Quick Takeaway for Aspirants: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit emphasized collective security across Eurasia, counter-terrorism collaboration through the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), and the expansion of national currency settlements in mutual trade. India reiterated the imperative of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and transparent connectivity corridors.
Structure & Membership of the SCO
Founded in June 2001 in Shanghai by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the SCO is one of the largest regional multilateral organizations spanning Eurasia. India and Pakistan became full members at the Astana Summit in 2017, followed by Iran (2023) and Belarus (2024).
30 High-Yield Practice MCQs with Hidden Answers & Explanations
Test your knowledge of Eurasian geopolitics, SCO organizational organs (RATS, Secretariat), regional transport corridors (INSTC, Chabahar), and multilateral declarations with these 30 practice questions.
Q1. In which year was the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) officially founded in San Francisco, China?
- (A) 1996
- (B) 2001
- (C) 2005
- (D) 2010
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) 2001
The SCO was officially announced on 15th June 2001 by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Q2. What was the original grouping known as prior to Uzbekistan joining in 2001 that laid the groundwork for the SCO?
- (A) Central Asian Union
- (B) Shanghai Five
- (C) Eurasian Economic Community
- (D) Tashkent Pact
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Shanghai Five
The Shanghai Five was created in 1996 to address demilitarization along the Sino-Soviet borders (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan).
Q3. Where is the permanent Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation headquartered?
- (A) Shanghai, China
- (B) Beijing, China
- (C) Moscow, Russia
- (D) Tashkent, Uzbekistan
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Beijing, China
Despite the organization being named after Shanghai, the permanent executive Secretariat is situated in Beijing, China.
Q4. Where is the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) permanently located?
- (A) Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- (B) Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- (C) Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- (D) Almaty, Kazakhstan
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Tashkent, Uzbekistan
RATS is a permanent organ of the SCO based in Tashkent, tasked with coordinating member states in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Q5. In which year did India and Pakistan officially become full permanent members of the SCO?
- (A) 2015 Ufa Summit
- (B) 2017 Astana Summit
- (C) 2018 Qingdao Summit
- (D) 2020 Moscow Summit
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) 2017 Astana Summit
India and Pakistan were formally inducted as full members of the SCO at the Astana Summit in Kazakhstan on 9th June 2017.
Q6. Which Middle Eastern nation officially became the 9th full member of the SCO at the virtual summit hosted by India in July 2023?
- (A) Saudi Arabia
- (B) Iran
- (C) United Arab Emirates
- (D) Turkey
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Iran
Iran officially attained full member state status during the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of State summit hosted under India's presidency.
Q7. Which European country officially became the 10th full member state of the SCO at the Astana Summit in July 2024?
- (A) Belarus
- (B) Armenia
- (C) Azerbaijan
- (D) Serbia
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Belarus
Belarus completed all procedural accessions to become the 10th permanent member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in July 2024.
Q8. What are the two official and working languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
- (A) English and Russian
- (B) Russian and Chinese
- (C) Chinese and English
- (D) Arabic and Russian
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Russian and Chinese
Under the SCO Charter, all official documentation and plenary proceedings are conducted in Russian and Chinese.
Q9. What are the ‘Three Evils' that the SCO Charter explicitly mandates member states to combat through collective security cooperation?
- (A) Poverty, Disease, and Illiteracy
- (B) Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism
- (C) Drug trafficking, Cybercrime, and Money laundering
- (D) Inflation, Corruption, and Smuggling
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism
The 2001 Shanghai Convention defines terrorism, separatism, and extremism as the ‘Three Evils' threatening regional Eurasian stability.
Q10. What is the highest decision-making body of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
- (A) Council of Heads of State (CHS)
- (B) Council of Heads of Government (CHG)
- (C) Council of Foreign Ministers
- (D) RATS Executive Committee
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Council of Heads of State (CHS)
The CHS meets annually to decide on fundamental matters of internal functioning, strategic direction, and international partnership.
Q11. Which ancient holy Indian city on the banks of the Ganges was nominated as the first-ever ‘SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital' for 2022–2023?
