With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements

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2022

“United Nations,Agencies,Adjacent Bodies”, International Relations

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements :
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a)

1 and 2 only

(b)

2 and 3 only

(c)

1 and 3 only

(d)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer

(d)

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States. Statement 2 is correct: Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly. Statement 3 is correct: Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.

Microtheme: "United Nations,Agencies,Adjacent Bodies" —
29 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

[2026] Match List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) with List II (Period of Operation):
A. UNMIL 1. 2007-2010
B. MINURCAT 2. 2002-2005
C. MINUSTAH 3. 2003-2018
D. UNMISET 4. 2004-2017
- (a) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
- (b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
- (c) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
- (d) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
Correct Answer: (B) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
[2026] How many of the following UN organisations/agencies have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice?
1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children’s Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organisation
- (a) 1
- (b) 2
- (c) 3
- (d) 4
Correct Answer: (A) 1
[2026] Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation:
1. The ‘Colombo Process’ is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus.
2. The ‘Abu Dhabi Dialogue’ is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.
3. The ‘Global Forum for Migration and Development’, created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding.
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 2 only
Correct Answer: (C) 2 and 3 only
[2026] Which of the following international conventions have NOT been ratified by India?
1. Employment Policy Convention
2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
3. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
4. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
5. Convention on Reduction of Statelessness
- (a) 2 and 4
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 3, 4 and 5
Correct Answer:
[2025] Consider the following pairs:
I. International Year of the Woman Farmer – 2026
II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism – 2027
III. International Year of Peace and Trust – 2025
IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence – 2029
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All the four
Correct Answer: (D) All the four
[2025] Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:
I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of ‘tourism’ is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) I and II
- (b) II and III
- (c) I and IV
- (d) I only
Correct Answer: (D) I only
[2024] Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization:
1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations.
2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 2 only*
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2
- (d) 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (A) 2 only*
[2023] Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
According to the United Nations’ ‘World Water Development Report, 2022’, India extracts more than a quarter of world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II:
India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Correct Answer: (C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
[2023] Consier the following statements:
1. Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the ‘Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)’.
2. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries.
3. The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also in its objectives and commitments.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Correct Answer: (D) None
[2023] Consider the following infrastructure sectors :
1. Affordable housing
2. Mass rapid transport
3. Health care
4. Renewable energy
On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) All four
Correct Answer: (C) All three
[2022] With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements :
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
[2022] With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements :
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
[2022] With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements :
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 3 only
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 2
Correct Answer: (A) 3 only
[2021] Consider the following statements:
1.‘Right to the City’ is an agreed human right, and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
2.‘Right to the City’ gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and participate in public life.
3.‘Right to the City’ means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies in the city.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2
- (d) 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D) 2 and 3
[2021] Consider the following statements:
1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
[2021] Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as the 2020 Tree City of the World.
Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.
- (b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct, but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.
- (c) Statement 1 is correct, but Statement 2 is not correct.
- (d) Statement 1 is not correct, but Statement 2 is correct.
Correct Answer: (D) Statement 1 is not correct, but Statement 2 is correct.
[2020] Consider the following pairs:
International agreement /set-up Subject
1. Alma-Ata Declaration — Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention — Biological and chemical weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue — Global climate change
4. Under2 Coalition — Child rights
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 4 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
[2019] Consider the following statements:
1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: (C) 2 and 4 only
[2018] International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to
- (a) Child labour
- (b) Adaptation of agriculture practices to global climate change
- (c) Regulation of food prices and food security
- (d) d)Gender parity at the workplace
Correct Answer: (A) Child labour
[2017] With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct ?
1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access-to safe drinking water and bask sanitation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1 only
Correct Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
[2017] With reference to `Asia Pacific’ Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban
Development (APMCHUD)’, consider the following statements:
1. The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme `Emerging Urban Forms-Policy Responses and Governance Structure’.
2. India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
[2015] Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’, often seen in the news, is
- (a) a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- (b) a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific Region, an outcome of
  the deliberations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum
- (c) an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a World Conferene convened by the
  United Nations
- (d) a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the East Asia Summit
Correct Answer: (C) an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a World Conferene convened by the
United Nations
[2010] Consider the following countries :
1. Brazil
2. Mexico
3. South Africa
According to UNCTAD, which of the above is/are categorized as ‘Emerging Economies’?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1,2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D) 1,2 and 3
[2010] With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, consider the following:
1. The Right to Development
2. The Right to Expression
3. The Right to Recreation
Which of the above is/ are the Rights of the child ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1,2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D) 1,2 and 3
[2010] Stiglitz Commission established by the President of the United Nations General Assembly was in the international news. The commission was supposed to deal with
- (a) The challenges posed by the impending global climate change and prepare a road map.
- (b) The working of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order.
- (c) Global terrorism and prepare a global action plan for the mitigation of terrorism.
- (d) Expansion of the United Nations Security Council in the present global scenario.
Correct Answer: (B) The working of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order.
[2010] Which one of the following is not related to United Nations ?
- (a) Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
- (b) International Finance Corporation
- (c) International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
- (d) Bank for International Settlements
Correct Answer: (D) Bank for International Settlements
[2009] The Security Council of UN consists of 5 permanent members, and the remaining 10 members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of
- (a) 1 year
- (b) 2 years
- (c) 3 years
- (d) 5 years
Correct Answer: (B) 2 years
[2009] With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements :
1. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of UN consists of 24 member States.
2. It is elected by a 2/3 majority of The General Assembly for a 3-year term.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
[2008] How is the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference wherein the agreements were signed to set up IBRD, GATT, and IMF, commonly known?
- (a) Bandung Conference
- (b) Bretton Woods Conference
- (c) Versailles Conference
- (d) Yalta Conference
Correct Answer: (B) Bretton Woods Conference