What is the voting power structure within the New Development Bank (NDB)?
- GDP weighted
- Veto power
- Capital weighted
- Equal voting
Explanation: Unlike the IMF or World Bank, the founding BRICS members have equal voting rights, and no member has veto power.
Which economist originally coined the acronym 'BRIC' in a 2001 Goldman Sachs paper?
- Amartya Sen
- Jim O'Neill
- Paul Krugman
- Joseph Stiglitz
Explanation: Jim O'Neill coined the term to describe the four fast-growing economies that would dominate the global economy by 2050.
The NDB's 'Project Preparation Fund' is designed to help members with:
- Trade tariffs
- Military buying
- Debt relief
- Technical support
Explanation: The fund provides technical assistance to prepare high-quality, bankable infrastructure projects for NDB financing.
The 2024 Kazan Declaration emphasized the creation of a 'Grain Exchange' for which group?
- ASEAN bloc
- EU nations
- BRICS members
- Global North
Explanation: Russia proposed a BRICS Grain Exchange to ensure food security and stabilize global agricultural markets.
Which nation is a full member of the New Development Bank (NDB) but is NOT part of the BRICS political bloc?
- Uruguay
- Egypt
- Iran
- Ethiopia
Explanation: Uruguay joined the NDB as a member state, demonstrating the bank's ability to expand beyond the core BRICS political membership.
The BRICS 'Women’s Business Alliance' (WBA) was officially launched during whose presidency in 2020?
- Russia
- China
- India
- Brazil
Explanation: The WBA was established during Russia's chairmanship to promote women's entrepreneurship and leadership within the bloc.
Membership in the New Development Bank (NDB) is currently:
- BRICS only
- UN members
- Regional only
- G20 only
Explanation: Membership in the NDB is open to all members of the United Nations, even if they are not part of the BRICS political bloc.
Which city hosted the 16th BRICS Summit in 2024, the first after the major expansion?
- Rio de Janeiro
- Tehran
- Kazan
- Cairo
Explanation: Russia chaired the 2024 summit in Kazan, marking a significant milestone for the newly expanded ten-member bloc.
The BRICS 'Anti-Corruption Working Group' (ACWG) emphasizes which critical international effort?
- Asset recovery
- Police training
- Prison reform
- Border walls
Explanation: The ACWG focuses on returning stolen assets to their rightful countries and improving legal cooperation between members.
The 'BRICS Media Forum' was established to counter the dominance of:
- Western media
- Social media
- Local media
- State media
Explanation: The forum aims to create an alternative narrative and increase media cooperation between the developing economies.
The BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC) serves as the primary platform for:
- Space exploration
- Policy research
- Disaster relief
- Military drills
Explanation: The BTTC coordinates academic and policy research to provide intellectual support for BRICS decision-making.
Which core pillar of BRICS cooperation involves the BRICS Games and academic exchanges?
- Economic pillar
- People-to-people
- Security pillar
- Legal pillar
Explanation: The 'People-to-People' exchange is one of the three pillars of BRICS, focusing on culture, sports, and education.
Collectively, the expanded BRICS (BRICS+) represents approximately what percentage of global oil production?
- Exactly 20%
- Less than 10%
- Around 50%
- Over 40%
Explanation: With the inclusion of major producers like Iran and the UAE, the bloc's share of global oil production has surged significantly.
As of January 1, 2024, which of these nations officially became a full member of BRICS?
- Nigeria
- Ethiopia
- Indonesia
- Argentina
Explanation: Ethiopia joined alongside Egypt, Iran, and the UAE as part of the 2024 expansion.
Which country is the only one from the Middle East to be part of the founding NDB expansion in 2021?
- Saudi Arabia
- Israel
- Qatar
- The UAE
Explanation: The United Arab Emirates was admitted as a member of the NDB in 2021, ahead of its full political entry into BRICS in 2024.
Which city is home to the African Regional Center (ARC) of the New Development Bank?
- Addis Ababa
- Nairobi
- Johannesburg
- Cairo
Explanation: The ARC in Johannesburg was the first regional office opened by the NDB to support infrastructure projects in Africa.
Which country is slated to hold the BRICS Chairmanship for the year 2026?
- Brazil
- China
- India
- South Africa
Explanation: Following Russia (2024) and Brazil (2025), South Africa is scheduled to take over the chairmanship in 2026.
Who was appointed as the first President of the New Development Bank?
- Urjit Patel
- Jin Liqun
- KV Kamath
- Dilma Rousseff
Explanation: Indian banker K.V. Kamath served as the first president of the bank for a five-year term starting in 2015.
What is the initial subscribed capital of the New Development Bank (NDB)?
- $500 billion
- $100 billion
- $50 billion
- $200 billion
Explanation: The NDB was founded with an initial authorized capital of $100 billion and an initial subscribed capital of $50 billion.
How is the chairmanship of BRICS rotated among its member states?
