Maharashtra Board Class 9 Political Science Chapter 4 The United Nations Solutions

Choose the Right Option and Rewrite the Sentence:

 

Question 1. This country is not a permanent member of United Nations Security Council _____.
(a) America
(b) Russia
(c) Germany
Answer: (c) Germany
In simple words: The United Nations Security Council has five permanent members, which include America and Russia, but Germany is not one of them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the five permanent members of the Security Council (US, UK, China, Russia, and France) to quickly identify which countries do not belong to this group.

 

Question 2. The United Nations has _______ number of members.
(a) 190
(b) 193
(c) 198
(d) 199
Answer: (b) 193
In simple words: Currently, there are 193 countries that are members of the United Nations, representing almost every nation in the world.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the number 193 as it represents nearly all globally recognized sovereign states today.

 

Question 3. This international organisation conducts workshops in India on remedial measures to tackle the problem of malnutrition among children
(a) UNICEF
(b) UNESCO
(c) Trusteeship Council
(d) Red Cross
Answer: (a) UNICEF
In simple words: UNICEF is the branch of the United Nations that specifically works to protect and help children, including fighting hunger and malnutrition.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate UNICEF directly with children's welfare, health, and nutrition to easily remember its functions.

 

Explain With Reasons Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False:

 

Question 1. The United Nations General Assembly is a platform to discuss global problems.
Answer: True.
• Every year the General Assembly meets in its session. During the session, the General Assembly discusses important issues like environment, disarmament, etc.
• The significance of the General Assembly lies in it being a platform for representatives of member nations to come together and discuss and make policy decisions on issues of global importance. This collaborative environment helps foster international cooperation and peace.
In simple words: This statement is true because the General Assembly is like a giant meeting room where all countries talk about big world issues and decide how to solve them together.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining why a statement is true, always state 'True' first, followed by at least two distinct, well-explained reasons from the textbook.

 

Question 2. The status of all the member nations of the United Nations is not equal.
Answer: False. As mentioned in the principles of UN, all member nations have the same status. There is no discrimination among nations based on geographical size, economic or military power. This principle of sovereign equality ensures that every nation, regardless of its wealth, has an equal voice in global affairs.
In simple words: All countries in the United Nations are treated as equals. No country is considered superior to another just because it is bigger, richer, or has a stronger military.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that 'sovereign equality' is a core principle of the UN, meaning all member states have equal rights and votes.

 

Question 3. A resolution can be passed even if China exercises its veto power.
Answer: False. China is one of the five permanent members of the UN and the permanent members have veto power. If even one of the five permanent members uses its veto i.e. gives a negative vote, the decision cannot be taken. This rule was established to ensure consensus among the world's major powers on critical security issues.
In simple words: If any of the five permanent countries of the UN Security Council votes 'no' (uses its veto), the decision is rejected immediately, even if all other countries agree.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be sure to name the five permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China) when discussing the veto power to show complete understanding.

 

Question 4. India has played a major role in the work of the United Nations.
Answer: True. India has always sent her troops to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping forces. India has participated in bringing issues like decolonisation, disarmament, racial segregation on the United Nations platform. Furthermore, India's active participation reflects its long-standing commitment to global peace and human rights.
In simple words: India has been a very active member of the UN by sending soldiers to help keep peace in troubled areas and speaking up against unfair practices like racism and colonization.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight India's contribution to 'peacekeeping forces' and 'decolonisation' as these are key historical achievements.

 

Explain the Following Concepts:

 

Question 1. Veto
Answer:
(i) Security Council has 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
(ii) The permanent members have the special power to reject any resolution, which is known as the veto power. This special voting power allows any of the five permanent members to block a resolution regardless of the level of international support.
In simple words: A veto is a special power given to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council that lets them single-handedly stop any decision from being passed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define 'veto' as a negative vote that can block any major decision in the Security Council.

 

Question 2. UNICEF
Answer:
(i) UNICEF is an affiliated organisation of the United Nations. This organization plays a vital role in safeguarding child rights globally.
(ii) It works towards making nutritious food and health care available to children.
(iii) Several workshops were organised in India to find out measures to overcome malnutrition among babies and children.
In simple words: UNICEF is a branch of the United Nations that helps children get healthy food and good healthcare, especially in areas facing poverty or malnutrition.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to highlight UNICEF's specific focus on children's health, nutrition, and well-being to score full marks.

