These 50 Important SAARC MCQs (2025) are designed for CSS, UPSC, FPSC, and general knowledge exams. Covering the latest updates, historical milestones, and recent developments, this collection highlights the core structure and current relevance of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Each question focuses on key facts, member relations, economic projects, and 2025 updates—helping aspirants prepare for competitive tests and regional studies. Here are the key MCQs about the SAARC.
Key Fact Sheet about SAARC
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 8 December 1985 |
| Headquarters | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Current Secretary-General (2025) | Md. Golam Sarwar (Bangladesh) |
| Member Countries | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (8) |
| Observer Members | China, USA, EU, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Mauritius |
| Official / Working Language(s) | English |
| Main Objective | Promote regional cooperation in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific fields |
| SAARC Development Fund (SDF) | Established in 2008 — finances regional projects in social, economic, and infrastructure sectors |
| Last Summit Held | 18th SAARC Summit — Kathmandu, Nepal (2014) |
| Recent Status (2025) | Limited summit activity since 2014 due to political tensions between member states; initiatives continue via technical mechanisms and SDF |
| Population Covered (approx.) | ~1.9 billion (2025 est.) |
| Official Website | www.saarc-sec.org (SAARC Secretariat) |
50 Key MCQs about SAARC (2025)
1. When was the SAARC established?
A. 1980
B. 1985
C. 1990
D. 1995
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Details: SAARC was founded on December 8, 1985, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2. Which country currently holds the SAARC Secretariat?
A. India
B. Nepal
C. Sri Lanka
D. Pakistan
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Details: The SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
3. Who is the current Secretary-General of SAARC (2025)?
A. Esala Weerakoon
B. Md. Golam Sarwar
C. Arjun Bahadur Thapa
D. Amjad Hussain B. Sial
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Details: Md. Golam Sarwar from Bangladesh became SAARC Secretary-General in March 2023.
4. How many member countries does SAARC have?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
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Details: SAARC includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
5. Which country joined SAARC most recently?
A. Maldives
B. Afghanistan
C. Bhutan
D. Nepal
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Details: Afghanistan joined SAARC in 2007 as its 8th member.
6. Where was the first SAARC Summit held?
A. Kathmandu
B. Islamabad
C. Dhaka
D. New Delhi
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Details: The first SAARC Summit took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1985.
7. Which country could not host the 19th SAARC Summit due to political tensions?
A. India
B. Pakistan
C. Sri Lanka
D. Bhutan
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Details: The 19th SAARC Summit scheduled in Islamabad was postponed indefinitely.
8. What is the main goal of SAARC?
A. Military alliance
B. Regional economic and social cooperation
C. Cultural integration with Europe
D. Nuclear cooperation
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Details: SAARC summits are expected biannually, though delays are common due to political issues.
10. What is the official language of SAARC?
A. Urdu
B. Hindi
C. English
D. Bengali
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Details: English is used as the working language in SAARC communications and documents.
11. Which SAARC member has the largest population?
A. Pakistan
B. India
C. Bangladesh
D. Afghanistan
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Details: India represents nearly 75% of SAARC’s total population.
12. What is the emblem of SAARC shaped like?
A. Lotus flower
B. Circle of hands
C. Map of South Asia
D. Tree of life
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Details: The SAARC emblem shows hands symbolizing unity and regional cooperation.
13. Which country hosted the 18th SAARC Summit in 2014?
A. Sri Lanka
B. Nepal
C. India
D. Bangladesh
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Details: The 18th Summit took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, in November 2014.
14. Which country proposed the idea of SAARC?
A. India
B. Pakistan
C. Bangladesh
D. Sri Lanka
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Details: In 1980, President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh proposed the formation of SAARC.
15. Which is the smallest country in SAARC by area?
A. Bhutan
B. Maldives
C. Nepal
D. Sri Lanka
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Details: The Maldives is the smallest SAARC member, both in terms of area and population.
16. When did Afghanistan become a member of SAARC?
A. 2005
B. 2007
C. 2009
D. 2011
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Details: Afghanistan joined SAARC during the 14th Summit in New Delhi in 2007.
