In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20 ?
- (a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
- (c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
- (d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea
Why the answer is (a)
• The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the EU (and, since 2023, the African Union): Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA.
• Option (a) — Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey — are all members.
• Malaysia and New Zealand (b), Iran and Vietnam (c), and Singapore (d) are not members, though Singapore is often invited as a guest.
• India held the G20 presidency in 2023.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
- Malaysia and New Zealand are not G20 members.
- (c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
- Iran and Vietnam are not G20 members.
- (d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea
- Singapore is not a G20 member.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.