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Q59 (IAS/2024) Economy › External Sector & Trade › International economic institutions Official Key

Consider the following statements : 1. India is a member of the International Grains Council. 2. A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A (1 only).

India is listed among the member states of the International Grains Council (IGC)[2], making statement 1 correct.

Statement 2 is incorrect because the International Grains Council is an intergovernmental organization which oversees the Grains Trade Convention and seeks to promote cooperation in the global grain trade[3]. The IGC's role is to promote cooperation and transparency in grain trade, not to regulate or restrict it. Membership is not a prerequisite for countries to engage in rice and wheat trade. Many countries that are not IGC members actively export and import grains in the international market. The organization serves as a forum for information sharing and cooperation rather than as a mandatory regulatory body for grain trade.

Therefore, only statement 1 is correct, making option A the right answer.

Sources
  1. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Grains_Council
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : 1. India is a member of the International Grains Council. 2. A country needs to be a member of the In…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 5/10

This question rewards 'Exam Temperament' over rote learning. While the IGC is obscure, Statement 2 is logically absurd (sovereign nations don't need permission from a council to trade basic food). If you eliminated Stmt 2, you were left with A or D. Knowing India is a top grain producer makes Stmt 1 highly probable.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is India a member of the International Grains Council (IGC)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"India, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States of America;"
Why this source?
  • The passage explicitly lists India among the Member States of the IGC.
  • The source describes the IGC and gives a membership list, tying India directly to the organisation.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Important Facts > p. 523
Strength: 4/5
“International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) • Ø • Name: IBRD; Established in: 1945; Headquarters: Washington DC; Members: 189; Is India a Member?: Yes • Name: IDA; Established in: 1960; Headquarters: Washington DC; Members: 173; Is India a Member?: Yes • Name: IFC; Established in: 1956; Headquarters: Washington DC; Members: 184; Is India a Member?: Yes • Name: MIGA; Established in: 1988; Headquarters: Washington DC; Members: 181; Is India a Member?: Yes • Name: ICSID; Established in: 1966; Headquarters: Washington DC; Members: 161; Is India a Member?: Yes”
Why relevant

Lists India's membership in multiple major international economic institutions (World Bank group agencies), showing a pattern of India joining multilateral economic bodies.

How to extend

A student could extend this pattern by checking membership lists of other multilateral commodity/market bodies (like the IGC) to see if India similarly appears.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Cereals > p. 26
Strength: 5/5
“The cereals occupy about 54 per cent of total cropped area in India. The country produces about 11 per cent cereals of the world and ranks third in production after China and U.S.A. India produces a variety of cereals, which are classified as fine grains (rice, wheat) and coarse grains (jowar, bajra, maize, ragi), etc. Account of important cereals has been given in the following paragraphs :”
Why relevant

States India produces about 11% of the world's cereals and ranks third, indicating India is a major grains producer with obvious stake in international grain discussions.

How to extend

Using the fact India is a top cereal producer, a student might expect India to participate in international grain fora and check the IGC members list accordingly.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Fertilization > p. 20
Strength: 4/5
“Te major wheat growing countries of the world are China, U.S.A., India, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, France and Turkey. About 20 per cent of the annual wheat output fnds its way into the international market. In Asia, China, India, Pakistan,Turkey and Japan are the major producers of wheat. Te geographical distribution of wheat in India has been shown in Fig. 12.5. About 90 per cent of wheat production in India comes from fve states, namely, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. With the increased emphasis on intensive cropping and high yields, the rotation of patterns have undergone drastic changes all across the country, particularly in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh where rice is now extensively grown in Kharif and is followed by wheat in the Rabi season.”
Why relevant

Lists India among major wheat-producing countries, implying strong national interest in global wheat markets and related institutions.

How to extend

A student could use this to infer India likely engages with global grain-market institutions and then verify membership of the IGC from official IGC sources.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > B G<sub>20</sub> > p. 548
Strength: 4/5
“18.38 Indian Economy • The G33 Group is also known as the 'Friends of Special Products in Agriculture'. • It has a total of 48 members (dominated by India) which are net agro-products importing \bulletdeveloping countries. • Its members comprise developing countries like Indonesia and India with defensive farm interest that involves protecting farmers from imports”
Why relevant

Notes India's dominance in groups (G33) concerned with agricultural policy and protection of farmers, showing India actively participates in agriculture-focused international groupings.

