General Studies PDF

GENERAL Revised &
Improved Edition
for
2017
STUDIES
UPSC SSC Railways
PSUs Banks
Also useful for State Public Services &
other competitive exams
by
B. Singh & A.P. Singh
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Dedicated to
.......
All PERSONS,
contributing to development of nation. . .
PREFACE
This comprehensive text book on General Studies explains the subject matter in a brief
and simple style. The authors are very well aware of the requirements of examinations
conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Examinations, Railways Examinations and
Public Sector Examinations. This book has been very well targeted covering all the aspects
of subject matter required for various examinations.
Since last one decade, authors have closely studied the marks of various candidates
appeared & selected in government sectors and other examinations and found that those
who have scored below average or poor marks in General Studies section, are either not
able to get selection or get poor ranks, hence it has been realized that general studies
section should be given significant importance.
There is no good book available to the readers in the market, which covers all the aspects of
Geography, Polity, History, Life Science, Economy & General knowledge, that may satisfy the
requirements of various competitive examinations conducted for aspirants. In this edition
authors have put sincere efforts to satisfy all the requirements of various examinations.
The book is thoroughly revised and updated. Authors have tried to incorporate previous
year questions of UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Examinations, Railways examinations
and Public Sector Examinations..
The authors feel that this book will be sufficient and highly useful for all the competitive
examinations conducted for graduates from every discipline.
Any suggestions from the readers for the improvement of the book are most welcome.
B. Singh
A.P. Singh
CONTENTS
Section A: General Knowledge

1. International Organisations....................................................................................... 13-33
2. National Symbols...................................................................................................... 34-36
3. Environment & Wild Life............................................................................................ 37-45
4. Science & Technology.............................................................................................. 46-64
5. Defence.................................................................................................................... 65-71
6. Youth & Sports.......................................................................................................... 72-81
7. Art & Culture............................................................................................................. 82-88
8. First among Indians.................................................................................................. 89-93
9. Largest, Longest, Highest in the World..................................................................... 94-98
10. Country, Capital, Area, Currency............................................................................ 99-101
11. Awards & Honours................................................................................................ 102-112
12. Miscellaneous....................................................................................................... 113-131
Practice Sets......................................................................................................... 132-147
Section B: Geography
Part I: Indian Geography
1. General Aspects of Geography............................................................................ 149-152
2. India: General Facts............................................................................................. 153-156
3. Physical Geography of India................................................................................. 157-164
4. Drainage System of India..................................................................................... 165-171
5. Climate of India..................................................................................................... 172-175
6. Soils of India......................................................................................................... 176-178
7. Forests of India..................................................................................................... 179-181
8. Population Geography of India............................................................................. 182-190
9. Industry in India.................................................................................................... 191-197
10. Agriculture in India................................................................................................ 198-202
11. Minerals in India................................................................................................... 203-211
12. Transport & Communication................................................................................. 211-216
Practice Sets......................................................................................................... 217-239
Part II: World Geography
1. World: General Facts............................................................................................ 241-242

2. World: Physical..................................................................................................... 243-253
3. World: Climatic Regions........................................................................................ 254-264
4. Oceans................................................................................................................. 263-270
5. Atmosphere.......................................................................................................... 271-276
6. World: Mineral Resources..................................................................................... 277-283
7. World: Major Industrial Centres............................................................................. 284-290
Practice Sets......................................................................................................... 291-310
Section C: Indian History

Part I: Ancient India
1. The Indus Valley Civilization (23501750 BC)....................................................... 313-315

2. The Vedic Age (1500600 BC)............................................................................. 316-321
3. The Evolution of Jainism & Buddhism................................................................... 322-325
4. The Magadhan Empire......................................................................................... 326-329
5. The Pre-Gupta Period........................................................................................... 330-331
6. Ancient South India............................................................................................... 332-334
7. The Gupta Empire................................................................................................. 335-336
Practice Set.......................................................................................................... 337-345
Part II: Medieval India
1. Early Medieval India............................................................................................. 347-348

2. The Delhi Sultanate............................................................................................... 349-354
3. The Vijayanagara & Bahmani Kingdom................................................................ 355-356
4. The Mughal Age................................................................................................... 357-362
5. Later Mughal Age................................................................................................. 363-365
Practice Set.......................................................................................................... 366-373
Part III: Modern India
1. Ascendancy of the Britishers................................................................................ 375-380

2. The Revolt of 1857................................................................................................ 381-382
3. Popular Movements against British Rule.............................................................. 383-387
4. Governors-General & Viceroys of India................................................................ 388-392
5. The Indian National Movement............................................................................. 393-410
Practice Set.......................................................................................................... 411-421
Section D: Indian Polity
1. Constitution of India: Historical Background......................................................... 423-425
2. Features of Indian Constitution............................................................................. 426-431
3. The Preamble........................................................................................................ 432-433
4. The Union & its Territory........................................................................................ 434-435
5. Citizenship & Fundamental Rights........................................................................ 436-442
6. The Union Executive............................................................................................. 443-458
7. The State Executive & the State Legislature......................................................... 459-462
8. The Centre-State Relations................................................................................... 463-466
9. Judiciary in India.................................................................................................. 467-470
10. Emergency Provisions.......................................................................................... 471-471
11. Election Commission............................................................................................ 472-481
Practice Set.......................................................................................................... 482-491
Section E: Life Science

1. Classification of Plants & Animals......................................................................... 493-497
2. The Cell................................................................................................................ 498-501
3. Nutrition & Digestive System................................................................................. 502-512
4. Bones, Joints & Muscles....................................................................................... 513-516
5. Integumentary System.......................................................................................... 517-519
6. Respiratory System............................................................................................... 520-521
7. Circulatory System................................................................................................ 522-527
8. Glandular System................................................................................................. 528-533
9. Nervous System & Sensory Organs...................................................................... 534-538
10. Human Reproductive System............................................................................... 539-541
11. Human Diseases................................................................................................... 542-547
12. Miscellaneous....................................................................................................... 548-550
Practice Sets......................................................................................................... 551-558
Section F: Indian Economy

1. National Income.................................................................................................... 559-566
2. Money & Banking.................................................................................................. 567-577
3. Planning................................................................................................................ 578-580
4. Public Finance & Taxation..................................................................................... 581-583
5. Union Budget........................................................................................................ 584-589
Practice Set.......................................................................................................... 590-592
Section
General
Knowledge
International 1
Organizations
IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS The funds and programmes are subsidiary

bodies of the General Assembly.
THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) The specialized agencies are linked to the United
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in Nations through special agreements and report
San Francisco at the United Nations Conference to the Economic and Social Council and/or the
on International Organization to draw up the General Assembly.
United Nations Charter. The related organizations including IAEA and the
The United Nations officially came into existence World Trade Organization address specialized
on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been areas and have their own legislative bodies and
ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the budgets.
United Kingdom, the United States and a majority Headquarters of UN are in New York city (USA).
of other signatories. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt devised the
Original founding members of UN are 51 (Poland name United Nations.
signed it later but is considered as original Its total membership is 193 at present.
member). India is also a founding member.
The original members of UN are those countries Country Member
which signed the January 1942 declaration by Tuvalu 189th
UN or took part in the San-Francisco Conference Switzerland 190th
or which signed and ratified the Charter.
Timor Leste (East Timor) 191st
United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October.
The Charter is the constituting instrument of Montenegro 192nd
the Organization, setting out the rights and South Sudan 193rd
obligations of member states, and establishing
Vatican City and Taiwan are not members of the UN.
the United Nations organs and procedures.
Vatican City (Holy See) and Palestine have been
The purposes of the United Nations, as set forth
given a permanent observer status by the UN.
in the Charter, are to maintain international peace
UN flag consists of the global map projected
and security; to develop friendly relations among
from the North pole and embraced in twin olive
nations based on respect for the principle of
branches (symbol of peace). The flag was
equal rights and self-determination of peoples;
adopted on October 20, 1947 by the General
to cooperate in solving international economic,
Assembly.
social, cultural and humanitarian problems
New members can be admitted to the General
and in promoting respect for human rights and
Assembly on the recommendation of Security
fundamental freedoms; and to be a centre for
Council and members can be suspended also.
harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining
The United Nations Commission on Human
these ends.
Rights was set up in 1945.
The United Nations family, however, is much
Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
larger, encompassing 15 agencies and several
adopted by General Assembly of the UN on
programmes and bodies.
December 10, 1948. It is observed as Human
The United Nations family of organizations (the
Rights day every year.
United Nations system) consists of the United
There are six official languages of UN, namely
Nations Secretariat, the United Nations funds
Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish and
and programmes (such as UNICEF and UNDP),
Arabic. Arabic was added by General Assembly in
the specialized agencies (such as UNESCO and
1973 and by the Security Council in 1982. Although,
WHO) and related organizations.
Arabic is not used as its working language.
14
The United Nations System

