General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1
Approximately what percentage of the world's population did the expanded BRICS (BRICS+) represent in 2024?
Answer:
45%
With the inclusion of populous nations like Ethiopia and Egypt alongside China and India, the expanded BRICS bloc represents approximately 45% of the global population.
2
Which set of countries officially joined BRICS on January 1, 2024?
Answer:
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became full members on January 1, 2024, marking a significant expansion of the bloc into the Middle East and North Africa.
3
What financial arrangement was created by BRICS to provide protection against global liquidity pressures?
Answer:
Contingent Reserve Arrangement
The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework for providing protection against global liquidity pressures, serving as a competitor or complementary safety net to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
4
Which country held the BRICS presidency in 2024?
Answer:
Russia
Russia held the BRICS presidency for the year 2024, hosting the annual summit in the city of Kazan.
5
Which country declined the invitation to join BRICS in 2024?
Answer:
Argentina
Argentina was invited to join BRICS effectively January 2024, but the newly elected administration under Javier Milei formally declined the invitation, stating a shift in foreign policy alignment.
6
Which declaration led to the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB)?
Answer:
Fortaleza Declaration
The agreement to establish the New Development Bank was signed during the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014, creating an alternative to Western-dominated financial institutions.
7
Where is the headquarters of the New Development Bank (NDB) located?
Answer:
Shanghai
The New Development Bank (formerly the BRICS Development Bank) is headquartered in Shanghai, China. It was established to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies.
8
When did South Africa officially join the group, changing the acronym to BRICS?
Answer:
2010
South Africa was invited to join the group in December 2010 and attended its first summit as a full member in April 2011 in Sanya, China, transforming BRIC into BRICS.
9
In which year was the first formal BRIC summit held?
Answer:
2009
The first formal summit of the BRIC grouping was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on June 16, 2009. Prior to this, foreign ministers had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
10
Who was the first President of the New Development Bank (NDB)?
Answer:
K.V. Kamath
K.V. Kamath from India served as the first President of the New Development Bank when it launched in 2015.