With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements : 1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009. 2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (b)
• The first BRIC summit was held at Yekaterinburg, Russia, in June 2009 — not Rio de Janeiro, so statement 1 is wrong.
• Statement 2 is correct: South Africa joined in December 2010, attending the 2011 Sanya summit, turning BRIC into BRICS (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joined later in 2024).
• Hence 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: the first summit was at Yekaterinburg.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 2 is correct: South Africa joined last (as of 2014).
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.