India participates in several international groupings. Among the following, of which group is India not a member?

Introduction / Context:
India is an active participant in many international organisations and groupings, such as the United Nations, G 20 and regional bodies like SAARC. However, it is not a member of every influential group in the world. This question checks general awareness of which group India does not belong to, which is a frequent theme in international relations and GK sections of competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

We are comparing four groupings or organisations: G 20, G 8, SAARC and the United Nations.
The question asks which one India is not a member of.
We assume that the question refers to membership as commonly recognised in the period for which standard exam books are written.

Concept / Approach:
India is a founding member of SAARC and a key voice of the Global South in the United Nations. It is also a prominent member of the G 20, a group of major advanced and emerging economies. However, the G 8, originally composed of major industrialised nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Russia (with membership later changed), does not include India. Remembering which G groups India belongs to is therefore crucial for answering such questions correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Confirm that India is a full member of the United Nations, participating actively in various UN bodies. Step 2: Recall that India is a founding member of SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Step 3: Note that India is a member of G 20, which combines advanced and emerging economies to discuss global economic issues. Step 4: Identify that the G 8 group is historically a club of major industrialised countries and does not include India. Step 5: Therefore, the only option of which India is not a member is G 8.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by reviewing lists of members for the G 20 and G 8 in standard international relations references. India appears clearly in G 20 lists but not in G 8 membership lists. Additionally, any basic GK text will confirm that India is a member of the United Nations and SAARC. Cross checking all four options makes it clear that only G 8 does not include India as a member.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
G-20: India is an important member of this group and has even hosted G 20 summits, so this option is incorrect for the question.

SAARC: India was instrumental in forming SAARC and is a key member, therefore this cannot be the right choice.

United Nations: India is a founding member of the United Nations and participates very actively in its organs, so this option is also wrong.

Common Pitfalls:
One common pitfall is confusing the similar sounding labels G 8 and G 20. Some candidates hastily select G 20, thinking it is a smaller group, when in fact India is a prominent member of G 20. Another mistake is assuming that because India is a large economy, it must be included in every high profile group. To avoid such errors, students should draw a small table listing G 7 or G 8 and its members separately from G 20 and mark clearly where India belongs.

Final Answer:
India is not a member of the group known as G-8.