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International Organisations

NCERT Class 12 · Political Science Based on NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter examines the role of international organisations, particularly the United Nations, in the post-Cold War era. It discusses the need for restructuring international organisations to reflect contemporary realities, focusing on the reform of the UN Security Council, India's position on these reforms, and the challenges of a unipolar world dominated by the US. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that while international organisations like the UN are imperfect and face significant hurdles in reform, they remain indispensable for fostering cooperation, resolving conflicts, and addressing global challenges that no single nation can handle alone.
Key Concepts (23)
International Organisation
An organisation created by and responding to states, not a super-state with authority over its members; it comes into being when states agree to its creation and helps member states resolve problems peacefully.
e.g. The United Nations was created by 51 states signing its Charter in 1945 to prevent future wars.
United Nations (UN)
An international organisation founded in 1945 as a successor to the League of Nations, with the objective to prevent international conflict and facilitate cooperation among states; it has 193 member states (as of 2011).
e.g. India joined the UN on 30 October 1945.
UN Security Council
The principal organ of the UN responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security; it has five permanent members (US, Russia, UK, France, China) with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
e.g. The Security Council can authorise peacekeeping missions or impose sanctions on a country.
Veto Power
The negative vote of any permanent member of the Security Council that can stall a decision even if all other permanent and non-permanent members vote in favour.
e.g. If the US casts a veto, a resolution cannot pass even if all 14 other members vote yes.
Permanent Members (P5)
The five states (US, Russia, UK, France, China) that were the most powerful after the Second World War and were given permanent seats and veto power in the Security Council.
e.g. China is a permanent member, while India is not.
Non-Permanent Members
Ten members of the Security Council elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly, representing all continents; they do not have veto power and cannot be re-elected immediately after their term.
e.g. A country like Brazil serves as a non-permanent member for two years and then gives way to a newly elected member.
Secretary-General
The most visible public figure and representative head of the UN; currently António Guterres (ninth Secretary-General, took office on 1 January 2017).
e.g. Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General, famously said the UN was created 'to save humanity from hell'.
General Assembly
The main deliberative organ of the UN where all member states have one vote each; it debates and discusses global issues.
e.g. Every year, world leaders gather in the General Assembly to give speeches on international issues.
League of Nations
The international organisation created after the First World War to deal with conflict; it failed to prevent the Second World War and was succeeded by the UN.
e.g. The League of Nations could not stop the aggression that led to World War II.
UN Charter
The founding treaty of the United Nations, signed by 50 nations on 26 June 1945 (Poland signed later, making 51 original members); it established the UN's objectives and structure.
e.g. The Charter gave permanent members a privileged position, including veto power, to bring stability after WWII.
Peacebuilding Commission
A UN body created in 2005 to help countries transition from conflict to peace and sustainable development.
e.g. The Peacebuilding Commission might assist a country like Liberia after its civil war.
Human Rights Council
A UN body established on 19 June 2006 to promote and protect human rights around the world.
e.g. The Human Rights Council investigates allegations of human rights abuses in member states.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
A set of eight international development goals established following the Millennium Summit of the UN in 2000, aimed at eradicating poverty and improving living conditions by 2015.
e.g. One MDG was to reduce child mortality rates.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
A set of 17 global goals adopted by the UN in 2015 as a successor to the MDGs, covering issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace.
e.g. SDG 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
An international organisation that oversees financial institutions and regulations at the international level; it has 190 member countries but voting power is unequal, with G-7 members holding 41.29% of votes.
e.g. The IMF provides loans to countries facing balance of payments crises, often with conditions.
World Bank
An international organisation created in 1944 that provides loans and grants to developing countries for human development, agriculture, infrastructure, and governance; it is often criticised for attaching stringent conditions to its loans.
e.g. The World Bank funded a road construction project in rural India.
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
An international organisation set up in 1995 as the successor to GATT, which sets rules for global trade; decisions are taken unanimously but major economic powers often dominate.