17. SAARC Development Fund (SDF) was established in which year?
A. 2000
B. 2005
C. 2008
D. 2010
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Details: The SDF was established in 2008 to promote regional development projects.
18. What is the capital city of the SAARC host country, Nepal?
A. Thimphu
B. Dhaka
C. Kathmandu
D. Male
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Details: Kathmandu is home to the SAARC Secretariat.
19. SAARC Food Bank was created to address what issue?
A. Climate change
B. Food security
C. Poverty
D. Health emergencies
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Details: The SAARC Food Bank provides regional food reserves to combat crises.
20. What is the total population of SAARC countries combined (approx. 2025)?
A. 800 million
B. 1.2 billion
C. 1.9 billion
D. 2.2 billion
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Details: SAARC countries collectively represent about 25% of the world’s population.
21. Which SAARC country was the last to join the organization?
A. Nepal
B. Bhutan
C. Afghanistan
D. Maldives
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Explanation: Afghanistan became the 8th member of SAARC in 2007 after gaining full membership during the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi.
22. What is the primary focus of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF)?
A. Defense cooperation
B. Economic integration
C. Financing regional projects
D. Currency unification
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Explanation: The SDF was created to support social, economic, and infrastructure projects across SAARC member countries.
23. The SAARC Secretariat is located in which city?
A. New Delhi
B. Kathmandu
C. Islamabad
D. Dhaka
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Explanation: The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1987 to coordinate and monitor regional activities.
24. Which country hosted the first SAARC Summit in 1985?
A. India
B. Bangladesh
C. Sri Lanka
D. Pakistan
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Explanation: The first SAARC Summit was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in December 1985, officially launching the organization.
25. How many official summits have been held by SAARC as of 2025?
A. 17
B. 18
C. 19
D. 20
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Explanation: The last SAARC Summit, the 18th, was held in Kathmandu in 2014. Subsequent ones were delayed due to political tensions.
26. What is the motto of SAARC?
A. “Peace and Prosperity through Partnership”
B. “Unity in Diversity”
C. “Deeper Integration for a Better South Asia”
D. “Regional Growth, Global Impact”
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Explanation: The SAARC motto reflects its mission of promoting cooperation and prosperity among South Asian nations.
27. Which SAARC body promotes energy cooperation among members?
A. SAARC Energy Centre
B. SAARC Power Board
C. SAARC Oil Commission
D. SAARC Climate Council
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Explanation: The SAARC Energy Centre was established in Islamabad to promote sustainable and renewable energy collaboration.
28. When was the SAARC Charter signed?
A. 1975
B. 1980
C. 1985
D. 1990
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Explanation: The SAARC Charter was signed on 8 December 1985 by the heads of the seven founding member countries.
29. Which organization serves as the financial backbone of SAARC?
A. SAARC Development Fund
B. SAARC Economic Council
C. Asian Development Bank
D. South Asia Finance Group
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Explanation: The SDF finances projects that reduce poverty and promote welfare across member nations.
30. Which country has hosted the highest number of SAARC Summits?
A. India
B. Nepal
C. Sri Lanka
D. Pakistan
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Explanation: India has hosted three SAARC summits — in 1986, 1995, and 2007 — showing its active regional leadership.
31. The 19th SAARC Summit was scheduled to be held in 2016 in:
A. Colombo
B. Islamabad
C. New Delhi
D. Thimphu
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Explanation: The 19th SAARC Summit was canceled after several countries boycotted following diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
32. SAARC Agriculture Centre is located in:
A. Kathmandu
B. Dhaka
C. Colombo
D. Male
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Explanation: The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) in Dhaka focuses on agricultural research and sustainable food production.
33. SAARC Disaster Management Centre is based in:
A. New Delhi
B. Thimphu
C. Colombo
D. Karachi
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Explanation: The SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) operates from New Delhi to enhance regional disaster preparedness.
34. Which SAARC member country has the smallest population?
A. Bhutan
B. Maldives
C. Nepal
D. Sri Lanka
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Explanation: The Maldives has the smallest population among SAARC members, estimated at under one million.
