51. Which of the following statements about BRICS is / are correct?

1. The 10th annual summit of BRICS was held in Brazil

2. The BRICS has launched Africa Regional Centre in Johannesburg

3. BRICS countries work for inclusive economic growth, value-added multilateral trade and investment in productive sectors Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

52. Which of the following statements related to the recent dispute in South China Sea is / are correct?

1. Vietnam’s state petroleum firm Petro Vietnam withdrew its consent for Spanish energy firm Repsol to move ahead with a drilling project in the South China Sea

2. The U.S. Navy has considerably expanded its presence in the South China Sea as well, sending a message to China that the United States is very much a Pacific power

3. Relations between Vietnam and USA has deteriorated in the last five years Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d)

53. Which of the following statements relating to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is / are correct?

1. The BRI was initiated in the year 2013 as an attempt to recreate the old Silk Road

2. The BRI is a smart power strategy which aims to wrap the entire world, not only Eurasia and Africa, and has become the leitmotif of China’s foreign policy

3. The BRI is a regional infrastructure project, through which China aims to establish itself as regional economic power

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d)

54. Which of the following statements relating to the further expansion of European Union is /are correct?

1. Emmanuel Macron has emerged as the leading opponent of further EU expansion

2. In most of the six Balkan states, opinion polls show a strong majority in favour of EU integration

3. Russia’s increasingly assertive foreign policy has no role in the integration of European Union

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d)

55. Recently USA has imposed heavy tariff on imported steel and aluminum items. Which of the following statements with regard to this is / are correct?

1. The levy does exempt Canada and Mexico

2. India has sought consultations with the US under the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism

3. India has a trade deficit with America

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d)

56. Which of the following statements regarding the World Bank is / are correct?

1. IBRD and IDA form the World Bank, which provides financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to governments of developing countries

2. IBRD focuses on the world’s poorest countries, while IDA assists middle income and creditworthy poorer countries

3. The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Answer: (c)

57. Which of the following statements relating to IMF is / are correct?

1. The IMF was conceived at a UN conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States, in July 1944

2. The IMF's primary purpose is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system

3. The Fund's mandate was updated in 2016 to include all macroeconomic and financial sector issues that bear on global stability

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d)

58. Which of the following statements relating to Organization of American States (OAS) is / are correct?

1. The founding of the OAS was based on the general acceptance of the principles of the U.S. Monroe Doctrine (Dec. 2, 1823) by the countries of the Western Hemisphere

2. OAS was formed to promote economic, military, and cultural cooperation among its members, which include almost all of the independent states of the Western Hemisphere

3. The OAS’s main goals is to prevent any outside state’s intervention in the Western Hemisphere

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Answer: (a)

59. Which of the following statements relating to the Council of Ministers in a State is / are OT

correct?

1. The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in Council of Ministers in a State shall not exceed ten per cent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State

2. The Governor shall administer the oaths of office and secrecy to the Ministers according to the norms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule

3. A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of the Legislature of the State shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister

Select the correct answer using the correct code given below

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (b)

60. Which one of the following statements regarding State Finance Commission is correct?

(a) The Governor of a State shall constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats

(b) The Commission shall review the financial position of all States in the country

(c) The tenure of the Commission is six years

(d) The Commission shall submit its recommendation to the Central Government

Answer: (a)