e.g. The WTO settles trade disputes between member countries, like the US and China.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
An international organisation established in 1957 to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for military purposes; it inspects nuclear facilities worldwide.
e.g. IAEA teams regularly inspect Iran's nuclear facilities to ensure they are not used for weapons.
Amnesty International
An international NGO that campaigns for the protection of human rights worldwide, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; it publishes reports on government misconduct.
e.g. Amnesty International released a report on the treatment of refugees in a particular country.
Human Rights Watch
An international NGO involved in research and advocacy on human rights; it draws global media attention to abuses and helped build coalitions to ban landmines and establish the International Criminal Court.
e.g. Human Rights Watch documented human rights violations during a civil war.
Unipolar World
A world order in which one superpower (the US) is dominant without any serious rivals, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
e.g. After the Cold War, the US emerged as the sole superpower, creating a unipolar moment.
Trusteeship Council
A principal organ of the UN that was wound up in 2005 as part of reforms, as its work of overseeing trust territories was largely completed.
e.g. The Trusteeship Council supervised the transition of trust territories to independence.
Democracy Fund
A fund created by the UN in 2005 to promote democracy in member states.
e.g. The Democracy Fund provides grants to civil society organisations working on democratic governance.
How It Works
How the UN Security Council Makes Decisions (Voting and Veto)
  1. All 15 members (5 permanent + 10 non-permanent) have one vote each.
  2. A decision requires at least 9 votes in favour, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members.
  3. Any permanent member can cast a negative vote (veto) to block a resolution, even if all other members vote in favour.
  4. Non-permanent members do not have veto power and serve only two-year terms, after which they cannot be re-elected immediately.
💡 The veto is not a positive power to pass a resolution; it is a negative power to stop one. Students often confuse this and think permanent members can pass any resolution alone.
How the UN Was Founded
  1. August 1941: Atlantic Charter signed by US President Roosevelt and British PM Churchill.
  2. January 1942: 26 Allied nations sign the 'Declaration by United Nations' in Washington, D.C.
  3. December 1943: Tehran Conference of the 'Big Three' (US, Britain, Soviet Union).
  4. February 1945: Yalta Conference decides to organise a UN conference.
  5. April-May 1945: Two-month UN Conference on International Organisation in San Francisco.
  6. 26 June 1945: UN Charter signed by 50 nations (Poland signed later, making 51 original members).
  7. 24 October 1945: UN is founded (celebrated as UN Day).
  8. 30 October 1945: India joins the UN.
💡 The UN was founded immediately after WWII, not during it. The 'Declaration by United Nations' in 1942 was a wartime alliance, not the formal founding.
How Reform of the UN Security Council is Proposed
  1. In 1992, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution reflecting three main complaints: the Security Council no longer represents contemporary realities, its decisions reflect only Western values, and it lacks equitable representation.
  2. On 1 January 1997, Secretary-General Kofi Annan initiated an inquiry into how the UN should be reformed.
  3. Various criteria for new permanent and non-permanent members were proposed: major economic power, major military power, substantial contributor to UN budget, large population, respect for democracy and human rights, and making the Council more representative of world diversity.
  4. Debate continues over whether to expand permanent and non-permanent membership, whether to abolish or modify the veto, and how to ensure equitable geographical representation.
💡 There is no consensus on reform. Different countries support different criteria based on their own interests. The veto is unlikely to be abolished because permanent members would not agree.
How the UN Can Serve in a Unipolar World
  1. The US, as the sole superpower, can ignore the UN due to its military and economic power, its financial contribution to the UN, its physical location in US territory, and its veto power.
  2. Despite this, the UN provides an arena for dialogue between the US and the rest of the world.
  3. The UN can help modify US attitudes and policies through discussion and compromise.
  4. While the rest of the world is rarely united against Washington, the UN offers a space where arguments against specific US policies are heard and concessions can be shaped.
💡 The UN is not a great balance to US power, but it is not completely irrelevant. It serves as a forum for dialogue, not a check on US dominance.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing the UN's Founding Date with the Declaration by United Nations
✗ The UN was founded in 1942 when 26 nations signed the Declaration by United Nations.
→ The Declaration by United Nations in 1942 was a wartime alliance of Allied nations, not the formal founding of the UN. The UN was actually founded on 24 October 1945 after the UN Charter was signed.
✓ The UN was founded on 24 October 1945, when the UN Charter was signed by 50 nations. The 1942 Declaration by United Nations was a precursor, not the founding event.