Principal Organs
Trusteeship Council Security Council General Assembly Economic and International Court Secretariat
Social Council of Justice
Subsidiary Bodies Subsidiary Bodies Functional Commissions Specialized Agencies6 Departments and Offices
Military Staff Committee UN Monitoring, Verification and Main committees Commissions on: ILO International Labour OSG3 Office of the
Inspection Commission (Iraq) Narcotic Drugs Organization Secretary-General
Standing Committee and ad hoc bodies Human Rights Council
(UNMOVIC)
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice FAO Food and Agriculture OIOS Office of Internal Oversight
International Criminal Tribunal for the Other sessional committees
United Nations Compensation Science and Technology for Organization of the United Nations Services
former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
Commission Standing committees and ad hoc bodies Development
International Criminal Tribunal for UNESCO United Nations OLA Office of Legal Affairs
Peacekeeping Operations and Missions Other subsidiary organs Sustainable Development Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Rwanda (ICTR) DPA Department of Political Affairs
Status of Women Organization
Population and Development DDA Department for Disarmament
WHO World Health Organization Affairs
Commission for Social Development
Advisory Subsidiary Body Statistical Commission DPKO Department of Peacekeeping
Programmes and Funds
United Nations Peacebuilding World Bank Group Operations
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on UNDP United Nations Development Commission IBRD International Bank
Trade and Development Programme Regional Commissions for Reconstruction and OCHA Office for the Coordination of
Development Humanitarian Affairs
ITC International Trade Centre UNIFEM United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
(UNCTAD/WTO) Development Fund for Women IDA International Development DESA Department of Economic and
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Social Affairs
UNV United Nations Volunteers WFP World Food Programme Association
UNDCP1 United Nations Drug Economic Commission for Latin DGACM Department for General
Control Programme UNCDF United Nations Capital UNRWA2 United Nations Relief and America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) IFC International Finance
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Corporation Assembly and Conference
UNEP United Nations Environment Development Fund Economic and Social Commission for Management
in the Near East
Programme Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) MIGA Multilateral Investment
UNFPA United Nations Population Fund DPI Department of Public Information
UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Guarantee Agency
UNICEF United Nations Childrens Fund UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Settlements Programme Economic and Social Commission for DM Department of Management
Western Asia (ESCWA) ICSID International Centre for
Commissioner for Refugees
Settlement of Investment OHRLLS Office of the High
Disputes Representative for the Least
Other Bodies Developed Countries, Landlocked
Research and Training Institutes IMF International Monetary Fund
Developing Countries and Small
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ICAO International Civil Aviation
UNICRI United Nations Interregional UNRISD United Nations Research INSTRAW International Research and Island Developing States
(PFII) Organization
Crime and Justice Research Institute Institute for Social Development Training Institute for the Advancement
DSS Department of Safety and
of Women United Nations Forum on Forests IMO International Maritime
UNITAR United Nations Institute for UNIDIR2 United Nations Institute for Security
Training and Research Disarmament Research Sessional and standing committees Organization
UNODC United Nations Office on
Expert, ad hoc and related bodies ITU International Telecommunication Drugs and Crime
Union
Other UN Entities
UPU Universal Postal Union ab
OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for UNU United Nations University WMO World Meteorological
Human Rights
UNSSC United Nations System Staff College Related Organizations Organization UNOG UN Office at Geneva
UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS WTO World Trade Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property UNOV UN Office at Vienna
Organization UNON UN Office at Nairobi
IAEA4 International Atomic Energy
Agency IFAD International Fund for
Other UN Trust Funds 7 Agricultural Development
UNFIP United Nations Fund for International Partnerships UNDEF United Nations Democracy Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial
CTBTO Prep.Com5 PrepCom for the Development Organization
Published by the United Nations
Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty Organization UNWTO World Tourism Department of Public Information
Organization
NOTES: Solid lines from a Principal Organ indicate a direct reporting relationship; dashes indicate a non-subsidiary relationship. OPCW5 Organization for the 06-39572August 200610,000DPI/2431
1 The UN Drug Control Programme is part of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
2 UNRWA and UNIDIR report only to the GA
3 The United Nations Ethics Office and the United Nations Ombudsmans Office report directly to the Secretary-General
4 IAEA reports to the Security Council and the General Assembly (GA)
5 The CTBTO Prep.Com and OPCW report to the GA
6 Specialized agencies are autonomous organizations working with the UN and each other through the coordinating machinery of the ECOSOC at the
intergovernmental level, and through the Chief Executives Board for coordination (CEB) at the inter-secretariat level
7 UNFIP is an autonomous trust fund operating under the leadership of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General. UNDEFs advisory board recommends
funding proposals for approval by the Secretary-General.

MADE EASY General Knowledge
MADE EASY General Knowledge 15
The Charter established six principal organs of by member nations, all permanent members must
the United Nations. They are : vote in the affirmative. A single VETO can prevent
(i) The General Assembly the proposals from being accepted.
(ii) The Security Council
(iii) The Economic and Social Council Present Non-permanent Members
(iv) The Trusteeship Council 1 January 2016 1 January 2015
(v) The International Court of Justice 31 December 2017 31 December 2016
(vi) The Secretariat
Egypt Angola
1. General Assembly Japan Malaysia

It is called as the Town meeting of the world or Senegal New Zealand
Parliament of the World.
Ukraine Venezuela
The General Assembly meets at least once in a
year, and the session commences on the third Uruguay Spain
Tuesday of September.
The Assembly can also meet for special emer- 3. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
gency sessions. Its objective is to promote social progress and
The Presidency of the Assembly rotates each better standards of life.
year among the five geographical groups of the ECOSOC comprises 54 members, 18 (one third)
countries viz. African, Asian, East European, Latin of whom are elected every year by the General
American and West European & other States. Assembly of UN, to serve a three-year term. The
It appoints the Secretary General of UN Secretariat retiring members as well as the President are
on the recommendation of the Security Council. eligible for immediate re-elections.
It is also empowered to admit new members. The functions of ECOSOC are performed by nine
functional commissions, five regional commissions
2. Security Council and a number of standing committees.
The Security Council bears the primary responsibility
4. Trusteeship Council
for the maintenance of the international peace and
The Trusteeship Council aims at helping countries
security.
under foreign rule to attain independence.
It is designed to be the UNs only action agency
There were eleven such countries that had come
and is often described as the enforcement wing
under this system after the Second World War.
of the UN.
Most of them have attained independence by now.
The Security Council originally consisted of
Palau was the last country to get freedom in 1994.
eleven members but expanded to fifteen in 1965.
Security Council comprises of five permanent
5. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
members namely, China, France, Russia, UK and
The headquarters of ICJ are located in The
USA and 10 non-permanent members, elected
Hague(De-Facto capital of The Netherlands).
for a term of 2 years by a two-third majority of
It comprises 15 Judges, elected by General Assembly
the General Assembly. Five non-permanent
and Security Council for a term of 9 years. Each one
members retire every year. Retiring members
of them has to be from a different country.
cannot be re-elected immediately.
The ICJ itself elects its President and Vice
The permanent members have the power to VETO
President for a term of 3 years.
any move. If a permanent member abstains, it is
All decisions are made by majority vote of the
not considered as a VETO.
Judges present, with nine Judges constituting
The presidency of the security council is held in
the quorum.
turn by the members of the security council in the
The President of the ICJ may cast the second
English alphabetical order of their names. Each
deciding vote in case of a tie.
president holds office for one calender month.
English and French are the official languages of
Decision on procedural as well as substantive
the ICJ.
matters are taken by an affirmative vote of
At present, Ronny Abraham (France) is the
9 members. On substantive matters involving action
president of ICJ.
16 MADE EASY General Knowledge
6. The Secretariat Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to UN

The Secretariat - an international staff working
in duty stations around the world carries out the Year UN Body/Person
diverse day to day work of the organisation. 1950 Ralph Bunche
It services the other principle organs of the UN
and administers the programmes and policies 1954 Office of the UN High Commissioner for
laid down by them. Refugees
The Secretariat is treated as headquarters of UN.
1961 Dag Hammarskjeld
Secretary General, who is appointed by the
General Assembly on the recommendation of 1965 United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
the Security Council, is the Chief Administrative
1969 International Labour Organization
Officer of the UN.
Secretary General has a tenure of five years and 1981 Office of the UN High Commissioner for
he can be re-elected. Refugees
Secretary General can appoint his own staff
1988 United Nations Peacekeeping Forces
including Deputy Secretary General and also he
defines his own work. 2001 United Nations, Kofi Annan
Deputy Secretary General is the second highest
2005 International Atomic Energy Agency,
rank official of the UN. This post was created by
Mohamed El Baradei
Kofi Annan.
2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Secretaries-General of UN (IPCC) and Albert Arnold(Al) Gore Jr.
2013 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical
Sl. Name Country Period
Weapons (OPCW)
1. Trygve Lie Norway 1946-52
PROGRAMMES AND FUNDS OF UN
2. Dag Hammarskjeld Sweden 1953-61
1. UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF)
3. U. Thant Myanmar 1961-71 UNICEF became a permanent part of the United
Nations system in 1953, when its name was
4. Kurt Waldheim Austria 1972-81 shortened to the United Nations Childrens Fund.
However, UNICEF retained its original acronym.
5. Javier Perez de Cuellar Peru 1982-91 It is headquartered in New York (USA). Its
headquarters are in New York (USA).
6. Boutros Boutros-Ghali Egypt 1992-96 It aims to provide a better quality of life to children
and mothers in developing countries through
7. Kofi Annan Ghana 1997-06 improved health services, nutrition, sanitation,
water availability and education.
8. Ban Ki Moon S. Korea 2007-till date
UNICEF brings annual report titled The State of
the Worlds Children Report.
Deputy Secretary General of UN UNICEF received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965
for the promotion of brotherhood among nations.
Name Country Period
UNICEF was established on 11 December 1946
Louise Frchette Canada 1997 - 2006 by the United Nations to meet the emergency
needs of children in post-war Europe and China.
Mark Malloch United 1 April 2006- Its full name was the United Nations International
Brown Kingdom 31 December 2006 Childrens Emergency Fund.
Asha-Rose Tanzania 5 February 2007- In 1950, its mandate was broadened to address
Migiro 1 July 2012 the long-term needs of children and women in
developing countries everywhere.
Jan Eliasson Sweden 1 July 2012 to present
2. UN Development Programme (UNDP) (iii) It provides technical assistance tailored

