Q60. Which country declined the invitation to join the enlarged BRICS grouping in 2024?
[UP Police Constable, 18 Feb 2024 Shift 1]
(A) Iran
(B) Russia
(C) Argentina
(D) India
Answer: (C) Argentina
Explanation: Argentina’s new government declined an invitation to join BRICS from January 2024. Iran proceeded with participation in the expansion, while Russia and India were already members. Membership decisions are sovereign political choices and can change between summit announcements and accession.
Q59. Which global body partnered with India in the “Green Rising” initiative announced around COP28?
[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent, 14 Jul 2024 Shift 3]
(A) European Environment Agency
(B) UNICEF
(C) IPCC
(D) IUCN
Answer: (B) UNICEF
Explanation: UNICEF worked with India on Green Rising, an initiative focused on youth involvement in climate and environmental action. UNICEF’s mandate includes the wellbeing and rights of children and young people, making such climate-related partnerships relevant to its work.
Q58. In which city is the World Trade Organization headquartered?
[OSSSC Forest Guard, 3 May 2024 Shift 2]
(A) New Delhi
(B) Washington, D.C.
(C) New York
(D) Geneva
Answer: (D) Geneva
Explanation: The WTO headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland. It took over the multilateral trade framework from GATT on 1 January 1995. Washington hosts the IMF and World Bank, while New York hosts the main UN headquarters.
Q57. Which assertion about the Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation is correct?
[HPSC Prelims, 11 Feb 2024]
(A) It is released by the WTO
(B) India’s score exceeded that of several advanced countries
(C) It covers only WTO members and their collective actions
(D) All three are correct
Answer: (B) India’s score exceeded that of several advanced countries
Explanation: The survey is associated with United Nations regional commissions rather than being solely a WTO publication. India performed better than several developed economies on its indicators. It measures trade-facilitation practices across economies, not only formal WTO members.
Q56. Which Indian city was admitted to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the music category in 2023?
[CGPSC Prelims General Studies, 11 Feb 2024]
(A) Kozhikode
(B) Udupi
(C) Gwalior
(D) None of these
Answer: (C) Gwalior
Explanation: Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh joined UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a City of Music in 2023. The designation recognizes its Hindustani classical-music traditions, including the Gwalior gharana. Creative City status is different from World Heritage Site inscription.
Q55. Which WTO instrument supplies its framework for resolving trade disputes?
[Madhya Pradesh SET Paper II, 15 Dec 2024]
(A) Dispute Settlement Understanding
(B) Bilateral political mediation only
(C) Voluntary arbitration alone
(D) Diplomatic negotiation without a procedure
Answer: (A) Dispute Settlement Understanding
Explanation: The WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding sets out consultations, adjudication through panels and other procedures governing disputes under WTO agreements. The framework distinguishes the organization from diplomatic forums that offer no binding multilateral process to enforce trade commitments.
Q54. Which institution established in 1982 was intended to coordinate and develop rural-credit facilities?
[SSC CGL, 26 Jul 2023 Shift 2]
(A) NEDFi
(B) NABARD
(C) IFCI
(D) SIDBI
Answer: (B) NABARD
Explanation: NABARD was created in 1982 as the apex institution for agriculture and rural development finance. It supports banks, cooperatives, self-help groups and rural infrastructure. SIDBI, by contrast, primarily targets micro, small and medium enterprises.
Q53. Which Indian institution is an accredited National Implementing Entity for the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund?
[SSC CHSL, 10 Aug 2023 Shift 1]
(A) ICAR
(B) NIRD
(C) NABARD
(D) RBI
Answer: (C) NABARD
Explanation: NABARD was accredited as India’s National Implementing Entity to help implement Adaptation Fund projects. The fund supports concrete adaptation measures in vulnerable developing countries. Such climate-finance work complements NABARD’s established rural and agricultural development mandate.
Q52. Which body represents the cooperative movement in India at the national level?
[SSC CHSL, 4 Aug 2023 Shift 3]
(A) NCUI
(B) TRIFED
(C) NFCSF
(D) NABARD
Answer: (A) NCUI
Explanation: The National Cooperative Union of India represents and promotes the cooperative movement through advocacy, education and training. TRIFED centres on tribal products, while NABARD is a rural development financing institution. The differing mandates explain the correct choice.
Q51. Which country announced its return to UNESCO in 2023?
[SSC MTS, 8 Sep 2023 Shift 1, memory-based]
(A) United States
(B) Iran
(C) China
(D) North Korea
Answer: (A) United States
Explanation: The United States announced its decision to rejoin UNESCO in 2023 after an earlier withdrawal. UNESCO works in education, scientific cooperation and cultural heritage. Membership and funding disputes can cause countries to leave or re-enter multilateral bodies.
