UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies

Question 43: International Relations and Current Affairs

Which one of the following countries is not a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)?

aArmenia

bBelarus

cEstonia

dGeorgia

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Estonia is a Baltic state that left the Soviet Union in 1991 and, with Latvia and Lithuania, never joined the Commonwealth of Independent States; it joined NATO and the European Union in 2004. Armenia, Belarus and Georgia were CIS members in 2006, though Georgia left in 2009 after the 2008 war with Russia.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Armenia is a CIS member.
(b) Belarus is a CIS member.
(c) Correct: Estonia is a Baltic state and never joined the CIS.
(d) Georgia was a member in 2006; it withdrew in 2009.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.