Question map
Which of the following is not a member of 'Gulf Cooperation Council?
Explanation
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the[2] United Arab Emirates.[1]
Looking at the options provided, we can verify that Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait are all members of the GCC[1], making options B, C, and D incorrect answers to this question.
Iran is notably absent from the list of GCC members. Iran, despite being a significant Gulf region country, is not part of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The GCC was established by Arab states of the Persian Gulf region, and Iran, being a non-Arab Persian state with different political and sectarian alignments, was not included in this regional bloc.
Therefore, **Iran is not a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council**, making option A the correct answer to this question.
Sources- [1] https://www.imf.org/en/publications/occasional-papers/issues/2016/12/30/monetary-union-among-member-countries-of-the-gulf-cooperation-council-16394
- [2] https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2016/october/cgroup.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Membership Elimination' question relying on the fundamental geopolitical fault line in West Asia: the Arab Monarchies (GCC) vs. Iran. If you understand the political context (Sunni Monarchies vs. Shia Republic) rather than just rote memorizing lists, this is a sitter.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly lists the six GCC member countries, showing the council's membership composition.
- Iran is not included in the named list of GCC members, implying it is not a member.
- Provides a member states list for the Gulf Cooperation Council.
- The listed members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates; Iran is not listed.
GCC is cited as an example of a 'Custom Union' grouping of countries in the Gulf region, implying it is a regional organisation of Gulf states.
A student could list which countries are commonly called 'Gulf' states (using a map) and then check whether Iran is conventionally counted among those GCC member states.
The Gulf Cooperation Council appears as a distinct regional organisation (a FATF regional member), showing GCC represents multiple Gulf countries rather than a single state.
Knowing GCC is a multi-state Gulf body, a student could compare known member states of GCC (from standard sources) to see if Iran is included.
Iran is listed alongside Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE as major oil exporters — countries that are also commonly identified as 'Gulf states'.
Using a world/regional map and the list of typical GCC members (Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain), a student can note Iran is geographically on the Gulf but check whether it appears on formal GCC member lists.
Iran is explicitly named as a member of another regional organisation (OPEC), showing Iran participates in regional intergovernmental bodies.
A student can use this pattern (Iran is member of some regional blocs) but must compare official GCC membership lists to verify whether Iran is a GCC member.
Iran is mentioned among countries supplying oil in term contracts with other states, reinforcing Iran's status as a major Gulf-region actor involved in Gulf-state economic networks.
A student could use Iran's economic ties to Gulf states as context but should check formal political membership lists of GCC rather than inferring membership from economic interaction.
- Explicitly lists the six GCC member countries and includes Saudi Arabia by name.
- From a reputable source (IMF) describing GCC membership.
- Clearly states the countries that comprise the GCC, naming Saudi Arabia.
- Concise confirmation of Saudi Arabia's membership.
- Member states list on the GCC page includes Saudi Arabia among the six members.
- Provides a direct enumeration of member countries including Saudi Arabia.
This snippet names the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as an example of a 'Custom Union', showing GCC is an institutional grouping of countries.
A student could note GCC is a formal Gulf-state bloc and then check which countries are commonly classified as 'Gulf' (using a map or list of Gulf states) to see if Saudi Arabia falls into that membership set.
FATF treats the 'Gulf Cooperation Council' as a single regional organisation, indicating GCC is a recognized multi-country regional body.
Knowing GCC is a regional organisation, a student can compare the membership of regional bodies (GCC) with the known countries of the Arabian/Persian Gulf to infer likely members including Saudi Arabia.
This snippet groups Saudi Arabia together with other named Gulf countries (Kuwait, UAE, Iran, Oman) when discussing oil imports, illustrating Saudi Arabia's inclusion in the set of 'Gulf' states.
A student can use such groupings (countries commonly listed as 'Gulf' producers) plus a basic map of the Gulf region to judge whether Saudi Arabia would be part of a Gulf state cooperative like the GCC.
Identifies Saudi Arabia specifically as an 'absolute monarchy', which matches the governance type of several Gulf monarchies that often form regional councils.
