Questions & explanations
1. What is the difference between contentious and advisory jurisdiction of the ICJ?
- (a) Contentious cases involve states; advisory opinions are for UN organs and agencies
- (b) Contentious cases are binding; advisory opinions are binding on all parties
- (c) Advisory opinions can be requested by any state
- (d) Contentious jurisdiction requires both parties to consent; advisory jurisdiction does not
Answer: (d) Contentious jurisdiction requires both parties to consent; advisory jurisdiction does not
The distinction between contentious and advisory jurisdiction is: (1) Contentious cases are between states and require both states to have accepted the Court's jurisdiction; advisory opinions can be requested by authorised UN organs and agencies (not by states directly). (2) Contentious judgments are binding on the parties; advisory opinions are not legally binding. Option (a) correctly states that contentious cases involve states and advisory opinions are for UN organs/agencies, but it is incomplete regarding the binding nature. Option (d) correctly states that contentious jurisdiction requires both parties to consent, whereas advisory jurisdiction does not require state consent. Option (d) is a more precise and accurate description of the key jurisdictional difference. However, option (a) is also partially correct. The most accurate single distinction is option (d) — advisory opinions do not require state consent, while contentious jurisdiction does. The clearest correct answer is (d).
2. India's first major UN peacekeeping mission was in which country?
- (a) Congo
- (b) Korea
- (c) Cyprus
- (d) Somalia
Answer: (b) Korea
India's first major UN peacekeeping mission was in Korea (1950-54), where India sent a medical unit (60 Para Field Ambulance). However, Korea is best described as a UN enforcement action, not a traditional peacekeeping mission. India's first traditional peacekeeping mission — and the one most cited in standard references as India's landmark initial deployment — was the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF I) in the Congo. India participated in UNEF I (Egypt/Suez, 1956) and then ONUC (Congo, 1960). The Congo mission is often cited as India's first major operational peacekeeping mission. Option (a) Congo is correct as India's first MAJOR peacekeeping deployment in the traditional sense.
3. ECOSOC coordinates the work of many specialized agencies. Which of the following is a specialized agency under ECOSOC?
- (a) World Bank
- (b) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- (c) World Health Organization (WHO)
- (d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Among the options, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the most clear-cut specialised agency that reports to ECOSOC. The World Bank and IMF are technically specialised agencies linked to the UN via relationship agreements, but their relationship is different — they operate independently and their membership and governance are distinct. The most precisely correct answer is (c) WHO, as it is unambiguously a UN specialised agency with a direct relationship to ECOSOC. Option (d) 'All of the above' is technically defensible but IMF and World Bank's relationship with ECOSOC is less direct. For UPSC purposes, WHO is the safest and most correct answer.
4. Which of the following best describes the voting procedure in the United Nations General Assembly?
- (a) Each member state has one vote, and decisions require a two-thirds majority.
- (b) Each member state has one vote, and decisions are made by simple majority.
- (c) Each member state has one vote, and decisions require a majority of members present and voting.
- (d) Each member state has one vote, and decisions require a consensus.
Answer: (c) Each member state has one vote, and decisions require a majority of members present and voting.
Each member of the UN General Assembly has one vote. The UN Charter (Article 18) says that decisions on most matters are made by a majority of the members present and voting. This means you count only the votes of members who actually vote yes or no. Members who abstain are treated as not voting, so they are not counted. This is why option (c) is the correct general rule, not 'simple majority' of all members. Important questions, such as peace and security, the budget, and admitting or expelling members, need a higher two-thirds majority of those present and voting. it is a majority of those present and voting. the Assembly decides by voting.
5. Consider the following statements about India's role in the UN: 1. India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). 2. India's voting record in the UN General Assembly often aligns with the Non-Aligned Movement. 3. India supported the UN75 declaration in 2020. Which of the statements above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3
Statement 1 is incorrect: India was NOT a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). NAM was founded in 1961 in Belgrade; Jawaharlal Nehru was a key architect along with Tito and Nasser, and India was indeed a founding member of NAM. So Statement 1 is actually correct. Statement 2 is correct: India's UNGA voting record broadly aligns with the Non-Aligned Movement positions. Statement 3 is correct: India supported the UN75 Declaration adopted in 2020 marking the 75th anniversary. However, reconsidering Statement 1 — India WAS a founding member of NAM (1961), so all three statements are correct, making option (d) the correct answer.
6. With respect to the proposed reforms in the United Nations Security Council, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The G4 nations have proposed a permanent seat for India.
2. The African Union supports a single permanent seat for Africa.
3. The European Union has proposed a single permanent seat for the EU.
4. The reform process requires a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of member states.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct, so the answer is 1, 2 and 4 only. Statement 1 is true: India is one of the G4 nations seeking a permanent seat. Statement 2 is broadly true that Africa wants a permanent seat, but note the African Union's actual demand under the Ezulwini Consensus is two permanent seats with veto plus five non-permanent seats, not a single seat. Statement 4 is true: changing the Charter needs a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of member states, including all permanent members. Statement 3 is false: the European Union has not formally asked for a single EU seat in the Council.