- GDP ranking
- Population size
- Voting system
- Alphabetical order
Explanation: The chairmanship rotates annually according to the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
The 'Ethekwini Declaration' was a major outcome of which BRICS summit held in South Africa?
- Sanya 2011
- Joburg 2023
- Joburg 2018
- Durban 2013
Explanation: The 5th BRICS Summit in Durban produced the Ethekwini Declaration, focusing on regional integration and infrastructure.
The 'BRICS Plus' (BRICS+) outreach mechanism was first introduced during the summit hosted by:
- South Africa
- India
- Russia
- China
Explanation: China introduced BRICS Plus during the 2017 Xiamen Summit to engage with other developing countries and emerging economies.
Which specific summit officially launched the BRICS Joint Satellite Constellation for remote sensing?
- Ufa Summit
- Goa Summit
- Xiamen Summit
- Johannesburg Summit
Explanation: The Xiamen Summit in 2017 initiated the cooperation in space, leading to a formal agreement on the joint satellite constellation in 2021.
Which country serves as the permanent 'Depository' of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)?
- People's China
- Republic India
- Republic Brazil
- Russian Federation
Explanation: The People's Bank of China acts as the central coordinator and depository for the financial assets committed under the CRA.
The strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2025 focuses on which key area?
- Space weapons
- Nuclear energy
- Fishery quotas
- Digital economy
Explanation: The strategy emphasizes trade, investment, and digital economic transformation among member states.
Which organization does BRICS often seek to reform to ensure better representation of emerging economies?
Explanation: BRICS consistently calls for the reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to make it more representative.
In which year did the NDB open its Indian Regional Office (IRO) in GIFT City, Gujarat?
- Year 2022
- Year 2020
- Year 2023
- Year 2021
Explanation: The Indian Regional Office was established in GIFT City to manage project identification and implementation within India.
Which new BRICS member, admitted in 2024, is the only one located in the Southeast Asian sub-region?
- Thailand
- None
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
Explanation: As of the 2024 expansion, no Southeast Asian nation has formally joined. The new members are from Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East.
The 'BRICS Urbanisation Forum' addresses challenges specifically related to:
- Ocean mining
- Rural farming
- Smart cities
- Forest fires
Explanation: The forum facilitates the exchange of best practices in urban planning, digital governance, and sustainable city development.
The BRICS 'Vaccine R&D Centre', launched in 2022, operates primarily through which format?
- Private hospital
- Physical lab
- Digital network
- Mobile clinic
Explanation: The center is a virtual network of research institutions designed to share data and accelerate vaccine development across member states.
Which BRICS nation is the world's largest producer of natural gas and has pushed for a BRICS Gas Council?
- Saudi Arabia
- Republic Iran
- Russian Federation
- People's China
Explanation: Russia, a global energy giant, has been a leading advocate for creating formal energy councils within the BRICS framework.
The term 'R5' refers to the BRICS proposal for a potential new currency based on the:
- Oil reserves
- National currencies
- Cryptographic code
- Gold standard
Explanation: The 'R5' refers to the initials of the five founding members' currencies (Real, Ruble, Rupee, Renminbi, Rand) being used for a reserve basket.
Which institution acts as the official 'Think Tank' coordinator for India's participation in BRICS research?
- IDSA Delhi
- NITI Aayog
- ORF India
- ICWA Delhi
Explanation: The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has historically been the lead coordinator for the BRICS Think Tank Council (BTTC) in India.
Which summit led to the formal signing of the agreement to establish the New Development Bank (NDB)?
- Ufa Summit
- Goa Summit
- Durban Summit
- Fortaleza Summit
Explanation: The 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil (2014), saw the birth of the NDB and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
What is the primary objective of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)?
- Liquidity support
- Agricultural subsidies
- Trade insurance
- Infrastructure loans
Explanation: The CRA provides protection against global liquidity pressures and helps members during balance of payments crises.
What is the primary objective of the 'BRICS Digital Economy Working Group'?
- Satellite launches
- Cryptocurrency mining
- Software piracy
- The digital divide
Explanation: The group focuses on narrowing the digital divide and promoting equitable access to digital technologies among member states.
The 'BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform' was first proposed during the summit chaired by which nation?
- Republic India
- Republic Brazil
- People's China
- Russian Federation
Explanation: The platform was proposed by Russia to facilitate joint studies and data exchange on energy security and technology.
Which of these is a major 'Socio-Economic' goal of the expanded BRICS (BRICS+) economy?
- De-dollarization
- Borders removal
- Political union
- Language merger
Explanation: The expanded bloc is increasingly focused on using local currencies for trade to reduce vulnerability to US dollar-based financial sanctions.
Which BRICS member has the largest share of the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) contribution?
- Brazil
- China
- India
- Russia
Explanation: China contributes $41 billion to the CRA, the largest individual share among the founding members.
Which city hosted the 13th BRICS Summit (2021) in a virtual format due to the pandemic?
