Reports & Indices Current Affairs 2026 for Government Exams

Brand Finance released its India 100 Report 2026. The Tata Group retained its position as India's most valuable brand for the 10th consecutive year with a brand value of USD 33.6 billion, followed by Infosys (USD 15.3 billion) and LIC Group (USD 15.3 billion). The Adani Group jumped to 8th (from 13th) to become the fastest company to enter India's top 10 most valuable brands. Total valuation of India's 100 leading brands stood at USD 252.8 billion, up 7%. Suzlon Energy was the fastest-growing brand (up 114% to USD 418 million), and Taj Hotels was named India's strongest brand for the 5th year running.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the first trial Index of Services Production (ISP) — India's first official monthly indicator of services-sector output, complementing the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The ISP is India's first high-frequency indicator dedicated to measuring formal services-sector output, tracking short-term changes in the volume of output relative to a base year. The services sector is India's largest GDP contributor, accounting for over 50% of Gross Value Added (GVA) since 2013-14.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Luiss Business School released the 3rd World Intangible Investment Report 2026, naming India the fastest-growing major economy in intangible investments. India's intangible investment reached USD 78.2 billion in 2023 after 7.9% annual growth — highest among the world's 15 largest economies, ahead of Japan (4.8%) and the USA (4.4%). Composition: software & databases 45%, organisational capital 21.8%, R&D 12.7%.

Copenhagen (Denmark) was ranked the world's most liveable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2026, retaining the top spot for the second year running. Vienna (Austria) and Melbourne (Australia) held second and third places. The index ranks 173 cities on 30 indicators grouped into five categories: stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education and infrastructure. Several Middle Eastern cities slipped amid regional instability, while Asian cities rose, with nine now in the top 20. The EIU is the research arm of The Economist Group. The index scores each city out of 100 across five broad categories.

Global Citizen Solutions released the 5th annual Global Passport Index 2026: Sweden topped (96.05), followed by Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Netherlands; Singapore 10th. India ranked 125th of 197 with a composite score of 45.1 — its highest in 5 years (down one place from 124th). Category-wise: 136th in Enhanced Mobility (50% weight), 118th in Quality of Life (up 11) and 94th in Investment (up 3). Do not confuse with the Henley Passport Index, where India stands 80th.

UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2026, titled "International Investment in a Turbulent Era", ranked India 11th globally in FDI inflows (up 2 places), with 2025 inflows surging ~44% to USD 38.89 billion. Top destinations: USA (USD 277 bn), Singapore (USD 151 bn), Hong Kong (USD 116 bn). Global FDI rose 6% to USD 1.6 trillion after two years of decline. On outflows, India climbed to 18th among source economies (outward FDI up 47% to USD 35.66 bn). Strategic sectors (semiconductors, digital infrastructure, AI, advanced manufacturing, energy transition) made up 44% of global greenfield project value in 2025, up from 16% in 2024.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked India 157th of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, a fall of six places from the previous year.

Released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, India ranked 13th (improved from 14th), while Pakistan ranked 1st (most impacted) for the first time.

India ranked 116th of 147 countries, up two places from 118th. Finland topped for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Iceland and Denmark.

Mukesh Ambani was India's richest at US$99.7 billion (21st globally). India produced a record 229 billionaires whose combined wealth crossed US$1 trillion.

India's passport ranking improved to 75th (up 10 places from 85th), reflecting expanded visa-free and visa-on-arrival access for Indian passport holders.

India climbed five places to 80th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, with visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa access to about 55 destinations.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released their joint Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035, a 10-year assessment of agricultural commodities, biofuels and fish across global markets. It projects global agricultural and fish production to rise 13% over the decade, driven by productivity gains in Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Southeast Asia and India are expected to account for about 39% of global consumption growth, while China's share declines. The report supports tracking SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook is a joint annual report.

The Central Electricity Authority's Long-Term National Resource Adequacy Plan (2026-27 to 2035-36) estimates India will need 174 GW / 888 GWh of energy storage (BESS + pumped storage) by 2035-36, with peak demand projected at 458.7 GW (about 300 GW in FY27, after touching 271 GW in May 2026). The IESA 'India BESS Market Review' (released at India Energy Storage Week) reported installed BESS capacity jumped 11-fold in six months — 0.78 GWh (Dec 2025) to 8.7 GWh (H1 2026).

The WEF released its Global Risks Report 2026 at Davos, flagging misinformation/disinformation, extreme weather, geoeconomic confrontation and societal polarisation among the top near-term global risks.

The report offered 22 policy recommendations and 76 action pathways, projecting India could host up to 11 lakh international students by 2047.

Released by CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, the report noted the corporate bond market grew from Rs 17.5 trillion (FY15) to Rs 53.6 trillion (FY25) and could cross Rs 100-120 trillion by 2030.