Question map
Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) : I. It provides loans and guarantees to middle income countries. II. It works single-handedly to help developing countries to reduce poverty. III. It was established to help Europe rebuild after the World War II. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
IBRD was established in 1944 as one of the Bretton Woods Institutions to help Europe rebuild after World War II[1], making statement III correct. After Europe's reconstruction, IBRD shifted its focus towards middle income and creditworthy poorer countries[1], and it lends money to government of middle income countries and creditworthy LICs[2], confirming statement I is correct.
However, statement II is incorrect because IBRD does not work "single-handedly." Together, IBRD and IDA make up the World Bank[3], and the term 'World Bank Group' refers to a group of five institutions[4], indicating that poverty reduction is a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions, not IBRD working alone.
Therefore, only statements I and III are correct, making option C the right answer.
Sources- [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > World Bank > p. 399
- [2] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Functions of IBRD > p. 524
- [3] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > International Development Association (IDA) > p. 400
- [4] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Important Facts > p. 523
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a textbook 'Sitter' question directly solvable from standard Economy resources like Vivek Singh or Nitin Singhania. The presence of the extreme modifier 'single-handedly' in Statement II makes this an easy elimination play, even if you recall only the basic structure of the World Bank Group.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) provide loans and guarantees to middle-income countries?
- Statement 2: Does the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) work single-handedly to help developing countries reduce poverty?
- Statement 3: Was the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) established to help Europe rebuild after World War II?
- Explicitly states IBRD shifted focus toward middle‑income and creditworthy poorer countries.
- Says IBRD was established to provide loans and advice to middle‑income and creditworthy poor countries.
- Specifically notes IBRD lends money to governments of middle‑income countries and creditworthy low‑income countries.
- Describes IBRD's lending terms (long‑term, large volumes, low interest), reinforcing its lending role for middle‑income countries.
- Describes World Bank instruments as including finance, technical assistance and guarantees used to promote investment.
- Links the World Bank's use of guarantees to the broader institution that includes IBRD, supporting the inference that IBRD can be associated with guarantees as part of World Bank operations.
- Defines 'World Bank' as IBRD and IDA while distinguishing the broader 'World Bank Group' of five institutions, implying multiple agencies share development roles.
- Shows IBRD is one of several institutions involved in development, not the sole actor.
- States the World Bank includes two institutions, IBRD and IDA, indicating IBRD operates within a multi-institution framework.
- Describes IBRD's shifted focus but within the context of the World Bank's structure, implying collaboration with other entities.
- Explicitly notes IDA and IBRD together make up the World Bank and that IDA receives funds from governments and from IBRD/IFC, showing inter-institution financial cooperation.
- Demonstrates shared functions and funding relationships between IBRD and sister institutions in poverty-reduction efforts.
- Explicitly states IBRD was established in 1944 to help Europe rebuild after World War II.
- Clarifies IBRD's initial mission before it later shifted focus to other countries.
- Identifies creation of IBRD at the Bretton Woods conference to help reconstruct nations devastated by World War II.
- Directly links IBRD's founding purpose to post-war reconstruction.
- States the initial objective was to assist Second World War–ravaged countries in their reconstruction.
- Notes that IBRD's goals later evolved toward economic development of poorer countries.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from standard Economy sources (Vivek Singh Ch-13 / Nitin Singhania Ch-18).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Bretton Woods Institutions & International Financial Organizations (The distinction between IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 5 Arms: 1) IBRD (Middle-income govts, hard loans), 2) IDA (Poorest countries, 'soft' loans/grants), 3) IFC (Private sector investment), 4) MIGA (Political risk insurance), 5) ICSID (Dispute settlement - India is NOT a member).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not study 'World Bank' as a monolith. Always create a 3-column table for the 5 arms: Target Audience (Govt vs Private), Income Level (Middle vs Poor), and Instrument (Loan vs Guarantee vs Insurance).
IBRD primarily lends to middle‑income countries and creditworthy poorer countries.
High‑yield for UPSC because questions often ask which multilateral bank lends to which income groups; mastering this clarifies distinctions between IBRD and IDA and helps answer questions on external financing and development assistance.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > World Bank > p. 399
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Functions of IBRD > p. 524
The World Bank uses loans, technical assistance and guarantees to promote investment and development.
Important for answering questions on policy instruments of multilateral development banks, differentiating the World Bank's project‑level tools from IMF policy lending; useful for questions on how development projects are financed and de‑risked.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.14 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank > p. 396
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > International Development Association (IDA) > p. 400
IBRD is paired with IDA as the principal arms of the World Bank, so IBRD does not act alone in development and poverty reduction.
High-yield for questions on international financial institutions: explains internal structure of the World Bank, clarifies roles in lending and concessional finance, and helps answer comparison-type questions about institutional responsibilities and cooperation.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > World Bank > p. 399
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > International Development Association (IDA) > p. 400
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Important Facts > p. 523
The World Bank Group comprises several institutions (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, etc.), meaning multiple bodies contribute to development efforts beyond IBRD alone.
Useful for UPSC questions that ask to differentiate institutions and their mandates; links to topics on multilateral development banks, private-sector instruments, and guarantees, enabling clear mapping of which agency handles which function.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Important Facts > p. 523
IBRD raises funds from capital markets while IDA is funded by member contributions and complementary transfers, showing diversified financing for poverty reduction.
Important for policy and economy questions on development finance: explains why different arms of the World Bank target different borrower categories and use different lending terms (market-based vs concessional), aiding analysis of suitability and impact of financial instruments.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > World Bank > p. 399
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > International Development Association (IDA) > p. 400
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.14 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank > p. 396
IBRD was created as one of the Bretton Woods institutions to address post‑World War II reconstruction.
High yield for UPSC because questions often ask about the post‑war international economic order and institutional origins; links to topics on international finance, post‑war diplomacy, and global governance. Mastering this helps answer chronology and purpose-based questions on multilateral institutions.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference) > p. 376
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > CHAPTER SUMMARY > p. 552
IBRD initially focused on reconstructing war‑ravaged countries and later shifted to promoting development in middle‑income and poorer nations.
Important for questions comparing original mandates versus current roles of international organizations; connects to development policy, lending practices, and evolution of multilateral agencies. Enables answers on institutional adaptation and policy priorities over time.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > World Bank > p. 399
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > 18.14 Indian Economy > p. 524
India is a founding member of IBRD, IDA, IFC, and MIGA, but it is NOT a member of ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes). This exclusion is a high-probability future trap.
The 'Monopoly' Test: In international relations, no single organization works 'single-handedly' to solve a global issue like poverty. The existence of the UN, NGOs, and local governments makes Statement II logically impossible. Eliminate II → Answer is (C).
Mains GS-2 (Global Groupings): Link IBRD's weighted voting structure (based on financial contribution) to the demand for 'Democratization of Global Governance' and the rise of alternative banks like NDB (BRICS) and AIIB.