BharatNotes
Static GK
International Organisations
Founded · HQ · Members · Current Head · India's Status — all major organisations tested in UPSC Prelims & GS2. Updated April 2026.
How UPSC tests this: Three question types — (1) Match the organisation to its HQ/founding year, (2) India's membership status (founding member / year of joining / non-member), (3) Current heads and recent summits. Data below is verified to April 2026 — current-affairs developments (WHO withdrawals, BRICS expansion, BIMSTEC Charter) are flagged separately.
🌐 United Nations & Specialised Agencies
| Organisation | Founded | HQ | Members | Current Head | India's Status | Key UPSC Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations (UN) | 1945 (San Francisco Charter) |
New York, USA | 193 member states + 2 observer states (Holy See, Palestine) | António Guterres, Secretary-General (2nd term; ends 31 Dec 2026) | Founding member (1945); permanent UNSC seat aspirant (P5: USA, UK, France, Russia, China) | P5 members have veto power in UNSC. UNGA elects non-permanent UNSC members. Guterres' term ends Dec 2026 — successor selection underway. |
| IMF (International Monetary Fund) |
1944 (Bretton Woods) |
Washington D.C., USA | 190 member states | Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director (since Oct 2019) | Founding member (1945); quota ~2.76%; 8th largest quota; voting share ~2.64% | IMF deals with macroeconomic stability & BOP crises. India has NOT accepted an IMF bailout since 1991. Quota raised under 16th General Review (2023, +50% equiproportional increase). |
| World Bank Group | 1944 (Bretton Woods; IBRD operational 1946) |
Washington D.C., USA | 5 institutions: IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID | Ajay Banga, President (since June 2023 — Indian-American) | Founding member; largest single borrower — ~USD 39.3 bn outstanding loans (2025) | World Bank funds development projects (≠ IMF which handles macroeconomic stability). IBRD = middle-income countries; IDA = poorest countries (India graduated from IDA eligibility). |
| WTO (World Trade Organization) |
1995 (replaced GATT 1947) |
Geneva, Switzerland | 166 members | Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, DG (2nd term from 1 Sep 2025 — first woman & first African DG) | Founding member (1995); frequent party in dispute settlement | WTO's Appellate Body effectively non-functional since 2019 (US blocking appointments) — major governance issue. India has used WTO dispute mechanism actively (sugar subsidies, solar panels, etc.). |
| WHO (World Health Organization) |
1948 | Geneva, Switzerland | 194 members (standard answer; USA withdrew Jan 2026, Argentina withdrew Mar 2026) | Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (since 2017; 2nd term till Aug 2027) | Founding member (1948); active participant | USA & Argentina withdrew in 2026 — significant current-affairs point. Standard prelims answer: 194 members. Use ~192 for post-Jan 2026 context. |
| UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization) |
1945 | Paris, France | 194 member states (US withdrawal effective Dec 2026 — still full member until then) | Khaled El-Enany, DG (since 15 Nov 2025 — first Arab DG, Egyptian) | Founding member (1946); India has 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites; re-elected to Executive Board 2025–29 | UNESCO inscribes World Heritage Sites (cultural & natural) and Intangible Cultural Heritage. US withdrawal effective Dec 2026. |
| ILO (International Labour Organization) |
1919 (Treaty of Versailles — oldest UN specialised agency) |
Geneva, Switzerland | 187 member states | Gilbert F. Houngbo, DG (since Oct 2022 — first African DG of ILO) | Founding member since 28 Jun 1919; permanent member of Governing Body since 1922 | ILO is tripartite — governments, employers & workers (unique structure). India has ratified 6 of 8 core conventions — has NOT ratified C87 (freedom of association) & C98 (right to organise/collective bargaining). |
| IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) |
1957 | Vienna, Austria | 178 member states | Rafael Grossi, DG (since Dec 2019) | IAEA member; India–IAEA Safeguards Agreement in force since Aug 2008 (item-specific, not full-scope NPT safeguards) | India is not a signatory to NPT; India is not a member of NSG (bid blocked by China). India has item-specific IAEA safeguards (only declared civilian facilities), not comprehensive safeguards. |
🤝 Plurilateral Groupings & Regional Bodies
| Organisation | Founded | HQ | Members | Current Head / Chair | India's Status | Key UPSC Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRICS | 2009 (first leaders' summit, Yekaterinburg; BRIC FMs met 2006) |
No permanent HQ (rotating chair) |
