SCO & BRICS — Set 1
World Organizations · SCO और BRICS · Questions 1–10 of 60
Which city serves as the permanent seat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretariat?
Correct Answer: A. Beijing
• **Beijing** = It is the permanent seat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretariat. • **SCO Secretariat** — This body serves as the main permanent executive body of the organization, providing organizational and technical support. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Moscow: Not the seat of the SCO Secretariat; Astana: Not the seat of the SCO Secretariat, though it hosted a major summit; Tashkent: Seat of the SCO RATS Executive Committee, not the main Secretariat.
The acronym 'BRIC' was first coined by an economist from which global financial institution?
Correct Answer: D. Goldman Sachs
• **Goldman Sachs** = Jim O'Neill, an economist from this institution, first coined the acronym 'BRIC'. • **2001** — This is the year Jim O'Neill published a research paper introducing the BRIC concept. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: World Bank: Not the institution whose economist coined 'BRIC'; Standard Chartered: Not the institution whose economist coined 'BRIC'; IMF: Not the institution whose economist coined 'BRIC'.
The New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS nations, is headquartered in which city?
Correct Answer: C. Shanghai
• **Shanghai** = This city hosts the headquarters of the New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS nations. • **2014** — The NDB was established during the 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: New Delhi: Not the NDB headquarters; Johannesburg: Not the NDB headquarters, though it's a BRICS member city; Rio de Janeiro: Not the NDB headquarters, though it's a BRICS member city.
Where is the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the SCO located?
Correct Answer: D. Tashkent
• **Tashkent** = This city in Uzbekistan is the permanent headquarters for the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). • **SCO RATS** — This body focuses on coordinating efforts against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and is one of the two permanent organs of the SCO. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Dushanbe: Not the headquarters for SCO RATS; Bishkek: Not the headquarters for SCO RATS; Almaty: Not the headquarters for SCO RATS.
Which country officially became the 10th member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in July 2024?
Correct Answer: A. Belarus
• **Belarus** = This country officially joined the SCO as its 10th member state. • **2024** — This is the year Belarus officially joined the SCO as its 10th member, formalized during the Astana summit. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Iran: Became a full member in 2023, not the 10th in 2024; Mongolia: An observer state, not a full member; Turkey: A dialogue partner, not a full member.
In 2024, the BRICS group expanded to include how many new full members during its first wave of expansion?
Correct Answer: B. Four
• **Four** = This is the number of new full members officially joined BRICS in January 2024 (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE). • **January 2024** — In this month, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE officially became full members of BRICS. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Two: Too few countries joined; Six: While six countries were initially invited, only four formally completed the process by January 2024; Five: Incorrect number of new members who formally joined.
Who was the first President of the New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS?
Correct Answer: C. K.V. Kamath
• **K.V. Kamath** = This veteran Indian banker was appointed as the first President of the New Development Bank (NDB). • **2015 to 2020** — K.V. Kamath served as the NDB President during this period. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Marcos Troyjo: He succeeded K.V. Kamath as the NDB President; Dilma Rousseff: She is the current NDB President (as of 2023); Anton Siluanov: Served as the Russian Minister of Finance and a governor of the NDB, but not its first President.
What are the two official working languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
Correct Answer: D. Chinese and Russian
• **Chinese and Russian** = These are the two official working languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). • **Official working languages** — All official documents and proceedings of the SCO are conducted exclusively in these languages. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: English and Chinese: English is not an official working language; Russian and English: English is not an official working language; Hindi and Russian: Hindi is not an official working language.
What does the 'CRA' stand for in the context of the financial safety net created by BRICS?
Correct Answer: A. Contingent Reserve Arrangement
• **Contingent Reserve Arrangement** = CRA stands for this financial safety net created by BRICS nations. • **BRICS CRA** — This mechanism was established alongside the NDB to provide protection against global liquidity pressures and support nations during currency crises. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Capital Resource Association: Incorrect full form for CRA in this context; Currency Relief Agency: Incorrect full form for CRA in this context; Common Reserve Agreement: Incorrect full form for CRA in this context.
The concept of 'The Shanghai Spirit' in the SCO primarily emphasizes which value?
Correct Answer: B. Mutual trust and security
• **Mutual trust and security** = 'The Shanghai Spirit' primarily emphasizes values like mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, and respect for cultural diversity. • **2001** — This philosophy, known as 'The Shanghai Spirit', was formulated during the inception of the SCO in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Military expansion: The SCO emphasizes cooperation and security, not aggressive expansion; Single currency adoption: Not a stated goal or emphasis of the Shanghai Spirit; Bilateral trade bans: The SCO promotes trade and cooperation, not bans.