35. When was the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme launched?
A. 1985
B. 1992
C. 2000
D. 2010
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Explanation: The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme facilitates visa-free travel for designated categories such as diplomats and business leaders.
36. Which regional project was initiated under SAARC for women’s empowerment?
A. SAARC Women Development Fund
B. SAARC Gender Equality Programme
C. SAARC Gender Info Base
D. SAARC Female Leaders Forum
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Explanation: SAARC Gender Info Base collects and analyzes gender-related data to promote women’s development.
37. SAARC Cultural Centre is located in which country?
A. Sri Lanka
B. India
C. Bhutan
D. Pakistan
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Explanation: Based in Colombo, the SAARC Cultural Centre promotes cultural exchange and heritage preservation among member nations.
38. Which year marked the declaration of the SAARC Food Bank?
A. 2004
B. 2006
C. 2008
D. 2010
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Explanation: The SAARC Food Bank was established in 2006 to address food security challenges and emergency shortages.
39. Which member state of SAARC is landlocked?
A. Nepal
B. Bhutan
C. Both A and B
D. None
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Explanation: Nepal and Bhutan are both landlocked members of SAARC.
40. The SAARC Satellite initiative was proposed by which country?
A. Pakistan
B. India
C. Bangladesh
D. Sri Lanka
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Explanation: India proposed the SAARC Satellite initiative to enhance regional communication and broadcasting capabilities.
41. Which country refused to participate in the SAARC Satellite project?
A. Nepal
B. Pakistan
C. Sri Lanka
D. Afghanistan
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Explanation: Pakistan opted out of the SAARC Satellite project, citing technical and policy differences.
42. SAARC established a “Regional Poverty Alleviation Centre” in:
A. Dhaka
B. Islamabad
C. Kathmandu
D. Thimphu
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Explanation: The SAARC Centre for Poverty Alleviation (SCPA) is located in Thimphu, Bhutan, focusing on socio-economic development.
43. Which SAARC member uses the Rufiyaa as its currency?
A. Maldives
B. Sri Lanka
C. Bangladesh
D. Bhutan
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Explanation: The Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is the official currency of the Maldives, a founding SAARC member.
44. Which member hosted the 18th SAARC Summit in 2014?
A. India
B. Nepal
C. Bangladesh
D. Bhutan
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Explanation: The 18th SAARC Summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, focusing on regional connectivity and trade.
45. What is the SAARC official emblem composed of?
A. Doves and Olive Branch
B. Hands forming a circle
C. Eight lotus petals
D. Map of South Asia
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Explanation: The emblem represents unity and cooperation among the peoples of South Asia.
46. Which two SAARC countries have the largest economies?
A. India and Bangladesh
B. India and Pakistan
C. Pakistan and Sri Lanka
D. India and Nepal
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Explanation: India and Pakistan together account for the largest share of SAARC’s total GDP.
47. SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) came into force in:
A. 1991
B. 1995
C. 2000
D. 2005
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Explanation: SAPTA was established in 1995 to enhance trade among SAARC nations through tariff concessions.
48. SAARC was first proposed by which leader?
A. Rajiv Gandhi
B. Ziaur Rahman
C. Indira Gandhi
D. J.R. Jayewardene
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Explanation: Former Bangladeshi President Ziaur Rahman first proposed the creation of SAARC in 1980.
49. Which SAARC country ranks highest in the Human Development Index (HDI)?
A. India
B. Maldives
C. Sri Lanka
D. Bhutan
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Explanation: Sri Lanka consistently leads SAARC countries in the UN’s Human Development Index.
50. What is the official symbol of the SAARC summits?
A. Unity Tree
B. Lotus Flower
C. Doves
D. Eight Circles
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Explanation: The lotus represents purity and unity, often used as a central symbol in SAARC events.
We hope that you found these 50 Important SAARC MCQs beneficial for your general knowledge and exam preparation. Each question intends to enhance your understanding of South Asian regional cooperation as well as the history and affairs of the region. In addition to these questions, we encourage you to look at our other MCQs for study preparation on NATO and CIA. Please bear with us as we continue updating and adding materials related to new developments of 2025 from these international organizations. We appreciate your whole-hearted engagement in the learning process.