International Organizations (External Sector) Part-II

Total Questions: 50

21. The Global Gender Gap Report is released by: [B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (c) the World Economic Forum
Solution:The Global Gender Gap Index is an index designed to measure gender equality. It is prepared by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as part of its annual "The Global Gender Gap Report which was first published in 2006. In the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, India's rank is 129 among 146 countries. India was ranked 127 among 146 countries in 2023 Report.

India Performance(2025):

  • In subindices, India shows gains in Economic Participation (40.7%) with improvement in income parity from 28.6% to 29.9%, and Educational Attainment at a high 97.1%, indicating near-parity in literacy and tertiary education enrolment.
  • Health and Survival improved with better sex ratio and life expectancy. However, Political Empowerment fell by 0.6 points, with women's representation in Parliament down from 14.7% to 13.8% and ministerial representation fell from 6.5% to 5.6%.

22. What is India's rank on the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index, 2020? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (d) 112th
Solution:India's rank on the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Global Gender Gap Index, 2020 was 112th (among 153 countries). In WEF's Global Gender Gap Report, 2024 (released in June, 2024), India's rank is 129 among 146 countries. Iceland has topped the index as the most gender-equal country while Sudan is the worst-performing nation in this report. India was ranked 127 among 146 countries in 2023 Report.

India Performance(2025):

  • In subindices, India shows gains in Economic Participation (40.7%) with improvement in income parity from 28.6% to 29.9%, and Educational Attainment at a high 97.1%, indicating near-parity in literacy and tertiary education enrolment.
  • Health and Survival improved with better sex ratio and life expectancy. However, Political Empowerment fell by 0.6 points, with women's representation in Parliament down from 14.7% to 13.8% and ministerial representation fell from 6.5% to 5.6%.

23. Recently, the first 'Gender Social Norms Index' was released by which of the following? [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (d) United Nations Development Programme
Solution:The first 'Gender Social Norms Index' (GSNI) was released on 5 March, 2020 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). At present, GSNI measures how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in areas like politics, work and education and contains data from 76 countries, covering over 84 percent of the world's population.
  • The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network.
  • UNDP is based on the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the United Nations Special Fund.
  • The UNDP was established in 1965 by the United Nations General Assembly, and became operational in January 1966.
  • It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries.
  • The UNDP Executive Board is made up of representatives from 36 countries around the world who serve on a rotating basis.
  • It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from member nations.
  • UNDP is central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a network that spans 165 countries and unites the 40 UN funds, programmes, specialized agencies and other bodies working to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

24. The Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (TTCI) is released by: [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (c) World Economic Forum
Solution:Published every two years by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness (TTC) Report and TTC Index compares the competitiveness of world's economies and measures the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the Travel & Tourism (T&T) sector, which in turn contributes to the development and competitiveness of a country. From the 2021 report, WEF publishes the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) as an evolution of the TTC Index.

25. India is a member of which of the following? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2008]

1. Asian Development Bank

2. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

3. Colombo Plan

4. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 3
Solution:India was a founding member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1966. Today, the country is ADB's 4th largest shareholder and its top borrower. India was also a founding member of Colombo Plan in 1951. India is not a member of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) was established in the year 1966, with head office at Manila (Philippines). It has 67 members from the Asia Pacific region. This bank was modeled on the lines of the world bank.
  • Japan holds the largest share in ADB with 15.677%, followed by U.S.A (15.567%), China (6.473%), and India (5.812%).
  • The aim of the ADB is social development by reducing poverty in the Asia Pacific with inclusive growth, sustainable growth, and regional integration. This is carried out through an 80% investment in the public sector.
  • ADB invests in infrastructure, health, public administration system, helping nations to reduce the impact of climate change and to manage natural resources.