It was established in 1965 and its headquarters to the specific requirements of developing
is in New York (USA). countries, with special attention to the needs
It is the largest agency in the world for technical of the least developed countries and of
and pre-investment cooperation at the multilateral economies in transition. When appropriate,
level. UNCTAD cooperates with other organizations
UNDP brings out the Human Development and donor countries in the delivery of
Report every calender year. technical assistance.
It helps developing countries in exploiting their The Present Secretary-General of UNCTAD is
human and natural resources by providing expert Mukhisa Kituyi (Kenya), who took office on
assistance and training local personnel. 1st September 2013.
The World Investment Report has been published
3. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) annually since 1991 by UNCTAD.
It was established in 1972 and its headquarters Each years Report covers the latest trends in
are in Nairobi (Kenya). Its aim is to protect and foreign direct investment around the World and
conserve the natural environment. analyses in depth one selected topic related to
The World Meteorologinal Organization (WMO) foreign direct investment and development.
and UNEP established the intergovernmental Headquarter:- Geneva (Switzerland)
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988.
Present Head : Achim Steiner (Brazil). SPECIALISED AGENCIES OF THE UN
1. World Bank Group
4. UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
The World Bank is made up of two unique
It came into existence in 1967 and its headquarters
development institutions owned by 188
are in New York (USA).
member countriesthe International Bank for
Its aim is to build up capacity to respond to the
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and
needs in population and family planning, and
the International Development Association
to deal with population problems, specially in
(IDA). In addition to the IBRD and the IDA, three
developing countries.
other institutions are closely associated with the
The State of the Worlds Population Report is
World Bank. They are the International Finance
published by UNFPA annually.
Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment
Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International
5. United Nations Conference on Trade and Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Development (UNCTAD) (ICSID). All five of these institutions together
Established in 1964, UNCTAD promotes the make up the World Bank Group.
development-friendly integration of developing The mission of World Bank is to have a world free
countries into the world economy. of poverty.
UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an As per data released in February 2016, the share of
authoritative knowledge-based institution whose top ten countries as follows:
work aims to help shape current policy debates (i) USA (16.88%)
and thinking on development, with a particular (ii) Japan (7.80%)
focus on ensuring that domestic policies and (iii) China (5.03%)
international action are mutually supportive in (iv) Germany (4.56%)
bringing about sustainable development. (v) UK (4.26%)
The organization works to fulfill this mandate by (vi) France (4.26%)
carrying out three key functions: (vii) India (3.16%)
(i) It functions as a forum for intergovernmental (viii) Saudi Arabia (3.14%)
deliberations, supported by discussions (ix) Russia (2.93%)
with experts and exchanges of experience, (x) Canada (2.75%)
aimed at consensus building.
(ii) It undertakes research, policy analysis and (i) International Bank for Reconstruction and
data collection for the debates of government Development (IBRD)
representatives and experts. IBRD along with IMF was conceived at the
Brettonwoods Conference in July, 1944 and hence income countries with capital investment and
they are also known as Brettonwoods Twins. advisory services.
It is the part of the World Bank that works with IBRD and IDA share the same staff and
the middle income and creditworthy poorer headquarters and evaluate projects with the
countries to promote sustainable, equitable and same rigorous standards.
job-creating growth, reduce poverty and address IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance
issues of regional and global importance. for the worlds 79 poorest countries, 39 of which
Its headquarters are located at Washington DC. are in Africa.
It grants long term loans generally, repayable It is the single largest source of donor funds for
after 20 years with a five year grace period. basic social services in the poorest countries.
IDA lends money (known as credits) on
(ii) International Development Association (IDA)
concessional terms. This means that IDA credits
The International Development Association
have no interest charge and repayments are
(IDA) is the part of the World Bank that helps
stretched over 35 to 40 years, including a 10year
the worlds poorest countries. Established in
grace period.
1960, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing
IDA also provides grants to countries at risk of
interest-free credits and grants for programs that
debt distress.
boost economic growth, reduce inequalities and
Its headquarters are located at Washington DC.
improve peoples living conditions.
IDA membership is open only to members of
IDA complements the World Banks other lending
IBRD.
armthe International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (IBRD)which serves middle-
International Specialised Agencies
Foundation Head-
Sl. Name
Year quarters
1. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 1946 Paris
2. Universal Postal Union (UPU) 1947 Berne
3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) 1945 Washington
4. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) or 1945 Washington
World Bank Group
5. World Health Organization (WHO) 1948 Geneva
6. International Labour Organization (ILO) 1946 Geneva
7. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 1974 Geneva
8. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 1950 Geneva
9. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 1947 Geneva
10. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) 1945 Rome
11. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 1977 Rome
12. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 1967 Vienna
13. International Maritime Organization (IMO) 1948 London
14. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 1947 Montreal
15. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) 1974 Madrid
16. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 1961 Paris
17. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 2009 Abu Dhabi
(iii) International Finance Corporation (IFC) high employment and sustainable economic
It was established in 1955 and became effective growth and reduce poverty around the world.
from July 20, 1956. It acts as a multilateral The capital resources of the IMF comprise
development bank and a private financial institution. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and currencies
Its headquarters are located at Washington DC. that members pay under quotas calculated for
Only IBRD members can become members of them when they join the IMF.
IFC. Its members are represented through a quota
IFC also shares the institutional structure of IBRD. system broadly based on their relative size in the
The President of IBRD is also the President of IFC. global economy.
The members with the largest quotas are the US
(iv) Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
(first position), Japan (second position), Germany
(MIGA)
(third position), France and UK (joint fourth).
MIGA became operational in April 1988 and acts
SDRs were created by the IMF in 1969.
as the insurance wing of the World Bank and its
A member of IMF only can become the member
headquarters are located at Washington DC.
of IBRD.
MIGA aims at providing protection to investor
By convention, the Managing Director of the IMF
against the losses resulting from non-commercial
is a European while the President of World Bank
risks.
is a US National.
The President of World Bank is also the President
Note: In 2012, South Sudan joined the IMF and
of MIGA.
became the 188th member.
(v)
International Centre for Settlement of
Investment Disputes (ICSID) UN RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
It was established under the Convention on the There are four UN related organizations namely,
Settlement of Investment Disputes between States 1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
and Nationals of Other States which came into 2. Preparatory commission for the Nuclear Test
force on October 14, 1966. Its headquarters are Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
located at Washington DC. 3. Organization for the prohibition of chemical
It has an Administrative Council, chaired by the weapons (OPCW)
President of World Bank, and a Secretariat. 4. World Trade Organization (WTO)
It provides facilities for the conciliation and
arbitration of investment disputes between 1. World Trade Organization (WTO)
member countries and individual investors. The WTO began life on 1 January 1995, but its
trading system is half a century older. Since
Institution of World Member Countries
1948, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
Bank Group
(GATT) had provided the rules for the system
IBRD 189 The last and largest GATT round, was the
IDA 173 Uruguay Round which lasted from 1986 to 1994
and led to the WTOs creation. Whereas GATT
IFC 184 had mainly dealt with trade in goods, the WTO
and its agreements now cover trade in services,
MIGA 181
and in traded inventions, creations and designs
ICSID 152 (intellectual property).
Its headquarters are located in Geneva.
2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) The WTO is the legal and institution basis of
The IMF was established on July 22, 1944 at the multilateral trading system which aims at
Brettonwoods (USA). It began its formal operation liberalization of world trade.
on March 1, 1947. It has a General Council, Ministerial Conference
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an and Director General as its organs.
organisation of 188 countries (187 members of Two year ministerial meeting is the ultimate
UN and Republic of Kosovo) working to foster decision making-body of the WTO.
global monetary cooperation, secure financial At present, WTO has 164 members and its
stability, facilitate international trade, promote Director General is Roberto Azevedo (Brazil).
As an independent international organization

Country Member
related to the United Nations system, the IAEAs
Yemen 160 relationship with the UN is regulated by special
Seychelles 161 agreement. In terms of its Statute, the IAEA
Kazakhstan 162 reports annually to the UN General Assembly
and, when appropriate, to the Security Council
Liberia 163 regarding non-compliance by States with their
Afghanistan 164 safeguards obligations as well as on matters
relating to international peace and security.
WTO Ministerial Conferences Dwight David Eisenhower (the then USA
President,) in 1953 called for the establishment
Sl. Venue Year of an agency like IAEA.
1st Conference Singapore 1996 The statute of IAEA was signed by 70 governments
2nd Conference Geneva (Switzerland) 1998 in 1956 at UN International Conference on the
Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy held at New York.
3rd Conference Seattle (USA) 1999 The Agency became effective from July 29, 1957.
4th Conference Doha (Qatar) 2001 IAEA is an autonomous international organization
5th Conference Cancun (Mexico) 2003 related to the UN. It is not a specialised agency of UN.
The main organs of IAEA are the General Conference,
6th Conference Hong Kong 2005
the Board of Governors and the Secretariat.
7th Conference Geneva (Switzerland) 2009 The General Conference consists of all members,
8th Conference Geneva 2011 who meet annually.
The Board of Governors usually meet four times
9th Conference Bali (Indonesia) 2013
a year. It consists of 35 members of which 22 are
10th Conference Nairobi (Kenya) 2015 elected and 13 are nominated.
The Secretariat is headed by the Director General
2. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) appointed by the Board of Governors for four
The IAEA is the worlds center of cooperation year term.
in the nuclear field. It was set up as the worlds The headquarters of IAEA are located in Vienna
Atoms for Peace organization in 1957 within the (Austria) and its present Director General is Mr.
United Nations family. The Agency works with its Yukiya Amano (Japan).
Member States and multiple partners worldwide
to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear India and UN
technologies On Indias initiative, the UN passed a resolution
The Agencys genesis was US President on December 14, 1960 called as the Declaration
Eisenhowers Atoms for Peace address to the on the granting of independence to colonial
General Assembly of the UN on 8 December countries and peoples.
1953. These ideas helped to shape the IAEA India was the first country to seek for a complete
Statute, which 81 nations unanimously approved ban on all nuclear testing in 1954 and in 1988
in October 1956. The Statute outlines the three India proposed for the total elimination of wea-
pillars of the Agencys work - nuclear verification pons of human destruction in a phased manner.
and security, safety and technology transfer. Even after the Chinese aggression, India persis-
The IAEA Secretariat is headquartered at the tently campaigned for the inclusion of China into
Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria. UN and even into Security Council. Finally, China
Operational liaison and regional offices are was granted admission to UN in 1971.
located in Geneva, Switzerland; New York, USA; Ramaswamy Mudaliar led the Indian team
Toronto, Canada; and Tokyo, Japan. The IAEA and signed the UN Charter on behalf of India to
runs or supports research centers and scientific become as one of the founder members of UN.
laboratories in Vienna and Seibersdorf, Austria; Vijayalakshmi Pandit was elected as President
Monaco; and Trieste, Italy. of the United Nations General Assembly.
NAM formally came into existence in 1961 as the

