GS-2News & Analysis21 June 2026thehindu.com

Group of Seven | A platform for the globalised elite

The article traces the origin and evolution of the Group of Seven (G7), initially formed in 1975 as the Group of Six, to address global economic and financial challenges among industrialized nations. It details its expansion to G7 with Canada's inclusion in 1976, and its transformation into G8 with Russia's membership in 1998, only to revert to G7 after Russia's expulsion in 2014. The article highlights G7's shift from a purely economic forum to a strategic international mechanism coordinating responses to geopolitical conflicts, global supply chain disruptions, and contemporary issues like climate change, pandemics, and energy security. It also mentions India's participation as a guest in recent summits.

The article traces the origin and evolution of the Group of Seven (G7), initially formed in 1975 as the Group of Six, to address global economic and financial challenges among industrialized nations. It details its expansion to G7 with Canada's inclusion in 1976, and its transformation into G8 with Russia's membership in 1998, only to revert to G7 after Russia's expulsion in 2014. The article highlights G7's shift from a purely economic forum to a strategic international mechanism coordinating responses to geopolitical conflicts, global supply chain disruptions, and contemporary issues like climate change, pandemics, and energy security. It also mentions India's participation as a guest in recent summits.

Exam linkage

GS-2: International Relations – Important International Institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.

Syllabus mapping

International RelationsInternational Financial InstitutionsGeopolitics & International ConflictsIndian Culture Art ArchitectureModern Indian HistoryPost Independence ConsolidationWorld HistoryIndian Society Diversity

This topic appears in Mains

Questions on International Relations come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.