⚠ Thinking the General Assembly Has Veto Power
✗ The General Assembly has veto power over Security Council decisions.
→ Veto power is exclusive to the five permanent members of the Security Council. The General Assembly has no veto power; it can only debate and make recommendations.
✓ Only the five permanent members of the Security Council (US, Russia, UK, France, China) possess veto power. The General Assembly has no veto power and all members have one vote each.
⚠ Assuming Non-Permanent Members Can Be Re-Elected Immediately
✗ Non-permanent members of the Security Council can be re-elected after their two-year term.
→ A country cannot be re-elected immediately after completing a two-year term as a non-permanent member. They must wait before being eligible again.
✓ Non-permanent members serve for two years and cannot be re-elected immediately after their term ends. They give way to newly elected members.
⚠ Believing the UN is a Super-State with Authority Over Members
✗ The UN is a world government that can force countries to obey its decisions.
→ The UN is not a super-state; it is created by and responds to states. It has no independent authority over its members and relies on their cooperation.
✓ The UN is an international organisation created by states. It is not a super-state and has no authority over its members; it can only facilitate cooperation and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
⚠ Confusing the IMF and World Bank Functions
✗ The IMF provides loans for development projects like roads and schools.
→ The IMF oversees the global financial system and provides loans to countries for balance of payments support, often with conditions. The World Bank provides loans and grants for development projects like infrastructure, health, and education.
✓ The IMF oversees international financial stability and provides loans to countries facing financial crises. The World Bank provides loans and grants for development projects in areas like infrastructure, health, and education.
Compare & Contrast
Nature of membership and powers
Permanent Members of the Security Council
Non-Permanent Members of the Security Council
Permanent members (P5) have permanent seats and veto power, while non-permanent members serve only two-year terms, cannot be re-elected immediately, and have no veto power.
Primary function and focus
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
World Bank
The IMF oversees the global financial system and provides loans to countries for balance of payments stability, while the World Bank provides loans and grants for long-term development projects in areas like infrastructure, health, and education.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Short Answer (3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks), and occasionally a passage-based question (4 marks).
Most asked: Reform of the UN Security Council (composition, veto power, criteria for new members) · India's claim for permanent membership in the Security Council · Role of the UN in a unipolar world · Functions of the Security Council and the General Assembly · Veto power and its implications
Don't skip: Critically evaluate the difficulties involved in implementing reforms to restructure the UN (5 marks).; Justify India's candidature for permanent membership of the Security Council (5 marks).; Discuss the role of the UN in a unipolar world dominated by the US (5 marks).
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The UN was founded on 24 October 1945 as a successor to the League of Nations to prevent international conflict and facilitate cooperation.
  2. The UN Security Council has five permanent members (US, Russia, UK, France, China) with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
  3. Veto power is the negative vote of a permanent member that can stall any Security Council resolution, even if all other members vote in favour.
  4. India joined the UN on 30 October 1945 and supports an increase in both permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council.
  5. India argues for a permanent seat based on its large population, democratic record, contributions to UN peacekeeping, and growing economic power.
  6. The UN is not a super-state; it is created by and responds to states and has no authority over its members.
  7. The IMF oversees the global financial system, while the World Bank provides loans for development projects.
  8. The WTO, set up in 1995 as successor to GATT, sets rules for global trade but is often dominated by major economic powers.
  9. The IAEA promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy and inspects nuclear facilities to prevent military use.
  10. In a unipolar world, the US can ignore the UN due to its power, but the UN provides a forum for dialogue and compromise.
  11. Reform of the UN Security Council is difficult because there is no consensus on criteria for new members or on abolishing the veto.
  12. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are NGOs that campaign for human rights protection worldwide.
  13. The Peacebuilding Commission and Human Rights Council were created in 2005 to make the UN more relevant.
  14. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were succeeded by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015.
  15. The UN is indispensable because it helps resolve conflicts peacefully, facilitates cooperation on global issues like disease and climate change, and provides a platform for dialogue.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. In which year was the United Nations established?

