📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.97 | Classroom Explanation
(International Relations | BRICS | Global Governance)

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📌 Question

Q.97)
Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:

I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was “Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.”

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) I and III
(d) I only

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✅ Correct Answer: (a) I and II

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This is a pure current-affairs + word-trap question, typical UPSC style.
The examiner tests:

• Summit facts
• Membership expansion
• Exact wording of theme

Let us decode carefully.

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🔍 Statement-wise Analysis

🔹 Statement I
“16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.”
✅ Correct

• The 16th BRICS Summit was held at Kazan, Russia
• Dates: 22–24 October 2024
• Russia was the Chair
• This was the first BRICS summit after expansion (BRICS+)

📌 High-value note:
Kazan Summit marked the transition from BRICS → Expanded BRICS

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🔹 Statement II
“Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.”
✅ Correct

• Indonesia officially became a full member of BRICS
• First Southeast Asian country to join BRICS
• Entry endorsed at Johannesburg Summit (2023)
• Formal announcement made during Brazil’s BRICS Presidency (2025)

📌 Geopolitical significance:

• Expands BRICS footprint into ASEAN
• Strengthens Global South representation

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🔹 Statement III
“Theme was ‘Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.’”
❌ Incorrect

• Actual theme was:
  👉 “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security.”
• UPSC trap:
  • Multiculturalism ❌
  • Multilateralism ✅

📌 UPSC Pattern Alert:
Theme-word substitution is a classic eliminator

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🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)

“Kazan 2024: Russia chaired, Indonesia joined, multilateralism—not multiculturalism.”

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📍 GS Mapping

BRICS, Global Governance, Global South

GS Paper II

International Relations

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