UPSC Prelims 2016 Q37: Indian Economy – International Institutions & Reports
India's ranking in the 'Ease of Doing Business Index' is sometimes seen in the news.
Which of the following has declared that ranking?
- (a) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
- (b) World Economic Forum
- (c) World Bank
- (d) World Trade Organization (WTO)
Answer: (c) World Bank
Explanation
Ease of Doing Business Index
The index was part of the World Bank's annual Doing Business report.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Published by | World Bank |
| Compared | About 190 economies on 10 areas of business regulation |
| India's rank | 130 (2016 and 2017 reports), 77 (2019), 63 (2020) |
| Status | Discontinued in 2021 after data irregularities were found |
Who publishes what:
| Body | Report or index |
|---|---|
| World Bank | Ease of Doing Business, World Development Report |
| World Economic Forum | Global Competitiveness Report, Global Gender Gap Report |
| OECD | PISA, Economic Outlook |
| WTO | World Trade Report |
Answer: (c) World Bank.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The OECD does not publish the Ease of Doing Business ranking.
- (b) Incorrect. The World Economic Forum publishes the Global Competitiveness Report.
- (c) CORRECT. The World Bank declared the Ease of Doing Business ranking.
- (d) Incorrect. The WTO publishes trade reports, not this index.
Key point
Ease of Doing Business Index: World Bank's Doing Business report; 10 parameters; India rose to 63rd in 2020; report discontinued in 2021.
Remember
Ease of Doing Business = World Bank.
Common mistakes
- Mixing it up with the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum.
- Thinking the index still comes out every year; it stopped in 2021.
- Forgetting that India's rank was based on Delhi and Mumbai only.
Exam tip
'Doing Business' = World Bank. 'Competitiveness' = World Economic Forum.
Sources
- World Bank — Doing Business reports
- World Bank — Statement on discontinuing the Doing Business report (16 September 2021)