26. The India Regident Mission of Asian Development Bank is situated in: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (b) New Delhi
Solution:The India Regident Mission of Asian Development Bank (ADB) is situated in New Delhi. It was opened in 1992.
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) was established in the year 1966, with head office at Manila (Philippines). It has 67 members from the Asia Pacific region. This bank was modeled on the lines of the world bank.
  • Japan holds the largest share in ADB with 15.677%, followed by U.S.A (15.567%), China (6.473%), and India (5.812%).
  • The aim of the ADB is social development by reducing poverty in the Asia Pacific with inclusive growth, sustainable growth, and regional integration. This is carried out through an 80% investment in the public sector.
  • ADB invests in infrastructure, health, public administration system, helping nations to reduce the impact of climate change and to manage natural resources.

27. Consider the following: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2022]

1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

2. Missile Technology Control Regime

3. Shanghai Cooperation Organization

India is a member of which of the above?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:India is a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure In- vestment Bank (AIIB) with the second-largest voting share after China. Headquartered in Beijing, the AIIB began operations in January, 2016. India became member of the Mis- sile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 and member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017.

28. The headquarters of European Economic Community is at: [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1992]

Correct Answer: (a) Brussels
Solution:European Economic Community (EEC) was created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Its headquarters was located in Brussels, Belgium. It was subsequently renamed the European Community (EC) upon becoming integrated into the first pillar of the newly formed European Union (EU) in 1993. In 2009, EC formally ceased to exist and its institutions were directly absorbed by the EU.
  • The EU has its roots in the aftermath of World War II when European leaders sought to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the continent.
  • European Free Trade Association, 1960: It was created to promote free trade and economic integration between certain countries not in the EEC.
  • First direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979
  • Launch of the Erasmus Programme, 1987: It is launched to fund university students wishing to study in another European country.
  • Maastricht Treaty, 1993: It transformed the EC into the EU and expanded the scope beyond economic integration to include political, social, and security policies.
  • Euro introduced, 1999: The euro was introduced in 11 countries for commercial and financial transactions only.

29. Consider the following statements about the European Union: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1999]

1. The European Union was known earlier as the European Community.

2. The Single European Act (1986) and the Maastricht Treaty were milestones in its formation.

3. Citizens of European Union countries enjoy dual citizenship.

4. Switzerland is a member of the European Union.

Which of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. Hence, statement 4 is wrong. Other 3 statements about the European Union are correct.

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe. The EU was established by the Maastricht Treaty, which entered into force on November 1, 1993. The main goal of the EU is to promote cooperation and integration among its member states in order to enhance economic and political stability in Europe.

The EU has its own currency, the Euro, which is used by 19 of the member states. It has a single market where goods, services, and capital can move freely.
There are 4 main decision-making institutions that lead the EU's administration.

  • European Council: The European Council is made up of the heads of state or governments of the EU member states. It sets the EU's overall political direction.
  • European Commission: The European Commission is the executive branch of the EU.
  • European Parliament: The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the EU.
  • Council of the EU: It is the main decision-making body of the EU. It represents the interests of member states and is responsible for adopting legislation and coordinating policies.

30. Which of the following country is not a member of European Union? [RAS/R.T.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (d) Poland
Solution:Poland was not a member of European Union (EU) in 1997. It became a member of EU in 2004. At present EU has 27 members countries including France, Germany, Italy and Poland. The United Kingdom withdrew from the EU on 31 January, 2020. At present, the EU is a unique economic and political union of 27 European countries.

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe. The EU was established by the Maastricht Treaty, which entered into force on November 1, 1993. The main goal of the EU is to promote cooperation and integration among its member states in order to enhance economic and political stability in Europe.

The EU has its own currency, the Euro, which is used by 19 of the member states. It has a single market where goods, services, and capital can move freely.
There are 4 main decision-making institutions that lead the EU's administration.

  • European Council: The European Council is made up of the heads of state or governments of the EU member states. It sets the EU's overall political direction.
  • European Commission: The European Commission is the executive branch of the EU.
  • European Parliament: The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the EU.
  • Council of the EU: It is the main decision-making body of the EU. It represents the interests of member states and is responsible for adopting legislation and coordinating policies.