- (A) Ujjain
- (B) Varanasi
- (C) Haridwar
- (D) Puri
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Varanasi
Varanasi was declared the inaugural SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital to celebrate civilizational links and cultural exchanges among member nations.
Q12. What multimodal transport corridor connecting India to Russia and Central Asia through Iran is regularly promoted within SCO forums?
- (A) China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
- (B) International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
- (C) India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
- (D) Trans-Siberian Railway
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
INSTC is a 7,200 km multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road routes moving freight between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Central Asia.
Q13. Which strategic port in southeastern Iran is operated by India to facilitate direct sea-to-rail access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan?
- (A) Bandar Abbas
- (B) Chabahar Port (Shahid Beheshti terminal)
- (C) Gwadar Port
- (D) Bushehr Port
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Chabahar Port (Shahid Beheshti terminal)
India signed a 10-year long-term contract in May 2024 with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar Port.
Q14. What is the joint peace mission military exercise conducted biennially by SCO member armed forces focusing on counter-terrorism?
- (A) Exercise Peace Mission
- (B) Exercise Zapad
- (C) Exercise Druzba
- (D) Exercise Indra
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Exercise Peace Mission
Exercise Peace Mission brings together armed contingents from all SCO member countries to practice urban and mountain counter-insurgency tactics.
Q15. Which document adopted by the Heads of State defines the core international principles of the SCO, often referred to as the ‘Shanghai Spirit'?
- (A) Mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and pursuit of common development
- (B) Mutual non-interference and collective armed intervention
- (C) Exclusive trade tariffs against Western economies
- (D) Compulsory military conscription
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and pursuit of common development
The ‘Shanghai Spirit' embodies non-alignment, openness, and consensus-based multilateral cooperation among member nations.
Q16. What is the primary role of the ‘SCO Interbank Consortium' (SCO IBC) established in October 2005?
- (A) Issuing a single Eurasian currency
- (B) Financing and banking services for regional investment and infrastructure projects approved by member states
- (C) Auditing member central banks
- (D) Setting foreign exchange swap ceilings
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Financing and banking services for regional investment and infrastructure projects approved by member states
The SCO IBC brings together leading development banks (including India's IIFCL) to fund connectivity and industrial corridors.
Q17. What was the theme of India's Chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State in 2022–2023?
- (A) Towards a Resilient Eurasia
- (B) Towards a SECURE SCO
- (C) Peace and Prosperity
- (D) United for Climate
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Towards a SECURE SCO
Prime Minister Modi articulated SECURE: Security, Economy, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for Sovereignty, and Environmental Protection.
Q18. Which Central Asian nation borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with Bishkek as its capital city?
- (A) Turkmenistan
- (B) Kyrgyzstan
- (C) Azerbaijan
- (D) Georgia
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a founding member of the SCO situated in the mountainous Tian Shan region of Central Asia.
Q19. Which Central Asian nation declared permanent neutrality in 1995 recognized by the UN and attends SCO summits only as an invited guest?
- (A) Kazakhstan
- (B) Tajikistan
- (C) Turkmenistan
- (D) Uzbekistan
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (C) Turkmenistan
Under its UN-recognized policy of permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan is not a member of the SCO or military blocs like CSTO.
Q20. What is the title of the agreement signed by SCO member states to cooperate in combating cross-border illegal narcotics trafficking?
- (A) SCO Anti-Drug Strategy
- (B) Eurasian Narcotics Accord
- (C) Central Asian Opium Protocol
- (D) Vienna Declaration on Drugs
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) SCO Anti-Drug Strategy
The strategy coordinates joint law enforcement operations and chemical precursor monitoring to dismantle international drug trafficking cartels.
Q21. Which observer state in the SCO applied for full membership and is located in the South Caucasus connecting the Caspian Sea to Europe?
- (A) Armenia
- (B) Azerbaijan
- (C) Mongolia
- (D) Turkey
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is an SCO Dialogue Partner that elevated its strategic partnership with member states seeking full membership.
Q22. What is the primary focus of the ‘SCO Business Council' established in 2006?
