RANKING AMD INDEX

India Among Top Nations in Wealth Equality, Says World Bank Report

• India has emerged as the 4th most wealth-equal country globally, according to the World Bank's 2022 Gini Index data.

• With a Gini score of 25.5, the country shows a relatively low level of income disparity.

• The Slovak Republic secured the top spot with the lowest Gini score of 24.1, while South Africa recorded the highest inequality at 63.0.

• The report attributes India’s strong ranking to its targeted social welfare schemes and poverty alleviation programs.

• These initiatives have significantly contributed to improving conditions for economically weaker sections and underprivileged communities.

• The findings were detailed in the World Bank’s Spring 2025 edition of the Poverty and Equity Brief.

• Additionally, India continues to hold its position as the world’s 4th largest economy by nominal GDP, trailing the US, China, and Germany.

NATIONAL NEWS

NMC Introduces New Faculty Guidelines to Strengthen Medical Education

• The National Medical Commission (NMC) has rolled out the 2025 regulations for faculty qualifications under the Medical Institutions (Qualifications of Faculty) Rules.

• This move is in sync with the government's aim to create 75,000 new medical seats over the next five years.

• The revised norms are designed to widen the eligibility criteria for faculty positions in both UG and PG medical courses.

• Notably, non-teaching government hospitals can now be recognized as medical teaching institutions.

• Hospitals with a minimum of 220 beds have been made eligible to offer medical education, opening up new avenues for training.

• This reform is expected to address the faculty shortage and enhance medical infrastructure in underserved regions.

• Overall, the change is projected to accelerate the growth of India’s healthcare education sector.

SPORTS

Indian Women’s Football Team Earns Historic AFC Asian Cup 2026 Spot

• The Indian women’s football team has made history by qualifying on merit for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

• India sealed the qualification by defeating Thailand 2-1, a former champion.

• This is the first time the team has qualified through performance, unlike in 2003 when they entered directly, or in 2022 when they participated as the host nation.

• Unfortunately, India had to withdraw from the 2022 edition due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad.

• Known as the Blue Tigress, the team will now head to Australia, which will host the 2026 tournament.

• This qualification marks a significant step forward for women’s football in India.

India Delivers Power-Packed Performance at World Boxing Cup 2025

• At the World Boxing Cup 2025 in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Indian contingent clinched 11 medals – including 3 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze.

• Impressively, all three gold medals were won by Indian women boxers: Nupur, Jasmine Lamboria, and Sakshi.

• The event was held from June 30 to July 7, 2025, showcasing India’s rising boxing talent on the global stage.

• Comparatively, India had earned six medals at the earlier 2025 World Cup in Brazil, including 1 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze.

• No Indian women competed in the Brazil edition, making the Kazakhstan outing a remarkable comeback for female pugilists.

• This performance highlights India’s growing dominance in international boxing, particularly through its women athletes.