A student could infer that regional councils of Gulf monarchies likely include countries with similar political forms and then check which Gulf monarchies are members of GCC to test inclusion of Saudi Arabia.
Shows Saudi Arabia is a prominent member of another regional/international oil-related organisation (OPEC), indicating Saudi's active role in regional groupings.
A student might reason that a country active in one regional/international grouping (OPEC) is plausibly also a member of closely-linked regional bodies (like GCC) and verify by comparing lists of members.
- Explicitly lists the six GCC member countries and includes Oman by name.
- Direct authoritative source (IMF) naming Oman as a GCC member.
- Wikipedia's member-states list explicitly includes Oman among GCC members.
- Provides a concise list format showing Oman as one of the six member states.
- Another IMF source explicitly states the GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
- Reinforces that Oman is a named member of the GCC.
Lists 'Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)' as an example of a customs union among regional groupings, showing GCC is a formal group of Gulf states.
A student can note GCC groups Gulf states and then check which countries are geographically 'Gulf' states (using a map) to see if Oman is among them.
Mentions Oman among countries supplying energy (listed alongside Saudi, Kuwait, UAE, Iran) — identifying Oman as a Gulf state and participant in regional energy relations.
Combine this identification of Oman as a Gulf country with the fact that GCC groups Gulf states to suspect Oman could be a GCC member; verify by checking GCC member list on a map or reference.
Says remittances to India come from 'Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries', implying GCC denotes the Gulf countries that send large remittances (i.e., the Gulf states).
Use the idea that GCC = Gulf states and then see if Oman is typically classified among those Gulf states to judge likely membership.
Refers to the Gulf Cooperation Council as a regional organisation (one of two regional organisations in FATF), reinforcing that GCC is a recognized multi-state Gulf grouping.
Treat GCC as an official regional body of Gulf states and cross-reference which Gulf states (via a map or list) belong to it to test whether Oman is included.
Identifies the 'Gulf of Oman' as a named geographic feature, underscoring Oman's geographic location on the Gulf and its relevance to 'Gulf' groupings.
Use the geographic fact that Oman borders the Gulf of Oman to classify it as a Gulf country; then apply the rule that GCC groups Gulf countries to infer possible membership to be checked.
- Explicitly lists the six GCC member countries and includes Kuwait by name.
- Direct statement from an IMF publication naming Kuwait as a GCC member.
- Member states list on the Gulf Cooperation Council page explicitly includes Kuwait.
- Clear enumeration of all six GCC members with Kuwait among them.
GCC is explicitly named as an example of a 'Custom Union' grouping of countries, showing it is a formal regional organisation of Gulf states.
A student could note GCC is a Gulf regional bloc and then check whether Kuwait is geographically and politically one of the Gulf states that typically belong to such blocs.
GCC appears as a recognised regional organisation (listed among FATF members as a regional organisation), confirming GCC is an institutional entity representing Gulf countries.
Using this, a student could treat GCC as an institutional grouping whose membership likely consists of countries from the Arabian/Persian Gulf region and then see if Kuwait fits that regional category on a map.
Kuwait is listed among members of OPEC, placing it clearly among major oil-producing countries of the Middle East/Gulf region.
A student can combine Kuwait's identification as a Gulf-region oil state with the fact that GCC groups Gulf states to infer Kuwait is a plausible GCC candidate to verify.
Kuwait is named among the major exporters of oil and petroleum alongside other Gulf countries, reinforcing its classification as a Gulf state.
Knowing Kuwait is a Gulf oil exporter, a student can use a map/list of Gulf states and compare it to the known membership composition of GCC-type organisations to test the statement.
The term 'Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries' is used as a collective source of remittances, indicating GCC denotes a set of countries in the Gulf region.