10 full members: Original 5 (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) + Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE (Jan 2024) + Indonesia (Jan 2025). Partner country category also created (9+ partners including Saudi Arabia). | India holds BRICS Chairmanship 2026 (4th time; earlier: 2012, 2016, 2021) | Founding member (BRIC 2006) | South Africa joined in 2011 (turning BRIC to BRICS). 2024 Kazan Summit expanded to 9+. Saudi Arabia was invited but has not formally joined. Indonesia joined Jan 2025 as 10th full member. |
| SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) |
2001 (Shanghai; Shanghai Five existed from 1996) |
Beijing, China (Secretariat); Tashkent (RATS — anti-terror body) | 10 full members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran (2023), Belarus (2024) | Nurlan Yermekbayev (Kazakhstan), Secretary-General (Jan 2025–Dec 2027) | Full member since 2017 (Astana Summit) — India and Pakistan admitted simultaneously | RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) is SCO's key security body. India joined same summit as Pakistan — often tested. Iran joined 2023; Belarus joined 2024. |
| G20 | 1999 (finance ministers); Leaders' Summits from 2008 |
No permanent HQ (rotating presidency hosts) |
21 members: 19 countries + EU + African Union (admitted at India's 2023 New Delhi Summit) | USA holds 2026 Presidency (Miami Summit); South Africa held 2025 | Founding member; India held 2023 Presidency (New Delhi Summit; theme: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam) | G20 covers ~85% of world GDP and ~75% of global trade. African Union admitted at India's 2023 summit — high-yield exam fact. G20 ≠ treaty organisation — no permanent secretariat. |
| ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) |
1967 (Bangkok Declaration, 8 Aug 1967) |
Jakarta, Indonesia (Secretariat) | 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam | Dr. Kao Kim Hourn (Cambodia), Secretary-General (2023–2027) | Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) since 2022; Dialogue Partner since 1992; India is NOT a member of ASEAN | Timor-Leste is observer and candidate for 11th membership. India has ASEAN-India FTA (goods). ASEAN's founding five: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand. |
| Commonwealth (of Nations) |
1949 (London Declaration — modern Commonwealth) |
Marlborough House, London, UK | 56 member states | Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (Ghana), Secretary-General (since 1 April 2025 — replaced Patricia Scotland) | Founding member (1949 London Declaration); largest population contributor (~1.4 bn) | Commonwealth is voluntary — operates by consensus, not binding treaty. Mozambique and Rwanda are members despite no colonial British link. Head of the Commonwealth: King Charles III. |
| Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) |
2007 (original, under PM Abe); revived 2017; Leaders' Summits from 2021 | No permanent HQ or Secretariat (informal grouping) | 4 members: India, USA, Japan, Australia | No permanent head (rotating host); Leaders' Summit held annually | Full member | Quad is NOT a treaty-based alliance — no Article 5-style mutual defence clause. Focus: free & open Indo-Pacific, supply chain resilience, health security, climate, critical tech. China views it as "Asian NATO" — India rejects that framing. |
🌏 South Asia & India's Neighbourhood
| Organisation | Founded | HQ | Members | India's Status & Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) |
1961 (1st Summit, Belgrade, 1–6 Sep 1961) |
No permanent HQ (host country chairs) |
121 member states + 17 observer states | Founding member; Nehru was one of five founders (with Tito of Yugoslavia, Nasser of Egypt, Nkrumah of Ghana, Sukarno of Indonesia). NAM principles (Panchsheel) are basis of India's foreign policy. |
| SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) |
1985 (Dhaka Charter, 8 Dec 1985) |
Kathmandu, Nepal (Secretariat since Jan 1987) |
8 members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka | Founding member. No summit since 2014 (18th Summit, Kathmandu). 19th summit was to be held in Pakistan (2016) but India withdrew after Uri attack — SAARC effectively stalled due to India-Pakistan tensions. |
| BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical & Economic Cooperation) |
1997 (as BIST-EC); renamed BIMSTEC 2004 |
Dhaka, Bangladesh (Permanent Secretariat since 2014) |
7 members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand | Leading member; contributes 32% of Secretariat budget; lead country for 4 priority sectors. BIMSTEC Charter signed Mar 2022 (5th Summit, Colombo); came into force April 2024 after all ratifications — major UPSC update. India promotes BIMSTEC as alternative to stalled SAARC. |
🚫 Key Organisations India is NOT a Member Of
| Organisation | Why India is Not a Member | India's Status |
