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Static GKHardAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2024, GK

In which of the following matters placed before the UN General Assembly, a resolution by two-thirds majority of the members present and voting is required? 1. Admission of new members to the UN 2. Election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council 3. Election of members of the Economic and Social Council Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3

Correct answer

D. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The correct answer is D, 1, 2 and 3. Article 18 of the UN Charter lists all three as 'important questions' that need a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.

In the General Assembly each member state has one vote. Under Article 18(2), decisions on important questions are taken by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. The Charter names these questions: recommendations on international peace and security, the election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the election of the members of the Economic and Social Council and of the Trusteeship Council, the admission of new members, the suspension of rights and the expulsion of members, and budgetary questions. Other questions are settled by a simple majority. Admission of a new member also needs a prior recommendation of the Security Council.

A is wrong because it leaves out the ECOSOC election. B is wrong because it leaves out the admission of new members. C is wrong because it leaves out the election of non-permanent Security Council members.

Exam tip: Article 18: two-thirds for important questions (admission, UNSC and ECOSOC elections, budget); simple majority for others.

Practice Questions

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Q1.Static GKAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2026, GKEasy

Which of the following countries were the founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985 ? 1. India 2. Nepal 3. Maldives 4. Afghanistan Select the answer using the codes given below :

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 3 only
  3. C.3 and 4 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1, 2 and 3 only

India, Nepal and the Maldives signed the SAARC Charter in 1985, while Afghanistan joined only in 2007. SAARC was set up at the Dhaka summit on 8 December 1985 by seven South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Q2.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

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 basic sanitation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1, 2 and 3
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1 only
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1 and 3 only

UN-Habitat has a General Assembly mandate for sustainable cities and shelter, and it works on poverty, water and sanitation, but its partners are not limited to governments.

Q3.Static GKAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IEasy

In India, cars bearing black number plate with yellow lettering are

  1. A.vehicles belonging to foreign consulates
  2. B.commercial vehicles such as trucks and taxis
  3. C.commercial vehicles available on rent for self-driving
  4. D.electric vehicles
Show answer
Correct answer: C. commercial vehicles available on rent for self-driving

A black plate with yellow letters marks a vehicle registered for self-drive rental, which the customer drives without a hired driver.

Q4.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IEasy

Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called :

  1. A.Operation Sankalp
  2. B.Operation Maitri
  3. C.Operation Sadbhavana
  4. D.Operation Madad
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Operation Sadbhavana

Sadbhavana, meaning goodwill, is the Indian Army's civic action programme for people in remote and troubled areas. It began in the late 1990s in Jammu and Kashmir and was later taken to Ladakh and the North-East.

Q5.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

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?

  1. A.1 and 3 only
  2. B.2, 3 and 4 only
  3. C.2 and 4 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 2 and 4 only

Statements 1 and 3 swap the two conventions: the migrant-smuggling protocol belongs to UNTOC, and the asset-recovery chapter belongs to UNCAC.