 

Answer the Following Questions in Brief

 

Question 1. Write the reasons for the establishment of the United Nations.
Answer: The United Nations is the world’s largest international organisation. This global body was created to foster cooperation and prevent future global conflicts. The reasons for the establishment of the United Nations are:
(i) Two World Wars were fought at the beginning of the twentieth century.
(ii) Life and property were destroyed on a large scale in these wars.
(iii) As a result, the League of Nations was established after the First World War and the United Nations was established after the Second World War out of a realisation that there has to be a mechanism to establish world peace.
(iv) The League of Nations did not succeed at all.
(v) But after the use of the nuclear weapons in the Second World War, the idea took root that such destructive wars should be stopped and that it is the collective responsibility of all nations to do so.
In simple words: The United Nations was set up after the two devastating World Wars because countries realized they needed a strong global group to keep peace and prevent destructive nuclear conflicts.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly mention the failure of the League of Nations and the devastating impact of nuclear weapons as key catalysts for establishing the UN.

 

Question 2. Write the objectives of the United Nations.
Answer: The United Nations has its own definite objectives. They are as follows:
• To establish friendly relations among nations.
• To enhance international security by solving international disputes.
• To safeguard and foster human rights and freedom.
• Along with these, the United Nations also aim at enhancing economic cooperation at the international level. This global cooperation helps in building a more stable and prosperous world for everyone.
In simple words: The main goals of the United Nations are to keep world peace, help countries get along, protect human rights, and encourage nations to work together on economic issues.

🎯 Exam Tip: Present the objectives in bullet points using clear keywords like 'friendly relations', 'international security', and 'human rights' to score full marks.

 

Question 3. What is the role of the Peacekeeping Forces of the United Nations?
Answer:
(i) The peacekeeping activity of the United Nations involves creating appropriate circumstances favourable for bringing about permanent peace in strife-torn areas.
(ii) The peacekeeping forces help these areas to progress towards peace.
(iii) In conflict ridden areas, security is provided and at the same time, help is extended for establishing peace.
(iv) The United Nations takes up peacekeeping as one of the tasks for safeguarding and fostering peace in the world. These forces play a critical role in preventing the resumption of active hostilities.
In simple words: The UN Peacekeeping Forces go to conflict areas to stop fighting, keep people safe, and help create a peaceful environment so the country can rebuild.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to mention that peacekeeping involves both providing security and creating conditions for permanent peace.

 

5. Do As Directed:

 

Question 1. Complete the following chart giving information about the organs of the United Nations.
Answer:

S.No	Organ	Number of members	Functions
1	General Assembly	193 member nations	Discusses global issues, passes resolutions, and approves the UN budget.
2	Security Council	15 (5 permanent, 10 non-permanent)	Maintains international peace and security.

In simple words: This chart helps us understand the different main parts of the United Nations, how many members they have, and what jobs they do.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the key organs of the UN, such as the General Assembly and Security Council, along with their primary functions for quick-answer questions.

 

Question 1. Complete the following table:
1. United Nations General Assembly .......... .............
2. United Nations Security Council .......... .............
3. International Court of Justice .......... .............
4. Economic and Social Council .......... .............
Answer: These organs play a crucial role in maintaining global order and fostering international cooperation.

S.No.	Organ	Number of members	Functions
(1)	United Nations General Assembly	193	(1) To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council. (2) To choose the United Nations Secretary General and the judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in consultation with the Security Council. (3) To pass the annual budget of the United Nations.
(2)	United Nations Security Council	15 (5 Permanent and 10 Non-Permanent)	(1) To maintain international peace and security. (2) To prepare policies for arms control. (3) To play a joint role along with the General Assembly in the appointments of the judges of the International Court of Justice and of the United Nations Secretary General.

In simple words: This table shows the main parts of the United Nations, how many member countries are in each part, and what important jobs they do to keep world peace.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the specific functions of the General Assembly and the Security Council, as examiners frequently ask you to compare their roles in maintaining global peace.

Question 1. Complete the table showing the organs of the United Nations, their member strength, and their functions.
Answer:

No.	Organ of the UN	Number of Members	Functions
(3)	International Court of Justice	15 judges	(1) To settle the disputes between two or more member nations of the United Nations. (2) To interpret international law authentically. (3) To advise the various organs or subsidiary bodies of the United Nations about legal issues.
(4)	Economic and Social Council	54 members	(1) Initiate discussions at the global level on issues like poverty, unemployment, economic and social inequality and suggest policies to tackle these problems. (2) Discuss issues like women’s questions, empowerment of women, human rights, fundamental freedoms, global trade, health related issues, etc., and make decisions. (3) Make efforts to establish cultural and educational cooperation at the international level. (4) Coordinate the functioning of the different organisations working in association with the United Nations.

In simple words: This table lists the main groups within the United Nations, how many members they have, and what important jobs they do to keep world peace and help people.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing functions of UN organs, use bullet points or numbered lists to make your answers clear and easy for the examiner to read.

 

Question 2. Show the chronology of the establishment of the United Nations.
Answer:
The chronological events leading to the establishment of the United Nations are:

• 1941: Atlantic Charter (Declaration by Roosevelt and Churchill)
• 1944: Dumbarton Oaks Conference (Drafting of the UN Charter)
• 1945: San Francisco Conference (Signing of the United Nations Charter)

In simple words: The United Nations was created step-by-step, starting with a joint declaration in 1941, followed by detailed planning in 1944, and finally signing the official charter in 1945.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the sequence of years (1941, 1944, 1945) and associate each with its key event (Atlantic Charter, Dumbarton Oaks, San Francisco Conference) to score full marks on timeline questions.

