Global Peace Index 2025 — India’s Rank and Global Highlights

Introduction

• The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 assesses peace levels across 163 countries, covering 99.7% of the world’s population.
• It is published annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace.

Why in news?

• India has been ranked 115th in the newly released GPI 2025 (116th in 2024).
• The 2025 report notes that statebased conflicts have reached their highest level since World War II, with new conflicts emerging in 2025.

Background

• The GPI ranks countries using 23 indicators, including militarisation, external conflicts, homicide, and terrorism.
• Iceland has held the top position as the most peaceful country since 2008.

Significance

• India’s 115th position contrasts with Pakistan’s 144th, indicating a significant security gap between the two nations.
• Singapore remains the only Asian country in the top 10, maintaining high safety levels despite substantial military spending.
• The identification of the least peaceful countries—Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen—highlights regions with acute instability.

Facts/General knowledge

Top 10 most peaceful countries in 2025:

• Iceland
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Singapore
• Portugal
• Denmark
• Slovenia
• Finland
• Least peaceful countries in 2025: Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen.

Swachh Vayu Sarveshan Award 2025

Introduction

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced the Swachh Vayu Sarveshan Award 2025.
• The awards recognise bestperforming cities among NCAP cities, grouped by population into three categories: Category 1 (>10 lakh), Category 2 (3–10 lakh), and Category 3 (<3 lakh).

Why in news?

• A total of 11 bestperforming cities were awarded out of 130 NCAP cities.
• Category 1 (Population >10 lakh): Indore (1st), Jabalpur (2nd), Agra and Surat (3rd).
• Category 2 (Population 3–10 lakh): Amravati (1st), Jhansi and Moradabad (2nd), Alwar (3rd).
• Category 3 (Population <3 lakh): Dewas (1st), Parwanoo (2nd), Angul (3rd).

Background

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019 by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Objective: Improve air quality in 131 cities (nonattainment cities and Million Plus Cities) in 24 States/UTs by engaging all stakeholders.
• Implementing body: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at the national level.
• PRANA (Portal for Regulation of Airpollution in NonAttainment cities) was launched to monitor NCAP implementation.

Significance

• Rankings are based on key pollution abatement and management parameters: biomass and municipal solid waste burning, road dust, construction and demolition dust, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, IEC activities, and improvement in PM10 concentrations, etc.
• The effort aligns with NCAP’s target to achieve up to 40% reduction in PM10 levels or attain national ambient air quality standards by 2025–26 from 2019–20 levels.

Facts/General knowledge

• Populationbased award categories:
• Category 1: Population >10 lakh
• Category 2: Population 3–10 lakh
• Category 3: Population <3 lakh
• NCAP coverage: 131 cities across 24 States/UTs.
• National ambient air quality standard for PM10: 60 µg/m3.

P.V. Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Economics conferred on Dr Manmohan Singh

Introduction

• On 10 September 2025, former Prime Minister and renowned economist Dr Manmohan Singh was posthumously conferred the P.V. Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Economics for contributions to India’s economic transformation and nationbuilding.
• His wife, Gursharan Kaur, received the award at a ceremony in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The award was presented by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and senior fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress.

Why in news?

• Recognition with the P.V. Narasimha Rao Memorial Award for Economics highlights Dr Singh’s role in shaping India’s economic trajectory.

Background

• Early career roles: Chief Economic Adviser (1972–1976); Secretary, Ministry of Finance (1976–1980); 15th Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1982–1985); Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission (1985–1987); Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister (1990–1991).
• As Finance Minister (1991–1996) under P.V. Narasimha Rao, he introduced the 1991 economic reforms of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation.
• Financial market reform included the launch of the National Stock Exchange in 1992 to improve market infrastructure and increase foreign investment.
• He served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, becoming at that time the secondlongest serving after Jawaharlal Nehru.

Significance

• The honour underscores sustained contributions across economic policy and national development, aligning with the reformist legacy associated with P.V. Narasimha Rao.
• It reflects the continuum from early 1990s structural reforms to later governance initiatives during Dr Singh’s premiership.

Facts/General knowledge

• Key legislation during his premiership: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households).
• Right to Information Act, 2005 (to enhance transparency and accountability).
• Right to Education Act, 2009 (free and compulsory education as a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14).
• Food Security Act, 2013 (to ensure subsidised food grains).
• V. Narasimha Rao served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and is remembered as the “Father of Indian Economic Reforms”.
• The P.V. Narasimha Rao Memorial Award recognises outstanding contributions in economics, public policy, governance, and national development, and is conferred by institutions and foundations such as the P.V. Narasimha Rao Memorial Foundation (PVNMF).
• Previous awardees include Ratan Tata (for outstanding philanthropic contributions) and the Dalai Lama (for lifelong dedication to peace, compassion, and understanding).

Mohanlal to be Honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023

Introduction

• Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal will receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023.
• He has a prolific career spanning over 45 years with around 400 films in Malayalam cinema.

Why in news?

• The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced Mohanlal as the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023.
• The award will be conferred on 23rd September 2025 during the 71st National Film Awards ceremony.

Background

• Born on 21st May 1960 in Pathanamthitta.
• Began his acting career with Thiranottam (1978) and debuted as a villain in Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980).
• His role in Rajavinte Makan (1986) established him as Malayalam cinema's first modern superstar.
• Remains a defining figure in Mollywood, with notable films including Thanmathra, Iruvar, Drishyam, and Lucifer.
• Won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1991.
• Awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2019.