Nagendra Singh and B.N. Rau served as the first NAM Summit held in former Yugoslavia at
Judges of the International Court of Justice. Belgrade through the efforts of Josip Broz Tito,
Nagendra singh later on became the President the then President of Yugoslavia. All 25countries
of the International Court of Justice. participated in this Summit.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Dr. S. Radha- There are 17 countries, and 9 organizations
krishnan served as the Chairpersons of the which have an observer status in NAM.
UNESCO. The term Non-Alignment was coined by the first
B.R. Sen has served as the President of Food Indian Prime Minister Nehru during his speech in
and Agricultural Organization. 1954, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Dr. H.J. Bhabha has served as the Chairperson In this speech, Nehru described the five pillars
of the Atoms for Peace Commission. The to be used as a guide for Sino-Indian relations,
commission later on known as International which were first put forth by the contemporaneous
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai called Panchsheel
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was the Chairperson (five restraints).
of World Health Organization NAM is based on the ideology of Panchsheel which
are as follows:
NON ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM) (i) Mutual respect for each others territorial
It is a group of 120 developing countries, making integrity and sovereignty.
it, the worlds largest forum after the UN. (ii) Mutual non-aggression.
The principles of non-alignment were defined in (iiii)
Mutual non-interference in each others
the Bandung (Indonesia) Declaration, 1955 by domestic affairs.
the efforts of (iv) Equality and mutual benefits.
(i) Jawahar Lal Nehru (v) Peaceful co-existence.
(ii) Marshal Tito (President of Yugoslavia) Generally, NAM Summits take place every three
(iii) Sukarno (President of Indonesia) years. After each summit, the President or Prime
(iv) Gamel Nasser (President of Egypt) Minister of the country where the Summit takes
(v) Nkrumah (Ghana) place becomes Chairman of the movement for
the next three years.
Some Important NAM Summits
Sl. Year Venue Chairperson Member Countries
1st 1961 Belgrade (Yugoslavia) Josip Broz Tito 25
2nd 1964 Cairo (Egypt) Gamel Abdel Nasser 47
14th 2006 Havana (Cuba) Fidel Castro Ruz 118
15th 2009 Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) Md. Hosni Mubarak 118
16th 2012 Tehran (Iran) Mohammad Morsi 120
17th 2016 Caracas (Venezuela) 120
THE COMMONWEALTH
The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Commonwealth and formerly as the British
Commonwealth, is a voluntary association of 53 independent sovereign States, all of which are former
possessions of the British Empire, except for Mozambique, Rwanda and the United Kingdom itself.
Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Common-wealth, recognized by each State. Although the Queen heads
the Commonwealth in a symbolic capacity, it is the Commonwealth Secretary-General who is the Chief Executive
of the organization.
The five largest Commonwealth nations by population are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and the
United Kingdom. Tuvalu is the least populous member of the Commonwealth.
The three largest Commonwealth nations by area Its members are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
are Canada , Australia, and India. Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government On April 3, 2007 Afghanistan became the latest
Meeting (CHOGM) is a significant decision member country to join SAARC at the 14th summit
making body which hold bi-annual meetings. in New Delhi.
Marlborough House, London houses the head- SAARC aims to promote peoples welfare,
quarters of The Commonwealth. social and cultural development and combat
terrorism in South Asian region and to strengthen
Members
co-operation with other developing countries.
Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, St. Vincent and
Decade of 2001 to 2010 has been declared by
the Grenadines, Australia, Kenya, Samoa, The
SAARC as the Decade of the Rights of the Child.
Bahamas, Kiribati, Seychelles, Bangladesh,
SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Area) became
Lesotho Sierra Leone, Barbados, Malawi,
effective from January, 2006.
Singapore, Belize, Malaysia, Solomon Islands,
Maldives President Maumon Abdul Gayoom is
Botswana, Maldives, South Africa, Brunei
the only South Asian leader who have attended
Darussalam, Malta, Sri Lanka, Cameroon,
first fourteen SAARC summits.
Mauritius, Swaziland, Canada, Mozambique,
Present Secretary General of SAARC is Arjun
Tonga, Cyprus, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago,
Bahadur Thapa from Nepal, who took office on
Dominica, Nauru*, Tuvalu, Fiji Islands**, New
1 March, 2014.
Zealand, Uganda, Nigeria, United Kingdom,
Ghana, Pakistan, United Republic of Tanzania, SAARC Summits
Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Guyana,
St. Kitts and Nevis, Zambia, India and St. Lucia Sl. Year Venue
and Rwanda (Joined in November 2009). 1st 1985.........................Dhaka (Bangladesh)
Note:
* Nauru is a Member in Arrears. 14th 2007.............................. New Delhi (India)
** Following the decisions taken by the Common- 15th 2008......................... Colombo (Sri Lanka)
wealth Ministerial Action Group on 31st July 2009,
16th 2010............................... Thimpu (Bhutan)
Fiji Island was suspended from membership of
the Commonwealth on September 1, 2009. 17th 2011........................ Addu City (Maldives)
On 3rd October 2013, The Gambia withdrew from 18th 2014.......................... Kathmandu (Nepal)
commonwealth group of nations.
19th 2016 ....................... Islamabad (Pakistan)
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM) BAY OF BENGAL INITIATIVE FOR MULTI-
SECTORAL TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC
Year Location CO-OPERATION (BIMST-EC)
On June 6, 1997 a sub-regional grouping was
2011............................................ Perth (Australia)
formed in Bangkok and given the name BIST-EC
2013......................................Colombo (Sri Lanka) (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic
Co-operation). Myanmar joined the organization
2015............................................................. Malta as a full member at a Special Ministerial Meeting
2018....................... To be held in United Kingdom held in Bangkok on December 22, 1997, upon
which the name of the grouping was changed to
2020...................................To be held in Malaysia BIMST-EC. Full membership has been granted to
Nepal and Bhutan in 2003. During the first summit
SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL in Bangkok on July 31, 2004 the groupings name
CO-OPERATION (SAARC) was changed to the Bay of Bengal Initiative
SAARC Secretariat is in Kathmandu (Nepal). for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
It was formed on December 1985 in Dhaka on the Co-operation, or BIMST-EC.
idea put forward by the then Bangladesh President BIMST-EC provides a unique link between South
Zia-ur-Rahman. Asia and Southeast Asia bringing together 1.3
billion people-21 per cent of the world population,
a combined GDP of US $750 billion, and a EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

considerable amount of complementaries. A European Union (EU) was established as the
study shows the potential of US$ 43 to 59 billion European Economic Community in 1957 by
trade creation under BIMST-EC FTA. the Treaty of Rome and has undergone many
BIMST-EC covers 13 priority sectors lead by changes since, most notably in 1993 by the
member countries in a voluntary manner namely. Maastricht Treaty. This treaty established the
Trade & Investment, Technology, Energy, Transport European Union.
& Communication, Tourism, Fisheries, Agriculture, Important EU institutions and bodies include the
Cultural Co-operation, Environment and Disaster European Commission, the European Parliament,
Management, Public Health, People-to-People the Council of the European Union, the European
Contact, Poverty Alleviation and Counter-Terrorism Council, the European Court of Justice and the
and Transnational Crimes. European Central Bank. Citizens of EU member
States are also EU citizens. EU citizens directly
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) elect the European Parliament every five years.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) EU citizens can freely invest, live, travel, and work
also called as the North Atlantic Alliance, the in other member States (with some temporary
Atlantic Alliance or the Western Alliance. The restrictions on new member states). Passport
North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military control and customs checks between most
alliance established by the signing of the North member States were abolished in the Schengen
Atlantic Treaty on April 4, 1949. Agreement.
Its headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium. The combined economy of the EU is the largest in
The Treaty of Brussels, signed on March 17, the world with a nominal GDP of 11.6 (US$15.7)
1948 by Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, trillion in 2007. The EU has a single market between
France and the United Kingdom is considered member States with a common trade policy, a
the precursor to the NATO agreement. Estonia, Common Agricultural/Fisheries Policy, and a regional
Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia development policy. It introduced a common currency,
joined NATO in 2002. the Euro, which has been adopted by thirteen
It may be noted that Albania and Croatia became member States. Since 1993, the EU has developed
the 27th and 28th members of NATO respectively a limited Common Foreign and Security Policy, and
in 2009. co-operation in police and judicial matters.
Current Members: The total territory of the EU is the seventh largest
Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, territory in the world by area.
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, The Treaty of Lisbon (initially known as the Reform
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Treaty) is an international agreement that amends
Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, the treaties governing the European Union (EU).
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, The Lisbon Treaty was signed by the EU member
Spain, Turkey, UK and USA. states on 13 December 2007, and entered into
force on 1 December 2009.
Latest NATO Summits It amends the Treaty on European Union (more
commonly known as the Maastricht Treaty) and
Year Venue the Treaty establishing the European Community
(the Treaty of Rome).
2006.................................................. Riga (Latvia) In this process, the Rome Treaty was renamed to the
2008.....................................Bucharest (Romania) Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Member countries: There are total 28 member
2009.............. Strasbourg/Kehl (France/Germany) countries in European Union, that are primarily
2010...........................................Lisbon (Portugal) located in Europe. These are:-
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
2012.............................................. Chicago (USA) Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
2014.................................................... Wales (UK) Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands,
2016........................................... Warsaw (Poland) Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
As its customers are Central Banks and