Question 2. Complete the timeline of the establishment of the United Nations.
Answer:
The timeline of the establishment of the United Nations is as follows:

• 1941: Atlantic Treaty
• 1944: 2 conferences
• 1945: UN was established

These milestones mark the gradual diplomatic efforts that eventually led to the creation of the global organization.
In simple words: This timeline shows the key steps taken between 1941 and 1945 to set up the United Nations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the exact years for these three major milestones as they are frequently asked in chronological order questions.

 

Question 3. Complete the following tree diagram about the United Nations.
Answer:
The completed tree diagram of the United Nations structure is represented below:

• United Nations
  • Headquarters: New York
  • Major Organs:
    • General Assembly
    • Security Council
    • Secretariat
    • Trusteeship Council
    • Economic and Social Council
    • International Court of Justice
  • Affiliated Organisations:
    • ILO (International Labour Organization)
    • IMF (International Monetary Fund)
    • UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
    • UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
    • WB (World Bank)
    • WHO (World Health Organization)

Understanding this structure helps us see how different specialized agencies work together under the main UN umbrella.
In simple words: The United Nations is based in New York and is divided into six main organs and several specialized agencies like WHO and UNICEF that handle specific global issues.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the six major organs of the UN and at least three affiliated organizations to easily score full marks in diagram-based questions.

Answer the Following in Brief:

 

Question 1. Did India participate in the conferences during the Second World War?
Answer: India was among the original members of the United Nations that signed the Declaration by United Nations at Washington, D.C. on 1st January, 1942 and also participated in the United Nations Conference on International Organization at San Francisco from 25th April to 26th June 1945. This active involvement highlighted India's early commitment to global peace and cooperation even before achieving formal independence.
In simple words: Yes, India was one of the founding members of the United Nations. It signed the initial declaration in 1942 and attended the key founding conference in San Francisco in 1945.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention both key dates (January 1, 1942, and April-June 1945) and locations (Washington, D.C. and San Francisco) to secure full marks.

 

Question 2. Which day is celebrated as United Nations day?
Answer: United Nations was established on 24th October 1945. The day is now celebrated each year around the world as United Nations Day to highlight the aims and achievements of the organization.
In simple words: United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24th every year. This is the day the UN was officially created in 1945.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the exact date, October 24, 1945, as it is a very common objective question.

 

Question 3. Can the United Nations intervene militarily if there is a serious threat to international peace?
Answer: The United Nations can’t intervene militarily if there is a serious threat to international peace. The UN, after approval by the Security Council, sends peacekeepers to regions where armed conflict has recently ceased or stalled to enforce the terms of peace agreements and to discourage combatants from resuming hostilities. These peacekeeping forces are contributed voluntarily by member states to help maintain stability.
In simple words: The UN does not have its own army to start military actions. Instead, it sends peacekeeping forces to conflict zones to help keep the peace after a ceasefire has been agreed upon.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that the UN cannot directly intervene militarily, and explain the role of the Security Council and peacekeepers.

 

Question 4. What steps have the United Nations taken to foster human rights and freedom?
Answer: One of the UN’s primary purposes is to promote and encourage respect for human rights and to ensure fundamental freedoms for all without distinction on the basis of race, sex, language, or religion. In 1948, the General Assembly adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1979, the General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, followed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989. United Nations Commission on Human Rights was formed in 1993 to oversee human rights issues for the UN. These landmark declarations and conventions serve as a global standard for protecting individual dignity.
In simple words: The UN created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 to protect everyone's freedom. It also made special agreements to protect women and children, and set up a special commission in 1993 to watch over human rights.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the key years (1948, 1979, 1989, 1993) and their corresponding declarations/conventions to write a complete and high-scoring answer.

Question 5. Only one Indian has so far been the President of the UN General Assembly. Who is that person? When and at which session?
Answer: Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit is the only Indian so far who has been the President of the UN General Assembly, at the eighth session in 1953. She represented India with great distinction on this global platform.
In simple words: Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit was the first and only Indian to lead the UN General Assembly. She did this during its eighth session back in 1953.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember both the name of the President and the year (1953) to score full marks in this factual question.

 

Activity

 

Question 1. Write the names of United Nations Secretary Generals until now.
Answer:
(i) Mr. Trygve Lie
(ii) Mr. Dag Hammarskjold
(iii) Mr. U. Thant
(iv) Mr. Kurt Waldheim
(v) Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar
(vi) Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali
(vii) Mr. Kofi Annan
(viii) Mr. Ban Ki Moon
(ix) Mr. Antonio Guterres. These leaders have guided the international body through various global challenges.
In simple words: This is a list of all the people who have served as the main leader, called the Secretary-General, of the United Nations from its beginning up to today.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize at least three to four prominent names from this list, such as Kofi Annan or Ban Ki-Moon, as they are frequently asked in exams.

