Microtheme: GroupingsXRegional —
25 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2026] Which of the following countries are members of the European Union?
   1. Belarus
   2. Poland
   3. Germany
   4. Switzerland
   • (a) 1, 2 and 4
   • (b) 1 and 4 only
   • (c) 2 and 3
   • (d) 2 and 4 only
   Correct Answer: (C) 2 and 3
2. [2025] Consider the following countries:
   I. Austria
   II. Bulgaria
   III. Croatia
   IV. Serbia
   V. Sweden
   VI. North Macedonia
   How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?
   • (a) Only three
   • (b) Only four
   • (c) Only five
   • (d) All the six
   Correct Answer: (B) Only four
3. [2025] Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
   I. The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
   II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
   III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) I and II
   • (b) II and III
   • (c) I and III
   • (d) I only
   Correct Answer: (A) I and II
4. [2023] Consider the following statements:
   The ‘Stability and Growth Pact’ of the European Union is a treaty that
   1. limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union
   2. makes the countries of the European Union to share their infrastructure facilities
   3. enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies
   How many of the above statements are correct?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All three
   • (d) None
   Correct Answer: (A) Only one
5. [2023] Consider the following statements:
   Statement-I:
   Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the ‘Trade and Technology Council’.
   Statement-II:
   The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
   • (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   • (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
   Correct Answer: (C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
6. [2023] Consider the following statements:
   Statement-I:
   Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
   Statement-II:
   The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
   • (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   • (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
   Correct Answer: (C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
7. [2023] Consider the following statements about G-20:
   1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues.
   2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
8. [2022] Consider the following countries :
   1. Armenia
   2. Azerbaijan
   3. Croatia
   4. Romania
   5. Uzbekistan
   Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States ?
   • (a) 1, 2 and 4
   • (b) 1 and 3
   • (c) 2 and 5
   • (d) 3, 4 and 5
   Correct Answer: (C) 2 and 5
9. [2022] With reference to the “G20 Common Framework”, consider the following statements:
   1. It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club.
   2. It is an initiative to support Low Income Countries with unsustainable debt.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
10. [2019] Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ in April 2016 and started implementation of it from 25th May, 2018?
    • (a) Australia
    • (b) Canada
    • (c) The European Union
    • (d) The United States of America
    Correct Answer: (C) The European Union
11. [2018] Consider the following countries:
    1. Australia
    2. Canada
    3. China
    4. India
    5. Japan
    6. USA
    Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?
    • (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
    • (b) 3, 4, 5 and 6
    • (c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
    • (d) 2, 3, 4 and 6
    Correct Answer: (C) 1, 3, 4 and 5
12. [2017] The term ‘Digital Single Market Strategy’ seen in the news refers to
    • (a) ASEAN
    • (b) BRICS
    • (c) EU
    • (d) G20
    Correct Answer: (C) EU
13. [2016] Consider the following statements:
    1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.
    2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
14. [2016] The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the’ context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
    • (a) G2O
    • (b) ASEAN
    • (c) SCO
    • (d) SAARC
    Correct Answer: (B) ASEAN
15. [2016] Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
    • (a) Iran
    • (b) Saudi Arabia
    • (c) Oman
    • (d) Kuwait
    Correct Answer: (A) Iran
16. [2016] ‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an
    • (a) agency created by EU to deal with the impact of millions of refugees arriving from Middle East
    • (b) agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
    • (c) agency of EU to deal with all the bilateral and multilateral agreements on trade
    • (d) agency of EU to deal with the conflicts arising among the member countries
    Correct Answer: (B) agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
17. [2016] With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements:
    1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
    2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
18. [2015] The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs of
    • (a) ASEAN
    • (b) BRICS
    • (c) OECD
    • (d) WTO
    Correct Answer: (B) BRICS
19. [2014] With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements:
    1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
    2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
20. [2011] Southeast Asia has captivated the attention of the global community over space and time as a geo-strategically significant region. Which among the following is the most convincing explanation for this global perspective?
    • (a) It was the hot theatre during the Second World War.
    • (b) Its location between the Asian powers of China and India.
    • (c) It was the arena of superpower confrontation during the Cold War period.
    • (d) Its location between the Pacific and Indian Oceans and its preeminent maritime character.
    Correct Answer: (D) Its location between the Pacific and Indian Oceans and its preeminent maritime character.
21. [2010] With reference to BRIC countries, consider the following statements:
    1. At present, China’s GDP is more than the combined GDP of all the three other countries.
    2. China’s population is more than the combined population of any two other countries.
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (A) 1 only
22. [2010] In the context of bilateral trade negotiations between India and European Union, what is the difference between European commission and European Council?
    1. European Commission represents the EU in trade negotiations whereas European Council participated in the legislation of matters pertaining to economic policies of the European Union
    2. European Commission comprises the heads of State of govt. of member countries whereas the European Council comprises of the persons nominated by European Parliament
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
23. [2009] Consider the following countries :
    1. Switzerland
    2. Malta
    3. Bulgaria
    Which of the above are members of European Union?
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1,2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
24. [2009] Consider the following countries :
    1. Brunei Darussalam
    2. East Timor
    3. Laos
    Which of the above is/are member/members of ASEAN ?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1,2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
25. [2009] A present group of nations known as G-8 started first as G-7, Which one among the following was not one of them?
    • (a) Canada
    • (b) Italy
    • (c) Japan
    • (d) Russia
    Correct Answer: (D) Russia