Milestone steps in EU formation
international organizations, the BIS do not accept
1951 The European Coal and Steel Community deposits from, or provide financial services to,
is established by the six founding private individuals or corporate entities.
members (Belgium, the Federal Republic The BIS currently has 60 member Central Banks,
of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg all of which are entitled to be represented and
and the Netherlands). vote in the General Meetings. Voting power is
1957 The Treaty of Rome establishes a common proportionate to the number of BIS shares issued
market. in the country of each member represented at
the meeting.
1973 The Community expands to nine member
States and develops its common policies
(Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)
decided to join the Community). ADB is an international development finance
institution whose mission is to help its developing
1979 The first direct elections to the European member countries reduce poverty and improve
Parliament. the quality of life of their people.
1981 The first Mediterranean enlargement Its headquarters are located in Manila (Philippines).
(In 1981, Greece joined the Community, ADBs main partners are governments, the
followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986). private sector, nongovernment organizations,
development agencies, community-based org-
1993 Completion of the single market.
anizations, and foundations.
1993 The Treaty of Maastricht establishes the From 31 members at its establishment in 1966,
European Union. ADB has grown to encompass 67 members - of
1995 The EU expands to 15 members (Austria, which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and
Finland and Sweden joined the EU on 19 outside.
January 01, 1995). Georgia is the 67th and newest member, having
joined ADB effective from February 2, 2007.
2002 Euro notes and coins are introduced
ADB launched Asian Development Fund with a view
2004 Ten more countries join the Union. Cyprus, to provide concessional credits to needy members.
the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, ADB finances public as well as private capital.
Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia
and Slovenia join the European Union.
ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC)
2007 Romania & Bulgaria joined EU bringing its The idea of APEC was firstly publicly broached by
membership to 27. Slovenia adopts the Euro. former Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Bob Hawke,
2009 The Treaty of Lisbon came into force on during a speech in Seoul, Korea in January 1989.
December 1, after the Czech Republic Later that year, 12 Asia-Pacific economies met in
Instrument of ratfication was deposited in Canberra, Australia to establish APEC.
Rome on November 13. The founding members were: Australia, Brunei
Darussalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan,
2013 Croatia joined EU as its 28th member.
Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and the United States.
BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT (BIS) China, Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) joined in 1991. Mexico and Papua New Guinea
is an international organization which fosters followed in 1993. Chile acceded in 1994. And in
international monetary and financial cooperation 1998, Peru, Russia and Vietnam joined, taking
and serves as a bank for Central Banks. the full membership to 21.
The head office is in Basel, Switzerland and there The membership is frozen till 2010, because of
are two representative offices in the Hong Kong this India is waiting for becoming its member.
Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Its headquarters are located in Singapore.
Republic of China and in Mexico City. Together, APEC countries account for appro-
It was established on 17 May 1930 and the BIS is the ximately 41% of the worlds population, 55% of
worlds oldest international financial organization. the world GDP and 49% of world trade.
Current Members countries have participated as guests in previous

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, meetings, which are sometimes called G-8+5.
Peoples Republic of China, Hong Kong, With the G-20 major economies growing in stature
Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, since the 2008 Washington summit, world leaders
Mexico, NewZealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, from the group announced at their Pittsburgh
Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, summit on September 25, 2009, that the group
Thailand, United States and Vietnam. will replace the G-8 as the main economic council
of wealthy nations.
Recent & Forthcoming APEC Ministerial Meetings
Recent & Forthcoming Summits of G-8
Year Host city Country
Summit Year Venue Country
2006 Hanoi Vietnam
2007 Sydney Australia 33rd 2007 Heiligendamm Germany
34th 2008 Toyako Japan
2008 Lima Peru
35th 2009 LAquila Italy
2009 Singapore Singapore
36th 2010 Ontario Canada
2010 Yokohama Japan
37th 2011 Nice France
2011 Honolulu United States
38th 2012 Harrisburg USA
2012 Vladivostok Russia
39th 2013 Lough Erne UK
2013 Bali/Manado Indonesia
40th 2014 Brussels Belgium
2014 Beijing China 41st 2015 Schloss Elmau Germany
2015 Pasay Philippines 42nd 2016 Ise-Shima Japan
2016 Lima Peru 43rd 2017 ---- Italy
GROUP OF 8 (G-8) GROUP OF 15 (G-15)

The Group of Eight (G-8, and formerly the G-6 The Group of Fifteen (G-15) was established at
or Group of Six and also the G-7 or Group of a Summit Level Group of Developing Countries
Seven) is a forum, created by France in 1975, for in September 1989, following the conclusion
governments of six countries in the world: France, of the Ninth Non-Aligned Summit Meeting in
Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Belgrade. The Group was originally founded by
the United States. 15 developing countries. While there are now
In 1976, Canada joined the group (thus creating 17 member countries, the original name of the
the G-7). Group has been retained.
In becoming the G-8, the group added Russia in 1997. In 2007, G-15 countries accounted for one-third
In addition, the European Union is represented of the worlds population, and 27% of total exports
within the G-8, but cannot host or chair. G-8 can and 30% of total imports of goods and services
refer to the member states or to the annual summit by developing countries. In terms of GDP size,
meeting of the G-8 heads of government. 12 member countries counted among the worlds
Each calendar year, the responsibility of hosting 50 biggest economies, with three (India, Brazil,
the G-8 rotates through the member states in the Mexico) ranking among the biggest 15.
following order: France, United States, United King- Six G-15 countries (Brazil, Mexico, Chile, India,
dom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. Malaysia, Argentina) ranked among the top 30
The holder of the presidency sets the agenda, destinations for foreign direct investment, and three
hosts the summit for that year, and determines (Malaysia, Chile, India) figured among the first 30
which ministerial meetings will take place. countries on the global competitiveness index.
Lately, both France and the United Kingdom African G-15 nations are Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Ni-
have expressed a desire to expand the group to geria, Senegal, and Zimbabwe. Those from Asia are
include five developing countries, referred to as India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Latin
the Outreach Five (O-5) or the Plus Five: Brazil, American G-15 nations include Argentina, Brazil,
China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. These Chile, Jamaica, Mexico and Venezuela.
G-15 Summits President of the World Bank, plus the chairs of the
International Monetary and Financial Committee
Sl. Year Place Country and Development Committee of the IMF and
1st 1990 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia World Bank, also participate in G-20 meetings on
an ex-officio basis.
13th 2006 Havana Cuba
14th 2010 Tehran Iran GROUP OF 77 (G-77)
The Group of 77 (G-77) was established on
15th 2012 Colombo Sri Lanka
15June, 1964 by seventy-seven developing coun-
16th 2015 Tokyo Japan tries signatories of the Joint Declaration of the Sev-
enty-Seven Countries issued at the end of the first
GROUP OF 20 (G-20) session of the United Nations Conference on Trade
The Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.
and Central Bank Governors was established The Group of 77 is the largest intergovernmental
in 1999 to bring together systemically important organization of developing states in the United
industrialized and developing economies to Nations, which provides the means for the
discuss key issues in the global economy. countries of the South to articulate and promote
The inaugural meeting of the G-20 took place their collective economic interests and enhance
in Berlin, on December 15-16, 1999, hosted by their joint negotiating capacity on all major
German and Canadian finance ministers. international economic issues within the United
The G-20 is made up of the finance ministers Nations system, and promote South-South
and central bank governors of 19 countries viz. cooperation for development.
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, The South Summit is the supreme decision-
Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, making body of the Group of 77. It is convened
Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of once in every five years. The First and the Second
Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and USA. South Summits were held in Havana, Cuba, on
10 14 April 2000 and in Doha, Qatar, on 12 16
G-20 Heads of Government Summits June 2005, respectively. In accordance with the
principle of geographical rotation, the Third South
Sl. Year Location Summit is due to be held in Africa in 2010.
1st Nov. 14-15, 2008 Washington DC (USA) The Annual Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign
Affairs of the Group of 77 is convened at the
2nd April 2, 2009 London (UK)
beginning of the regular session of the General
3rd Sept. 24-25, 2009 Pittsburgh (USA) Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
4th June 26-27, 2010 Toronto (Canada) Its present membership is 134.
5th Nov. 11-12, 2010 Seoul (South Korea) India is also a member of G-77.
6th 2011 Cannes (France)
GROUP OF 24(G-24)
7th 2012 Los Cabos (Mexico) The Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on
8th 2013 St. Petersberg (Russia) International Monetary Affairs and Development
9th 2014 Brisbane (Australia) (G-24) was established in 1971.
10th 2015 Antalya (Turkey) Its main objective is to concert the position
of developing countries on monetary and
11th 2016 Hangzhou (China)
development finance issues.
12th 2017 Germany Member countries are as follows:
13th 2018 India (i) Region I (Africa): Algeria, Cte dIvoire, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa
The European Union, who is represented by the and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
rotating Council presidency and the European (ii) Region II (Latin America and the Caribbe-
Central Bank, is the 20th member of the G-20. an): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guatema-
To ensure global economic fora and institutions la, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and
work together, the Managing Director of the Venezuela.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the
(iii) Region III (Asia and developing countries The Secretariat was originally established in
of Europe): India, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Geneva, Switzerland, in 1961. It moved to Vienna,
Philippines, Sri Lanka and Syrian Arab Republic. Austria, in 1965. The 8th (Extraordinary) OPEC
Countries that are members of the G-77 are Conference approved the Host Agreement with
welcome to attend G-24 meetings as Observers the Austrian Government in April 1965, prior
while the Peoples Republic of China enjoys the to the opening of the Secretariat in Vienna on
status of Special Invitee and addresses the September 1, 1965.
plenary sessions of the G-24. OPEC Member Countries produce about 42 per
cent of the worlds crude oil and 18 per cent of its
ORGANIZATION OF THE PETROLEUM natural gas. However, OPECs crude oil exports
EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) represent about 58 per cent of the crude oil traded
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Coun- internationally. Therefore, OPEC can have a strong
tries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental or- influence on the oil market, especially if it decides
ganization, created at the Baghdad Conference be- to reduce or increase its level of production.
tween September 10-14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, At the end of 2009, world proven crude oil
Saudi Arabia and Venezuela (Founder member). reserves stood at 1,337,200 million barrels, of
The five founding members were later joined by which 1,064,288 million barrels, or 79.6 per cent,
nine other members, viz. was in OPEC Member Countries.
(i) Qatar (1961) The countries with the worlds largest proven
(ii) Indonesia (1962): Suspended its membership crude oil reserves (in million barrels) are Saudi
in January 2009 and rejoined in January 2016. Arabia (264,590), Venezuela (211,173), Iran
(iii) Libya (1962) (iv) UAE (1967) (137,010), Iraq (115,000) and Kuwait (101,500).
(v) Algeria (1969) (vi) Nigeria (1971) The countries with most crude oil production (in
(vii) Ecuador (1973): Suspended its membership 000 barrels per day) are Russia (9,650), Saudi
from December 1992. However Ecuador Arabia (8,184), USA (5,310), China (3,793) and
resumed its membership from Nov. 2007. Iran (3,557).
(viii) Angola (2007)
(ix) Gabon (1975): Suspended its membership ASIA-EUROPE MEETING (ASEM)
in 1994. ASEM was initiated in 1996. ASEM (the Asia-
Currently there are 13 members in the OPEC. Europe Meeting) is an informal process of dialogue
The OPEC Statute stipulates that: any country and cooperation bringing together initially 15 EU
with a substantial net export of crude petroleum, member States and the European Commission,
which has fundamentally similar interests to those with ten Asian countries (Brunei, China, Indonesia,
of Member Countries, may become a Full Member Japan, South Korea, Malaysia. The Philippines,
of the Organization, if accepted by a majority Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam).
of three-fourths of Full Members, including the The ASEM dialogue addresses political,
concurring votes of all Founder Members. economic and cultural issues, with the objective
The Statute further distinguishes between three of strengthening the relationship between the two
categories of membership: Founder Member, regions, in a spirit of mutual respect and equal
Full Member and Associate Member. partnership.
Founder Members of the Organization are those At 5th ASEM Summit, 10 new EU members and
countries which were represented at OPECs first 3Asian countries become part of the process
Conference, held in Baghdad, Iraq, in September viz. Cambodia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia,
1960, and which signed the original agreement Hungary, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Myanmar,
establishing OPEC. Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Full Members are the Founder Members, plus those In 2007, India, Pakistan, Mongolia, Romania,
countries whose applications for Membership have Bulgaria and the ASEAN Secretariat became its
been accepted by the Conference. partners.
Associate Members are the countries which do Currently there are 53 partners in ASEM.
not qualify for full membership, but which are Its headquarters is located at Singapore.
nevertheless admitted under such special conditions India is a member of ASEM.
as may be prescribed by the Conference.
ASEM Summits
Sl. Year Country Place
Sl. Year Place Country 22nd April 2013 Bandar Seri
Brunei
1st 1996 Bangkok Thailand 23rd October 2013 Begawan
7th 2008 Beijing China 24th May 2014