 

Question 2. Is it necessary that the Secretary-General should be a citizen of the great powers/the big five?
Answer: It is not necessary that the Secretary General should be a citizen of one of the great powers/ the big five. Here is the list of Secretary Generals with their countries: Mr. Trygve Lie (Norway), Mr. Dag Hammarskjold (Sweden), Mr. U. Thant (Myanmar), Mr. Kurt Waldheim (Austria), Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar (Peru), Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali (Egypt), Mr. Kofi Annan (Ghana), and Mr. Ban Ki Moon (South Korea). This diversity ensures that the leadership represents different regions of the world fairly.
In simple words: No, the leader of the UN does not have to come from one of the most powerful countries. In fact, past leaders have come from many different countries like Norway, Ghana, and South Korea.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state 'It is not necessary' at the very beginning of your answer before listing the examples to show direct understanding.

Question 3. Are citizens of a particular country given priority for being Secretary-General?
Answer: The citizens of no particular country are given priority for being Secretary General. This ensures that the selection process remains fair and unbiased for all member nations.
In simple words: Anyone from any country can become the Secretary-General, and no country gets special treatment.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the UN represents all nations equally, so no single country gets priority for this top leadership role.

 

Question 4. Who is the current Secretary General and which country does he belong to?
Answer: The current Secretary General is Antonio Guterres and he belongs to Portugal. He has been serving in this role to guide international cooperation and peace.
In simple words: Antonio Guterres from Portugal is the current leader of the United Nations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always spell the name "Antonio Guterres" correctly and mention "Portugal" as his home country to secure full marks.

 

Class 9 Political Science Chapter 4 The United Nations Additional Important Questions And Answers

 

Choose the correct option from the given options and rewrite the statements:

 

Question 1. The United Nations Organisation was founded on _______.
(a) August 9, 1944
(b) October 24, 1944
(c) October 24, 1945
(d) December 10, 1945
Answer: (c) October 24, 1945
In simple words: The United Nations was officially created on October 24, 1945, right after World War II ended, to help keep world peace.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the exact year (1945) and date (October 24) as this is a very common question in exams and is also celebrated globally as UN Day.

 

Question 2. The United Nations has ____ main organs.
(a) four
(b) five
(c) six
(d) seven
Answer: (c) six
In simple words: The UN is divided into six main parts or branches that handle different types of global work.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be ready to list these six organs (like the General Assembly and Security Council) if asked in short-answer questions.

 

Question 3. The United Nations has ______ official languages.
(a) four
(b) five
(c) six
(d) three
Answer: (c) six
In simple words: The United Nations uses six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) so that representatives from different countries can understand each other during meetings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the number six and try to remember the names of these six languages, as they are frequently asked in multiple-choice questions.

 

Question 4. This language is not an official language of the United Nations
(a) French
(b) Spanish
(c) Arabic
(d) Italian
Answer: (d) Italian
In simple words: While French, Spanish, and Arabic are among the six official languages of the UN, Italian is not one of them.

🎯 Exam Tip: If you memorize the six official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish), you can easily eliminate the incorrect options.

 

Question 5. There are ______ permanent members in the Security Council.
(a) four
(b) five
(c) six
(d) seven
Answer: (b) five
In simple words: There are five powerful countries (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) that always hold a permanent seat on the Security Council.

🎯 Exam Tip: These five permanent members are often referred to as the "P5" and they hold special veto powers, which is a key concept for exams.

 

Question 6. There are ________ non-permanent members in the Security Council.
(a) ten
(b) five
(c) fifteen
(d) seven
Answer: (a) ten
In simple words: In addition to the five permanent members, there are ten other countries chosen from different regions of the world to serve as temporary members.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the total number of members in the Security Council is fifteen (five permanent and ten non-permanent members).

 

Question 7. The term of a non-permanent member of the Security Council is of ______.
Answer: two years.
In simple words: The ten non-permanent members are elected to serve on the Security Council for a period of two years before new countries are chosen.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state "two years" as the duration, and remember that these members are elected by the General Assembly.

Question 7.
(a) four years
(b) five years
(c) two years
(d) one year
Answer: (c) two years
In simple words: The correct option is two years.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that non-permanent members of the UN Security Council are elected for a term of two years.

 

Question 8. Which organ of the United Nations has suspended its operations since 1994?
(a) Trusteeship Council
(b) Economic and Social Council
(c) Secretariat
(d) International Court of Justice
Answer: (a) Trusteeship Council
In simple words: The Trusteeship Council suspended its work in 1994 after Palau, the last remaining trust territory, gained independence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize 1994 as the year the Trusteeship Council suspended its operations after Palau became independent.

