Global Risk Report 2026 Released | Employment and Social Trends 2026 Report: ILO | Delhi to Earn Revenue from ‘Carbon Credits’ | Kashi-Tamil Sangamam | Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 | Jathiya Devi | Kuki-Zo Council and Demand for Union Territory | Kurinji Rajkumar

Global Risk Report 2026 Released

Economy

In News

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) released the 21st edition of the Global Risks Report (2026), warning that geoeconomic confrontations pose the biggest risk to major powers.

Global Risks for 2026

• Geoeconomic Confrontation: Rated as the top risk for 2026. This includes the “weaponization” of trade, finance, and technology through sanctions and tariffs (such as the US tariffs imposed by the US, banning critical minerals by China etc).
• State-Based Armed Conflict: This is the second highest risk, fueled by ongoing wars like the conflict in Ukraine and recent volatility in regions like Venezuela and the Middle East.
• Extreme Weather: While environmental risks remain the top priority for the next decade, they have slipped to third place (8%) in the immediate two-year outlook due to the urgency of economic and military conflicts.
• Societal Risks: Polarization, misinformation, and AI-generated deepfakes are cited as major threats to social stability, especially during election cycles.

Biggest Risks to India

• Cybersecurity: This is ranked as the top risk for India and India is going more towards digital payments.
• Wealth Inequality and Social Safety Nets: Lack of robust social welfare schemes combined with rising income inequality poses a significant threat to internal stability.
• Economic External Shocks: India is susceptible to domestic slowdowns caused by global supply chain disruptions and international tariffs.
• Critical Infrastructure & Resource Security: The report highlights “water security” as a potential flashpoint, specifically noting that the Indus River Basin remains a point of contention between India and Pakistan, especially following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Employment and Social Trends 2026 Report: ILO

Economy

Context

• Recently, the International Labour Organization (ILO) released its latest World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) Report highlighting persistent inequalities in the global labor market.

Key Findings of Report

• Global Unemployment: The global unemployment rate is projected to remain at 9% in 2026, equivalent to 186 million people.
• However, progress toward decent work has stagnated, with millions still lacking access to quality, secure employment.
• Persistent Poverty Despite Economic Growth: Nearly 300 million workers live in extreme poverty, earning less than US$3 per day.
• Youth Employment Crisis Deepens: Youth unemployment rose to4% in 2025.
• Persistent Gender Gaps: Women make up only two-fifths (40%) of global employment.

International Labour Organisation (ILO)

• It is a specialised agency of the United Nations.
• It was established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations, and became the first affiliated specialised agency of the United Nations in 1946.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
• India is a founder member of the ILO.
• Aim: To promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

Flagship Reports of ILO:

1. Global Wage Report;
2. World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO);
3. World Social Protection Report;
4. World of Work Report

Delhi to Earn Revenue from ‘Carbon Credits’

Geography & Environment

Context

• Delhi government has announced that it has approved a framework for carbon credit monetisation.
• Delhi government activities such as operating electric buses, plantation drives, promoting solar energy and waste management, will be used to generate carbon credits under the new policy.
• The reduction in emissions through these initiatives will be scientifically measured, registered as carbon credits, and sold in national and international carbon markets to generate revenue.

Carbon Markets

• Carbon markets are trading systems in which carbon credits are sold and bought.
• Companies or individuals can use carbon markets to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing carbon credits from entities that remove or reduce greenhouse gas emissio

Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)

• The CCTS aims to incentivize and support entities in their efforts to decarbonize the Indian economy.
• CCTS laid the foundation for the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) by establishing the institutional framework.

Government Steps to Strengthen Carbon Market Readiness

• As highlighted during the COP 27, India balances its developmental needs with lower carbon emissions through Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)
• Mission LiFE and the Green Credit Program to promote a sustainable lifestyle.
• Creation of the National Steering Committee for the Indian Carbon Market (NSCICM) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power.