Myanmar Naypidaw
8th 2010 Brussels Belgium 25th November 2014
9th 2012 Vientiane Laos 26th April 2015 Langkawi
Malaysia
10th 2014 Milan Italy 27th Nov 2015 Kualalumpur
11th 2016 Ulaanbaatar Mangolia 28th Nov 2016 Vientiane Laos
EAST ASIA SUMMIT (EAS)

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS
The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a pan-Asia forum
(ASEAN)
to be held annually by the leaders of 18 countries
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is
in East Asia and the region, with ASEAN in a
a geo-political and economic organization of
leadership position.
10countries located in Southeast Asia.
The 18 countries involved are ASEAN plus China,
ASEAN was formed on August 8, 1967 by the
Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New
Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and
Zealand. Earlier, it was a group of 16 countries but
Singapore as a display of solidarity against
in 6th EAS in 2011, the membership expanded to
communist expansion in Vietnam and insurgency
18 countries including USA and Russia.
within their own borders.
The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur on
Following the Bali Summit of 1976, the organization
December 14, 2005 and subsequent meetings were
embarked on a programme of economic co-
held after the annual ASEAN leaders meetings.
operation, which floundered in the mid-1980s
only to be revived around a 1991 Thai proposal East Asia Summits
for a regional Free Trade Area.
The British protectorate of Brunei joined ASEAN Sl. Year Host City Country
six days after the country became independent
1st 2005 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
from the United Kingdom on January 8, 1984.
Vietnam joined ASEAN on July 28, 1995. Laos 2nd 2007 Cebu Philippines
and Myanmar were admitted into ASEAN on July 3th 2007 Singapore Singapore
23, 1997. Cambodia became the latest member 4th 2009 Cha-am, Hua-Hin Thailand
when it was admitted on April 30, 1999.
The ASEAN secretariat is located at Jakarta, 5th 2010 Hanoi Vietnam
Indonesia. 6th 2011 Bali Indonesia
Note: ASEAN +3 includes ASEAN member countries 7th 2012 Phnom Penh Cambodia
+ China, Japan and South Korea.
8th 2013 Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei
ASEAN Summits 9th 2014 Naypidaw Myanmar
Sl. Year Country Place 10th 2015 Kualalumpur Malaysia

11th 2016 Vientiane Laos
1st 1976 Indonesia Bali
13th November 2007 Singapore Singapore
THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT
14th Feb-March 2009 Thailand Cha-am STATES (CIS)
15th October 2009 Thailand Cha-am, Hua-Hin The organization was founded on December 8,
1991 by Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.
16th April 2010 Vietnam Hanoi
Its headquarters are in Minsk, Belarus.
17th October 2010 Vietnam Hanoi The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is
20th April 2012 the international organization or alliance consisting of
Cambodia Phnom Penh 10 former Soviet Republics viz. Armenia, Azerbaijan,
21st November 2012
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, 23rd summit of the African Union held at Malabo
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (Guinea) from 20-27th June 2014.
Turkmenistan discontinued permanent membership 24th summit of the African Union held at Addis
as of August 26, 2005 and is now an associate Ababa, Ethiopia from 23 - 31st January 2015.
member. 25th summit of the African Union held at
Due to South Ossetian war in 2008, Georgia Johannesburg, South Africa from 7 June-15th June
announced its withdrawal from the CIS which 2015.
became effective on August 17, 2009.
Note: Ukraine is a de-facto participating, officially MERCOSUR
not a member of CIS. Mercosur or Mercosul is a RTA (Regional Trade
Agreement) between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay
SHANGHAI CO-OPERATION ORGANIZATION (SCO) and Paraguay, founded in 1991 by the Treaty of
The Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) Asuncin, which was later amended and updated
is an intergovernmental organization which was by the 1994 Treaty of Ouro Preto. Its purpose is
founded on June 14, 2001 by China, Russia, to promote free trade and the fluid movement of
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. goods, peoples and currency.
Except for Uzbekistan, the other countries had Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
been members of the Shanghai Five. After the currently have associate member status.
inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the members Venezuela signed a membership agreement on
renamed the organization. Many have looked at June 17, 2006 but before becoming a full member
this organization as a counter to the North Atlantic its entry has yet to be ratified by the Congress of
Treaty Organization (NATO). The Shanghai Five Paraguay.
grouping was originally created on April 26, 1996. Montevideo (Capital of Uruguay) is the seat of
The official working languages of the Shanghai Co- the Secretariat of the Mercosur.
operation Organization are Chinese and Russian. Portuguese and Spanish are the official languages
Member countries are China, Kazakhstan, of the Mercosur.
Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Observer countries are Belarus, Iran, Mongolia ARAB LEAGUE
and Afghanistan. Mongolia was the first country It is the outcome of a national awakening among
to get the status of observer. the Arabs, following the fall of the Ottomon Empire
Its headquarters are located at Beijing, China. in the First World War. It was formally instituted on
The dialogue partners of SCO are Armenia, Sri March 22, 1945.
Lanka, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal and Turkey. The Arab League consists of a Council, a Secretary
India and Pakistan have been approved as member General and a few permanent committees.
in July 2015. Currently they are acceding states. After the Iraqs invasion of Kuwait in August 1990,
the Secretariat was shifted to Cairo (Capital of
AFRICAN UNION Egypt).
The African Union (AU) is an organization It has 22 Arab states and 4 non-Arab observer
consisting of 54 African States. Established states viz. Brazil, Eritrea, India and Venezuela.
in 2001, the AU was formed as a successor to
the amalgamated African Economic Community INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE
(AEC) and the Organization of African Unity ORGANIZATION (INTERPOL)
(OAU). Eventually, the AU aims to have a single INTERPOL is the worlds largest international
currency and a single integrated defence force, police organization, with 190 member countries.
as well as other institutions of State, including a Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-
Cabinet for the AU Head of State. operation, and supports and assists all organizations,
The purpose of the Union is to helps securing authorities and services whose mission is to prevent
Africas democracy, human rights and a sustain- or combat international crime.
able economy, especially by bringing an end to INTERPOL aims to facilitate international police
intra-African conflict and creating an effective co-operation even where diplomatic relations do
common market. Its headquarter is located at not exist between particular countries.
Addis Ababa (Capital of Ethiopia).
Action is taken within the limits of existing laws in NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP (NSG)
different countries and in the spirit of the Universal The NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries
Declaration of Human Rights. which seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation
INTERPOLs constitution prohibits any intervention of nuclear weapons through the implementation
or activities of a political, military, religious or racial of guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear
character. related exports. It was created in 1974 following
Located in Lyon, France, the General Secretariat the explosion of a nuclear device by a non-nuclear
operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Officials weapon state (India).
from more than 80 countries work side-by-side in The NSG guidelines were published in 1978 to
any of the organizations four official languages: apply to nuclear transfers for peaceful purposes
Arabic, English, French and Spanish. to help ensure that such transfers would not be
The Secretariat has seven regional offices; in diverted to unsafeguarded nuclear fuel cycle or
Argentina, Cameroon, Cte dIvoire, El Salvador, nuclear explosive activities.
Kenya, Thailand and Zimbabwe, and a liaison In 1992, the NSG decided to establish guidelines
office at the United Nations in New York. for transfers of nuclear related dual use equipment,
The current Secretary General is Jurgen Stock material and technology which could make a
(Germany). significant contribution to an unsafeguarded
nuclear fuel cycle or nuclear explosive activity.
ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC Member countries: As of Feb. 2016, there are 48
CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) member countries of NSG. These are: Argentina,
The organization for economic co-operation Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil,
and development (OECD) is an international Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
organization of 34 countries that accept the Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
principles of representative democracy and free Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
market economy. Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania,
OECD originated in 1948 as the organization Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New
for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
to help administer the Marshall plan for the Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa,
reconstruction of Europe after World War II. South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,
OECD took over from OEEC in 1961. Since then, Ukraine, UK and USA.
its mission has been to help its member countries
to achieve sustainable economic growth and IOR-ARC
employment and to raise the standard of living The Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional
in member countries while maintaining financial Co-operation (IOR-ARC), initially known as the
stability. Indian Ocean Rim Initiative, is an international
The headquarters of OECD are located at organization with 20 member States. It was first
Chateau de la Muette in Paris (France). established in Mauritius on March 1995 and
There are 34 members countries of the OECD, formally launched on 6-7 March 1997.
20 being the founding members and 14 were Its headquarters is located at Port Louis (Capital
admitted later. of Mauritius)
Founding members in 1961 were Austria, Full Members
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Australia, India, Kenya, Mauritius, Oman, Singa-
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The pore, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mada-
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, gascar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Ye-
Switzerland, Turkey, UK and USA. men, Bangladesh, Iran, Seychelles, Thailand,
The members which were admitted later are Japan United Arab Emirates, Comoros (Joined in 2012
(1964), Finland (1969), Australia (1971), New as 20th Member).
Zealand (1973), Mexico (1994), Czech Republic Countries with the status of dialogue partners are
(1995), South Korea (1996), Hungary (1996), China, Egypt, France, Japan, United Kingdom.
Poland (1996), Slovakia (2000), Chile (2010) and Note: Seychelles joined the IOR-ARC in March
Slovenia (2010), Israel (2010), Estonia (2010). 1999 but withdrew in July 2003. Again in
November 2011, it rejoined as 19th Member.
ASIA CO-OPERATION DIALOGUE (ACD) RED CROSS