 

Question 9. How many Judges are there in the International Court of Justice?
(a) 9
(b) 10
(c) 12
(d) 15
Answer: (d) 15
In simple words: There are 15 judges in the World Court who are elected for nine-year terms.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the number 15 for the judges of the ICJ, and note that they are elected by the General Assembly and Security Council.

 

Question 10. What is the term of the United Nations Secretary General?
(a) 3 years
(b) 4 years
(c) 6 years
(d) 5 years
Answer: (d) 5 years
In simple words: The Secretary-General is appointed for a five-year term, which can be renewed.

🎯 Exam Tip: The term of the UN Secretary-General is 5 years, which is a very common question in exams.

 

Question 11. UN Secretary General heads which principal organ of the United Nations
Answer: The UN Secretary-General heads the Secretariat, which is the administrative organ of the United Nations. This organ is responsible for implementing the programs and policies laid down by the other UN bodies.
In simple words: The Secretary-General is the leader of the Secretariat, which handles the day-to-day work of the UN.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always associate the Secretary-General with the Secretariat as its chief administrative officer.

Question. Organisation?
(a) General Assembly
(b) Security Council
(c) Economic and Social Council
(d) The Secretariat
Answer: (d) The Secretariat
In simple words: The Secretariat is the administrative department of the UN that handles day-to-day operations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the Secretariat acts as the administrative backbone of the United Nations, led by the Secretary-General.

 

Question 12. What is the term of a judge of the International Court of Justice?
(a) 9 years
(b) 4 years
(c) 6 years
(d) 5 years
Answer: (a) 9 years
In simple words: Judges at the World Court are elected for a nine-year term to ensure stability and independence in their decisions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Do not confuse the 9-year term of ICJ judges with the typical 5-year terms of other UN organs.

 

Question 13. How many members does the Economic and Social Council have?
(a) 33
(b) 40
(c) 15
(d) 54
Answer: (d) 54
In simple words: The Economic and Social Council has 54 member states elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the number 54 for ECOSOC, as it is a frequently asked multiple-choice question in exams.

 

Give the full forms of the following acronyms:

 

Question 1. ILO:
Answer: International Labour Organisation. This agency sets international labor standards to promote decent work for all.
In simple words: ILO stands for the International Labour Organisation, which works to protect workers' rights worldwide.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the spelling of 'Organisation' (using 's' or 'z' as per your textbook standard) to avoid losing marks.

 

Question 2. FAO:
Answer: Food and Agriculture Organisation. This specialized agency leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition.
In simple words: FAO stands for the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which helps countries ensure everyone has access to good quality food.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate 'F' with Food and 'A' with Agriculture to easily recall this acronym during exams.

 

Question 3. WHO:
Answer: World Health Organisation. This agency plays a leading role in directing and coordinating global health responses.
In simple words: WHO stands for World Health Organisation, which works to keep people all over the world healthy and safe from diseases.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always write the full form of WHO with correct spelling, especially "Organisation" (or "Organization" depending on your textbook's spelling).

 

Question 4. WB:
Answer: World Bank. It provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries to help them fund development projects.
In simple words: WB stands for World Bank, which lends money to countries to help them build important things like roads, schools, and water systems.

🎯 Exam Tip: Keep the abbreviation and full form clear in your mind as these are frequently asked in match-the-following questions.

 

Question 5. IMF:
Answer: International Monetary Fund. It works to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, and facilitate international trade.
In simple words: IMF stands for International Monetary Fund, which helps manage money and financial systems across different countries to keep the global economy stable.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the spelling of "Monetary" when writing the full form of IMF.

 

Question 6. UNICEF:
Answer: United Nations Children’s Fund. It is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
In simple words: UNICEF stands for United Nations Children’s Fund, which helps children around the world get food, education, and healthcare.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that UNICEF specifically focuses on the welfare and rights of children globally.

 

Question 7. UNESCO:
Answer: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. It aims at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture.
In simple words: UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, which helps countries work together on education, science, and culture.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be careful with the order of the words: Educational comes first, followed by Scientific, and then Cultural.

State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False With Reasons:

 

Question 1. UNICEF is the main organ of UN.
Answer: False.
(i) The United Nations has six main organs:
1. General Assembly
2. Security Council
3. Economic and Social Council
4. International Court of Justice
5. Trusteeship Council and
6. Secretariat.
UNICEF is actually a specialized program and fund of the UN, rather than one of its primary organs.
In simple words: This statement is false because UNICEF is a special program for children, not one of the six main governing bodies of the United Nations.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering True/False questions with reasons, always state "True" or "False" clearly first, and then list the correct facts to support your answer.

