Class 10 Social Science Political Science Chapter 2 — International Organizations: United Nations and Others
Welcome to HSLC Guru! In this article, we present a complete study guide for Class 10 Social Science (Political Science) Chapter 2 — International Organizations: United Nations and Others, prepared strictly according to the ASSEB (Assam State School Education Board) syllabus. This chapter introduces students to the world’s most important international body, the United Nations (UN), along with several specialised agencies and regional organizations that work for global peace, cooperation, and development. The chapter explains how nations come together to solve common problems such as war, poverty, health crises, and climate change.
This guide includes a detailed summary, textbook question answers, additional MCQs, fill in the blanks, true/false statements, and a useful glossary — all designed to help HSLC candidates score top marks in their final examination.
Chapter Summary
The United Nations Organization (UNO) was established on 24 October 1945, after the end of the Second World War, with the primary aim of maintaining international peace and security. It replaced the failed League of Nations, which could not prevent the outbreak of World War II. The constitution of the UN is called the UN Charter, which was signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945 by 50 founding nations. Today, the UN has 193 member states, and its headquarters is located in New York City, USA. The official languages of the UN are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. The day 24 October is celebrated every year as United Nations Day.
The UN has six principal organs. (1) The General Assembly is the main deliberative body where all member nations have one vote each. (2) The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace; it has 5 permanent members (USA, UK, Russia, China, France) with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. (3) The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) coordinates economic and social work. (4) The Trusteeship Council supervised trust territories (now suspended since 1994). (5) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) settles legal disputes between states and is located at The Hague, Netherlands. (6) The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General, carries out day-to-day administration.
The UN works through several specialised agencies. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, founded 1945, headquarters Paris) promotes education, science, and culture. UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund, established 1946) protects children’s rights worldwide. WHO (World Health Organization, founded 1948, Geneva) leads global health programmes. Other agencies include the ILO (International Labour Organization), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank, and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). These agencies work in their specific fields to promote welfare and cooperation among nations.
Apart from the UN, several regional organizations also play vital roles. SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) was founded on 8 December 1985 at Dhaka, with 8 member countries — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was formed in 1967 at Bangkok. The European Union (EU), BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), and G20 are other major groupings. India, as a founder member of the UN, has actively contributed to peacekeeping missions, decolonisation, disarmament, and development goals. Despite achievements like preventing world wars, eradicating diseases, and promoting human rights, the UN faces limitations such as veto misuse, financial dependency, and inability to stop regional conflicts.
Textbook Questions and Answers
A. Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)
Q1. When was the United Nations established?
Answer: The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945.
Q2. Where is the headquarters of the United Nations located?
Answer: The headquarters of the United Nations is located in New York City, USA.
Q3. What is the constitution of the UN called?
Answer: The constitution of the UN is called the UN Charter.
Q4. How many permanent members are there in the Security Council?
Answer: There are 5 permanent members in the Security Council — USA, UK, Russia, China, and France.
Q5. Where is the International Court of Justice located?
Answer: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is located at The Hague, Netherlands.
Q6. When and where was SAARC established?
Answer: SAARC was established on 8 December 1985 at Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Q7. Where is the headquarters of WHO?
Answer: The headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) is in Geneva, Switzerland.
Q8. Expand UNESCO.
Answer: UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Q9. What is veto power?
Answer: Veto power is the special right of the five permanent members of the Security Council to reject any decision by casting a single negative vote.
Q9A. How many member countries does the UN have today?
Answer: The UN has 193 member countries at present.
Q9B. Where is the secretariat of SAARC located?
Answer: The SAARC secretariat is located at Kathmandu, Nepal.
Q10. When is United Nations Day observed?
Answer: United Nations Day is observed every year on 24 October.
B. Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks Each)
Q1. Write the main objectives of the United Nations.
Answer: The main objectives of the United Nations are:
(i) To maintain international peace and security.
(ii) To develop friendly relations among nations based on equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
(iii) To achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems.
(iv) To promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
(v) To act as a centre for harmonising the actions of nations.
Q2. Name the six principal organs of the United Nations.
Answer: The six principal organs of the United Nations are:
(i) General Assembly
(ii) Security Council
(iii) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
(iv) Trusteeship Council
(v) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
(vi) Secretariat
Q3. Write a short note on UNICEF.
Answer: UNICEF stands for the United Nations Children’s Fund. It was established in 1946 to provide emergency food, clothing, and healthcare to children affected by World War II. Today, UNICEF works in over 190 countries to protect the rights of children, ensure their nutrition, education, healthcare, and protection from violence and exploitation. Its headquarters is in New York. UNICEF received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.
Q4. What are the functions of the Security Council?
