The QS Best Student Cities 2027 report, published by global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds, has ranked Seoul as the world's best student city. This marks the second consecutive year Seoul has held the top position. For India, Mumbai secured the highest rank at 118th globally, making it the best student city in the country. Delhi followed closely at 132nd position worldwide. Chennai and Bengaluru also featured in the rankings, placed at 148th and 154th respectively. Notably, Delhi achieved the top spot globally in the 'Affordability' indicator, highlighting its cost-effectiveness for students. The QS Best Student Cities ranking considers various factors such as university rankings, student mix, desirability, employer activity, and affordability to provide a comprehensive evaluation of urban environments for higher education.

QS Best Student Cities 2027: Mumbai Leads India, Delhi Tops Affordability

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 (SOFI 2026) report, released by five United Nations specialized agencies, indicates that global hunger levels eased for the third consecutive year in 2025. This demonstrates that progress in combating hunger is achievable. However, the report highlights that these improvements are fragile and not evenly distributed across all regions. The current pace of reduction is also insufficient to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to hunger by the target year of 2030. The SOFI 2026 report emphasizes the need for more focused efforts to address regional disparities and accelerate progress towards zero hunger worldwide. The United Nations agencies involved in the SOFI 2026 report continue to advocate for stronger policies and investments to ensure food security for all.

Global Hunger Declines for Third Year, UN Report Reveals

In 2025, global childhood immunization coverage showed a modest improvement, according to the annual WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC). Approximately 90% of infants worldwide, totaling nearly 116 million, received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Furthermore, 85% of infants, or 110 million, completed the full three-dose DTP series. Both these indicators increased by one percentage point from the previous year. However, global coverage is still one point below 2019 levels and has remained largely stagnant since 2009. The WUENIC data also revealed that about 13.5 million "zero-dose" children did not receive any vaccine in their first year during 2025. While this number is nearly 750,000 fewer than the previous year, progress is hindered by a growing number of children who start but do not complete their vaccination schedules.

Global Childhood Immunization Coverage Rises Slightly in 2025

India has been ranked 125th in the latest Global Passport Index 2026. This marks a one-spot decline compared to its position in the previous year. The Global Passport Index evaluates passports not only on the ease of international travel, such as visa-free access, but also on the broader benefits they offer. These benefits include opportunities for living, working, and investing in various countries. The index considers a comprehensive set of factors to determine the overall strength and utility of a passport. A lower ranking for India indicates that its passport holders may face more restrictions or fewer advantages in these areas compared to citizens of higher-ranked nations. The Global Passport Index provides a valuable benchmark for understanding global mobility and economic access.

India Ranks 125th in Global Passport Index 2026, Slips One Spot

The UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 reveals that Indian children face a very high risk from climate hazards. The report specifically points out their significant vulnerability to extreme heat. This means that a large number of children in India are exposed to the severe impacts of climate change, which can affect their health, well-being, and future. The UNICEF report uses various indicators to assess the climate risk faced by children worldwide, including exposure to environmental shocks and stresses, and their vulnerability to these impacts. The findings underscore an urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies focused on protecting the younger generation in India.

Indian Children Face High Climate Risk: UNICEF Report 2026

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has achieved the 118th rank in the QS World University Rankings 2027. This marks an improvement from its previous position and solidifies IIT Delhi's status as the leading educational institution in India according to these global rankings. The QS World University Rankings evaluate universities worldwide based on several key indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international student ratio. IIT Delhi's consistent performance highlights its strong academic environment and research output. This achievement is significant for IIT Delhi and for India's higher education sector, showcasing its growing prominence on the international stage. The rankings provide a benchmark for quality and competitiveness among global universities.

IIT Delhi Tops Indian Institutions in QS World University Rankings 2027

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) indicates a positive trend in maternal healthcare in India. The report highlights a rise in hospital births, showing improved access to healthcare facilities for expectant mothers. Specifically, the percentage of deliveries attended by skilled health personnel has increased from 89.4% to 91.3%. This suggests better medical supervision during childbirth, which is crucial for reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The NFHS-6 data reflects the impact of various government initiatives aimed at promoting institutional deliveries and enhancing the skills of healthcare workers. While this is a positive development, the NFHS-6 report also points to an emerging crisis of lifestyle diseases, indicating a need for broader public health interventions beyond maternal care.

NFHS-6: Hospital Births Rise, Skilled Health Personnel Increase

The United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-year update indicates that India is a key driver of economic growth in South Asia. This comes at a time when the global economy faces significant challenges, including energy price volatility and supply chain disruptions. India's robust domestic demand and government policies have helped it maintain a positive growth trajectory. The report underscores India's resilience and its crucial role in regional economic stability, providing a buffer against external shocks for the broader South Asian region.