Explain the Following Concepts:

 

Question 1. Millennium Development Goals
Answer: The United Nations member nations came together in 2000 and decided upon the development goals for the new millennium. These goals were designed to improve global living standards by the year 2015. Some of the important goals are as follows:
• To eliminate poverty and hunger.
• To make the facilities of primary education available.
• To bring about women’s empowerment, reduce infant mortality rate.
• To take special care of the health of pregnant women.
• To fight diseases like AIDS, malaria, etc.
• To protect the environment and increase the cooperation between developed and developing countries.
In simple words: The Millennium Development Goals are a set of targets set by the UN in 2000 to solve major global problems like poverty, hunger, and disease. They aim to make the world a better and safer place for everyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize at least three to four key goals, such as eliminating poverty and improving primary education, to secure full marks in this question.

 

Question 2. International Criminal Court
Answer:
(i) The International Criminal Court is an inter-governmental organisation and an international tribunal.
(ii) Its headquarters are at The Hague in the Netherlands.
(iii) The International Criminal Court has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes that are of concern to the international community. This court acts as a court of last resort when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute.
In simple words: The International Criminal Court is a special global court located in the Netherlands. It puts individuals on trial for very serious international crimes like war crimes and genocide.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be sure to mention "The Hague in the Netherlands" as the headquarters, as this is a key detail examiners look for.

 

Question 3. International Court of Justice.
Answer:
(i) International Court of Justice means the judicial branch of the United Nations. It settles legal disputes submitted to it by member states in accordance with international law.
In simple words: The International Court of Justice is the main court of the United Nations. It helps resolve legal disagreements between different countries.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that it is the "judicial branch" of the United Nations to get full marks.

Question 3. The International Court of Justice.
Answer:
(i) The International Court of Justice is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.
(ii) There are 15 judges in the International Court of Justice.
(iii) They are chosen by the General Assembly and the Security Council. Every judge has tenure of nine years. This ensures continuity and stability in the judicial process of international disputes.
(iv) Functions:
• To settle the disputes between two or more member nations of the United Nations.
• To interpret international law authentically.
• To advise the various organs or subsidiary bodies of the United Nations about legal issues.
In simple words: The International Court of Justice is the main court of the UN, located in the Netherlands. Its 15 judges help resolve disagreements between countries and explain international laws.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the International Court of Justice has 15 judges with a 9-year term, and it is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

 

Question 4. The UN Security Council.
Answer: Security Council is one of the 6 main organs of the UN:
(i) There are 15 members in the Security Council. Of them, five are permanent members, while ten are non-permanent members.
(ii) The non-permanent members are chosen every two years by the General Assembly. America, Russia, England, France and China are permanent members of the Security Council. They have the veto power. This power allows any of these five nations to block a resolution, regardless of the level of international support it has.
(iii) For any decision to be taken, the assent of all five permanent members and four non permanent members is necessary. If even one of the five permanent member uses his veto i.e. gives a negative vote, the decision cannot be taken.
(iv) Functions of the Security Council:
(a) The main responsibility of the Security Council is to maintain international peace and security.
The Security Council may suggest one among the following alternatives in situations of international conflict:
• End/resolve conflict and make efforts to establish peace
• Impose economic sanctions or take a decision of military action against the aggressor nation.
In simple words: The Security Council maintains global peace and has 15 members, including 5 permanent ones with veto power. If any permanent member votes against a decision, it cannot be passed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list the five permanent members (America, Russia, England, France, and China) and explain how the veto power works to secure full marks.

Complete the Following Table:

 

Question 1. Complete the table with the full forms of the given abbreviations:

(1)	WHO	(a)	.............
(2)	UNESCO	(b)	.............
(3)	UNICEF	(c)	.............
(4)	ILO	(d)	.............

Answer:

(1)	WHO	(a)	World Health Organization
(2)	UNESCO	(b)	United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
(3)	UNICEF	(c)	United Nations Children’s, Fund
(4)	ILO	(d)	International Labour Organization

In simple words: This table matches the short names of different international organizations, like WHO and UNICEF, with their full official names.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the full forms of these major international organizations as they are frequently asked in exams and general knowledge tests.

 

Question 2. Complete the table with the roles or organizations associated with the given locations:

(1)	New York	(a)	..........
(2)	Hague, Netherlands	(b)	..........
(3)	San Francisco	(c)	..........

Answer:

(1)	New York	(a)	Headquarters of the United Nations
(2)	Hague, Netherlands	(b)	International Court of Justice
(3)	San Francisco	(c)	Conference where the United Nations Charter was signed

In simple words: This table connects important cities with the key United Nations events or offices located there, such as the main headquarters in New York and the world court in the Hague.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the International Court of Justice is the only major organ of the UN not located in New York; it is in the Hague, Netherlands.