Answer: The main functions of the Security Council are:
(i) To maintain international peace and security.
(ii) To investigate disputes that may threaten peace.
(iii) To recommend methods of settling disputes peacefully.
(iv) To take military or economic action against aggressors.
(v) To recommend the admission of new members and election of judges of the ICJ.
Q5. Mention any three specialised agencies of the UN with their headquarters.
Answer: Three specialised agencies of the UN are:
(i) UNESCO — Headquarters in Paris, France.
(ii) WHO — Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
(iii) FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) — Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Q6. What is SAARC? Name its member countries.
Answer: SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is a regional intergovernmental organization founded on 8 December 1985 at Dhaka. Its 8 member countries are: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. Its secretariat is at Kathmandu, Nepal. It works for economic, technical, social, and cultural cooperation among South Asian nations.
Q7. Write a short note on ASEAN.
Answer: ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It was formed on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand. Its founding members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Today it has 10 member countries. ASEAN promotes economic growth, social progress, cultural development, and regional peace among Southeast Asian nations. Its headquarters is in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Q8. What is BRICS?
Answer: BRICS is a group of five major emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was originally formed as BRIC in 2009; South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS. The grouping aims at economic cooperation, political coordination, and reform of global financial institutions. The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) was established in 2014 with its headquarters in Shanghai, China.
C. Long Answer Questions (5-6 Marks Each)
Q1. Describe the composition and functions of the General Assembly.
Answer: The General Assembly is the main deliberative and policy-making organ of the United Nations.
Composition:
(i) All 193 member states of the UN are represented in the General Assembly.
(ii) Each member country can send a maximum of 5 delegates.
(iii) Each member nation has only one vote, regardless of its size or population.
(iv) The Assembly meets in regular session once a year, usually beginning in September.
(v) It elects its own President for each session.
Functions:
(i) Discusses and makes recommendations on any matter within the scope of the UN Charter.
(ii) Considers issues of international peace and security.
(iii) Approves the UN budget and decides the financial contributions of member states.
(iv) Elects non-permanent members of the Security Council and members of ECOSOC.
(v) Appoints the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council.
(vi) Admits new members to the UN.
Q2. Discuss the structure and functions of the Security Council.
Answer: The Security Council is the most powerful organ of the UN, primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Structure:
(i) It has 15 members in total.
(ii) 5 Permanent Members — USA, UK, Russia, China, and France — these countries enjoy veto power.
(iii) 10 Non-Permanent Members elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years.
(iv) The presidency rotates monthly among the members.
Functions:
(i) Investigates any dispute that may lead to international friction.
(ii) Recommends peaceful methods to settle disputes.
(iii) Calls upon members to apply economic sanctions or other non-military measures against an aggressor.
(iv) Authorises military action when necessary.
(v) Recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and the admission of new members.
(vi) Elects judges of the International Court of Justice along with the General Assembly.
Q3. Write about the role of India in the United Nations.
Answer: India is one of the founding members of the United Nations and has played a significant role in shaping its policies. India’s role in the UN can be summarised as follows:
(i) Peacekeeping Missions: India has contributed the largest number of troops to UN peacekeeping operations in places like Korea, Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Sudan.
(ii) Anti-colonialism: India strongly supported the freedom struggle of Asian and African nations against colonial rule.
(iii) Anti-apartheid: India was the first country to raise the issue of racial discrimination in South Africa at the UN.
(iv) Disarmament: India has consistently advocated nuclear disarmament and global peace.
(v) Human Rights: India has played a key role in promoting human rights and economic equality through ECOSOC.
(vi) Development Goals: India supports UN initiatives like Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action.
(vii) India has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council several times and is demanding a permanent seat.
Q4. Describe the achievements and limitations of the United Nations.
Answer: The United Nations has played a vital role in the world for over seven decades.
Achievements:
(i) Prevented the outbreak of a third world war.
(ii) Successfully resolved several regional conflicts (Korea, Suez Canal, Congo, etc.).
(iii) Helped in the decolonisation of Asian and African nations.
(iv) Through WHO, eradicated diseases like smallpox and controlled polio and COVID-19.
(v) UNESCO has promoted education, culture, and heritage protection.
(vi) UNICEF has improved child welfare globally.
(vii) Promoted Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
(viii) Provided humanitarian aid in war and natural disasters.
Limitations:
(i) Misuse of veto power by permanent members blocks important decisions.
(ii) Failed to prevent regional wars in Vietnam, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, etc.
(iii) Heavy financial dependence on a few rich nations.
(iv) Lack of its own permanent army.
(v) Domination by powerful nations over weaker ones.
(vi) Slow decision-making process.
(vii) Could not solve the Palestine issue and Kashmir issue effectively.