|---|---|---|
| NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) | India considers NPT discriminatory — it recognises only 5 nuclear weapon states (P5) and requires others to give up nuclear weapons. India tested nuclear weapons in 1974 (Smiling Buddha) and 1998 (Pokhran-II) outside NPT framework. | Non-signatory |
| NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) | NSG requires NPT membership for full membership. India bid for membership in 2016; China blocked. However, India operates under a special waiver (2008 NSG waiver) allowing civil nuclear trade. | Non-member; operates under 2008 NSG waiver |
| ASEAN | India is a geographically non-Southeast Asian country. India is a Dialogue Partner and Comprehensive Strategic Partner, not a member. | Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) since 2022 |
| OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) | OECD is primarily a club of advanced/developed economies. India has had Enhanced Engagement status; accession negotiations opened 2023. | Accession discussions ongoing (2023–); not yet a member |
| OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) | India is a net oil importer, not an oil-exporting country. India is not eligible for membership. | Not applicable (importer); India is in IEA (International Energy Agency) |
⚡ Quick Recall — HQ Mapping
| City | Organisations HQ'd Here |
|---|---|
| Geneva, Switzerland | WHO · WTO · ILO · UNHCR · ICRC · ITU · WIPO · WMO · IOM |
| New York, USA | UN (HQ) · UNICEF · UNDP · UN Women |
| Washington D.C., USA | IMF · World Bank Group · IFC · OAS |
| Paris, France | UNESCO · OECD · IEA · Interpol |
| Vienna, Austria | IAEA · OPEC · UNODC · OSCE · UNIDO |
| Rome, Italy | FAO · WFP · IFAD |
| Nairobi, Kenya | UNEP · UN-Habitat |
| London, UK | Commonwealth (Marlborough House) · IMO · IAEA safeguards tribunal |
| Brussels, Belgium | NATO · EU (Council, Commission) · Eurocontrol |
| Beijing, China | SCO Secretariat · AIIB |
| Jakarta, Indonesia | ASEAN Secretariat |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | SAARC Secretariat |
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | BIMSTEC Secretariat |
| The Hague, Netherlands | ICJ · ICC · OPCW · Eurojust |
⚠️ High-Frequency Exam Traps
| Trap / MCQ Point | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| WTO replaced which organisation? | GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1947). WTO established 1995. |
| ILO is the oldest UN specialised agency? | Yes — ILO was founded in 1919 (Treaty of Versailles), predating the UN itself (1945). It became a UN specialised agency in 1946. |
| India joined SCO in which year? | 2017 (Astana Summit). India and Pakistan joined simultaneously. |
| African Union was admitted to G20 at which summit? | India's 2023 New Delhi Summit. AU became the 21st member of G20. |
| BIMSTEC has how many members? | 7: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand. (Pakistan is NOT a member — common trap.) |
| SAARC has how many members? | 8: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. |
| India is a founding member of the IMF? | Yes — India joined in 1945 at the inception of the Bretton Woods institutions. |
| Where is the IMF headquartered? | Washington D.C., USA — same as World Bank. Both are Bretton Woods institutions but serve different functions. |
| World Bank President is always from the USA? | Traditionally yes — but Ajay Banga (Indian-American) became President in June 2023. He is the first person of Indian origin to hold this role. |
| Does India have a veto in the UN Security Council? | No. Only the P5 (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) have veto power. India is a non-permanent UNSC member (elected periodically). |
| NAM was founded at which conference? | 1st Belgrade Summit, 1–6 September 1961. The Bandung Conference (1955) was a precursor but is NOT the founding conference of NAM. |
| Is Quad a formal military alliance? | No. Quad has no treaty basis, no permanent secretariat, no Article 5-type mutual defence clause. It is an informal security dialogue. |
| BRICS had how many members before 2024? | 5 (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). In 2024 (Kazan Summit), 4 new members joined in January 2024; Indonesia joined January 2025 → now 10 full members. |
| ASEAN has how many members? | 10 — Timor-Leste is a candidate for 11th membership but has NOT yet joined. |
Exam strategy: For international organisations, UPSC tests three layers — (1) static facts (HQ, founding year, member count), (2) India's specific status (founding member vs later joiner, member vs non-member, dialogue partner vs full member), (3) current-affairs updates (new heads, new members, summits, withdrawals). Always note what India is not part of — NPT, NSG, ASEAN — as these are frequent traps.