7. With reference to the various proposals for the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC), consider the following statements:
1. The G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, Japan) advocate for the expansion of the UNSC by adding six new permanent members and four new non-permanent members.
2. The Ezulwini Consensus, adopted by the African Union, demands two permanent seats for African countries with full veto power, along with five non-permanent seats.
3. The 'Uniting for Consensus' group primarily seeks an increase in the number of non-permanent seats and opposes any expansion of permanent membership with veto power.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct, so the answer is (d). St1: The G4 (Brazil, Germany, India, Japan) wants the Council expanded by six new permanent and four new non-permanent members. St2: The African Union's Ezulwini Consensus seeks two permanent seats for Africa with full veto power, plus five non-permanent seats. St3: The Uniting for Consensus group wants more non-permanent seats only and opposes any new permanent members with veto. Why the others are wrong: (a) leaves out St3, which is also correct; (b) leaves out St1, which is also correct; (c) lists only St1 and leaves out St2 and St3, which are also correct.
8. Which of the following best describes the 'Peace Clause' in the context of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture?
- (a) It allows developing countries to maintain high tariffs on agricultural imports without dispute.
- (b) It temporarily suspends the obligation to reduce subsidies during a crisis.
- (c) It prevents the use of subsidies for domestic support in developing countries.
- (d) It ensures that all members must reduce tariffs on agricultural products by 20%.
Answer: (b) It temporarily suspends the obligation to reduce subsidies during a crisis.
The Peace Clause is best captured by option (b). It is a temporary shield: for a set period it stops members from being taken to the WTO dispute system over certain farm subsidies. The Bali 2013 interim peace clause works this way for developing countries, protecting support given under public food-stockholding programmes even if it crosses the agreed limits, so they are not dragged into disputes while a permanent solution is worked out. Strictly, the clause suspends the right to challenge such support, not the duty to reduce subsidies, but among the four choices (b) is the closest.
9. Consider the following statements about UNSC reform: (1) Working-methods reform can be implemented without amending the UN Charter. (2) Structural reform requires a two-thirds majority vote in the General Assembly. (3) The penholder system is an example of working-methods reform. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is true: working-methods changes (e.g., open briefings, penholder transparency) can be implemented through Council practice without Charter amendment. Statement 2 is true: structural reform requires a Charter amendment, which under Article 108 requires adoption by two-thirds of UNGA members (and ratification by two-thirds of all members including all P5). Statement 3 is true: the penholder system is a procedural/working-methods practice, not enshrined in the Charter, making it an example of working-methods. All three statements are correct, so the answer is (d), not (b).
10. Consider the following statements about the Brahimi Report (2000):
1. It recommended that peacekeeping missions should have clear, robust mandates.
2. It suggested that peacekeepers should be allowed to use force preemptively.
3. It led to the creation of the Peacebuilding Commission.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the Brahimi Report (2000) recommended clear, credible, and achievable mandates for peacekeeping missions. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Brahimi Report did not recommend pre-emptive use of force; it emphasised that peacekeepers must be able to defend themselves and their mandate robustly, but not launch pre-emptive attacks. Statement 3 is incorrect: the Peacebuilding Commission was created in 2005 as an outcome of the World Summit, not directly as a result of the Brahimi Report. Therefore only statement 1 is correct, making option (a) the correct answer.
11. Consider the following statements regarding the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO:
1. The Appellate Body is a permanent body that reviews decisions of dispute settlement panels.
2. A member can block the appointment of a new Appellate Body member by a unanimous vote.
3. The dispute settlement process is mandatory for all WTO members.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Statement 1 is correct. The Appellate Body is a standing body that reviews the legal findings of dispute panels. Statement 3 is correct. The dispute settlement system is binding on all WTO members. Appellate Body members are appointed by the Dispute Settlement Body acting by consensus, so a single member can stop an appointment just by withholding its agreement; it does not take a special unanimous vote. The United States used this to block new appointments, which left the Appellate Body unable to work after 2019. So the correct answer is (c), statements 1 and 3 only.
12. Consider the following statements regarding the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO:
1. The Appellate Body is a permanent body that reviews decisions of dispute panels.
2. A member can block the Appellate Body’s decision by a unanimous vote.
3. The dispute settlement process is mandatory for all WTO members.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Statement 1 is correct: the Appellate Body is a standing body that reviews the legal parts of panel reports. Statement 3 is correct: once a member files a dispute, the WTO process is binding on the other member, so members cannot opt out. Reports are adopted by reverse consensus, which means they are accepted automatically unless every member agrees to reject them. So the answer is (b) 1 and 3 only. Note that in practice the Appellate Body stopped working after 2019 because members blocked new appointments, but that is a separate problem from any single-member veto.