The Asia Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) is a body Its headquarters are in Geneva (Switzerland).
created in 2002 in Cha-am (Thailand) to promote It came into existence in 1863 to help all victims
Asian co-operation at a continental level, helping of war and internal violence, attempting to ensure
to integrate the previously separate regional implementation of humanitarian rules restricting
organizations of political or economical co- armed violence.
operation such as ASEAN, SAARC or the Gulf It was founded on advocacy of J.H. Dunant.
Co-operation Council.
The idea of an Asia Co-operation Dialogue INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR
(ACD) was initiated by Prime Minister Thaksin STANDARDIZATION (ISO)
Shinawatra. ISO (International Organization for Standard-
India is a founding member of ACD. The ACD ization) is the worlds largest developer and
currently brings together33 countries from Asia. publisher of International Standards.
All ten members of ASEAN are also the members It was founded in 1947 as a non-governmental
of ACD. federation of national standards bodies.
ISO is a network of the national standards institutes
THE CO-OPERATION COUNCIL FOR THE ARAB of 162 countries, one member per country, with a
STATES OF THE GULF Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that
Formerly named and still commonly called Gulf Co- coordinates the system.
operation Council (GCC) is a regional organization ISO is a non-governmental organization that
involving the six Arab Gulf States with many forms a bridge between the public and private
economic and social objectives in mind. sectors. On the one hand, many of its member
Created on May 25, 1981, the Council is institutes are part of the governmental structure
comprised of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, of their countries, or are mandated by their
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. government. On the other hand, other members
The unified economic agreement between the have their roots uniquely in the private sector,
countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council was having been set up by national partnerships of
signed on November 11, 1981 in Riyadh. industry associations.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (i) ISO 9000 family

A world-wide human rights organization with The ISO 9000 family addresses Quality mana-
headquarters in London, was founded by a gement.
British lawyer Peter Benenson, in 1961. This means what the organization does to fulfil:
It aims to secure the immediate and unconditional (i) the customers quality requirements, and
release of all prisoners of conscience; ensure fair (ii) applicable regulatory requirements, while
and prompt trial for all political prisoners and aiming to
abolish torture and execution. (iii) enhance customer satisfaction, and
The organization enjoys the support of the UN (iv) achieve continual improvement of its per-
and has more than 2.2 million members in more formance in pursuit of these objectives.
than 150 countries.
It won Nobel Prize for Peace in 1977. (ii) ISO 14000 family
The international secretariat of Amnesty Inter- The ISO 14000 family addresses Environmental
national is based in London. management.
This means what the organization does to:
GREEN PEACE (i) minimize harmful effects on the environment
Green Peace is an international environmental caused by its activities, and to
organization founded in Canada in 1971. (ii) achieve continual improvement of its environ-
It works to highlight and change government and mental performance.
industrial policies and actions that threaten the
environment or the natural world. WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE (WWF)
Its headquarters are located at Amsterdam, The The World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) is an
Netherlands. international non-governmental organization working
on issues regarding the conservation, research
and restoration of the environment formerly energy for peaceful purposes.

named the World Wildlife Fund. Initially, it was signed for a period of 25 years but
WWFs was conceived on the 29th April 1961, was extended indefinitely in 1995 in New York.
and its first office opened on 11th September that Five States are permitted by the NPT to own
same year in the small Swiss town of Morges. nuclear weapons viz. France (signed 1992), the
Its goals are to preserve genetic species and Peoples Republic of China (1992), the Soviet
ecosystem diversity and ensure that the use of Union (1968; obligations and rights now assumed
renewal resources is sustainable. by Russia), the United Kingdom (1968), and the
It is the worlds largest and most experienced United States of America (1968). These were the
independent conservation organization. only States openly possessing such weapons
Julian Huxley, Max. Nicholson, Peter Scott and at the time the treaty was opened to signature,
Guy Mountfort were the founders of WWF. and are also the five permanent members of the
WWF is one of the worlds largest and most respected United Nations Security Council.
independent conservation organizations. Palestine is the most recent state to have joined
It is an independent foundation registered under by submitting its instrument of accession on 10th
Swiss law. February, 2015.
The central secretariat for the network (called WWF
International) is located in Gland, Switzerland. COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY (CTBT)
WWF originally stood for World Wildlife Fund. The Treaty was opened for signature in New York
However, in 1986, WWF had come to realize on September 24, 1996 when it was signed by
that its name no longer reflected the scope of its 71States.
activities, and changed its name to World Wide India wanted adoption of a time bound programme
Fund For Nature. for elimination of the nuclear weapons and not a
WWFs mission is to stop the degradation of the discriminatory treaty.
planets natural environment and to build a future Annexure 2 states are those 44 states that formally
in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: participated in the 1996 session of the conference
(i) conserving the worlds biological diversity on Disarmament and possessed nuclear power
(ii) ensuring that the use of renewable natural or research reactors at the time, all of whom must
resources is sustainable ratify the treaty for it to enter into force.
(iii) promoting the reduction of pollution and 36 out of 44 Annexure 2 states have already
wasteful consumption. ratified the treaty.
Among the Annexure 2 states China, Egypt,
INTERNATIONAL TREATIES & AGREEMENTS Iran, Israel and USA have signed but not ratified
NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT) the treaty. Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea
NPT was opened for signature on July 1, 1968 to (North Korea), India and Pakistan have neither
limit the spread of nuclear weapons. signed nor ratified the treaty.
It came into force in 1970.
Status of Signature and Ratification
There are 190 sovereign States party to the
(as of May 2015)
treaty. However, two (India and Pakistan) out
of eight confirmed nuclear powers (i.e. those Total Countries : 196 Total Signatory Countries : 183
who have openly tested nuclear weapons) and
one unconfirmed nuclear power (Israel) neither Total Ratifying Countries : 164
signed nor ratified the treaty. Not Ratified : 32 Not Signed : 13
One further nuclear power (North Korea) ratified
the treaty and then later withdrew. Latest Signatory country : Niue (09-04-2012)
The treaty was proposed by Ireland, and Latest Ratifying country : Angola (20-03-2015)
Finland was the first to sign. In New York City,
on May 11, 1995, the parties to the treaty decided
by consensus to extend the treaty indefinitely and NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY (NTBT)
without conditions. It was signed in 1963 by USA, Britain and Former
It provides no transfer of nuclear weapons to a USSR along with approval by more than 105
non-nuclear country except for using nuclear nations.
France and China refused to sign the treaty. others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0%
All tests on the ground, atmosphere and under for Russia, and permitted increases of 8% for
the sea banned, but no ban has been imposed Australia and 10% for Iceland.
on underground tests. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that
it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION countries and the European community for
The Convention on the prohibition of the reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
development, production and stockpiling of These amount to an average of five per cent
bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons against 1990 levels over the five-year period
and on their Destruction (usually referred to as 2008-2012.
the Biological Weapons Convention, (BWC) The major distinction between the Protocol and
or Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention the Convention is that while the Convention
(BTWC) was the first multilateral disarmament encouraged industrialised countries to stabilize
treaty banning the production of an entire GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to
category of weapons (with exceptions for medical do so.
and defensive purposes in small quantities). Under the Treaty, countries must meet their
It was the result of prolonged efforts by the targets primarily through national measures.
international community to establish a new However, the Kyoto Protocol offers them an
instrument that would supplement the 1925 additional means of meeting their targets by
Geneva Protocol. way of three market-based mechanisms.
It was opened for signature on April 10, 1972 and The Kyoto mechanisms are:
entered into force March 26, 1975 when twenty- (i) Emissions trading known as the carbon market
two governments had deposited their instruments (ii) Clean development mechanism (CDM)
of ratification. (iii) Joint implementation (JI).
India is also a party to the convention. The mechanisms help stimulate green
As of March 2015, total of 173 parties have investment and help Parties meet their
ratified the convention. emission targets in a cost-effective way.
Currently, there are 192 Parties (191 States and
1 regional economic integration organization)
KYOTO PROTOCOL
to the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC. The
The Kyoto Protocol is an international
total percentage of Annex I Parties emissions
agreement linked to the United Nations
is 63.7%.
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Countries, like India and China, which have
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto,
ratified the protocol, are not required to reduce
Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered
carbon emissions under the present agreement
into force on 16 February 2005. The detailed
despite their relatively large populations.
rules for the implementation of the Protocol
were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh in 2001,
and are called the Marrakesh Accords. MONTREAL PROTOCOL
The Kyoto Protocol is a legally binding The Montreal Protocol on Substances That
agreement under which industrialized Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty
countries will reduce their collective emissions under United Nations Environment Programme
of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to (UNEP) designed to protect the ozone layer
the year 1990 (but note that, compared to by phasing out the production of a number of
the emissions levels that would be expected substances believed to be responsible for ozone
by 2010 without the Protocol, this target depletion. The treaty was opened for signature
represents a 29% cut). The goal is to lower on September 16, 1987 and entered into force on
overall emissions from six greenhouse gases - January 1, 1989.
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur The Protocol provides that the use of Chlorofluo-
hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated rocarbons (CFCs), which are the main cause of
as an average over the five-year period of depletion of ozone layer, should be stopped by
2008-12. National targets range from 8% 2000 by developed countries and by 2005 by de-
reductions for the European Union and some veloping countries. nn
2
National Symbols
National Flag of India which, was composed by Rabindra Nath