  • A. 1941
  • B. 1945 ✓
  • C. 1950
  • D. 1955

Answer: B — The UN was founded in 1945 immediately after World War II as a successor to the League of Nations.

Q2. Which organisation did the UN replace as the primary international body for conflict resolution?

  • A. NATO
  • B. League of Nations ✓
  • C. Warsaw Pact
  • D. SAARC

Answer: B — The UN was established in 1945 as a successor to the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent World War II.

Q3. According to Dag Hammarskjold, what is the primary purpose of the United Nations?

  • A. To take humanity to heaven
  • B. To save humanity from hell ✓
  • C. To create a world government
  • D. To eliminate all conflicts

Answer: B — Hammarskjold stated that the UN was created not to achieve perfection but to prevent catastrophe—to save humanity from hell, not take it to heaven.

Q4. Which two global challenges mentioned in the chapter require international cooperation that cannot be solved by single nations alone?

  • A. War prevention and trade agreements
  • B. Disease eradication and global warming ✓
  • C. Nuclear weapons and terrorism
  • D. Poverty reduction and cultural exchange

Answer: B — The chapter explicitly states that disease eradication through vaccination and controlling global warming by reducing greenhouse gases both require coordinated action by all or major nations.

Q5. What does Shashi Tharoor mean by 'jaw-jaw is better than war-war'?

  • A. Nations should avoid any dialogue
  • B. Military conflict is more effective than negotiation
  • C. Dialogue and negotiation are preferable to armed conflict ✓
  • D. The UN is ineffective at causing wars

Answer: C — Tharoor argues that countries meeting to discuss issues through speeches and dialogue, even if sometimes boring, is better than resolving disputes through military force.

Q6. Assertion: International organisations have authority over member states similar to a government. Reason: Member states voluntarily surrender their sovereignty to international bodies. Which statement is correct?

  • A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason explains Assertion
  • B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason does not explain Assertion
  • C. Both Assertion and Reason are false ✓
  • D. Assertion is true but Reason is false

Answer: C — The chapter clearly states that international organisations are NOT super-states with authority over members; they are created by states and respond to states, maintaining state sovereignty.

Q7. During the Lebanon crisis of 2006, what did the cartoons criticise about the UN?

  • A. The UN was too aggressive in military intervention
  • B. The UN was ineffective and slow in responding to the conflict ✓
  • C. The UN provided too much aid to Lebanon
  • D. The UN supported Israel's military action

Answer: B — Both cartoons commented on UN ineffectiveness—it only passed a resolution in August despite the June attacks, and Israeli forces withdrew only in October, showing institutional delays.

Q8. What concern arose after the Cold War ended regarding international organisations?

  • A. That the Soviet Union would dominate world politics
  • B. That international organisations would become too powerful
  • C. That Western countries led by the US would be unchecked in their power ✓
  • D. That the UN would split into two rival organisations

Answer: C — After the USSR collapsed, concern emerged that the US and Western allies, now dominant, would have insufficient institutional checks on their power and wishes.

Q9. Which of the following is NOT a reason why nations need international organisations according to the chapter?

  • A. To provide mechanisms ensuring costs are shared fairly
  • B. To eliminate all national conflicts permanently ✓
  • C. To increase confidence that benefits will be divided justly
  • D. To ensure member states honour their agreements

Answer: B — The chapter states organisations help manage cooperation and resolve conflicts, not eliminate them permanently—perfect conflict elimination is unrealistic even with international bodies.

Q10. The chapter suggests that recognising the need for cooperation and actually cooperating are different because nations struggle with which specific issue?

  • A. Whether to use English as a common language
  • B. How to share costs, divide benefits fairly, and prevent cheating on agreements ✓
  • C. Whether international organisations should be democratic
  • D. How many countries should join the UN

Answer: B — The text explicitly states the key challenges are: agreeing on cooperation methods, sharing costs fairly, dividing benefits justly, and ensuring members don't cheat on agreements.

Flashcards

What is the primary function of international organisations like the UN?

They provide a platform for countries to resolve conflicts peacefully, cooperate on global issues, and create mechanisms for burden-sharing and trust rather than settling disputes through war.

When was the United Nations founded and why?

The UN was established in 1945 immediately after World War II as a successor to the failed League of Nations to prevent future global conflicts.

Define 'international organisation' as per the chapter.

An international organisation is a voluntary association of states created by mutual agreement to facilitate cooperation, resolve disputes, and address challenges that transcend national borders.

Name two global challenges that cannot be solved by any single country alone.

Disease eradication (requiring worldwide vaccination coordination) and global warming (demanding cooperation of major industrial powers to reduce greenhouse gases) require international cooperation.

What did Dag Hammarskjold say about the purpose of the UN?

He stated 'The United Nations was not created to take humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell'—meaning it aims to prevent disaster, not achieve perfection.

What is the role of international organisations in managing cooperation between nations?

They provide rules, mechanisms, and bureaucracy to ensure costs are shared fairly, benefits are divided justly, and member states honour their agreements without cheating.

Why was there concern after the Cold War ended regarding the US's power?

With the Soviet Union collapsed and the US emerging as sole superpower, many governments feared Western dominance would proceed unchecked without institutional restraints like the UN.

What is the significance of jaw-jaw vs war-war according to Shashi Tharoor?

Having a place where countries meet and discuss (jaw-jaw) through speeches and negotiations is preferable to armed conflict (war-war), even if debate seems tedious.

How did the Lebanon 2006 crisis illustrate UN ineffectiveness?

The UN delayed passing a resolution until August despite the June Israeli attack, and Israeli forces withdrew only in October—showing institutional slowness in crisis response.