How to extend

One could extend this to hypothesize India would engage with technical/market-focused grain organisations (like the IGC) and then check IGC membership lists.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Impact of AoA on India \Phi > p. 541
Strength: 3/5
“• Critics argue that this is an unfair limitation on India's food procurement policy by WTO through restrictions imposed under Amber Box. • Indian government runs an MSP program for 22 crops which is further used to run the PDS under which low-income people are supplied food grains at much cheaper prices. Such subsidy provided by GOI falls under the Amber Box category and the WTO has put a cap on Amber Box subsidies.”
Why relevant

Discusses India's food procurement policy and interaction with WTO rules on agricultural subsidies, indicating India is involved in international agricultural policy debates.

How to extend

A student could treat this as evidence India engages internationally on grain/food issues and so should consult IGC records to confirm membership or participation.

Statement 2
Is membership in the International Grains Council (IGC) required for a country to export or import rice and wheat?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Trade > p. 19
Strength: 4/5
“Most of the rice produced in the country is consumed locally. Basmati rice is exported Gulf countries, Russia, and east European countries. India sometimes imports rice from Tailand, Myanmar, USA, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Tailand is the leading exporter of rice in the world.”
Why relevant

Names specific countries that export and import rice (e.g., Thailand as leading exporter; India both exports and imports rice).

How to extend

A student could check whether the listed exporters/importers (Thailand, India, USA, Bangladesh, etc.) are IGC members to see if trade occurs both with and without membership.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > Green Revolution > p. 303
Strength: 4/5
“India is the largest producer of milk and second largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane and fruits and vegetables. India is the largest exporter of rice and second largest exporter of beef and cotton. In FY 2021-22, Indian agri-exports were $50 billion against imports of $31 billion. This is nothing short of a wonder for a country which used to be dependent on US imports for its cereals in mid-1960's.”
Why relevant

States India is a major exporter of rice and an exporter/importer in agricultural trade, illustrating that major trade players are identifiable and active.

How to extend

Cross‑reference major agricultural trading countries with the IGC membership list to infer if major exporters/importers require membership.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Fertilization > p. 20
Strength: 3/5
“Te major wheat growing countries of the world are China, U.S.A., India, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, France and Turkey. About 20 per cent of the annual wheat output fnds its way into the international market. In Asia, China, India, Pakistan,Turkey and Japan are the major producers of wheat. Te geographical distribution of wheat in India has been shown in Fig. 12.5. About 90 per cent of wheat production in India comes from fve states, namely, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. With the increased emphasis on intensive cropping and high yields, the rotation of patterns have undergone drastic changes all across the country, particularly in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh where rice is now extensively grown in Kharif and is followed by wheat in the Rabi season.”
Why relevant

Gives a rule/pattern about wheat trade: only about 20% of annual wheat output goes to the international market, implying a limited set of countries engage in cross‑border wheat trade.

How to extend

Map the relatively small set of international wheat traders to IGC membership — if many traders are non‑members, that would suggest membership is not required.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 26: Agriculture > World Production and Distribution > p. 251
Strength: 4/5
“(a) The output of world rice amounts to around 367 million tonnes, of which 95.7% is grown and consumed in Asia. (1977 figures) (b) China, the greatest producer and consumer of rice, accounts for 36.7% of world's rice, mainly in the three river basins. (c) India, grows 20% of world's rice and imports annually, though half of India's population consumes wheat too. Chief areas: Indo-Gangetic Plain and coastal India. (d) Japan, Indonesia and Bangladesh; each imports to supplement production. (e) The rice exporters are Burma, Thailand. (3Vo and 4Vo of world production respectively). (f) Others: the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Philippines, Brazil, S.”
Why relevant

Lists principal rice exporters (Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.), showing concrete examples of countries engaged in rice export.

How to extend

Verify IGC membership status for these named exporters; observing active exporters who are not members would weaken the claim that membership is required.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Cereals > p. 26
Strength: 3/5
“The cereals occupy about 54 per cent of total cropped area in India. The country produces about 11 per cent cereals of the world and ranks third in production after China and U.S.A. India produces a variety of cereals, which are classified as fine grains (rice, wheat) and coarse grains (jowar, bajra, maize, ragi), etc. Account of important cereals has been given in the following paragraphs :”
Why relevant

Describes global cereal production and notes which cereals are important (rice, wheat) and that India both produces and imports cereals.

