Index of March 2022.
An overview of the news
The production of Coal, Fertilizers, Steel, Natural Gas, and Refinery Products increased in March 2023 over the corresponding month of last year.
ICI measures combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity.
The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Summary of the Index of Eight Core Industries
Coal - Coal production (weight: 10.33 percent) increased by 12.2 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
Crude Oil - Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98 percent) declined by 2.8 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
Natural Gas - Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88 percent) increased by 2.8 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
Petroleum Refinery Products - Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04 percent) increased by 1.5 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
Fertilizers - Fertilizer production (weight: 2.63 percent) increased by 9.7 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
Steel - Steel production (weight: 17.92 percent) increased by 8.8 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
Cement - Cement production (weight: 5.37 percent) declined by 0.8 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
Electricity - Electricity generation (weight: 19.85 percent) declined by 1.8 percent in March 2023 over March 2022.
3. India ranks 38th in World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI)
India secured 38th rank in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) released in 2023 by the World Bank.
An Overview of the News
India's improvement in ranking can be attributed to its significant investments in both hard and soft infrastructure, as well as technology.
India's current ranking shows a significant improvement from its 44th rank in 2018 and its 54th rank in 2014.
The Logistics Performance Index ranks 139 countries based on factors such as the efficiency of customs clearance processes, the quality of transportation infrastructure and the ease of arranging shipments.
Singapore and Finland have been identified as the most efficient and highest ranked countries in terms of logistics performance as per LPI 2023.
About the World Bank
It was established in 1944 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.
Itsprimary goal is to reduce poverty in developing countries by providing financial assistance, technical expertise, and other resources to support development projects.
The World Bank operates through two main institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).
The IBRD provides loans to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, while the IDA provides grants and loans to the poorest countries.
The World Bank also works closely with other international organisations such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and regional development banks to coordinate development efforts and promote economic growth.
Founders -John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White
President - David Malpass
4. Hurun's Global Unicorn Index 2023
Hurun's Global Unicorn Index 2023 released on 18th April.
India in the report
According to the report India continues to be the world's third-largest country with the highest number of unicorns, following the US and China.
Ed-tech BYJU'S worth $22 billion topped the list of Indian Unicorns, followed by on-demand delivery start-up Swiggy and fantasy sports platform travel- stay finder Dream11 ($8 billion each).
BYJU'S is the only Indian Unicorn among the list of the top 10 biggest rises in valuation since pre-Covid.
As per reports the number of Indian unicorns established outside India is more than the number of unicorns based within India.
India has a total of 138 unicorns, out of which 70 were established by Indian co-founders but have their headquarters located outside India, while 68 are based in India.
Global Status
The United States of America topped the index with 666 unicorns, up 179 compared to 2022, followed byChina in 2nd position with 316 unicorns (up 15).
In terms of unicorn investors, Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, and SoftBank are the top three, having invested in 238, 179, and 168 unicorn startups, respectively.
Top 5 countries with most Unicorns
USA (666)
China (316)
India (68)
UK (49)
Germany (36)
Top 5 Cities with Most Unicorns
San Francisco (USA) - 181
New York (USA) - 126
Beijing (China) - 79
Shanghai (China) - 66
London (UK) - 42
5. Tibet least free country in Freedom in the World Index 2023
Tags: INDEX
Global watchdog Freedom House has released its 'Freedom in the World Index' for 2023, ranking Tibet as the "world's least free country" along with South Sudan and Syria.
An Overview of the News:
This is the third annual report after the 2021 and 2022 Freedom House reports. According to the report, both Chinese and Tibetans living in Tibet lack basic rights.
According to the report, the Chinese authorities are very harsh in suppressing any sign of discontent among Tibetans.
A number of issues relating to the human rights of the Tibetan people require serious and urgent attention from the international community.
Every move by the Communist Party of China (CPC) to sinicize Tibet is being closely watched by the rest of the world.
People living in Tibet are not even getting basic human rights.
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights raised the issue of serious human rights violations in Tibet in its third Periodic Review Report.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) is forcefully destroying Buddhism and culture in Tibet for complete Sinicization.
Tibetan children have been completely cut off from Buddhist teachings. Along with this, hatred against Buddhism and culture is being created in children through school education.
Tibetan religious leaders are being persecuted in the name of re-education.
The Freedom House report compared the atrocities in Tibet to the atrocities committed on Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province.
6. India ranked 77th in the world's 'Most Criminal Countries' ranking
World of Statistics released the ranking of the world's "most criminal countries" in which India is ranked 77th, while the US is at 55th and the UK at 65th.
An Overview of the News
- As per the ranking, Venezuela has been ranked first as the most criminal country, followed by Papua New Guinea in second place and South Africa in third place.
- Turkey, Germany and Japan are among the least criminal countries, ranked 92nd, 100th and 135th respectively.
- According to this report, Afghanistan ranks fourth with a crime rate of more than 76 crimes per 100,000 people.
- The overall crime rate is calculated by dividing the total number of reported crimes by the total population and multiplying by 100,000.