It was adopted by Constituent Assembly of India Tagore in 1911, originally in Bengali.
on July 22, 1947. It was adopted by Constituent Assembly on
A tricolour flag was first accepted by the Indian January 24, 1950 in its Hindi version.
National Congress in 1931, having Charkha in The song Jana gana mana was first published in
place of todays Chakra. January, 1912 under the title Bharat Vidhata in
It is a horizontal tricolour of deep Saffron at top Tattva Bodhini Patrika.
(stands for courage, sacrifice and renunciation), The song was translated in English in 1919 with
White at middle (shows truth and purity in the title Morning song of India.
thoughts), dark Green at the bottom (symbol of It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of
life abundance and prosperity). Congress on December 27, 1911.
A wheel (Chakra) in centre of the white strip is Playing time of full version of National Anthem is
the symbol of progress and movement. It has 24 52 seconds while it is 20 seconds for first and
spokes. last lines of the stanza.
Supreme Court declared the right to hoist flag as
a Fundamental Right under Article 19 (i) (a) of National Song
the Constitution in 2002. Flag hoisting in India is Vande Mataram is the National song of India,
regulated by flag code of India, 2002. which was composed by Bankim Chandra
The Flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya and Chatterjee, originally in Sanskrit.
first time, the flag was hoisted by Sacchindra It was adopted on January 24, 1950, providing
Prasad Bose in 1906 in Calcutta and later on in it equal status with National Anthem Jana gana
year 1907, an another tricolour flag was unfurled mana.
by Madam Bhikaji Cama in stuttgart. It is taken from his novel Anand Math published
The first flag committee was headed by Dr. in 1882. Its English translation was done by Sri
Rajendra Prasad. Aurobindo.
It was sung for the first time at the Congress
National Emblem Session of 1896.
It is adopted from the Sarnath Lion Capital of
Asoka on January 26,1950. National Calendar
In this emblem, only three lions are visible, the National Calender is based on Saka Era (began
fourth lion being hidden from view. The wheel on 78 A.D.) with Chaitra as its first month and
appears in relief in the centre of the abacus with a Phalguna as its last month with a normal year of
bull on right and a horse on left. The bell shaped 365 days adopted from March 22, 1957 along
lotus (as in the original) has been omitted. The with the Gregorian Calendar.
other animals present in the emblem are :- An Chaitra 1, falls on March 22 normally and on
Elephant and a Lion. March 21 in leap year.
The words Satyameva Jayate are inscribed below
the abacus in Devanagri script. These words are
National Animal
taken from Mundaka Upanishad.
The Tiger (Panthera Tigris) is the National Animal
Similar structure of Sarnath Lion capital was also
of India. It has a thick yellow coat of fur with dark
found in Thailand.
stripes.
Lion was the National Animal of India till 1972.
National Anthem Later on, it was replaced by Tiger.
The song Jana gana mana is the National Anthem
Indian National Symbols
National Bird............................................................................................................Peacock (Pavo Cristatus)
National Flower............................................................................................. ..Lotus (Nelumbo Nucipera Gaertn)
National River...................................................................................................................................... Ganga
National Tree......................................................................................................Banyan (Ficus Benghalensis)
National Fruit........................................................................................................... Mango (Mangifera Indica)
National Aquatic Animal ................................................................................................... Ganges River Dolphin
National Heritage Animal ................................................................................................................. Elephant
National Game (De-facto)................................................................................................................... Hockey
National Drink........................................................................................................ Tea (Declared to be soon)
Note: National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is headed by Prime Minister.
Official Publications of Different Countries/Organizations
Publication Issued/Released by
Blue Book...................................................................................................Report by the British Government
Green Book........................................................................................................ Government of Italy and Iran
Grey Book...............................................................................................Japanese and Belgium Government
Orange Book................................................................................................. Government of the Netherlands
White Book..................................................................... Official publication of Germany, Portugal and China
White Paper (Shwet Patrika).....................................................................Issued by the Government of India
Yellow Book............................................................................................Issued by the Government of France
Economic Survey........................................................................... Ministry of Finance (Government of India)
Report on Currency and Finance..................................................................................Reserve Bank of India
Wholesale Price Index...................................................................................................... Ministry of Industry
National Accounts Statistics...........................................................................Central Statistical Organization

National Emblems Significance of Signs and Symbols
Country Emblem Symbol Meaning

India......................................Sarnath Lion Capital Red triangle................................. Family planning
Australia.................................................Kangaroo Red cross............................. Hospital/Ambulance
Bangladesh...........................................Water Lily Red light................................ Danger/Emergency
Canada..................................................White Lily Green light.................................. Line clear signal
France.............................................................Lily Olive branch............................................... Peace
Germany.............................................Corn flower Black arm-band............. Sign of mourning/protest
Iran............................................................... Rose Dove........................................................... Peace
Italy .......................................................White Lily Black flag....................... Demonstration of protest

Red flag........................Sign of danger, revolution
Japan.......................................... Chrysanthemum
Yellow Flag........................ Displayed by ship with
Pakistan..................................................Crescent
infectious disease on board or ship in quarantine
Spain........................................................... Eagle
White Flag.................................................... Truce
Sri Lanka.......................................... Sword & Lion
Tricolour.............................. National Flag of India
Russia.................................... Sickle and Hammer Lotus................................. Culture and civilization
Norway........................................................... Lion Wheel...................................................... Progress
Spain........................................................... Eagle Flag flown half mast................. National mourning
United Kingdom............................................ Rose Flag flown upside down........................... Distress
USA................................................... Golden Rod A blind-folded woman holding a balance.....Justice
Country Symbols
Country Symbol
India.................................................................................................................................. Royal Bengal Tiger
China...................................................................................................................................................Dragon
Russia........................................................................................................................................... Brown Bear
USA............................................................................................................................................... Bald Eagle
Spain........................................................................................................................................Red Carnation
Japan..................................................................................................................................... Cherry Blossom
England...................................................................................................................................................Rose
Australia......................................................................................................................... Golden Wattle Flower
South Africa................................................................................................................................... Blue Crane
Greece ....................................................................................................................................... Olive Branch
nn

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GENERAL Revised &

B. Singh & A.P. Singh

MADE EASY Publications

1st Edition: 2006

Typeset at: MADE EASY Publications, New Delhi-110016

Section A: General Knowledge

1. World: General Facts............................................................................................ 241-242

Section C: Indian History

1. The Indus Valley Civilization (23501750 BC)....................................................... 313-315

1. Early Medieval India............................................................................................. 347-348

1. Ascendancy of the Britishers................................................................................ 375-380

Section E: Life Science

Section F: Indian Economy

IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS The funds and programmes are subsidiary

The United Nations System

funding proposals for approval by the Secretary-General.

1. General Assembly Japan Malaysia

6. The Secretariat Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to UN

2. UN Development Programme (UNDP) (iii) It provides technical assistance tailored

International Specialised Agencies

As an independent international organization

NAM formally came into existence in 1961 as the

Sl. Year Venue Chairperson Member Countries

1st 1961 Belgrade (Yugoslavia) Josip Broz Tito 25

2nd 1964 Cairo (Egypt) Gamel Abdel Nasser 47

14th 2006 Havana (Cuba) Fidel Castro Ruz 118

15th 2009 Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) Md. Hosni Mubarak 118

16th 2012 Tehran (Iran) Mohammad Morsi 120

17th 2016 Caracas (Venezuela) 120

a combined GDP of US $750 billion, and a EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

As its customers are Central Banks and

Current Members countries have participated as guests in previous

GROUP OF 8 (G-8) GROUP OF 15 (G-15)

7th 2008 Beijing China 24th May 2014

11th 2016 Ulaanbaatar Mangolia 28th Nov 2016 Vientiane Laos

EAST ASIA SUMMIT (EAS)

Sl. Year Country Place 10th 2015 Kualalumpur Malaysia

ASIA CO-OPERATION DIALOGUE (ACD) RED CROSS

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (i) ISO 9000 family

and restoration of the environment formerly energy for peaceful purposes.

National Flag of India which, was composed by Rabindra Nath

Indian National Symbols

National Bird............................................................................................................Peacock (Pavo Cristatus)

National Flower............................................................................................. ..Lotus (Nelumbo Nucipera Gaertn)

National River...................................................................................................................................... Ganga

National Tree......................................................................................................Banyan (Ficus Benghalensis)

National Fruit........................................................................................................... Mango (Mangifera Indica)

National Aquatic Animal ................................................................................................... Ganges River Dolphin

National Heritage Animal ................................................................................................................. Elephant

National Game (De-facto)................................................................................................................... Hockey

National Drink........................................................................................................ Tea (Declared to be soon)

Official Publications of Different Countries/Organizations

Blue Book...................................................................................................Report by the British Government

Green Book........................................................................................................ Government of Italy and Iran

Grey Book...............................................................................................Japanese and Belgium Government

Orange Book................................................................................................. Government of the Netherlands

White Book..................................................................... Official publication of Germany, Portugal and China

White Paper (Shwet Patrika).....................................................................Issued by the Government of India

Yellow Book............................................................................................Issued by the Government of France