Question map
In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20 ?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1.
The G20 is an international forum comprising 19 individual countries and the European Union (recently joined by the African Union). To identify the correct group, one must verify that every country listed is a permanent member of this premier forum for international economic cooperation.
- Option 1 is correct because Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey are all founding members of the G20, representing diverse regions including Latin America, Africa, and Eurasia.
- Option 2 is incorrect because while Australia and Canada are members, Malaysia and New Zealand are not.
- Option 3 is incorrect because although Brazil and Saudi Arabia are members, Iran and Vietnam are not part of the G20.
- Option 4 is incorrect because while Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea are members, Singapore is not a permanent member (though it is frequently invited as a guest).
Thus, only Option 1 contains a set where all four nations hold G20 membership.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis question was a direct lift from the practice section of Nitin Singhania's 'Indian Economy' (Chapter 18). While it appears to be a rote-learning test, it rewards understanding 'Systemic Importance'—G20 members are regional hegemons with large GDP/populations, not just wealthy small nations.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Are Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey all members of the G20 as of 2020?
- Statement 2: Are Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand all members of the G20 as of 2020?
- Statement 3: Are Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam all members of the G20 as of 2020?
- Statement 4: Are Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea all members of the G20 as of 2020?
- This is the official G20 website listing all members.
- The list explicitly includes Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey among G20 members.
- Independent summary of G20 membership that also lists the countries.
- Explicitly names Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey as G20 members.
This source presents a multiple‑choice question that groups 'Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey' together as a candidate set of G20 members (showing this exact quartet is considered in G20-related exercises).
A student could take this as a hint to check an authoritative G20 member list circa 2020 to confirm or refute that particular grouping.
Notes that Mexico and South Africa often represent developing countries alongside India, Brazil — indicating Mexico and South Africa are placed among notable emerging economies that frequently participate in major economic forums.
A student could use this pattern (emerging-economy participation) plus a G20 membership list to judge whether Mexico and South Africa are included in G20.
Lists Turkey, Mexico and Argentina among top contributors to the UN regular budget (showing they are internationally significant states with notable global roles).
A student could combine this indication of international significance with a G20 membership roster to assess likelihood that these countries are G20 members.
States Argentina received the largest-ever IMF assistance in 2018 (US$57 billion), signalling Argentina's prominent role in global financial dealings.
A student could infer Argentina's economic prominence makes G20 membership plausible and then verify against an official 2020 G20 list.
- The passage explicitly lists which countries (among the discussed group) are members of the G20.
- Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand are not included in that explicit list of G20 members, implying they are not members in this context.
- This passage repeats the explicit list of G20 members among the referenced donors.
- The four countries named in the question do not appear in this listed set of G20 members.
This source contains a multiple‑choice question explicitly asking which set of four countries are all members of the G20 and lists the quartet (Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand) as one option.
A student could use this as an example of exam items testing G20 membership and cross‑check authoritative G20 membership lists for 2020 to accept or reject that option.
Explains composition and recent expansion conversations about high‑level groups of major economies (G7 to G11 idea in 2020), illustrating that membership of global economic clubs is topic of active change.
A student could transfer this pattern (major‑economy groupings being documented and debated) to look up whether Australia/Canada/New Zealand/Malaysia appear on published G20 membership lists in 2020.
Gives an example list of developed non‑EU countries that 'usually' group together and explicitly includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand — showing these three are commonly considered among advanced economies.
A student could infer that countries commonly listed among major developed economies (Australia, Canada, New Zealand) are plausible G20 members and then verify Malaysia's status separately against an official G20 roster for 2020.
Lists top contributors to the UN budget and shows Canada and Australia among the larger contributors, indicating their economic significance relative to many countries.
A student might use the pattern that relatively large economy/contributor countries are likely G20 candidates and therefore check whether Canada and Australia are on the 2020 G20 member list (and separately test Malaysia and New Zealand).
