International Organizations
| # |
Concept |
Quick Explanation |
| 1 |
Headquarters Rule |
HQ city usually starts with same letter as organization (UNO-New York, WHO-Geneva, FAO-Rome) |
| 2 |
BRICS Expansion |
Original: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa; 2024 new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE |
| 3 |
G7 vs G20 |
G7 = 7 richest democracies; G20 = 19 countries + EU, represents 85% global GDP |
| 4 |
Bretton Woods Twins |
IMF (monetary stability) & World Bank (development); both created 1944, HQ Washington DC |
| 5 |
SAARC Members |
8 countries: India, Pak, BD, SL, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan; HQ Kathmandu |
| 6 |
Nobel Connection |
Only 3 UN agencies won Nobel: UNHCR, IAEA, IPCC |
| 7 |
India’s Leadership |
India founded/co-founded: NAM, G15, ISA, BIMSTEC; never joined NATO or OIC |
10 Practice MCQs
- Where is the headquarters of the International Court of Justice located?
- A. Geneva, Switzerland
- B. The Hague, Netherlands
- C. Vienna, Austria
- D. New York, USA
Answer: B
Solution: ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the UN, located in The Hague since 1946.
Shortcut: “ICJ = International Court of Justice = Hague” – both have ‘H’.
Concept tag: UN principal organs
- Which of the following is NOT a member of the G20?
- A. Spain
- B. Argentina
- C. Indonesia
- D. South Africa
Answer: A
Solution: Spain is a permanent guest, not a full member; EU is the 20th member.
Shortcut: Remember 19 countries + EU; Spain sneaks in as “guest”.
Concept tag: G20 composition
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is headquartered in which city?
- A. Bangkok
- B. Singapore
- C. Manila
- D. Jakarta
Answer: C
Solution: ADB HQ is in Manila, Philippines since 1966.
Shortcut: “ADB-Manila” – both have ‘A’ vowel sound.
Concept tag: Regional development banks
- Which UN agency is responsible for coordinating international postal services?
- A. ITU
- B. UPU
- C. UNESCO
- D. UNICEF
Answer: B
Solution: Universal Postal Union (UPU) sets global postal rules, HQ Bern.
Shortcut: “Postal = UPU” – three letters, both have ‘P’.
Concept tag: Specialized UN agencies
- The 2024 BRICS summit will be hosted by which country?
- A. India
- B. China
- C. Russia
- D. South Africa
Answer: C
Solution: Russia holds the 2024 chairmanship; summit in Kazan.
Shortcut: Alphabetical rotation after South Africa 2023.
Concept tag: BRICS summits
- Which organization publishes the World Economic Outlook report?
- A. World Bank
- B. IMF
- C. WTO
- D. UNCTAD
Answer: B
Solution: IMF releases WEO twice yearly; tracks global growth, inflation.
Shortcut: “Outlook” = look-out for money = IMF.
Concept tag: IMF functions
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was jointly launched by India and which other country?
- A. UAE
- B. France
- C. Japan
- D. Australia
Answer: B
Solution: ISA launched 2015 Paris COP21 by PM Modi & President Hollande.
Shortcut: “Solar” & “Paris” both start with ‘P’ sound.
Concept tag: India-led initiatives
- Which of the following countries is NOT a founding member of ASEAN?
- A. Thailand
- B. Philippines
- C. Vietnam
- D. Indonesia
Answer: C
Solution: ASEAN founded 1967 by 5: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand; Vietnam joined 1995.
Shortcut: “V” is late to the party.
Concept tag: ASEAN expansion
- The World Health Organization (WHO) comes under which UN principal organ?
- A. ECOSOC
- B. General Assembly
- C. Security Council
- D. Secretariat
Answer: A
Solution: Specialized agencies report to Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC).
Shortcut: “Health = Social” ⇒ ECOSOC.
Concept tag: UN structure
- Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
- A. NATO – Brussels
- B. OPEC – Doha
- C. SCO – Beijing
- D. IEA – Paris
Answer: A
Solution: NATO HQ has been Brussels since 1967; OPEC-Vienna, SCO-Beijing, IEA-Paris.
Shortcut: “NATO-B” both start with ‘B’.
Concept tag: HQ matching
5 Previous Year Questions
- Where is the permanent headquarters of SAARC located? [RRB NTPC 2021]
- A. New Delhi
- B. Dhaka
- C. Kathmandu
- D. Colombo
Answer: C
Solution: SAARC Secretariat established 1987 in Kathmandu.
Shortcut: “SAARC – 8 countries, 1 ‘K’ for Kathmandu”.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was established in which year? [RRB Group-D 2019]
- A. 1944
- B. 1945
- C. 1946
- D. 1947
Answer: B
Solution: IMF came into existence 27 Dec 1945; Bretton Woods conference 1944.
Shortcut: “IMF-45” – 4 letters, 5 upside-down.
- Which country is the latest to join BRICS as of 2024? [RRB NTPC CBT-2 2022]
- A. Saudi Arabia
- B. UAE
- C. Egypt
- D. Ethiopia
Answer: D
Solution: Ethiopia admitted 1 Jan 2024 along with Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi.
Shortcut: “E” for Ethiopia & Egypt both joined same day.
- The Nobel Peace Prize 2020 was awarded to which UN agency? [RRB ALP 2018 (similar)]
- A. WHO
- B. UNHCR
- C. WFP
- D. UNICEF
Answer: C
Solution: World Food Programme (WFP) won 2020 for fight against hunger.
Shortcut: “Food = Peace” during pandemic.
- Which of the following is India not a member of? [RRB NTPC 2016]
- A. ASEAN
- B. BIMSTEC
- C. SCO
- D. G20
Answer: A
Solution: India is ASEAN dialogue partner, not member; full member in rest.
Shortcut: “ASEAN = 10, India = +1 dialogue”.
Speed Tricks & Shortcuts
| Situation |
Shortcut |
Example |
| HQ city starts with same letter |
60% true |
WHO-Geneva, WIPO-Geneva, UNO-New York |
| UN agency Nobel winners |
3 only |
UNHCR, IAEA, IPCC – remember “HIP” |
| BRICS expansion 2024 |
4 new |
E-E-I-U: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE |
| G7 vs G20 |
7 rich, 20 mix |
G7 minus Russia = rich club; G20 adds emerging |
| India never joined |
NATO & OIC |
“NO” – NATO & OIC both start with “NO” |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake |
Why Students Make It |
Correct Approach |
| Confusing ADB & AIIB HQ |
Both Asia, similar names |
ADB-Manila (1966), AIIB-Beijing (2016) |
| Counting EU as country in G20 |
EU is entity, not country |
G20 = 19 countries + EU = 20 seats |
| Saying ICJ is in Geneva |
Mix-up with other UN courts |
ICJ-The Hague; ITU & UNHRC in Geneva |
| Forgetting ASEAN 1967 founders |
Vietnam & Laos tempt |
Only 5: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand |
Quick Revision Flashcards
| Front |
Back |
| HQ of WTO |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| HQ of OPEC |
Vienna, Austria |
| HQ of SCO |
Beijing, China |
| HQ of ILO |
Geneva, Switzerland |
| Year of NATO formation |
1949 |
| Year of SAARC formation |
1985 |
| Full form of UNESCO |
United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization |
| BRICS New Development Bank HQ |
Shanghai, China |
| BIMSTEC HQ |
Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| G20 2025 host |
South Africa |
BETA
