Polity Miscellaneous (Part-I)

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

(a) 1944
(b) 1945
(c) 1946
(d) 1947

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]

(a) 27th October
(b) 24th October
(c) 26th October
(d) 15th October

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]

(a) 6
(b) 5
(c) 4
(d) 3

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]

(a) Germany
(b) France
(c) Great Britain
(d) China

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]

(a) Ireland
(b) Norway
(c) Mexico
(d) Canada

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.

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]

(a) For Security Council decisions on every procedural matter, there should be 9 affirmative votes of its members, including the 5 votes of five permanent members.
(b) Every permanent member of the Security Council may use Veto Power, withholding acceptance on any decision.
(c) The word 'Veto' has been used under Article 27 of the UN Charter so that any permanent member may stop a resolution from being passed with a majority.
(d) Any member of the Security Council may use Veto Power to stop a resolution from being passed with a majority.

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.

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

(a) General Assembly
(b) Economic and social council
(c) Security Council
(d) Trustiship Council

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.

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.

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?

(a) 3 only
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2

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?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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.