UPSC Prelims 2008 Q62: Indian Economy – International Institutions & Reports
India is a member of which of the following?
1. Asian Development Bank
2. Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation
3. Colombo Plan
4. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Checking India's membership in four international organizations
India holds membership in several, but not all, major international economic/development bodies.
| Organization | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Asian Development Bank | Correct | India is a founding member of the ADB |
| 2. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) | Incorrect | India is NOT a member of APEC |
| 3. Colombo Plan | Correct | India is a member of the Colombo Plan, a regional development cooperation framework |
| 4. OECD | Incorrect | India is NOT a member of the OECD |
India's actual memberships (among these four):
| Organization | India's status |
|---|---|
| ADB, Colombo Plan | Member |
| APEC, OECD | NOT a member |
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. India is a member of the ADB and Colombo Plan, but NOT APEC or OECD.
- (b) Incorrect. Organizations 2 and 4 (APEC, OECD) are ones India is NOT a member of, so '2 and 4 only' is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Organization 2 (APEC) is one India is NOT a member of, so '1, 2 and 3 only' wrongly includes it.
- (d) Incorrect. Organizations 2 and 4 (APEC, OECD) are both ones India is NOT a member of, so 'all four' is wrong.
Key point
India is a member of the Asian Development Bank and the Colombo Plan — but India is NOT a member of APEC or the OECD.
Remember
India is a member of the Asian Development Bank and the Colombo Plan, but NOT APEC or the OECD.
Common mistakes
- Assuming India, as a major Asian economy, must be part of APEC.
- Confusing India's developing-economy status with automatic OECD membership (OECD is primarily a developed-economies club).
- Not knowing India's specific membership in the Colombo Plan, a lesser-known regional body.
Exam tip
India: ADB member, Colombo Plan member — but NOT an APEC or OECD member. A specific set of memberships to verify individually.
Sources
- Asian Development Bank — Members: India (member since 1966)
- Colombo Plan Secretariat — Member Countries