Column A	Column B
(1) New York	(a) Headquarters of UN
(2) Hague, Netherlands	(b) International Court of Justice
(3) San Francisco	(c) Drafting of UN Charter

 

Question 1. Complete the flow chart showing the ways to settle international conflict peacefully.
Answer:
UN and preservation of peace

\( \implies \) Ways to settle international conflict peacefully:

• appointing an intermediary acceptable to the nations involved in the conflicts
• use the legal procedure
• Appoint an arbitrator to solve the dispute
• take military action

In simple words: The United Nations helps countries resolve their disagreements peacefully by using mediators, legal courts, or neutral arbitrators before resorting to military action.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize all four methods of peaceful conflict resolution as they are frequently asked in flow-chart questions.

Complete the Chart:

 

Question 1. Complete the concept map showing the 6 Official Languages of the UN.
Answer: The six official languages of the United Nations are:

• Russian
• English
• Spanish
• Chinese
• French
• Arabic

These languages are used for all official meetings and documents of the United Nations to ensure clear communication among member states.
In simple words: The United Nations uses six main languages so that people from different countries can understand each other during meetings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the six languages by using the acronym 'CARFES' (Chinese, Arabic, Russian, French, English, Spanish) so you never forget any of them in the exam.

 

Question 2. Complete the concept map showing the Main Organs of the UN.
Answer: The six main organs of the United Nations are:

• General Assembly
• Security Council
• Economic and Social Council
• Trusteeship Council
• International Court of Justice
• Secretariat

Each of these organs plays a distinct role in maintaining international peace, security, and cooperation.
In simple words: The United Nations is divided into six main branches, each having its own special job like keeping peace or helping poor countries.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly name all six organs, paying special attention to spelling 'Secretariat' and 'Trusteeship Council' correctly to secure full marks.

Main Organs of the UN

• Secretariat
• General Assembly
• Trusteeship Council
• Security Council
• International Court of Justice
• Economic and Social Council

 

Answer the Following in Brief:

 

Question 1. State the role of UN General Assembly as platform to discuss global problems.
Answer: The United Nations General Assembly is a platform to discuss global problems because:

• Every year the General Assembly meets in its session from September to December.
• During the session, the General Assembly discusses important issues like environment, disarmament, etc.
• The decisions in the General Assembly are taken by the majority. These decisions are in the form of resolutions.
• The significance of the General Assembly lies in being a platform for representatives of member nations to come together and discuss and make policy decisions on issues of global importance. This collaborative approach helps foster international cooperation and understanding among diverse nations.

In simple words: The UN General Assembly is like a big global meeting where leaders from all countries talk about major world issues and vote on how to solve them together.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the role of the General Assembly, remember to mention that decisions are made by a majority vote and are called resolutions.

 

Question 2. United Nations plays an important role in preservation of peace. Explain the statement.
Answer:
(i) The objective of the United Nations is to settle international conflict peacefully.
(ii) The United Nations Charter lays down the ways and means to be employed to achieve this goal. This framework ensures that member states have clear guidelines to resolve disputes without resorting to violence.
In simple words: The United Nations helps keep world peace by giving countries a peaceful way to talk through their arguments instead of fighting wars.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the role of the UN Charter as the official rulebook that guides countries toward peaceful conflict resolution.

Question 3. How had India helped to solve international conflicts peacefully?
Answer:
(i) India had participated in the different Conferences that were held before the establishment of the United Nations.
(ii) India has participated in bringing issues like decolonisation, disarmament and racial segregation on the United Nations platform.
(iii) In 1946, India was the first country to raise the question of racism in the United Nations. India has always led the discussions about the problems of undeveloped and developing countries.
(iv) India has always sent her troops to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping forces. Not just that, India has sent an all-woman peacekeeping force as well.
(v) It is evident from the foregoing analysis that India makes serious efforts to solve international conflicts by peaceful means. This proactive stance highlights India's long-standing commitment to global harmony.
In simple words: India has actively supported global peace by participating in international conferences, opposing racism and colonialism, and sending peacekeeping forces to conflict zones.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, make sure to highlight specific examples of India's contributions, such as raising the issue of racism in 1946 and sending an all-woman peacekeeping force.

 

Question 4. What is the role of UNESCO?
Answer: UNESCO, is an affiliated organisation of the United Nations works towards peace by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture.
In simple words: UNESCO is a special branch of the United Nations that works to build peace by helping countries cooperate in education, science, and culture.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that UNESCO is an affiliated organization of the UN and focus on its core areas: education, science, and culture.

 

Question 5. What are the principles of the United Nations?
Answer: The United Nations is an organisation created by the coming together of sovereign nations. Naturally, it is based on certain principles or rules. These core principles ensure that every country, regardless of its wealth, has an equal voice in global affairs. They are as follows:

• All member nations will have the same status. There is no discrimination among nations based on geographical size, economic or military power.
• All member nations of the United Nations should respect the freedom and geographical unity of other member nations.
• All member nations should solve their international disputes and mutual issues peacefully.

