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New Development Bank (NDB)

PYQs

9

Articles

2

Momentum

28

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC cares about the NDB as a significant multilateral development bank, its role in providing an alternative financing mechanism to traditional institutions like the World Bank, and India's strategic involvement in its operations and governance.

The New Development Bank (NDB), formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states. Its primary purpose is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Establishment

Founded by BRICS nations in 2014, operational in 2015.

Headquarters

Shanghai, China.

Core Mandate

Mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

Financing Scale

Approved over $40 billion in financing since its establishment.

Mandate

Mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

Membership

Open to UN member states, not limited to BRICS countries.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Financial Institutions
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
BRICSFounding members
New Development Bank (NDB)Multilateral development bank
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Founded by BRICS nations in 2014.
  • Funds infrastructure and sustainable development projects.
  • Headquartered in Shanghai, China.
  • Membership open to UN member states, not just BRICS.
  • Aims to be an alternative to traditional Western-dominated IFIs.

Elimination traps

Body vs treaty — Distinguish NDB as an institution from BRICS as a grouping.

Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a ful...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): I. It provides loans and guarantees to mid...

EconomyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a ful...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): I. It provides loans and guarantees to mid...

EconomyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about G-20: 1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governor...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation India is a member ...

International RelationsOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements : 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. 2. India is the...

International RelationsOpen question

Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business Index”?

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements : 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. 2. India is the...

International RelationsOpen question

Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business Index”?

EconomyOpen question
2016Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements with reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’ - 1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of th...

EconomyOpen question
2016Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements with reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’ - 1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of th...

EconomyOpen question
2015Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

International Financial InstitutionsInternational Relations
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of...

Open question

Consider the following statements with reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’ - 1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of th...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of...

Open question

Consider the following statements with reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’ - 1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of th...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements : 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. 2. India is the...

Open question

Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business Index”?

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements : 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. 2. India is the...

Open question

Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business Index”?

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation India is a member ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about G-20: 1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governor...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a ful...

Open question

Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): I. It provides loans and guarantees to mid...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a ful...

Open question

Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): I. It provides loans and guarantees to mid...

Open question

Turning economic cooperation into shared prosperity

10 Sep 2026 · The NDB is a multilateral development bank founded by BRICS nations to fund infrastructure and sustainable development, offering an alternative to traditional IFIs and supporting the Global South.

Read article

The BRICS bank — an alternative that wasn’t

12 Sep 2026 · The NDB, or BRICS Bank, is a multilateral development bank created by BRICS nations to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects, aiming to provide an alternative to traditional Western-dominated financial institutions.

Read article

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New Development Bank (NDB)

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BRICS

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BRICS Grouping and its Evolving Role in Global Governance

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BRICS Grouping

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 9 linked questions on New Development Bank (NDB) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on New Development Bank (NDB)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements : 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. 2. India is the...

2019·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a ful...

2025·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. 2. The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai. Which of...

2016·International Relations
Solve

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation India is a member ...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business Index”?

2019·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): I. It provides loans and guarantees to mid...

2025·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements with reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’ - 1. The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of th...

2016·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements about G-20: 1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governor...

2023·International Relations
Solve

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