What distinguishes an international organisation from a super-state?

An international organisation has no authority over member states; it is created by and responds to states, whereas a super-state would hold sovereign power above nations.

Important Board Questions

Define international organisation and explain one reason why nations create them. [2 marks]

Definition: voluntary association of states created by mutual agreement (not a super-state). One reason: to resolve conflicts peacefully OR to cooperate on global challenges like disease/climate OR to provide mechanisms ensuring fair cost-sharing and trust.

Explain why international organisations became especially important after the Cold War ended. Give two reasons with examples. [4 marks]

Structure: (1) US emerged as sole superpower → concern about unchecked Western dominance → need for UN as institutional check; (2) Global challenges increased (climate, disease, terrorism) → no single nation can solve alone → organisations provide coordination mechanism. Support with post-1991 context.

Analyse the criticism that international organisations like the UN are merely 'talking shops.' Is this a fair criticism? Discuss using at least three arguments from the chapter. [6 marks]

Structure: Argument 1 (fair criticism): Lebanon 2006 showed slowness, delay in resolution, ineffectiveness. Argument 2 (unfair criticism): jaw-jaw better than war-war, most conflicts resolved without war, dialogue prevents catastrophe. Argument 3: Organisations provide trust mechanism, cost-sharing, rules ensuring compliance—necessary infrastructure. Argument 4 (depth): post-Cold War concern about US power shows need for institutional check. Conclude: partial truth—imperfect but indispensable.

Assertion-Reason Questions for International Organisations

Q1. Assertion (A):

International organisations like the UN are essential for resolving conflicts between nations peacefully.

Reason (R):

International organisations serve as forums where member states can discuss contentious issues and find peaceful solutions through dialogue rather than military confrontation.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why international organisations are essential. The text explicitly states that organisations help nations 'discuss contentious issues and find peaceful solutions' and that 'most conflicts and differences are resolved without going to war.'

Q2. Assertion (A):

The League of Nations successfully prevented World War II, which is why the United Nations adopted similar structures.

Reason (R):

The League of Nations was created to deal with conflicts emerging after the First World War.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — The assertion is false—the League failed to prevent WWII despite initial success. The reason is true but irrelevant to explaining the assertion. The UN was created specifically because the League failed, not because it succeeded.

Q3. Assertion (A):

International organisations can provide mechanisms to ensure member states honour cooperative agreements and share benefits fairly.

Reason (R):

States often struggle to cooperate because they disagree on cost-sharing, benefit distribution, and enforcement of compliance, making neutral institutional mechanisms necessary.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The text states organisations provide 'mechanisms, rules and a bureaucracy' to help members have 'confidence that costs will be shared properly' and that 'once a member joins an agreement it will honour the terms.'

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for International Organisations

Case Study:

In June 2006, when Israel launched military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, civilian casualties mounted rapidly. However, the UN Security Council did not pass a resolution on the crisis until August 2006, and Israeli forces did not withdraw from the region until October. International observers noted that five permanent members held different views on the situation, with some supporting strong action against Hezbollah while others were concerned about civilian protection. The delay in UN action frustrated humanitarian organisations and raised questions about the organisation's ability to respond swiftly to emerging crises. This incident became a case study in understanding the limitations of international organisations in controlling powerful nations.

Q1. The two-month delay in UN resolution on the Lebanon crisis primarily reflects—

  • A. The UN's absolute powerlessness to influence any nation
  • B. Disagreement among permanent members with different strategic interests in the region ✓
  • C. Israel's permanent membership on the Security Council
  • D. The UN's constitutional ban on intervening in regional conflicts

Answer: B

Q2. This case demonstrates that international organisations' effectiveness depends most on—

  • A. Having more member states than the League of Nations
  • B. The political will and consensus of member states, particularly powerful nations ✓
  • C. Military capabilities of the UN Secretary-General
  • D. The total budget allocated by the organisation

Answer: B

Q3. The humanitarian organisations' frustration with the delayed UN response illustrates—

  • A. That international organisations are completely useless
  • B. That only military solutions are effective in stopping conflicts
  • C. That while international organisations provide forums for dialogue, they cannot always compel swift action when member interests diverge ✓
  • D. That the UN should be replaced by national governments acting alone

Answer: C

Q4. If the five permanent members had achieved consensus on a resolution in June 2006, the outcome would have differed because—

  • A. The UN would have had enforcement mechanisms to compel Israeli compliance
  • B. International organisations cannot enforce their decisions regardless of consensus
  • C. Early consensus would have created diplomatic pressure and a clear international position earlier ✓
  • D. Israel would automatically have obeyed any UN decision

Answer: C

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Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for International Organisations

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/1 · 6 marks

Explain the composition and one function of any three organs of the United Nations.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/2 · 4 marks

Highlight any two cases of violation of human rights in the world. Suggest any two measures to overcome such issues.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/2 · 6 marks

United Nations has completed 80 years of its existence since its inception. Which steps may be taken to make the United Nations more relevant in the present world ?