UN WESP Mid-Year Update: India Leads South Asian Economic Growth Amid Global Challenges

India has been ranked 157th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index. This ranking indicates a challenging environment for press freedom in the country. The index is published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and assesses the level of freedom available to journalists in 180 countries and territories. A lower ranking suggests greater restrictions or dangers for media professionals. This position highlights ongoing debates and concerns regarding media independence and freedom of expression in India.

India Ranks 157th in 2026 World Press Freedom Index

A new United Nations report identifies effective housing solutions being implemented worldwide. These approaches include upgrading informal settlements (like favelas in Brazil) instead of demolishing them, with government support. The report also highlights how refugees and host communities are transforming neglected areas into greener and safer living spaces. Additionally, measures like rent controls in Germany are helping to stabilize housing markets. The report emphasizes community-led initiatives and state support as key to addressing housing challenges for vulnerable groups.

UN Report Highlights Global Housing Solutions for Informal Settlements and Refugees

A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals that extreme weather events are severely impacting Latin America and the Caribbean. Record-breaking temperatures, deadly floods, worsening droughts, and intensifying hurricanes are putting millions of people at risk. These climate-related hazards threaten to increase hunger, displacement, and water scarcity across the region. The report emphasizes the urgent need for adaptation strategies and climate action to protect vulnerable populations from these growing dangers.

WMO Report Highlights Extreme Weather Risks in Latin America and Caribbean

A recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals that extreme weather events like record heat, deadly floods, worsening droughts, and intense hurricanes are severely impacting Latin America and the Caribbean. Millions of people in the region face increasing risks of hunger, displacement, and water shortages due to these climate-related disasters. The report underscores the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable populations and ensure regional stability. This situation highlights the growing humanitarian crisis driven by global warmi

WMO Report: Extreme Weather Threatens Latin America and Caribbean

Delhi has been placed in the 'Exemplary' category in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 Index. This is the highest category in the country's logistics performance assessment. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the Delhi government will soon notify its city logistics plan. This achievement highlights Delhi's efforts in improving its logistics infrastructure and operational efficiency, which is crucial for trade and economic growth. The LEADS index evaluates states and union territories on various parameters related to logistics, aiming to foster a competitive environ

Delhi Achieves 'Exemplary' Status in Logistics Ease Across Different States 2025 Index

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its 2026 Global Health Statistics Report, revealing that the world is not on track to achieve the health targets established in 2015. This annual report provides key data on global health trends and assesses progress towards these ambitious goals. The findings suggest significant challenges remain in improving worldwide health outcomes. This assessment is crucial for policymakers and health organizations to identify areas needing more focus and resources to accelerate progress.

WHO Global Health Statistics Report 2026: World Off Track for Health Targets

A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an estimated 22.1 million excess deaths worldwide between 2020 and 2023. This significant figure indicates that the pandemic reversed a decade of progress in global life expectancy. The report, titled 'World Health Statistics', also exposed major weaknesses and vulnerabilities within global health systems. Despite these setbacks, the report noted continued progress in areas such as HIV control, sanitation efforts, and the management of other diseases. The findings underscore the need for stronger, 

WHO Report: COVID-19 Caused 22.1 Million Excess Deaths Globally (2020-2023)

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an estimated 22.1 million excess deaths globally, which is three times higher than the 7 million formally documented COVID-19 deaths. Excess mortality refers to the number of deaths from all causes during a crisis above what would normally be expected. The year 2021 saw the highest excess deaths, with 10.4 million, due to more dangerous virus variants and overwhelmed healthcare systems. This figure decreased to 3.3 million excess deaths in 2023. This data highlights the severe impact of the pandemic on global health and the limitations of official reporting.

COVID-19 Pandemic Caused 22.1 Million Excess Deaths Globally, Three Times Official Count

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its World Health Statistics 2026 report, indicating that global health targets are not being met. The report shows that progress is uneven across different regions, is slowing down, and in some areas, is even reversing. This trend poses a significant threat to achieving universal health coverage and other health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings emphasize the urgent need for renewed efforts and investment in health systems worldwide to address these challenges.

WHO Report 2026: Global Health Progress Stalling and Reversing

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has brought to light significant encroachments on historical monuments across Uttar Pradesh. This issue is particularly concerning for heritage conservationists, who fear that the unique syncretic legacy of Awadh could be permanently lost without immediate and decisive action. The report underscores the urgent need for better protection and management of these sites to preserve India's rich cultural heritage for future generations. Encroachments often lead to damage, alteration, and eventual destruction of historical structures, impa

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