United Nations Organisation
Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)
1. Name the International Organisation which was set up after the
tragedy of the First World War.
Answer: The League of Nations.
2. By whom was the name 'United Nations' conceived? How many
countries signed the UN Charter on 26th June, 1945?
Answer: The name 'United Nations' was conceived by Franklin D.
Roosevelt. 50 countries signed the UN Charter on 26th June, 1945.
3. How many countries are regarded as the Original Members of the
United Nations? Is India also one of the Original Members of the
United Nations?
Answer: There are 51 Original Members of the United Nations. Yes,
India is one of the Original Members.
4. When did the United Nations formally come into existence?
Answer: The United Nations formally came into existence on 24th
October 1945.
Or
Which day is celebrated as the UN Day every year?
Answer: 24th October is celebrated as UN Day every year.
5. Who can become a Member of the United Nations?
Answer: Any peace-loving country that accepts the obligations of the
UN Charter and is willing and able to carry them out can become a
member of the United Nations.
6. Mention any two objectives or purposes (aims) of the United
Nations.
Answer: (i) To maintain international peace and security
(ii) To promote social progress and better standards of life.
7. Name the four Principal Organs of the United Nations.
Answer: (i) General Assembly (ii) Security Council,
(iii) International Court of Justice (iv) Secretariat.
8. Who constitutes the UN General Assembly?
Answer: The UN General Assembly is composed of representatives of
all member states, each having one vote.
9. Give two main functions of the UN General Assembly.
Answer: (i) To discuss and make recommendations on international
issues
(ii) To approve the UN budget.
10. Mention two electoral functions of the UN General Assembly.
Answer: (i) Electing non-permanent members of the Security Council
(ii) Electing judges of the International Court of Justice.
11. Name the Executive Organ (Enforcement Wing) of the United
Nations.
Answer: The Security Council.
12. What is the main responsibility of the UN Security Council?
Answer: The main responsibility of the Security Council is maintaining
international peace and security.
13. Name the five Permanent Members of the Security Council.
Answer: (i) United States (ii) United Kingdom
(iii) France (iv) Russia
(v) China.
14. How are Non-permanent Members of the Security Council
elected?
Answer: Non-permanent members of the Security Council are
elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
15. What is the term of office of the Non-permanent Members of
the Security Council? Is a retiring Member eligible for immediate re-
election?
Answer: The term of office is two years. Retiring members are not
eligible for immediate re-election.
16. What is meant by the term 'Veto' power?
Answer: Veto power is the power given to each of the five permanent
members of the Security Council to block any substantive resolution.
17. Mention any two functions of the Security Council.
Answer: (i) To investigate any dispute that may lead to international
friction
(ii) To recommend peaceful solutions to conflicts.
18. Name the judicial organ of the United Nations.
Answer: The International Court of Justice.
19. How can a State which is not a member of the United Nations
become a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice?
Answer: A state which is not a UN member can become a party to
the Statute of the International Court of Justice by accepting its
provisions.
20. Where is the permanent seat of International Court of Justice
located?
Answer: The Hague, Netherlands.
21. Mention the functions of the International Court of Justice as
regards its Compulsory Jurisdiction.
Answer: The International Court of Justice settles disputes between
states that recognize its jurisdiction and gives advisory opinions on
legal questions referred by the UN.
22. What is the Advisory role of the International Court of Justice?
Answer: The Court provides advisory opinions on legal questions
referred to it by the UN General Assembly, Security Council, or other
UN agencies.
23. What happens if a party to a case disregards the decision of the
International Court of Justice?
Answer: If a party disregards a decision, the other party may bring
the matter to the Security Council, which can take measures to
enforce the decision.
Or
Which UN Organ decides upon measures to be taken to give effect
to the Judgement of the International Court of Justice?
Answer: The Security Council.
Structured Questions (10 marks each)
1. The United Nations was established to be an effective Peace-
keeping International Organisation. In this context, explain any four
of its objectives and purposes.
Answer:
1. To maintain international peace and security.
2. To develop friendly relations among nations.
3. To cooperate in solving international problems and promoting
respect for human rights.
4. To act as a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in
achieving these ends.
2. The General Assembly is a kind of Parliament of Nations. In this
context, explain briefly:
(a) Its composition:
Answer: The General Assembly is composed of representatives from
all member states, each having one vote.
(b) Four of its functions:
Answer:
1. Discusses international issues within its jurisdiction.
2. Approves the UN budget and determines member states'
contributions.
3. Elects non-permanent members of the Security Council.
4. Oversees the work of other UN organs.
(c) Importance of 'Uniting for Peace Resolution' of 1950 in
maintaining peace:
Answer: The 'Uniting for Peace' Resolution allows the General
Assembly to take action if the Security Council fails to maintain
international peace and security due to a veto. It has been significant
in various conflicts where the Security Council was deadlocked.
3. The Security Council is a permanently functioning Organ of the
United Nations. In this context, describe the following:
(a) Its Membership:
Answer: The Security Council has 15 members, 5 permanent
members (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) and 10 non-permanent
members elected for two years.
(b) Four of its Functions:
Answer:
1. Maintaining international peace and security.
2. Investigating disputes or situations that might lead to conflict.
3. Recommending methods of adjusting disputes or terms of
settlement.
4. Taking military action against an aggressor.
(c) Veto power exercisable by its Permanent Members:
Answer: Any of the five permanent members can veto (block) a
substantive decision or resolution of the Security Council.
4. The International Court of Justice is the principal Judicial Organ of
the United Nations. In this context, explain the following:
(a) Its Composition:
Answer: The (ICJ) consists of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by
the General Assembly and the Security Council.
(b) Its Compulsory Jurisdiction:
Answer: The Court can hear cases where states have accepted its
jurisdiction as binding.
(c) Its Voluntary Jurisdiction:
Answer: The Court hears cases where states voluntarily submit
disputes for its ruling.
(d) Its Advisory Function:
Answer: The ICJ gives non-binding advisory opinions on legal matters
referred to it by the UN or other specialized agencies.
5. Study the picture given here and answer the questions that
follow:
(a) Identify the Organisation that has it as its Emblem. What is the
colour and design of its Flag?
Answer: The United Nations. The flag is light blue with a white
emblem showing a world map surrounded by olive branches.
(b) Where are the headquarters of this Organisation located?
Answer: New York City, USA.
(c) Name the Judicial Organ of this Organisation and explain its
Composition.
Answer: The International Court of Justice (ICJ), composed of 15
judges elected for nine-year terms by the General Assembly and
Security Council.
Or
How are the Judges of this Court appointed?
Answer: Judges are appointed by the UN General Assembly and
Security Council, requiring an absolute majority in both
