With reference to the SCO Film Festival-2023, which of the following statement/s is/are correct? 1. The SCO Film Festival is being held during India's Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. 2. SCO Film Festival will showcase the films from the SCO countries. Select the correct answer using the code given below -
- (a)Neither 1 nor 2
- (b)Only 1
- (c)Both 1 and 2
- (d)Only 2
Correct — C, Both 1 and 2. India took over the rotating annual Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the Samarkand summit in September 2022 and held it through the 2022-23 cycle, chairing the (virtual) SCO summit in July 2023. As part of that presidency-year cultural programme, the SCO Film Festival was organised in Mumbai (27-31 January 2023) and screened films from the SCO member countries. Both statements are therefore correct.
- (a)Neither 1 nor 2 — Both statements are factually true, so 'Neither' is wrong.
- (b)Only 1 — Statement 2 is also correct — the festival did showcase films from SCO member states, not only films of one country.
- (d)Only 2 — Statement 1 is also correct — the festival was held during India's SCO Presidency (2022-23).
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental body founded in 2001 (evolving from the 'Shanghai Five' of 1996), headquartered in Beijing, with a Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017 and Iran in 2023. The chairmanship rotates annually; India held it for 2022-23 and hosted a series of ministerial and cultural events, including the film festival.
This is a 'both statements obvious' item: each fact is individually true and uncontroversial, so the correct code is 'Both 1 and 2.' The only trap is over-thinking a straightforward current-affairs statement.
- India held the rotating SCO Presidency from Sept 2022 through 2023; it chaired the virtual SCO summit in July 2023.
- The SCO Film Festival was held in Mumbai, 27-31 January 2023, under India's presidency.
- It screened films from SCO member countries.
- SCO founded 2001; India and Pakistan full members since 2017, Iran since 2023; headquarters Beijing.
- Confusing the SCO with SAARC or BRICS.
- Thinking India is only an SCO observer — it has been a full member since 2017.
Current affairs — India's presidency-year events and membership of regional organisations (who is/ is not a member).
Which one of the following is NOT a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
- (a) Russia
- (b) Kazakhstan
- (c) Ukraine
- (d) Uzbekistan
Answer(c) Ukraine
Same concept — SCO membership; Ukraine has never been an SCO member.
Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation India is a member of which of the above?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer(d) 1, 2 and 3
Same concept — India's membership of the SCO (a full member since 2017).
- practice — not a real PYQ
India assumed the chairmanship of the SCO for 2022-23 at which summit?
- (a)Samarkand summit, 2022
- (b)Goa summit
- (c)Astana summit
- (d)Bishkek summit
Answer(a) Samarkand summit, Uzbekistan, September 2022.
- practice — not a real PYQ
India and Pakistan became full members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in which year?
- (a)2005
- (b)2017
- (c)2001
- (d)2023
Answer(b) 2017, at the Astana summit.