- (A) Promoting direct business-to-business (B2B) trade, entrepreneurship, and chambers of commerce cooperation
- (B) Regulating international maritime container tariffs
- (C) Administering sovereign debt restructuring
- (D) Managing cross-border stock exchange mergers
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Promoting direct business-to-business (B2B) trade, entrepreneurship, and chambers of commerce cooperation
The SCO Business Council links national chambers of commerce and private enterprises to explore joint industrial joint ventures.
Q23. What key principle regarding international transport connectivity was emphasized by India at recent SCO Summits?
- (A) Connectivity corridors must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of member nations
- (B) Corridors must be restricted exclusively to state-owned rail companies
- (C) Toll fees must be eliminated across Eurasia
- (D) All roads must terminate in landlocked nations
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Connectivity corridors must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of member nations
India has firmly maintained that connectivity projects must follow financial viability, transparent governance, and respect territorial sovereignty.
Q24. What currency initiative has gained prominence in SCO financial communiqués to insulate mutual trade from external sanctions?
- (A) Adopting the Russian Ruble as sole trade currency
- (B) Gradually increasing the share of national currencies in mutual trade settlements
- (C) Launching an official SCO cryptocurrency
- (D) Fixing currency exchange rates to gold
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Gradually increasing the share of national currencies in mutual trade settlements
Member states established an expert working group to settle bilateral merchandise trade in rupees, rubles, yuan, dirhams, and local currencies.
Q25. Which historic declaration was signed at the conclusion of India's 2023 SCO Leaders' Summit in New Delhi?
- (A) Astana Declaration
- (B) New Delhi Declaration
- (C) Bishkek Accord
- (D) Samarkand Protocol
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) New Delhi Declaration
The New Delhi Declaration committed SCO members to digital transformation, de-radicalization, and collaborative green development.
Q26. Where is the headquarters of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a post-Soviet military alliance whose members also belong to the SCO?
- (A) Minsk, Belarus
- (B) Moscow, Russia
- (C) Yerevan, Armenia
- (D) Astana, Kazakhstan
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Moscow, Russia
CSTO is a distinct intergovernmental military alliance in Eurasia comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, based in Moscow.
Q27. Which river basin originating in the Pamir Mountains forms the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan before emptying into the Aral Sea basin?
- (A) Syr Darya
- (B) Amu Darya (Oxus)
- (C) Irtysh River
- (D) Tarim River
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (B) Amu Darya (Oxus)
The Amu Darya river is the longest river in Central Asia, historically significant for regional irrigation and geopolitical boundaries.
Q28. What is the primary role of the ‘SCO Youth Council' created to engage students and young professionals across Eurasia?
- (A) Coordinating university cultural immersion, student entrepreneurship, and young scientists' exchanges
- (B) Organizing compulsory military drills
- (C) Managing overseas university admissions
- (D) Running civil service recruitment exams
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Coordinating university cultural immersion, student entrepreneurship, and young scientists' exchanges
The Youth Council brings together national youth organizations to foster innovation, intercultural dialogue, and startup incubators.
Q29. What was the landmark treaty signed by SCO member states in 2007 establishing permanent good-neighborliness and friendship?
- (A) Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation
- (B) Treaty of Eurasian Harmony
- (C) Central Asian Mutual Defense Pact
- (D) Silk Road Economic Treaty
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (A) Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation
Signed in Bishkek in August 2007, this treaty provides the legal framework for non-aggression, boundary stability, and peaceful dispute resolution among SCO states.
Q30. What proportion of the world's population is roughly represented across the 10 member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
- (A) Around 20%
- (B) Around 30%
- (C) Over 40% of global population
- (D) Over 60%
View Answer & Explanation
✓ Correct Answer: (C) Over 40% of global population
With India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian states combined, the SCO spans approximately 42% of the world's population and nearly 25% of global GDP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In which year did India officially become a full member of the SCO?
India officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a full permanent member at the Astana Summit in Kazakhstan on 9th June 2017.
What are the official working languages of the SCO?
The two official and working languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are Russian and Chinese.
