MCQs - 2026-04

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the primary measure of retail inflation in India, released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).

The development of 'BRICS Pay' is often seen as an effort to create an alternative to the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) system, which is largely controlled by Western nations and has been used for sanctions.

'BRICS Pay' is a key initiative in the BRICS bloc's efforts towards financial de-dollarization, aiming to reduce the dominance of the US dollar in international trade and strengthen the role of member countries' national currencies.

'BRICS Pay' aims to create an independent payment system that allows member countries to conduct cross-border transactions directly in their local currencies, reducing reliance on the US dollar and Western financial infrastructure like SWIFT.

The 'Uniting for Consensus' (UfC) group, led by Italy and including countries like Pakistan, South Korea, Canada, and Spain, opposes the creation of new permanent seats and instead advocates for an increase in non-permanent seats with longer terms.

The G4 nations advocate for an expansion of the UN Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, arguing that the current structure does not reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.

The G4 nations comprise India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan. These countries support each other's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.

India-ASEAN maritime cooperation primarily focuses on traditional maritime security challenges, sustainable ocean management, and capacity building. Space exploration and asteroid mining fall outside the scope of typical maritime cooperation agendas.

India's 'Act East Policy' is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, aiming to strengthen economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region, particularly ASEAN countries. Maritime cooperation is a crucial component of this policy.

The India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Summits primarily aim to enhance regional maritime security, promote freedom of navigation, ensure sustainable use of marine resources, and foster cooperation in areas like HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) and blue economy initiatives.