In simple words: The United Nations is built on fairness and respect. It treats all countries as equals, respects their borders, and encourages them to settle arguments peacefully without fighting.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the three key pillars: equality of nations, respect for borders, and peaceful resolution of conflicts to score full marks.

 

Question 6. What are the functions of the General Assembly?
Answer: The United Nations General Assembly is a platform to discuss global problems. This body serves as the main deliberative and policy-making organ of the UN. Functions of General Assembly are:

• To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council.
• To choose the United Nations Secretary General and the judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in consultation with the Security Council.
• To pass the annual budget of the United Nations.

In simple words: The General Assembly acts like a giant world parliament where countries meet to talk about global issues, vote on important leaders, and decide how the UN spends its money.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the three main duties: electing members, choosing the Secretary-General/judges, and passing the budget.

 

Question 7. What are the specialised agencies of UN?
Answer:
(i) Apart from these six major organs, there are many affiliated organisations of the United Nations that help it in its functions. They are called specialised agencies. These agencies focus on global issues such as health, education, and economic development to improve lives worldwide.
(ii) Working in specific areas, they help different nations in those areas.
(iii) The following are some of these important agencies:
In simple words: Specialised agencies are smaller, focused groups within the UN that work on specific global areas like health, education, or agriculture to help people around the world.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that these agencies work in specific fields to assist nations, and mention that they are separate from the six main organs.

 

Question 8. Why was the Trusteeship Council setup and why has it suspended its operations?
Answer:
(i) After the Second World War, the territories that were undeveloped were placed under the responsibility of the developed nations.
(ii) The latter were supposed to help bring about the development of the trust territories and once they attain independence from their colonies, help establish democracy. This system ensured that trust territories were not left without governance during their transition.
(iii) The work of the Trusteeship Council is over as there are no trust territories left.
(iv) The work of the Trusteeship Council ended when Palau got independence on 1st November 1994.
In simple words: The Trusteeship Council was created to help undeveloped regions become independent and democratic. Once all these regions became independent countries, the council's job was finished, so it stopped working.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention the exact date of Palau's independence (1st November 1994) to secure full marks for the suspension part of this question.

 

Question 9. Write about the phases in establishment of the United Nations.
Answer: The United Nations is an international organisation of sovereign nations. It was established in the following manner:
(i) The Atlantic Treaty was signed between Prime Minister of England, Sir Winston Churchill and American, President Franklin D Roosevelt during the Second World War on 14th August 1941.
(ii) According to this treaty, a decision was taken to set up a permanent mechanism to establish international security after the Second World War was over.
(iii) Detailed discussions followed on this decision in two conferences among allied powers in 1944 and 1945. These discussions eventually led to the drafting of the UN Charter in San Francisco.
In simple words: The United Nations was set up in stages, starting with a treaty signed by the leaders of Britain and America during World War II. They wanted a permanent way to keep global peace, which led to meetings where they finalized the plans.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to highlight the Atlantic Treaty and its date, 14th August 1941, as these are key historical milestones examiners look for.

 

Question 10. Explain the characteristics of the Economic and Social Council.
Answer: Economic and Social Council:
(i) The main objective of this organisation is to coordinate the economic and social policies of the United Nations.
(ii) The Council has 54 members. They are selected by the General Assembly.
(iii) Each member has a tenure of three years and each year, one-third of the members are newly chosen. Decisions are taken by majority vote.
(iv) Functions:
• Initiate discussions at the global level on issues like poverty, unemployment, economic and social inequality and suggest policies to tackle these problems.
• Discuss issues like women’s questions, empowerment of women, human rights, fundamental freedoms, global trade, health related issues, etc. and make decisions.
• Make efforts to establish cultural and educational cooperation at the international level.
• Coordinate the functioning of the different organisations working in association with the United Nations. This council plays a vital role in fostering global development and cooperation.
In simple words: The Economic and Social Council is a group of 54 members that works to solve global problems like poverty, health issues, and inequality. They help different countries work together to make the world a better and fairer place.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to list both the structure (54 members, 3-year term) and at least two key functions of the Council to secure full marks.

 

Activity

 

Question 1. Name the UN Secretary-General who later on became the President of his country.
Answer: Mr. Kurt Waldheim of Austria. He served as the President of Austria from 1986 to 1992.
In simple words: Kurt Waldheim was a leader who first ran the United Nations as Secretary-General and later became the President of his home country, Austria.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always write the full name of the leader and their country to ensure your answer is complete and accurate.

 

Question 2. Name the UN Secretary-General who died in an air-crash.
Answer: Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden, died on September 18, 1961, during a Congo Mission. He was posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize later that year for his dedication to peace.
In simple words: Dag Hammarskjold, who was the head of the United Nations, lost his life in a plane crash while traveling on a peace mission to the Congo.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember to spell the name 'Dag Hammarskjold' correctly and mention the year 1961 to secure full marks.