Describes IMF voting shares and explicitly lists Canada among prominent economic actors, emphasizing Canada’s role in major international financial groupings.
A student could treat IMF prominence as a proxy indicator of likelihood of inclusion in groups like the G20 and then consult an authoritative 2020 G20 membership source to confirm actual membership for each listed country.
- Official G20 members list explicitly names Brazil and Saudi Arabia as members.
- The same list does not include Iran or Vietnam among G20 members, implying they are not members.
- Reiterates the G20 membership and again includes Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
- Does not list Iran or Vietnam among permanent members, supporting that they are not G20 members.
G20 composition is described (19 countries + EU) and purpose — gives a rule about which kinds of countries are members (systemically important industrialised and developing economies).
A student could list the largest/systemically important economies in 2020 and check whether each of the four countries fits that profile to judge likely membership.
The IMF vote-share excerpt names Brazil and Saudi Arabia among major members, implying they are large/important economies.
Use the fact that G20 members tend to be major IMF stakeholders to infer Brazil and Saudi Arabia are likely G20 members, while absence of Iran/Vietnam from the list weakens their candidacy.
The UN regular budget contributors list shows Brazil and Saudi Arabia included among top contributors, indicating international economic significance.
A student could extend this by comparing top UN contributors with known G20 membership to see if Brazil and Saudi Arabia match typical G20 members and whether Iran/Vietnam appear similarly.
The multiple-choice question lists country-groups framed around 'members of G20', providing examples/typical groupings used to test G20 membership knowledge.
A student could use these example groupings as candidate lists and cross-check each country against an external 2020 G20 membership list to accept or eliminate the statement.
Snippet shows Iran is an OPEC member and highlights its role as an oil producer, which is a distinct international grouping separate from G20.
Knowing Iran's OPEC membership but no direct link to G20, a student might treat Iran's prominent oil status as insufficient evidence of G20 membership and verify against a G20 roster.
- Official G20 members list in the passage explicitly names Indonesia, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
- Singapore is not included in this enumeration of G20 members.
- This passage lists the Asian G20 members as Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.
- Again, Singapore is not listed among the G20 members here.
- This source lists permanent G20 members and includes Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.
- The list does not include Singapore as a G20 member.
This textbook question explicitly proposes the quartet 'Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea' as one of the candidate groups of four countries that could all be G20 members, indicating the grouping is considered plausible in exam contexts.
A student could compare this proposed grouping with an authoritative 2020 list of G20 members to confirm or refute it.
Explains composition and expansion discussion of major economic clubs (G7/G8) and notes a 2020 proposal to include South Korea among expanded membership, linking South Korea to high-level economic groupings.
Use the pattern that major economic powers discussed for inclusion in groupings are likely candidates for G20 membership and check an official G20 roster for 2020.
Lists major UN budget contributors and includes 'Republic of Korea' among the top contributors, signalling South Korea's status as a significant economy.
A student could infer that significant contributors/economies are commonly G20 members and cross-check the 2020 G20 membership list accordingly.
Describes ASEAN's founding members and lists Indonesia and Singapore as founding/central ASEAN states, highlighting Indonesia's regional prominence and Singapore's international economic role.
Given ASEAN members' economic prominence, a student might inspect whether prominent regional economies like Indonesia and Singapore were included in G20 in 2020.
Notes that organizations like the OECD include non-European major economies such as Japan, underscoring Japan's status as a leading global economy.
Use Japan's clear status as a leading economy to check its membership in major groupings like the G20 for 2020.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter (Hidden in Plain Sight) + Source: Nitin Singhania (Indian Economy), Chapter 18 Practice Questions (Exact Match).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: International Economic Organizations & Groupings (G20, G7, BRICS, SCO, ASEAN).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize G20 by Region: NA (US, Can, Mex), SA (Bra, Arg), Eur (UK, Fr, Ger, It, EU, Tur, Rus), Asia (Ind, Chn, Jap, SK, Indo, Sau), Aus, Afr (SA, AU). Note the 'Missing Giants': Spain (Permanent Guest), Nigeria, Iran, Pakistan.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize lists linearly. Use the 'Regional Power' filter. Every continent must have its biggest economies represented. If an option has a 'small' country (Singapore, NZ) or a 'pariah' state (Iran), eliminate it immediately.