Countries with the ten highest crime rates
- Venezuela (83.76)
- Papua New Guinea (80.79)
- South Africa (76.86)
- Afghanistan (76.31)
- Honduras (74.54)
- Trinidad and Tobago (71.63)
- Guyana (68.74)
- El Salvador (67.79)
- Brazil (67.49)
- Jamaica (67.42)
7. Southern states lead in State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22
Tags: INDEX
Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy R. K. Singh released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22 report on 10 April.
An Overview of the News:
- The SEEI was released during the RPM (Review, Planning and Monitoring) meeting of states and state utility companies in New Delhi.
- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana are among the top ranked states in the State Energy Efficiency Index-SEEI.
- Four states Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab are in the achiever category with scores between 50 and 60.
- Besides, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Chandigarh are the top performing states in their respective state groups.
Objective of State Energy Efficiency Index:
- To help states identify areas for improvement, learn from best practices and adopt an economy-friendly approach to energy efficiency implementation.
- By prioritizing energy efficiency, it aims to drive carbon reduction efforts and achieve a more sustainable future.
- The index is designed to help monitor progress toward state goals for energy savings and emissions reductions.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
- The Government of India established the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on 1 March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with an emphasis on self-regulation and market principles.
8. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport enters the busiest airports club, ranks 9 in world
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) ranks ninth in the list of top ten busiest airports in the world, according to data from the Airports Council International (ACI).
An overview of the news
For the first time, an Indian airport has made it to the list of top ten airports in terms of traffic.
As per ACI report, Delhi airport is expected to handle more than 5.94 crore passengers in 2022.
As a result of this achievement, IGIA has jumped from 17th position in pre-Covid 2019 to 9th position, according to ACI data.
In terms of traffic, five of the top ten airports are from the US.
Apart from India, Dubai is the only other airport in Asia in the list.
No Chinese airport made it to the list considering the travel restrictions due to the Covid situation in the country.
Mumbai is India's second busiest airport.
Top 10 busiest airports in the world in 2022
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (93.7 million passengers)
Dallas Fort Worth Airport (73.4 million passengers)
Denver Airport (69.3 million passengers)
Chicago O'Hare Airport (68.3 million passengers)
Dubai Airport (66.1 million passengers)
Los Angeles Airport
Istanbul Airport (64.3 million passengers)
Heathrow Airport in London
IGI Airport in Delhi
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
9. Mukesh Ambani becomes richest sports owner in Forbes Billionaire 2023 list
Mukesh Ambani was named the richest sports owner in the Forbes Billionaires 2023 list and according to the list, he has a net worth of $83.4 billion, surpassing Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer who has a net worth of $80.7 billion.
An Overview of the News
Despite a 3% decline in Reliance Industries' share price over the past year, Ambani's net worth has still grown, reflecting the strength and diversity of his business interests.
Mukesh Ambani is the world's richest sports owner as of 10 March 2023.
Ambani-owned Reliance Industries has been expanding its presence in the sports industry in recent years.
The company bought a franchise in the inaugural Women's Premier League and owns cricket teams in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
5 richest sports team owners
Mukesh Ambani: With a net worth of $83.4 billion, Mukesh Ambani is the owner of the world's richest sports team. He is a citizen of India and is the owner of the Mumbai Indians, a cricket team that competes in the Indian Premier League.
Steve Ballmer: The former CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer is an American citizen who owns the Los Angeles Clippers, a professional basketball team. His net worth has been estimated at $80.7 billion.
Rob Walton: Heir to the Walmart fortune, Rob Walton is an American citizen who owns the Denver Broncos, a professional football team. His net worth has been estimated at $57.6 billion.
François Pinault and Family: François Pinault is a French billionaire who owns Stade Rennais F.C., a professional football team in France. are the owners of. His net worth has been estimated at $40.1 billion.
Mark Mateschitz: is an Austrian businessman who owns several sports teams, including professional football and Formula One racing teams, the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Racing, respectively. He is also the owner of the German professional football team RB Leipzig. His net worth has been estimated at $34.7 billion.
10. World Happiness Report 2023
Recently the 11th edition of the World Happiness Report, 2023 was released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
An overview of the news
The report says that between 2020 and 2022, the world will see a 'significant' increase in resilience.
Two significant events affected the world during this period – the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to the report, during this time of crisis, global citizens became increasingly philanthropic and built stronger social ties.
There are 25 percent more "charitable acts" worldwide in 2022 than before the pandemic.
Key Highlight of the report
Top Performing Countries
Finland continues to be the happiest country around the world for the sixth consecutive year.
Denmark is at number two, followed by Iceland at number three.
Worst Performing Countries
Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest nation, followed by Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe respectively.
India’s Performance
India ranks 126 out of 136 countries, making it one of the least happy countries in the world.
In 2022, India was ranked 136 out of 146 countries.
India's neighbors ranked Sri Lanka (63), China (74) and Pakistan (108), among others.
About World Happiness Report
It has been published annually since 2012 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
The ranking uses key factors to measure happiness - real GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
The report ranks global happiness based on survey data from people in more than 150 countries.
