MCQs on G20 South Africa Summit 2025 Answer and Explanation:
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Prepare for UPSC Prelims & Mains with this high-quality MCQ session on G20 Johannesburg Summit 2025. This video covers all major topics including Global South leadership, US boycott, 122-point declaration, Mission 300, climate finance, Loss & Damage, debt crisis, Cost of Capital Commission, ACITI Partnership, IBSA, and India’s major proposals. 🔥 What’s Inside? ✔ Johannesburg G20 Summit context ✔ Global South’s growing role ✔ African Union as full G20 member ✔ Mission 300 (Electricity Access) ✔ Climate Finance & Loss and Damage ✔ Debt Crisis & Cost of Capital ✔ India’s role: DPI, Critical Minerals Initiative ✔ ACITI Partnership (Australia–Canada–India) ✔ IBSA and UNSC reforms ✔ Complete MCQs + Correct Answers + Explanations 📌
Johannesburg Summit Context
The 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg was historically significant primarily because:
(a) It was the first G20 summit after the Paris Agreement.
(b) It was the first G20 summit held on African soil.
(c) It was the first time the G20 discussed climate change.
(d) It marked the expansion of G20 membership to 30 countries.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: The 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit was the first G20 summit hosted on the African continent, marking a key moment for Africa’s role in global economic governance.
Which of the following correctly represents the sequence of four consecutive Global South G20 presidencies culminating in Johannesburg 2025?
(a) India, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia
(b) Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, India
(c) Indonesia, India, Brazil, South Africa
(d) India, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa
Correct: (c)
Explanation: The four‑year Global South presidency cycle ran as Indonesia (2022), India (2023), Brazil (2024), and South Africa (2025).
The theme of the G20 Johannesburg Summit 2025, linked with the Ubuntu philosophy, was:
(a) People, Planet, Prosperity
(b) One Earth, One Family, One Future
(c) Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability
(d) Recover Together, Recover Stronger
Correct: (c)
Explanation: South Africa chose “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” as the theme, echoing Ubuntu’s emphasis on interconnectedness.
The operationalisation of the African Union as a permanent G20 member at Johannesburg 2025 mainly symbolised a shift from:
(a) Climate justice to trade liberalisation
(b) Aid to Africa to partnership with Africa
(c) Regional to bilateral diplomacy
(d) Globalisation to protectionism
Correct: (b)
Explanation: African Union’s effective participation as a full member reframed Africa’s role from aid recipient to equal partner and agenda‑setter.
US Boycott & Geopolitics
Which statement best describes the role of the United States at the 2025 Johannesburg G20 Summit?
(a) The US co‑hosted the summit with South Africa.
(b) The US attended only the closing ceremony.
(c) The US completely boycotted the summit.
(d) The US participated virtually but not physically.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: The United States boycotted the Johannesburg summit, with President Donald Trump not sending any official delegation.
Despite the US boycott, which of the following was true for the Johannesburg G20 Summit?
(a) The summit was cancelled due to lack of quorum.
(b) Only developing countries attended.
(c) Leaders representing around two‑thirds of global GDP participated.
(d) No European country participated.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: Major economies including European powers took part, and the attending leaders still represented roughly two‑thirds of world GDP.
The US boycott of the Johannesburg Summit is often seen as demonstrating:
(a) The end of G20 as a forum.
(b) The rise of a multipolar world order.
(c) The dominance of regional trade agreements.
(d) The supremacy of the UN over G20.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: The summit’s continuation and consensus despite US absence reflected growing multipolarity and stronger Global South agency.
122‑Point Leaders’ Declaration
The 122‑point G20 Leaders’ Declaration at Johannesburg 2025 was notable because:
(a) It failed to gain consensus.
(b) It was adopted at the very end after marathon negotiations.
(c) It was adopted on the first day using an early‑consensus strategy.
(d) It focused exclusively on security issues.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: South Africa used an early‑consensus approach so that a comprehensive 122‑point declaration could be adopted on the opening day.
The core priorities of the Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Declaration included:
(a) Protectionism, currency devaluation, and arms trade.
(b) Sustainable development, global equity, and multilateral reform.
(c) Bilateral defence alliances and sanctions.
(d) Only macroeconomic coordination.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: The declaration emphasised sustainable development, reducing inequality, and reforming institutions like IMF and development banks to better reflect Global South voices.
Mission 300: Electricity Access
“Mission 300” launched around the Johannesburg Summit aims primarily to:
(a) Train 300 million teachers by 2030.
(b) Provide electricity access to 300 million people in Sub‑Saharan Africa by 2030.
