Candidates frequently lose marks by citing discontinued indices or using stale rank data. Verified reference list (current as of May 2026):

Current and active indices:

• Human Development Index (HDI): Published annually by UNDP. The Human Development Report 2025 ranked India 130th out of 193 countries, up from 133rd in 2022. India's HDI value is 0.685, placing it in the medium human development category. Life expectancy reached 72 years in 2023.

• Global Hunger Index (GHI): Published annually, usually in October, by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. GHI 2024 ranked India 105th out of 127 countries with a score of 27.3, categorised as 'serious'. Methodology covers undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.

• World Press Freedom Index: Published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The 2026 index (released 30 April 2026) ranked India 157th out of 180 countries — down from 151st in 2025.

• Global Gender Gap Index: Published annually by World Economic Forum. The 2025 report ranked India 129th out of 146 countries, with a gender parity score of 64.1%.

Discontinued — do not cite as current:

• Ease of Doing Business Index (World Bank): Discontinued on 14 September 2021 following an independent investigation (by WilmerHale) that documented data manipulation in the 2018 and 2020 editions. Its successor is the Business Ready (B-READY) index, launched by the World Bank in 2024. B-READY assesses business environments across three pillars: regulatory framework, public services, and operational efficiency. Cite B-READY when discussing India's investment climate and reform efforts.

How to use in answers: Always qualify the report name and year. Write 'According to the UNDP's Human Development Report 2025, India ranks 130th on the HDI' rather than 'India ranks X on the HDI.' This precision signals current affairs awareness.