UPSC Prelims 2023 Q100: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
G-20 — Origins and India's Priorities
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G-20 was originally established as a platform for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors | TRUE | The G-20 was established in 1999 as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of 20 major economies to discuss international economic and financial issues. It was elevated to a Heads of State/Government summit format only after the 2008 global financial crisis. |
| 2 | Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is one of India's G-20 priorities | TRUE | India's G-20 Presidency (2023) prioritised Digital Public Infrastructure as a key agenda — India's UPI, Aadhaar, and DigiLocker were showcased as models. The G-20 Presidency under India championed DPI for developing nations. |
Both statements are correct.
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 alone — Statement 2 about DPI as India's G-20 priority is also correct.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 alone — Statement 1 about G-20's origins as a Finance Ministers forum is a documented historical fact.
- (c) CORRECT. Both statements are correct — G-20 was created in 1999 for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (later elevated to Heads of State in 2008), and Digital Public Infrastructure was India's G-20 presidency priority.
- (d) Incorrect. 'Neither' — both facts about G-20 origins and India's DPI priority are accurate.
Key point
G-20 = Finance Ministers + CBG forum (1999). Elevated to Leaders' Summit after 2008 crisis. India's G-20 2023 priority = Digital Public Infrastructure (UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker model). Both statements correct.
Remember
The G-20 was originally established in 1999 as a platform for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. Digital Public Infrastructure (India Stack model) was one of India's key G-20 presidency priorities in 2023. Both statements are correct.
Common mistakes
- Thinking G-20 was always a Heads of State forum — it started as Finance Ministers and became a Leaders' Summit only after the 2008 financial crisis.
- Not knowing India's G-20 priorities — DPI was India's signature contribution, offering the India Stack (UPI+Aadhaar) model to developing countries.
- Confusing G-20's 1999 formation with the G-7/G-8 origins — G-20 was created specifically to include emerging market economies in financial governance.
Exam tip
G-20 founded 1999 = Finance Ministers + CBGs. 2008 crisis = elevated to Heads of State summit. India G-20 Presidency 2023: DPI, climate finance, multilateral development bank reform, food/energy security. DPI = India's global tech diplomacy flagship.
Sources
- G-20 — Official History and Mandate
- Ministry of External Affairs — India's G-20 Presidency 2023