1. United Nations and Related Organisations
Organisation
HQ
Purpose / Key Points
UN
New York, USA
Maintains international peace and security; has 6 principal organs including General assembly & Security Council.
UNICEF
New York, USA
Child welfare, education, immunisation.
WHO
Geneva, Switzerland
Health emergencies, disease control.
IMF
Washington D.C., USA
International monetary stability, balance of payments support.
World Bank
Washington D.C., USA
Provides loans for development projects.
WTO
Geneva, Switzerland
Global trade rules and disputes.
FAO
Rome, Italy
Food security and agricultural development.
UNESCO
Paris, France
Education, science, culture, heritage protection.
2. indian Constitutional & Statutory Organisations
Organisation
Year / Key Act
Function
Election Commission of india (ECI)
1950
Conducts free & fair elections.
CAG (Comptroller & Auditor General)
1971 (CAG Act)
Audits government receipts and expenditures.
Finance Commission
Art. 280
Recommends distribution of tax revenue between centre & states.
NITI Aayog
2015
Policy think-tank, replaces Planning Commission.
Union Public service Commission (UPSC)
1950
Recruitment for civil services and examinations.
RBI
1935
Central bank of India; monetary policy & currency issuance.
SEBI
1992
Regulates securities market.
SIDBI
1990
MSME development and finance.
3. international Financial & Economic Organisations
Organisation
HQ
Function
ADB
Manila, Philippines
Development finance in Asia-Pacific.
AIIB
Beijing, China
Asian Infrastructure investment.
BRICS bank / NDB
Shanghai, China
Funding development projects in BRICS countries.
OPEC
Vienna, Austria
Coordinates oil production policies.
G20 / G7
Various
Group of major economies; economic coordination.
4. Defence & Security Organisations
Organisation
HQ / Country
Key Role
INTERPOL
Lyon, France
International police cooperation.
NATO
Brussels, Belgium
Military alliance; collective defence.
SAARC
Kathmandu, Nepal
Regional cooperation in South Asia.
ASEAN
Jakarta, Indonesia
Economic, political & security cooperation in SE Asia.
5. Scientific, Space & Research Organisations
Organisation
Country
Focus
ISRO
India
Space exploration & satellite launch.
DRDO
India
Defence research and development.
CERN
Switzerland
Particle physics & Large Hadron Collider.
ICMR
India
Medical research & public health.
CSIR
India
Scientific research across disciplines.
6. Other Key indian Organisations
Organisation
Function
FSSAI
Food safety regulation.
NABARD
Agricultural & rural development funding.
IRDAI
Insurance regulatory authority.
PFRDA
Pension fund regulation.
NBFCs
Private financial institutions regulated by RBI.
NHRC
Human rights protection.
ICAI / ICSI / ICMAI
Professional accounting and finance bodies.
Tips for UPSC Prelims Revision
Make a flashcard for each organisation with HQ, function, year of establishment.
Group organisations by category: UN, financial, constitutional, scientific, etc.
Remember mnemonics: e.g., “World bank and IMF work in Washington D.C.”
Revision frequency: Go through these notes daily 10‑15 min to retain HQ + function.
Keep updated: Some organisations like AIIB, NDB, or G20 leadership rotate; check latest news.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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