- Moscow
- New Delhi
- Beijing
- Brasilia
Explanation: India chaired the 2021 summit virtually, focusing on 'Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consensus'.
Under the NDB Charter, what is the maximum percentage of capital that can be held by non-founding members?
- Ten percent
- Fifty percent
- Twenty percent
- Forty percent
Explanation: Non-founding members can collectively hold up to 20% of the total voting power to ensure the founding members maintain strategic control.
Which new BRICS member is the only one located in the European continent (geopolitically)?
Explanation: All new 2024 members are from Africa or Asia. Russia remains the only member with European territory.
Which organization's 'Quota Reform' is a major focal point for BRICS advocacy at the global level?
- The WHO
- The ILO
- The IMF
- The WTO
Explanation: BRICS nations advocate for the reform of the International Monetary Fund to reflect the increased economic weight of emerging markets.
The BRICS Payment System (BRICS Pay) is primarily designed to facilitate:
- Gold trading
- Bitcoin usage
- Local currencies
- Barter trade
Explanation: BRICS Pay aims to reduce reliance on the US Dollar by enabling cross-border settlements in the members' national currencies.
Which agency is responsible for hosting the 'BRICS Agricultural Research Platform' in India?
- The CSIR
- NITI Aayog
- The ICAR
- FSSAI Delhi
Explanation: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) manages the coordination of agricultural science and technology exchange for the bloc.
In which city was the first formal BRIC Summit held in 2009?
- Fortaleza
- Shanghai
- New Delhi
- Yekaterinburg
Explanation: The first summit took place in Russia, focusing on improving the global economic situation and reforming financial institutions.
In which year did South Africa officially join the group, transforming BRIC into BRICS?
Explanation: South Africa was invited to join in December 2010 and attended its first summit in Sanya, China, in 2011.
Who currently serves as the President of the New Development Bank as of mid-2026?
- Marcos Troyjo
- Urjit Patel
- Dilma Rousseff
- KV Kamath
Explanation: Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff took office in 2023 for a term lasting until 2025/2026.
Which BRICS institution is responsible for coordinating joint research in areas like biotechnology and energy?
- BRICS Network
- BRICS Council
- BRICS STI
- NDB Board
Explanation: The BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) framework coordinates research and development cooperation.
The 'BRICS Network University' is a collaborative project primarily focusing on which level of education?
- Primary schooling
- Higher education
- Secondary levels
- Vocational training
Explanation: The Network University facilitates educational and research collaboration through a consortium of top universities from the member states.
The New Development Bank (NDB) issued its first 'Green Bond' in the capital markets of which country?
- Indian market
- Russian market
- Brazilian market
- Chinese market
Explanation: The NDB successfully issued its first RMB-denominated green bonds in China's interbank bond market in 2016.
The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) was established with a total initial capital of:
- $75 billion
- $100 billion
- $150 billion
- $50 billion
Explanation: The CRA serves as a financial safety net with an initial committed amount of $100 billion.
Which foundational BRICS principle ensures that no single country can impose its will on the others?
- Majority vote
- Veto power
- Weighted voting
- Consensus rule
Explanation: All decisions in BRICS are made by consensus, meaning every member state must agree for a proposal to be adopted.
The 'BRICS Cable' project was a proposal to create a:
- Physical fence
- Oil pipeline
- Fiber optic
- Railway line
Explanation: The proposal aimed to build a fiber optic submarine communications cable system to link the BRICS countries directly.
Where is the headquarters of the New Development Bank (NDB) located?
- Shanghai
- Beijing
- Johannesburg
- Mumbai
Explanation: The NDB, formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank, is headquartered in the BRICS Tower in Shanghai, China.
Which mechanism serves as the primary forum for discussing security and counter-terrorism among BRICS members?
- Finance Ministers
- The NSAs
- Trade Council
- Academic Forum
Explanation: The High Representatives for Security (National Security Advisors) meet regularly to coordinate the bloc's stance on global security threats.
Which specific body manages the 'BRICS Business Council' composed of five members from each nation?
- The Secretariat
- National Chapters
- The NDB
- State Banks
Explanation: The Council operates through National Chapters that bring together top CEOs and business leaders to facilitate B2B cooperation.
The 2025 BRICS Summit is scheduled to be hosted by which member state?
Explanation: Following Russia's 2024 chairmanship, Brazil is next in alphabetical order (B) for the 2025 rotation.
In 2023, which summit officially announced the invitation of six new countries to join the bloc?
- Johannesburg II
- Brasilia Summit
- New Delhi Summit
- Beijing Summit
Explanation: The 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, became historic for inviting the first major expansion of the group.
Which country withdrew its application to join BRICS following a change in its national government in late 2023?
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Saudi Arabia
- Vietnam
Explanation: President Javier Milei officially withdrew Argentina from its planned entry into the bloc shortly before the 2024 deadline.