Developing countries such as Mexico, Brazil and South Africa often form collective platforms (e.g., G8+5, IBSA) to advance shared economic interests.
High-yield for UPSC: understanding these groupings helps explain why certain countries seek or gain access to major economic forums and how coalition politics shape global governance. Links to international relations, trade policy and questions on multilateral diplomacy; enables analysis questions on why states cluster and how representation is negotiated.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > INDIA'S ROLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS > p. 59
Relative shares of contributions (e.g., Turkey, Mexico, Argentina listed with specific percentages) reflect countries' economic size and influence in multilateral forums.
High-yield for UPSC: useful metric to infer a country's global role when direct membership lists are not available. Connects to topics on global governance, voting power in international organisations and debates on representation; enables elimination-style reasoning in MCQs about which countries are likely included in major groups.
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Major contributors to the UN regular budget for 2019 > p. 53
Large IMF programmes (e.g., Argentina's major 2018 assistance) signal economic vulnerability and international financial prominence.
Relevant for UPSC: helps link macroeconomic health with geopolitical standing and membership claims in finance-focused clubs. Connects to public finance, external sector crises and international financial architecture; useful for analytical answers on why some countries are prominent in global economic discussions despite domestic distress.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Indian Economy > p. 518
G7 is the club of highly industrialised countries (United States, Canada, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Japan) and in 2020 there were proposals to expand its membership to include additional countries such as India, Russia, South Korea and Australia.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often test differences between major economic groupings (G7 vs G20) and recent shifts in membership or expansion proposals; connects to geopolitics, global governance and foreign policy. Mastering this helps answer comparative questions on international forums and membership dynamics.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > 2 G7 > p. 547
The Umbrella Group typically comprises non-European developed countries including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Useful for UPSC topics on climate negotiations, multilateral coalitions and negotiating blocs; helps distinguish different informal groupings that countries join for policy coordination. This concept enables pattern-recognition questions about which countries align in environmental and diplomatic fora.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > Umbrellagroup > p. 428
Major budget and quota contributors such as Canada and Australia hold notable shares in UN/IMF financing and voting, reflecting their economic influence among global institutions.
Key for UPSC because economic contribution often correlates with voice and membership in high-level forums; links to international organisations, global economy and diplomacy. Mastery helps answer questions on why certain countries are prominent in multilateral institutions and policy-making.
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Major contributors to the UN regular budget for 2019 > p. 53
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > IMF > p. 47
G20 is a forum of major industrialised and developing economies brought together to discuss key global economic issues.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about major multilateral economic groupings and their roles; connects to international economic policy, global GDP/trade shares, and India's place in global forums. Mastering this helps answer direct membership, role, and comparative questions on economic governance.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > B G<sub>20</sub> > p. 547
Spain is a 'Permanent Guest' invitee, not a member. The African Union (AU) was admitted as a permanent member in 2023. Expect a future question on the 'Troika' system (Past, Present, Future presidencies) or the distinction between the 'Sherpa Track' and 'Finance Track'.
Use the 'GDP & Size Filter'. G20 members are 'Systemically Important' (Big Economy + Big Population).
- Option B: New Zealand (Too small) & Malaysia (Regional, not global).
- Option C: Iran (Sanctioned/Isolated) & Vietnam (Emerging, but not top 20).
- Option D: Singapore (City-state; influential but not a G20-sized economy).
- Option A: Argentina, Mexico, Turkey, South Africa are all the dominant economies of their respective regions.
Mains GS-2 (Global Groupings): G20 represents the shift from the 'Atlantic Alliance' (G7) to 'Multipolarity'. It is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, bridging the Global North and South (unlike OECD or G7).