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 1 mark

Statement I : The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization that oversees those financial institutions and regulations that act at the international level. Statement II : All the 189 members of IMF organization have equal say. In the light of above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  • Both statement I and statement II are true.
  • Both statement I and statement II are false.
  • Statement I is true, but statement II is false.
  • Statement I is false, but statement II is true.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 1 mark

Which statement is the best description of 'Veto Power'?

  • It is a power of positive voting.
  • After the end of the Second World War, Veto Power is given only to permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to establish peace in the world.
  • All the temporary members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have the right to use Veto Power only for two years.
  • All the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) possess Veto Power.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 4 marks

On the reform of structures and processes, the biggest discussion has been on the functioning of the Security Council. Related to this has been the demand for an increase in the UN Security Council's permanent and non-permanent membership so that the realities of contemporary world politics are better reflected in the structure of the organisation. In particular, there are proposals to increase membership from Asia, Africa and South America. Beyond this, the US and other Western countries want improvements in the UN's budgetary procedures and its administration.

On the reform of structures and processes, the biggest discussion has been on the functioning of the Security Council. Which organ of the United Nations has five permanent members?

  • General Assembly
  • Security Council
  • Secretariat
  • Economic and Social Council

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/2 · 1 mark

Given below are two statements: Statement I: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization that oversees those financial institutions and regulations that act at the international level. Statement II: All the 189 members of IMF organization have equal say. In the light of above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  • Both statement I and statement II are true.
  • Both statement I and statement II are false.
  • Statement I is true, but statement II is false.
  • Statement I is false, but statement II is true.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/2 · 4 marks

On the reform of structures and processes, the biggest discussion has been on the functioning of the Security Council. Related to this has been the demand for an increase in the UN Security Council's permanent and non-permanent membership so that the realities of contemporary world politics are better reflected in the structure of the organisation. In particular, there are proposals to increase membership from Asia, Africa and South America. Beyond this, the US and other Western countries want improvements in the UN's budgetary procedures and its administration.

(i) Which organ of the United Nations has five permanent members?

  • General Assembly
  • Security Council
  • Secretariat
  • Economic and Social Council

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/3 · 1 mark

Which one of the following is related to the traditional notion of security?

  • Russia – Ukraine War
  • Continuous rise in the global temperature
  • 9/11 attack on USA
  • Spread of COVID-19 epidemic in the world

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/3 · 4 marks

On the reform of structures and processes, the biggest discussion has been on the functioning of the Security Council. Related to this has been the demand for an increase in the UN Security Council's permanent and non-permanent membership so that the realities of contemporary world politics are better reflected in the structure of the organisation. In particular, there are proposals to increase membership from Asia, Africa and South America. Beyond this, the US and other Western countries want improvements in the UN's budgetary procedures and its administration.

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow: On the reform of structures and processes, the biggest discussion has been on the functioning of the Security Council. Related to this has been the demand for an increase in the UN Security Council's permanent and non-permanent membership so that the realities of contemporary world politics are better reflected in the structure of the organisation. In particular, there are proposals to increase membership from Asia, Africa and South America. Beyond this, the US and other Western countries want improvements in the UN's budgetary procedures and its administration. (i) Which organ of the United Nations has five permanent members?

  • General Assembly
  • Security Council
  • Secretariat
  • Economic and Social Council

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/1 · 1 mark

Given below are two statements: Statement I: The World Bank was created after the Second World War in the year 1945. Statement II: The activities of the World Bank are focused on the developing countries. In the light of above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  • Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
  • Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
  • Statement I is true, but Statement II is false.
  • Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/1 · 1 mark

Choose the best argument to support India's claim for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council:

  • India's growing economic power and stable political system
  • India's effective leadership
  • India's membership in the United Nations Organization since its inception
  • India as the contributing member country in the United Nations Organisation's budget

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Class 12 Political Science Previous Year Questions, Chapter-wise

All 761 CBSE board questions from 2022–2026, sorted by chapter and question type. Free PDF download.

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