(c) Plant 300 million trees every year.
(d) Build 300 smart cities in Africa.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: Mission 300 is a joint initiative of the World Bank and African Development Bank to connect 300 million people in Sub‑Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030.
Mission 300’s financing model is best described as:
(a) 100% private capital with no public funding.
(b) Entirely grant‑based from advanced economies.
(c) Public funding intended to crowd‑in much larger private investment.
(d) Reliant only on remittances from the African diaspora.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: The initiative seeks around 30 billion dollars in public funding to mobilise roughly three times that amount in private investment by boosting investor confidence.
Climate Finance & Loss and Damage
According to the Johannesburg discussions, developing countries need to mobilise at least how much annually by 2035 to meet Paris Agreement‑related goals?
(a) 130 billion dollars
(b) 1.3 trillion dollars
(c) 13 trillion dollars
(d) 300 billion dollars
Correct: (b)
Explanation: The declaration underlined that developing countries would require at least 1.3 trillion dollars per year by 2035, signalling a shift from “billions” to “trillions” in climate finance thinking.
At the Johannesburg Summit, climate discussions emphasised:
(a) Only mitigation targets for developed countries.
(b) Only carbon markets without adaptation.
(c) Mitigation plus adaptation and operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund.
(d) Abandoning the Paris Agreement framework.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: Along with emissions mitigation, leaders stressed adaptation needs and making the Loss and Damage Fund functional to support vulnerable countries hit by climate disasters.
Debt Crisis & Cost of Capital Commission
The “debt vs development” trap highlighted for African countries refers to:
(a) High defence expenditure crowding out social spending.
(b) Preference for foreign exchange reserves over public welfare.
(c) Excessive debt servicing limiting spending on health and education.
(d) Over‑dependence on remittances.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: Many African states spend more on interest payments than on health or education, constraining development priorities.
The Cost of Capital Commission announced at Johannesburg aims mainly to:
(a) Fix global energy prices.
(b) Review credit rating practices and reduce unjustified “African risk premiums”.
(c) Replace all multilateral development banks.
(d) Negotiate new military alliances in Africa.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: The Commission’s mandate is to examine rating methodologies and challenge structural biases that make finance costlier for African borrowers.
India’s Role: Ideas Factory
Which of the following India‑led proposals at the Johannesburg Summit focuses on documenting indigenous and traditional systems of knowledge?
(a) Africa Skills Multiplier
(b) Global Traditional Knowledge Repository
(c) Open Satellite Data Partnership
(d) Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative
Correct: (b)
Explanation: The Global Traditional Knowledge Repository seeks to systematically document traditional and indigenous knowledge for future generations.
The “Africa Skills Multiplier” proposed by India aims to:
(a) Create 1 million certified trainers to skill African youth.
(b) Fund one million African start‑ups.
(c) Send one million Indian professionals to Africa.
(d) Bring one million African students to Indian universities.
Correct: (a)
Explanation: The initiative envisions a pool of about one million trainers who can multiply skills across Africa’s young population.
Which Indian proposal focuses on rapid health responses to pandemics and emergencies?
(a) Global Healthcare Response Team
(b) Initiative on Countering the Drug Terror Nexus
(c) Digital Public Infrastructure Facility
(d) Cost of Capital Commission
Correct: (a)
Explanation: India suggested a Global Healthcare Response Team of G20 experts that could be quickly deployed during health emergencies.
India’s push for Digital Public Infrastructure at the G20 mainly showcases:
(a) Closed, proprietary payment systems.
(b) UPI‑like interoperable digital platforms for financial inclusion.
(c) Only social media regulation.
(d) Exclusive access for G20 members.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: India projected its Digital Public Infrastructure model, including systems like UPI, as scalable tools for inclusive finance and service delivery in other countries.
The “Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative” primarily relates to:
(a) Expanding fossil fuel exploration.
(b) Recycling and urban mining to secure clean energy supply chains.
(c) Banning export of all critical minerals.
(d) Replacing renewables with nuclear energy.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: The initiative promotes recycling, second‑life batteries, and urban mining to build resilient and sustainable critical mineral supply chains.
India’s call for a “global compact on AI” at Johannesburg focused on:
(a) Maximising data extraction without constraints.
(b) Militarising AI in all member states.
(c) Preventing AI misuse in deepfakes, cybercrime, and terrorism, with safeguards like human oversight.
(d) Abolishing national AI regulations.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: India stressed global norms against AI misuse, emphasising principles such as safety‑by‑design, transparency, and human oversight.