How to extend

Use basic facts about which countries produce/import cereals and compare with the IGC membership roster to test whether importing/exporting correlates with membership.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC is shifting from major bodies (UN, WTO) to sectoral commodity bodies. The pattern is consistent: Statement 1 = Membership (Fact/Guessable), Statement 2 = Mandate/Power (Logic/Eliminatable).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Logical Sitter disguised as a Factual Bouncer. Source: General Awareness + Common Sense.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: International Commodity Organizations & India's Agriculture Trade profile.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Check India's membership in: International Sugar Organization (ISO), International Coffee Organization (ICO), International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), and the G20 Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When you see an obscure body, ask: 'Is India a top 3 global player in this commodity?' If yes -> Likely Member. Then apply the 'Extreme Mandate Test' to the regulatory statement.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 India's membership in major multilateral financial institutions
💡 The insight

India is a member of key global financial institutions such as IBRD and IMF.

UPSC often asks about India's role and membership in international economic bodies; this links to questions on global governance, voting rights, quotas and diplomatic influence. Mastery helps answer items on international financial architecture and India's external policy choices.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Important Facts > p. 523
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > India and IMF > p. 521
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the International Grains Council (IGC)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 India's cereal production and role in global grains
💡 The insight

India is a major producer of cereals (rice, wheat) and supplies a significant share of world cereal output.

High-yield for agriculture and economy questions: connects crop patterns, food security, export-import dynamics and international grain markets. Useful for linking domestic production capacity with trade and policy implications.

📚 Reading List :
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Cereals > p. 26
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Fertilization > p. 20
  • Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Food Security in India > Let's Discuss > p. 46
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the International Grains Council (IGC)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Domestic food subsidy policy and WTO 'Amber Box' constraints
💡 The insight

India's MSP and public distribution subsidies are classified under the WTO Amber Box and face limits.

Important for questions on trade-policy versus welfare trade-offs, WTO obligations, and agricultural support regimes. Enables analysis of policy constraints, negotiation stances and domestic political economy of agriculture.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Impact of AoA on India \Phi > p. 541
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the International Grains Council (IGC)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Global production and trade flows of rice and wheat
💡 The insight

Knowing major exporters and importers clarifies which countries participate in international rice and wheat trade.

High-yield for questions on commodity markets and food security; connects to geopolitics of trade, price formation and supply-chain vulnerabilities. Mastering this helps answer questions on export dependence, trade balances and international market influence.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Fertilization > p. 20
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 26: Agriculture > World Production and Distribution > p. 251
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Trade > p. 19
🔗 Anchor: "Is membership in the International Grains Council (IGC) required for a country t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 India's production, export and import profile for rice and wheat
💡 The insight

India's production ranks and its pattern of exporting basmati rice while sometimes importing other rice varieties illustrate national-level trade behaviour for these cereals.

Essential for UPSC economy and agriculture topics; links to policy issues like MSP, export promotion and food-security strategies. Useful for case-based questions on India's role in global grain markets and domestic policy trade-offs.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > Green Revolution > p. 303
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Trade > p. 19
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Cereals > p. 26
🔗 Anchor: "Is membership in the International Grains Council (IGC) required for a country t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Domestic foodgrain stocking and buffer norms affecting trade flows
💡 The insight

Buffer and food-grain stocking norms for rice and wheat determine releases to the market and emergency reserves, influencing import/export needs.

Important for questions on food security, public distribution and trade policy; connects FCI, NFSA and market intervention mechanisms to changes in international trade dependence. Helps explain how domestic policy can reduce or increase imports/exports.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > FOOD GRAIN STOCKING NORMS, 2015 > p. 336
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 9: Subsidies > The following are salient features of the National Food Security Act 2013: > p. 296
  • Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Food Security in India > Let's Discuss > p. 51
🔗 Anchor: "Is membership in the International Grains Council (IGC) required for a country t..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

India recently chaired the International Sugar Organization (ISO) in 2024 (HQ: London). Also, check the 'Agricultural Market Information System' (AMIS)—an inter-agency platform to enhance food market transparency (India is a member via G20).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Sovereignty Test': Does a council have the power to stop a sovereign nation from selling wheat? No. Only UN Security Council sanctions or specific proliferation treaties (like NSG/chemical weapons) restrict trade this strictly. Normal commodities are free trade. Statement 2 is an 'Extreme Extraterritorial Claim' -> False.

🔗 Mains Connection

Links GS-3 (Food Security/Buffer Stocks) with GS-2 (International Institutions). India's engagement with IGC supports its stance at the WTO regarding the 'Peace Clause' and public stockholding limits.

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