Question 43 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Current Affairs

Question

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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: Identify key factual markers: the location and year of the first BRICS summit, and the sequence of member inclusion. The first summit's location must be precisely recalled—2009 summit was in Russia, not Rio de Janeiro. Knowing that South Africa joined after the original BRIC foundation confirms statement 2's correctness and rules out statement 1.

Key Info: **BRICS Key Information**

- BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
- The group originated as 'BRIC' (without South Africa) and held its first official summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
- South Africa was formally invited in 2010 and joined in 2011, expanding the group to 'BRICS'.
- The summits focus on cooperation in economic, political, and development issues.
- The member countries represent a significant share of the world's population, GDP, and territory.
- The first summit was hosted in Yekaterinburg, Russia, not Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- South Africa's inclusion was intended to strengthen Africa's representation in the group.

Answer

Option A: 1 only

Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements: The first Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements:

The first Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.

South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?