Q5. Explain the role of the UN in maintaining world peace.
Answer: The United Nations plays a central role in maintaining world peace through several measures:
(i) Peaceful Settlement of Disputes: The Security Council and General Assembly encourage member states to resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
(ii) Peacekeeping Operations: The UN sends multinational peacekeeping forces (Blue Helmets) to conflict zones such as Korea, Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, and South Sudan.
(iii) Sanctions and Embargoes: Economic sanctions, arms embargoes, and travel bans are imposed on aggressor states.
(iv) Humanitarian Aid: Through agencies like UNHCR and WFP, the UN provides shelter, food, and medical care to victims of war.
(v) Disarmament Efforts: The UN works for nuclear non-proliferation through treaties like NPT and CTBT.
(vi) Promotion of Human Rights: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) provides the foundation for global peace by ensuring dignity for all.
(vii) Decolonisation: The UN played a major role in helping colonies achieve independence after WWII.
Q6. Write briefly about any four specialised agencies of the United Nations.
Answer: Four important specialised agencies of the UN are:
(i) UNESCO (1945): Headquartered in Paris, it works for education, science, culture, and communication. It protects World Heritage Sites and promotes literacy globally.
(ii) WHO (1948): Headquartered in Geneva, it directs international health activities. It eradicated smallpox, fights against epidemics like COVID-19, and promotes universal health coverage.
(iii) ILO (1919, integrated with UN in 1946): Headquartered in Geneva, it works for labour rights, fair wages, and improved working conditions worldwide.
(iv) UNICEF (1946): Headquartered in New York, it protects children’s rights, ensures nutrition, education, vaccination, and protection from exploitation.
Additional Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. The United Nations was founded on:
(a) 24 October 1945
(b) 26 January 1950
(c) 15 August 1947
(d) 10 December 1948
Answer: (a) 24 October 1945
Q2. The headquarters of the UN is at:
(a) Geneva
(b) Paris
(c) New York
(d) The Hague
Answer: (c) New York
Q3. The total number of permanent members in the Security Council is:
(a) 10
(b) 5
(c) 15
(d) 7
Answer: (b) 5
Q4. The International Court of Justice is located at:
(a) New York
(b) Paris
(c) The Hague
(d) Geneva
Answer: (c) The Hague
Q5. SAARC was established in:
(a) 1980
(b) 1985
(c) 1990
(d) 1995
Answer: (b) 1985
Q6. The headquarters of WHO is at:
(a) Rome
(b) Paris
(c) Geneva
(d) Vienna
Answer: (c) Geneva
Q7. ASEAN was formed in the year:
(a) 1963
(b) 1965
(c) 1967
(d) 1970
Answer: (c) 1967
Q8. UNESCO was founded in:
(a) 1945
(b) 1946
(c) 1948
(d) 1950
Answer: (a) 1945
Q9. The total number of members in the Security Council is:
(a) 10
(b) 12
(c) 15
(d) 20
Answer: (c) 15
Q10. Which of the following is NOT a member of BRICS?
(a) Brazil
(b) Russia
(c) Japan
(d) South Africa
Answer: (c) Japan
Q11. The official languages of the UN do NOT include:
(a) Arabic
(b) Spanish
(c) German
(d) Chinese
Answer: (c) German
Q12. The headquarters of FAO is at:
(a) Rome
(b) Geneva
(c) Paris
(d) Vienna
Answer: (a) Rome
Fill in the Blanks
Q1. The United Nations was established on __________.
Answer: 24 October 1945
Q2. The constitution of the UN is called the __________.
Answer: UN Charter
Q3. The headquarters of UNESCO is at __________.
Answer: Paris
Q4. SAARC has __________ member countries.
Answer: 8 (eight)
Q5. The Secretary-General is the head of the __________.
Answer: Secretariat
True or False
Q1. The UN has 5 principal organs.
Answer: False (It has 6 principal organs.)
Q2. India is a permanent member of the Security Council.
Answer: False (India is a non-permanent member at present.)
Q3. The headquarters of WHO is in Geneva.
Answer: True
Q4. SAARC was established in Dhaka in 1985.
Answer: True
Q5. The ICJ is located in New York.
Answer: False (It is located at The Hague, Netherlands.)
Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. UNESCO | (a) Geneva |
| 2. WHO | (b) Paris |
| 3. ICJ | (c) Rome |
| 4. FAO | (d) The Hague |
| 5. SAARC Secretariat | (e) Kathmandu |
Answers: 1 – (b) Paris, 2 – (a) Geneva, 3 – (d) The Hague, 4 – (c) Rome, 5 – (e) Kathmandu.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| UN Charter | The constitution of the United Nations signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945. |
| Veto Power | The power of permanent members of the Security Council to reject a decision by casting a negative vote. |
| General Assembly | The main deliberative organ of the UN where all members have one vote each. |
| Security Council | The UN organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security. |
| ECOSOC | Economic and Social Council, coordinates economic and social work of the UN. |
| ICJ | International Court of Justice located at The Hague, Netherlands. |
| Secretariat | The administrative organ of the UN headed by the Secretary-General. |
| UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Paris, 1945). |
| UNICEF | United Nations Children’s Fund (1946) for child welfare. |
| WHO | World Health Organization (Geneva, 1948). |
| ILO | International Labour Organization for labour rights and welfare. |
| FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization (Rome). |
| IMF | International Monetary Fund providing financial assistance to members. |
| World Bank | International institution that provides loans for development projects. |
| UNDP | United Nations Development Programme. |
| SAARC | South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (1985, Dhaka). |
| ASEAN | Association of Southeast Asian Nations (1967, Bangkok). |
| BRICS | Group of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. |
| G20 | Group of 20 major economies of the world. |
| European Union | Political and economic union of European countries. |
| Peacekeeping | UN missions to maintain peace in conflict zones. |
| Decolonisation | Process of freeing colonies from colonial rule. |
| Disarmament | Reducing or eliminating military weapons, especially nuclear arms. |
| Human Rights | Basic rights and freedoms of all human beings. |
Important Dates and Facts
| Event / Organization | Year / Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Signing of UN Charter | 26 June 1945 | San Francisco, USA |
| Establishment of UN | 24 October 1945 | — |
| Universal Declaration of Human Rights | 10 December 1948 | Paris |
| UNESCO | 1945 | Paris |
| UNICEF | 1946 | New York |
| WHO | 1948 | Geneva |
| ASEAN | 1967 | Bangkok |
| SAARC | 1985 | Dhaka |
| European Union (Maastricht Treaty) | 1993 | Brussels |
| BRICS | 2009 (BRIC), 2010 (BRICS) | — |
Quick Revision Points
- The UN was formed after the failure of the League of Nations in preventing World War II.
- The UN Flag shows a world map surrounded by olive branches symbolising peace.
- The Secretary-General is appointed for a 5-year renewable term.
- The Trusteeship Council suspended its operations in 1994 after Palau achieved independence.
- India has served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council 8 times.
- The current Secretary-General of the UN is Antonio Guterres of Portugal.
- The SAARC Charter was signed at the first summit in Dhaka.
- The EU uses a common currency called the Euro in most of its member states.
- The G20 includes the world’s 20 largest economies and meets annually.
- India hosted the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023.
Comparison: UN vs League of Nations
| Basis | League of Nations | United Nations |
|---|---|---|
| Year of Formation | 1920 | 1945 |
| Founder | Woodrow Wilson | 50 founding nations |
| Headquarters | Geneva | New York |
| Constitution | Covenant of the League | UN Charter |
| Outcome | Failed; dissolved in 1946 | Active with 193 members |
Frequently Asked Examination Tips
- Memorise founding years: UN — 1945, UNESCO — 1945, UNICEF — 1946, WHO — 1948, ASEAN — 1967, SAARC — 1985.
- Remember the 5 permanent UN Security Council members by the mnemonic “USA-UK-Russia-China-France”.
- Be ready to differentiate between General Assembly and Security Council.
- Always write full forms of abbreviations (UNESCO, UNICEF, ECOSOC, etc.).
- For long-answer questions, structure with headings: Composition, Functions, Importance.
Important Full Forms
| Abbreviation | Full Form |
|---|---|
| UNO | United Nations Organization |
| UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
| UNICEF | United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| ILO | International Labour Organization |
| FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization |
| IMF | International Monetary Fund |
| UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
| ICJ | International Court of Justice |
| ECOSOC | Economic and Social Council |
| SAARC | South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation |
| ASEAN | Association of Southeast Asian Nations |
| BRICS | Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa |
| EU | European Union |
Conclusion
The United Nations and other international organizations are essential pillars of modern global governance. They provide a platform for nations to discuss issues, resolve disputes peacefully, and cooperate for common welfare. While the UN has its limitations, especially regarding the misuse of veto power and inability to prevent all conflicts, its achievements in peacekeeping, human rights, healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid are remarkable. As future citizens, students should understand the importance of international cooperation in shaping a peaceful and prosperous world.
Stay connected with HSLC Guru for more chapter-wise notes, question answers, and exam preparation resources for ASSEB Class 10 students!
Prepared as per the latest ASSEB syllabus for Class 10 Social Science (Political Science). For best results, revise this chapter alongside the official ASSEB textbook.