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the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marking historic expansion with
Indonesia joining in 2025. Learn about BRICS’ key initiatives, challenges, and
global significance, including financial cooperation, energy security, and
multilateral reforms. Discover FAQs, MCQs, and insights into BRICS’ role in
shaping the future of global governance. Perfect for competitive exams in India
like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSCs.
BRICS Overview and Genesis
- Question: Who coined the term BRICS?
a) Joseph Stiglitz
b) Jim O’Neill
c) Amartya Sen
d) Paul Krugman
Answer: b) Jim O’Neill
Explanation: The term BRICS was coined in 2001 by British
economist Jim O’Neill to represent the emerging economies of Brazil,
Russia, India, and China.
- Question: Which country joined BRICS in 2010,
completing the acronym?a) Indonesia
b) South Africa
c) Saudi Arabia
d) Egypt
Answer: b) South Africa
Explanation: South Africa joined BRICS in 2010, making it
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).
- Question: When was the first BRIC Summit
held?a) 2001
b) 2006
c) 2009
d) 2010
Answer: c) 2009
Explanation: The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia in 2009,
marking the formal beginning of the group.
- Question: What percentage of the world’s
population do BRICS countries represent?a) 37.3%
b) 45%
c) 29.3%
d) 14.5%
Answer: b) 45%
Explanation: BRICS represents over 45% of the world’s
population, making it a significant global grouping.
16th BRICS Summit and Recent Updates
- Question: Where was the 16th BRICS Summit
held?
Options:
a) Shanghai
b) Kazan, Russia
c) New Delhi
d) Johannesburg
Answer: b) Kazan, Russia
Explanation: The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia,
marking a historic moment with expanded membership.
- Question: What was the theme of the Kazan
Declaration adopted at the 16th BRICS Summit?a) “Global Energy Security”
b) “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and
Security”
c) “Expanding BRICS Influence”
d) “Climate Change and Sustainability”
Answer: b) “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global
Development and Security”
Explanation: The Kazan Declaration focused on strengthening
multilateralism for global development and security.
- Question: Which country will host the 17th
BRICS Summit in 2025?a) Russia
b) Brazil
c) India
d) China
Answer: b) Brazil
Explanation: Brazil will host the 17th BRICS Summit in 2025
and assume the BRICS Chairship.
- Question: Which country recently joined BRICS
as the 11th member, effective January 2025?a) Argentina
b) Indonesia
c) Turkey
d) Vietnam
Answer: b) Indonesia
Explanation: Indonesia joined BRICS as the 11th member,
effective January 2025.
BRICS Membership and Representation
- Question: Which of the following is NOT a
founding member of BRICS?a) Brazil
b) Russia
c) South Africa
d) India
Answer: c) South Africa
Explanation: South Africa joined in 2010, while Brazil,
Russia, India, and China are founding members.
- Question: Which country initially planned to
join BRICS in 2024 but later opted out?a) Egypt
b) Argentina
c) Saudi Arabia
d) Ethiopia
Answer: b) Argentina
Explanation: Argentina was expected to join in 2024 but later
opted out.
- Question: What percentage of global GDP do
BRICS countries account for?a) 14.5%
b) 29.3%
c) 37.3%
d) 45%
Answer: c) 37.3%
Explanation: BRICS accounts for over 37.3% of global GDP,
compared to the EU’s 14.5% and G7’s 29.3%.
- Question: Which of the following is a new
member of BRICS?a) Cuba
b) Iran
c) Vietnam
d) Turkey
Answer: b) Iran
Explanation: Iran is one of the six new members, along with
Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia.
Key Initiatives of BRICS
- Question: Where is the headquarters of the
New Development Bank (NDB) located?a) Moscow
b) Shanghai
c) New Delhi
d) Johannesburg
Answer: b) Shanghai
Explanation: The NDB, established in 2014, is headquartered in
Shanghai.
- Question: What is the purpose of the BRICS
Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)?a) Fund infrastructure projects
b) Provide short-term liquidity support
c) Promote agricultural trade
d) Develop space technology
Answer: b) Provide short-term liquidity support
Explanation: The CRA provides short-term liquidity support to
member countries facing balance-of-payments issues.
- Question: Which initiative aims to reduce
reliance on Western financial systems like SWIFT?a) BRICS Pay
b) BRICS Grain Exchange
c) BRICS Clear Depositary
d) BRICS STI Framework
Answer: a) BRICS Pay
Explanation: BRICS Pay is a blockchain-based payment system
designed to reduce reliance on Western financial systems.
- Question: What is the primary focus of the
BRICS Vaccine R&D Center?a) Space technology
b) Preventing mass infectious diseases
c) Cybersecurity
d) Poverty alleviation
Answer: b) Preventing mass infectious diseases
Explanation: The BRICS Vaccine R&D Center focuses on
preventing mass infectious diseases.
Relevance and Challenges of BRICS
- Question: What percentage of the world’s
crude oil is produced by BRICS countries?a) 29.3%
b) 37.3%
c) 44%
d) 50%
Answer: c) 44%
Explanation: BRICS countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia,
and UAE, produce 44% of the world’s crude oil.
- Question: Which of the following is a major
challenge faced by BRICS?a) High intra-BRICS trade
b) Lack of geopolitical rivalries
c) Underutilized economic potential
d) Strong influence in global institutions
Answer: c) Underutilized economic potential
Explanation: Intra-BRICS trade is only 2.2% of global trade,
highlighting underutilized economic potential.
- Question: What is the primary goal of the
BRICS Plus Dialogue?a) Promote Western financial systems
b) Engage emerging markets and developing countries
c) Develop a common BRICS currency
d) Address climate change exclusively
Answer: b) Engage emerging markets and developing countries
Explanation: The BRICS Plus Dialogue engages emerging markets
and developing countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- Question: Which BRICS initiative focuses on
creating a fair agricultural trading system?a) BRICS Pay
b) BRICS Grain Exchange
c) BRICS Clear Depositary
d) BRICS STI Framework
Answer: b) BRICS Grain Exchange
Explanation: The BRICS Grain Exchange is a Russian initiative
to create a fair agricultural trading system.
Comparison with Other Groupings
- Question: Which grouping focuses on global
governance reforms and poverty alleviation?a) BRICS
b) IBSA
c) BASIC
d) G7
Answer: b) IBSA
Explanation: IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) focuses on
global governance reforms and poverty alleviation.
- Question: What is the primary focus of the
BASIC grouping?a) Energy security
b) Climate change
c) Cybersecurity
d) Space technology
Answer: b) Climate change
Explanation: BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China)
addresses climate issues and promotes South-South cooperation.
Way Forward for BRICS
- Question: What is a key recommendation for
BRICS to strengthen unity?a) Increase reliance on Western systems
b) Establish a permanent secretariat
c) Reduce membership
d) Focus on unilateral decisions
Answer: b) Establish a permanent secretariat
Explanation: Establishing a permanent secretariat is
recommended to strengthen unity and long-term vision.
- Question: Which country’s influence within
BRICS needs strategic balancing?a) Brazil
b) Russia
c) China
d) India
Answer: c) China
Explanation: India must strategically manage China’s dominance
within BRICS to ensure balanced influence.
- Question: What is essential for the success
of BRICS+?a) Reducing membership
b) Resolving internal differences
c) Focusing on anti-West policies
d) Limiting global representation
Answer: b) Resolving internal differences
Explanation: The success of BRICS+ depends on resolving
internal differences and fostering consensus-building.
Also Read: 16th BRICS Summit: Indonesia Join in 2025