A student could use that collective reference plus geographic knowledge of which countries lie on the Arabian/Persian Gulf to assess whether Kuwait is part of that set.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Fundamental IR knowledge found in any standard current affairs compilation or map study.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: International Institutions & Regional Blocs (West Asia focus).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 6 GCC Sisters: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain. Contrast with OPEC (which includes Iran, Iraq, Venezuela). Note that Iraq is a Gulf state but NOT a GCC member.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying a bloc, ask: 'Who is the rival?' The GCC exists largely as a security counter-balance to Iran. Therefore, Iran cannot be inside it.
The references cite the GCC as an example of a customs union / regional organisation, which is central to questions about membership and regional groupings.
UPSC often asks about regional organisations (composition, objectives, and types of economic integration). Mastering what the GCC is (a Gulf regional organisation/customs union) helps answer questions on membership, regional cooperation, and trade blocs. Study official member lists, formation history, and functions; compare with other regional bodies.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Custom Union > p. 504
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATE) > p. 282
The evidence explicitly lists Iran as an OPEC member but does not show Iran as a GCC member — highlighting the need to separate membership of different multilateral bodies.
Questions may test overlapping memberships (e.g., a country can be in OPEC but not in GCC). Aspirants should learn major global/regional organisations (OPEC, GCC, EAC, CEMAC etc.), their members and purposes. Prepare by making comparative tables of organisations and memorising core member lists.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) > p. 548
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Custom Union > p. 504
One reference notes FATF counts regional organisations such as the GCC, underscoring GCC's status as a collective entity in international fora rather than implying all Gulf states (or Iran) are members.
UPSC may frame questions on how regional blocs participate in global governance (observer/member roles). Understand distinctions between country-membership and regional-organisation membership in international institutions; learn examples and implications for diplomacy and policy.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATE) > p. 282
References identify the GCC as a named regional grouping (example of a customs union; a regional organisation in FATF context).
UPSC often asks about regional groupings (their nature, purpose, and member states). Knowing what the GCC is and how it is referenced helps frame questions on Gulf cooperation, economic integration, and regional diplomacy. Prepare by studying GCC's formation, objectives, and membership lists from primary sources.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Custom Union > p. 504
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATE) > p. 282
Several references explicitly describe Saudi Arabia (absolute monarchy; major oil producer; listed in international bodies like OPEC/IMF references).
Understanding Saudi Arabia's political system and international affiliations (economic and institutional roles) is high-yield for polity, international relations, and geography questions. It connects to topics on Gulf politics, energy geopolitics, and memberships in multilateral organisations. Study through country profiles and comparative frameworks.
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 9: From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments > a. Absolute monarchy > p. 201
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Resource Geopolitics > p. 93
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) > p. 548
Evidence mentions the GCC as a regional grouping and OPEC as an energy cartel listing Saudi Arabia as a member — useful to separate purpose and membership types.
UPSC frequently tests distinctions between regional political/economic blocs and sectoral organisations. Mastering this helps answer questions on cooperation mechanisms, trade policy vs commodity-management bodies, and membership implications. Prepare by comparing objectives, membership criteria, and functions of such bodies.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Custom Union > p. 504
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) > p. 548
The references mention the GCC as a named regional organisation (examples and as a FATF regional organisation), which is central to the statement about membership.
UPSC often asks about regional groupings and their significance in geopolitics and economics. Mastering what the GCC is and its role helps answer questions on Gulf cooperation, regional blocs and India–Gulf relations. Prepare by studying the purpose, functions and typical members of regional organisations and how they influence trade, security and diplomacy.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Custom Union > p. 504
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATE) > p. 282
Iraq is a major Gulf state but is NOT a GCC member due to its republican government and historical instability. Also, watch out for the 'Peninsula Shield Force', which is the military arm of the GCC.
Apply the 'Monarchy Test'. The GCC is essentially a club of Arab Monarchies (Kings/Emirs/Sultans). Iran is an Islamic Republic. Therefore, Iran is the odd one out.
Mains GS-2 (India & West Asia): The GCC is India's largest regional trading partner and source of 50%+ remittances. Iran is crucial for connectivity (Chabahar). Balancing relations between the GCC (Arab) and Iran (Persian) is the core challenge of India's 'Look West' policy.