Polity Miscellaneous (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

1. U.N.O. was founded in - [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

Correct Answer: (b) 1945
Solution:The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. The draft of the United Nations Charter was finalized in a conference held in San Francisco during April to June, 1945. On 26 June 1945, 50 nations signed the Charter. The representative of Poland was not present at San Francisco and ratified the Charter on 16 October 1945 as the 51st member of the United Nations. This organization came into being on 24 October 1945 and this date is observed as the "United Nations Day."

2. When is the 'United Nations Day' observed? [M.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]

Correct Answer: (b) 24th October
Solution:The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. The draft of the United Nations Charter was finalized in a conference held in San Francisco during April to June, 1945. On 26 June 1945, 50 nations signed the Charter. The representative of Poland was not present at San Francisco and ratified the Charter on 16 October 1945 as the 51st member of the United Nations. This organization came into being on 24 October 1945 and this date is observed as the "United Nations Day."

3. The number of permanent members in the United Nations Security Council is: [R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (b) 5
Solution:United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of peace and security. The Security Council consist of fifteen (15) members, including 5 permanent members (USA, France, China, UK (Britain) and (Russia) and 10 non-permanent members. The 10 non-permanent members are elected on a regional basis by United Nations for a term of 2 years.

4. Which of the following is not a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council? [48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (a) Germany
Solution:United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of peace and security. The Security Council consist of fifteen (15) members, including 5 permanent members (USA, France, China, UK (Britain) and (Russia) and 10 non-permanent members. The 10 non-permanent members are elected on a regional basis by United Nations for a term of 2 years.

5. Which of the following countries was NOT elected in June 2020 as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the year 2021-22? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (d) Canada
Solution:India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from January 1, 2021. India will sit in the 15-nation UNSC for the 2021-22 term as a non-permanent member. Apart from India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and Norway have also been elected as non-permanent members for the same term.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
-It is one of the UN's six main organs and is aimed at maintaining international peace and security.
Current Composition
-The UNSC currently consists of five permanent members (P5): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
1. These P5 members hold veto power, allowing them to block any substantive resolution.
Additionally, there are ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
- More than 50 United Nations Member States have never been Members of the Security Council.
UNSC Elections
Each year the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of 10 in total) for a two-year term.
The 10 non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis as follows:
1. Five for African and Asian States.
2. One for the Eastern European States.
3. Two for the Latin American and Caribbean States;
4. Two for Western European and other States
G4 Nations
- These, comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, are four countries that support each other's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
- Unlike the G7, where the common denominator is the economy and long-term political motives, the G4's primary aim is the permanent member seats on the Security Council.
- Each of these four countries have figured among the elected non-permanent members of the council since the UN's establishment

6. According to the United Nations Charter, which of the following statements is not true regarding the exercise of veto power in the Security Council? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (d) Any member of the Security Council may use Veto Power to stop a resolution from being passed with a majority.
Solution:In the Security Council, there are five permanent members (United States, France, China, Britain, and Russia) who are authorized to exercise veto power to withhold any resolution going to be passed with a majority. Only permanent members have veto power.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
-It is one of the UN's six main organs and is aimed at maintaining international peace and security.
Current Composition
-The UNSC currently consists of five permanent members (P5): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
1. These P5 members hold veto power, allowing them to block any substantive resolution.
Additionally, there are ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
- More than 50 United Nations Member States have never been Members of the Security Council.
UNSC Elections
Each year the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of 10 in total) for a two-year term.
The 10 non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis as follows:
1. Five for African and Asian States.
2. One for the Eastern European States.
3. Two for the Latin American and Caribbean States;
4. Two for Western European and other States
G4 Nations
- These, comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, are four countries that support each other's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
- Unlike the G7, where the common denominator is the economy and long-term political motives, the G4's primary aim is the permanent member seats on the Security Council.
- Each of these four countries have figured among the elected non-permanent members of the council since the UN's establishment

7. The demand for democratisation of U.N.O. is mainly related to- [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (c) Security Council
Solution:The demand for the democratisation of UNO ismainly related to security council. Security council has five permanent memer (USA, UK, China, Russia, France) only. So coun- tries like India, Brazil, south Africa etc are demanding for democartisation of security council.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
-It is one of the UN's six main organs and is aimed at maintaining international peace and security.
Current Composition
-The UNSC currently consists of five permanent members (P5): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
1. These P5 members hold veto power, allowing them to block any substantive resolution.
Additionally, there are ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
- More than 50 United Nations Member States have never been Members of the Security Council.
UNSC Elections
Each year the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of 10 in total) for a two-year term.
The 10 non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis as follows:
1. Five for African and Asian States.
2. One for the Eastern European States.
3. Two for the Latin American and Caribbean States;
4. Two for Western European and other States
G4 Nations
- These, comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, are four countries that support each other's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.
- Unlike the G7, where the common denominator is the economy and long-term political motives, the G4's primary aim is the permanent member seats on the Security Council.
- Each of these four countries have figured among the elected non-permanent members of the council since the UN's establishment

8. With reference to the UN peacekeeping operations, consider the following statements: [67th B.P.S.C. (Pre) (Re-Exam), 2022]

1. UN peacekeepers can use force only for their self- defence.
2. Peacekeeping operations can only be withdrawn by a resolution by the UN Security Council.
3. USA is the largest budget contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:Statement 1 is false, the United Nations Peace-keeper can use force in self-defense as well as in 'Defense of the Mandates also. Remaining statements 2 and 3 are true. USA is the largest budget contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations which is around 28% in UN peacekeeping operation in year 2020-21.
  • The United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers, commonly known as the 'Blue Helmets are a symbol of hope and stability in conflict-ridden regions around the world.
  • These peacekeepers, drawn from various national armies, police forces, and civilian experts, work under the UN mandate to maintain peace and security, protect civilians, and support the implementation of peace agreements..
  • They are tasked with maintaining peace and security in conflict zones worldwide. They operate under the principles outlined in the UN Charter, which includes both the peaceful settlement of disputes (Chapter VI) and
    the use of armed force with Security Council authorisation in cases of aggression (Chapter VII).
  • Despite having over 100,000 peacekeepers deployed globally, the UN has faced criticism for its inability to act decisively in critical situations.
  • Historical Success: Historically, the UN has had notable successes in peacekeeping missions in countries like Cambodia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Angola, Timor Leste, Liberia, and Kosovo.

9. With reference to the "United Nations Credentials Committee", consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2022]

1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: (a) 3 only
Solution:A United Nations Credentials Committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General assembly. It consists of nine (9) members who are appointed by the General Assembly on proposal of the president. Usually the committee meets in November. It assess the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to general assembly for approval. Thus only (3) statement is correct.

10. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2022]

1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:The General Assembly can grant observer status to non- member states. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in UN General Assembly. Permanent observers in UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters. The status of a permanent observer is based purely on practise, and there is no provision for it in United Nations Charter. This practise dates from 1946, when the Secretary-General accepted the designation of the swiss Government as a permanent observer to United Nations.