Kashi-Tamil Sangamam

Culture

Context

• PM Modi hailed the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam in strengthening cultural understanding, fostering academic and people-to-people exchanges and creating lasting bonds.

Kashi-Tamil Sangamam 4.0

• Organized by: Ministry of Education.
• Launched in: 2022.
• Universities: IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
• Aim: To rediscover, reaffirm, and celebrate the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
• It is in sync with NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating the Indian Knowledge Systems with modern systems of knowledge.
• Significance – It provides an opportunity for scholars, students, philosophers, and artists from the two regions to share their knowledge.
• It also aims to make the youth aware and experience cultural oneness.
• Note – Both Kashi and Chennai have been recognised by UNESCO as ‘Creative Cities of Music’.

Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024

Economy

Context

• NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024.

Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024

• Objective – It is a comprehensive assessment of export readiness across India’s states and union territories.
• Significance – It provides an evidence-based framework to evaluate the strength, resilience, and inclusiveness of sub-national export ecosystems.

Export preparedness index (epi) 2024

• Top Performers: In 2024, Maharashtra, along with Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, are leading performers among large states.
• Category of small states, northeastern states and union territories – Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Goa are listed as leading performers.

Jathiya Devi

Economy

In News

• Recently, Jathiya Devi has been identified for an ambitious urban development project to be executed by the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA).

Jathiya Devi

• It is Located about 14 km from Shimla city
• It derives its name from the existence of an old Jathiya Devi shrine in the area.
• The project is envisioned as a planned satellite mountain township to ease pressure on Shimla.
• It creates new economic hubs, and promotes sustainable, disaster-resilient urban growth.
• Concerns: The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) acknowledges possible displacement and loss of assets such as temples, schools, shops, canals, and homes

Kuki-Zo Council and Demand for Union Territory

Polity and Governance

Context

• The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex civil body representing the Kuki-Zo people, has reiterated its demand for the creation of a Union Territory for Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur.

Background

• An ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023 between:
• The Meitei community, which predominantly inhabits the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo community, which largely resides in the surrounding hill areas.
• The conflict was triggered by the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which was opposed by the Kuki-Zo groups due to concerns over land rights and political representation.
• The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) was formed in October 2024, following nearly 18 months of violence (2023–2025), during which the Kuki-Zo community alleged bias.

Kuki-Zo Groups

• The Kuki-Zo people are an ethnic community spread across Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, and Myanmar.
• They share close ethnic and cultural ties with other Chin–Mizo groups of Myanmar and Mizoram.
• Since the 1980s–90s, several Kuki-Zo insurgent groups have emerged, primarily demanding:

1. Greater autonomy and self-determination,
2. Protection of tribal land and rights, and
3. In some cases, separate statehood.

Kurinji Rajkumar

Geography & Environment

In News

• Rajkumar, a former bank employee and environmentalist known as “Kurinji Rajkumar,” passed away in Thiruvananthapuram.

Neelakurinji

• It is a purplish flowering shrub, which blooms once in 12 years in the hills of the Western Ghats and Himalayan hills.
• It is said that Nilgiris gets its name due to the magical blue hue imparted by these stunning flowers.
• It is an endemic shrub species seen only in the natural high-altitude montane grasslands of southwest India, with an altitude ranging from 1,340 to 2,600 m.
• It is predominately found in the valley of Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills of South India (Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
• It has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2024 and listed as Vulnerable emphasising the need for its conservation.”

Major Contributions  of “Kurinji Rajkumar,”

• He was the driving force behind the Save Kurinji Campaign, which played a key role in raising awareness about the conservation of the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) and its fragile grassland ecosystem.
• His commitment began after witnessing the mass flowering in 1982, leading to treks and awareness efforts that evolved into a major environmental movement.
• He later focused on campaigns in the Munnar region, culminating in the establishment of the 32-sq km Neelakurinji Sanctuary in 2006, fulfilling his lifelong dream.