ACITI Partnership: Tech Triangle
The ACITI Partnership announced at Johannesburg is a technology and innovation framework among:
(a) Australia, China, India
(b) Australia, Canada, India
(c) Austria, Canada, Indonesia
(d) Africa, China, India
Correct: (b)
Explanation: ACITI stands for Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership, linking three democracies on advanced tech issues.
Which of the following is NOT a core pillar of the ACITI Partnership?
(a) Critical minerals supply chains
(b) AI adoption and safety standards
(c) Clean energy research and development
(d) Joint military bases in the Indo‑Pacific
Correct: (d)
Explanation: ACITI concentrates on critical minerals, AI governance, and clean energy R&D, not on military basing arrangements.
Strategically, ACITI is seen as:
(a) Reinforcing Chinese dominance in critical minerals.
(b) A signal of diplomatic thaw between India and Canada plus diversification of tech partnerships.
(c) A purely bilateral India–Australia defence pact.
(d) A replacement for the G20 framework.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: After tensions in India–Canada ties, ACITI indicated a partial reset alongside broader alignment on technology and supply‑chain security.
IBSA Summit: Democratic Voice of Global South
IBSA is a trilateral grouping of:
(a) India, Brazil, South Africa
(b) Indonesia, Bangladesh, South Africa
(c) India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka
(d) Italy, Belgium, South Africa
Correct: (a)
Explanation: IBSA brings together India, Brazil, and South Africa as large democracies representing different regions of the Global South.
At the IBSA Leaders’ Meeting alongside the G20 Johannesburg Summit, the three countries strongly reiterated:
(a) Opposition to any UN reforms.
(b) The need for UN Security Council reform with new permanent seats from Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
(c) Abolition of the UN General Assembly.
(d) Exclusive permanent seats for G7 countries.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: IBSA leaders pushed for expanded and more representative permanent membership in the UN Security Council for under‑represented regions.
India’s Bilateral Meetings
During the Johannesburg Summit, India’s bilateral engagement with Italy focused on:
(a) Space cooperation only.
(b) A joint initiative to counter financing of terrorism aligned with FATF standards.
(c) A free trade agreement in agriculture.
(d) Nuclear weapons control.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: India and Italy discussed cooperation to curb terror financing, including emerging threats like crypto‑linked flows, in line with FATF norms.
India’s bilateral talks with Canada at Johannesburg, under PM Mark Carney, included:
(a) Ending all defence cooperation.
(b) Launching CEPA talks with a goal to double trade by 2030.
(c) Withdrawal from all space projects.
(d) Sanctions on each other’s tech companies.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: India and Canada agreed to advance defence and space cooperation and pursue a high‑ambition CEPA targeting a doubling of bilateral trade by 2030.
The pattern of India’s sideline meetings with partners like South Africa, Japan, Jamaica, and the Netherlands illustrated:
(a) Exclusive focus on Global North.
(b) Exclusive focus on Global South.
(c) Balanced outreach to both Global North and Global South.
(d) Withdrawal from multilateral forums.
Correct: (c)
Explanation: India engaged both developed and developing partners, reinforcing its image as a “friend of all” and bridge‑builder.
G20 Evolution & Background
The G20 was originally created in 1999 in response to:
(a) The Asian Financial Crisis.
(b) The Eurozone Crisis.
(c) The COVID‑19 pandemic.
(d) The Oil Shock of the 1970s.
Correct: (a)
Explanation: The G20 emerged after the Asian Financial Crisis as a forum for major advanced and emerging economies to address financial instability.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit format, involving heads of state or government, began mainly after:
(a) The 1991 Gulf War.
(b) The 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
(c) The 2014 Crimea crisis.
(d) The 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
Correct: (b)
Explanation: Following the 2008 global financial meltdown, G20 meetings were elevated from finance ministers to leaders level.
Approximate representation of the G20 in the world economy and population is:
(a) 25% of global GDP and 10% of population
(b) 50% of global trade and 30% of population
(c) 85% of global GDP, 75% of trade, and about two‑thirds of world population
(d) 100% of global GDP and trade
Correct: (c)
Explanation: G20 members collectively represent around 85% of world GDP, 75% of global trade, and roughly two‑thirds of humanity.
With African Union’s entry as permanent member in 2023, the composition of the G20 is best described as:
(a) 19 countries plus European Union plus African Union.
(b) 25 countries plus two regional bodies.
(c) Only developed countries and no regional bodies.
(d) A forum limited to BRICS members.
Correct: (a)
Explanation: The G20 includes 19 individual states along with the European Union and, from 2023, the African Union as permanent members.