Society · 18 Sep 2026

Global Gender Gap Index 2026

Consider the following statements with reference to India's performance on the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2026:

  1. India's overall rank on the Index remained unchanged at 131st (out of 145 countries) even though its overall parity score rose slightly.
  2. Economic Participation and Opportunity is the sub-index on which India recorded its lowest score.
  3. India's Health and Survival sub-index score has improved beyond its 2006 baseline, reflecting a recovering sex ratio at birth.
A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: 131 That Won't Move: What India's Gender Gap Rank Actually Measures
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 18 Sep 2026
About this question

Why in news

The WEF released the 20th edition of its Global Gender Gap Report, placing India at 131st out of 145 countries for the second consecutive year despite a marginal score improvement.

Why for UPSC

Tests whether aspirants understand that an index score is composed of multiple sub-indices in tension, rather than treating the headline rank/score as a single undifferentiated number - a classic UPSC "beyond the headline" probe.

Prelims summary

India ranks 131st/145 on the WEF Global Gender Gap Index 2026 (score 64.5%, unchanged rank for the second year). Its weakest sub-index is Economic Participation and Opportunity (41.2%), while Health and Survival remains below its 2006 baseline due to a skewed sex ratio at birth.

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