Significance

• The selection reflects the award’s criterion of recognising “Outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema”.
• Highlights Mohanlal’s sustained impact across decades and a vast body of acclaimed work.

Facts/General knowledge

• Dadasaheb Phalke Award:
• The country’s highest film honour, introduced in 1969.
• First awarded to Devika Rani, known as “the first lady of Indian cinema”.
• Includes a 'Swarna Kamal,' a cash prize of INR 10 lakh, a certificate, a silk roll, and a shawl.
• Presented by the President of India.
• Dhundiraj Govind Phalke:
• Indian producer, director, and screenwriter who directed India’s first feature film, Raja Harischandra (1913).
• Known as the “Father of Indian Cinema”.

Larry Ellison’s record wealth surge (Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Sept 2025)

Introduction

• Oracle cofounder and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison briefly became the world’s richest person, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index on 11 September 2025.
• The shift followed Oracle’s stellar quarterly earnings, which reshaped the billionaire rankings landscape.

Why in news?

• Ellison achieved the largest singleday wealth gain ever recorded: $89 billion.
• His net worth rose to $383.2 billion after Oracle’s stock price jumped on positive earnings.
• He momentarily surpassed Elon Musk, who reclaimed the top spot the next morning by a slim margin.

Background

• Elon Musk has held the number one position for 16 consecutive months.
• Musk first crossed the $400 billion mark last year.
• Bernard Arnault is the top nontech billionaire, currently ranked #8.

Significance

• Ellison’s meteoric rise set a new record for singleday wealth gain.
• The development temporarily altered the top of the global billionaire rankings.

Facts/General knowledge

• Top rankings (Bloomberg Billionaires Index — 11 September 2025):
• Elon Musk — $384B (Last daily change: +$573M), USA, Technology
• Larry Ellison — $383B (Last daily change: +$88.5B), USA, Technology
• Mark Zuckerberg — $264B (Last daily change: $4.68B), USA, Technology
• Jeff Bezos — $252B (Last daily change: $6.91B), USA, Technology
• Larry Page — $210B (Last daily change: $273M), USA, Technology
• Sergey Brin — $196B (Last daily change: $249M), USA, Technology
• Steve Ballmer — $172B (Last daily change: +$651M), USA, Technology
• Bernard Arnault — $162B (Last daily change: $717M), France, Consumer
• Jensen Huang — $154B (Last daily change: +$5.58B), USA, Technology

71st National Film Awards (2023)

Introduction

• The 71st National Film Awards were officially announced, honouring cinematic excellence from across India for the year 2023.
• The awards recognise achievements across feature films, nonfeature films, writing on cinema, and film criticism.

Why in news?

• The 2023 edition’s winners were declared, marking the official announcement of the 71st National Film Awards.

Background

• Organiser: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organises the National Film Awards on behalf of the Government of India.
• Award sections: Feature Film, NonFeature Film, Best Writing on Cinema, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
• Expanded scope (2023): Covered 31 feature films, 24 nonfeature films, 27 books on cinema, and 16 film critics under the National Film Awards regulations.

Significance

• National recognition of cinematic excellence across India for the year 2023.
• Milestone: Shah Rukh Khan won his first National Award in a career spanning over 30 years.

Facts/General knowledge

• Top national winners:
• Best Feature Film — 12th Fail
• Best Direction — Sudipto Sen – The Kerala Story
• Best Actor — Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
• Best Actress — Rani Mukerji – Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway
• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment — Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
• Best Debut Film of a Director — Aatmapamphlet
• Best Film Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values — Sam Bahadur
• Feature film awards:
• Best Hindi Film — Kathal
• Best Bengali Film — Deep Fridge
• Best Marathi Film — Shyamchi Aai
• Best Background Score — Animal (Harshavardhan Rameshwar)
• Best Female Playback Singer — Shilpa Rao – Chaliya (Jawan)
• Best Male Playback Singer — PVN S Rohit – Baby (Telugu)
• Best Editing — Pookkaalam – Midhun Murali
• Best Cinematography — The Kerala Story – Prasanthanu Mohapatra
• Best Costume Design — Sam Bahadur – Sachin, Divya, Nidhhi
• Best Makeup — Sam Bahadur – Shrikanth Desai
• Best Choreography — Dhindhora Baje Re – Rocky Aur Rani (Vaibhavi Merchant)
• Best Sound Design — Animal – Sachin Sudhakaran & Hariharan
• Best Supporting Actor — Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam), Muthupettai Bhaskar (Parking)
• Best Supporting Actress — Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Janki Bodiwala (Vash)
• Best Child Artist — Sukriti Bandireddi (Gandhi Thatha Chettu), Kabir Khandare (Gypsy), Treesha Toshar, Shrinivas Pokale, Bhargav (Naal 2)
• Nonfeature film awards:
• Best Documentary — God, Vulture and Human
• Best NonFiction Film — Flowering Man
• Best Short Film — Giddh – The Scavenger
• Best Children’s Film — Naal 2
• Best Film in AVGC — HanuMan
• Best Voiceover — The Sacred Jack – Hari Krishnan S
• Best Debut (Nonfeature) — The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw
• Best Social & Environmental Values — The Silent Epidemic