1. Consider the following:
- The Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms is mandated by the General Assembly and is based on consensus among all member states.
- One of the goals of the UNSC reform is to ensure that the restructured Security Council endures for the next century.
- The last expansion of elected members in the UNSC occurred in 2000.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] All Are Correct Statements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:- Statement 1 is accurate as the IGN is a General Assembly-mandated process, aiming for consensus among all member states.
- Statement 2 is also true because the UNSC reform’s objective is to ensure the restructured Security Council lasts through the next century, as pointed out by Ambassador AlBanai.
- However, Statement 3 is not correct. The last expansion (increase in elected members) took place in 1965 rather than in 2000.
2. With reference to the recent statements on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms, consider the following statements:
- The current membership of the UN Security Council includes 11 permanent members and 14 non-permanent members.
- India, as part of the G4, advocates for text-based negotiations to expedite UNSC reform.
- The IGN process focuses on five key clusters, including regional representation and veto power.
- Ambassador Tareq AlBanai, Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations, is India’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 3 and 4 only
[D] 2, 3 and 4 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:- Statement 1 is incorrect: The current UNSC consists of 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
- Statement 2 is correct: India, as part of the G4, has urged for text-based negotiations.
- Statement 3 is correct: The five clusters include regional representation, veto power, working methods, membership categories, and UNSC-General Assembly relationship.
- Statement 4 is incorrect: Tareq AlBanai is Kuwait’s Permanent Representative, not India’s.
3. United Nations English Day is observed annually on which day?
[A] April 21
[B] April 22
[C] April 23
[D] April 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [April 23]
Notes:
April 23 is celebrated as World English Day, also known as United Nations (UN) English Language Day. The date was chosen to honour William Shakespeare, as it marks both his birth and death anniversary, recognizing his deep influence on the English language. English has grown to become one of the most widely spoken languages across the globe. It plays a key role in global communication, including areas like diplomacy, education, business, and science.
4. Which city is home to the headquarters of United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?
[A] Paris
[B] Geneva
[C] New York
[D] London
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New York]
Notes:
Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who chairs the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UNSC reforms, recently stated that India will be a strong contender if the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is expanded. Kuwait and Austria currently co-chair the Intergovernmental Negotiations on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform. The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, tasked with maintaining international peace and security. All UN member states must comply with UNSC decisions under the UN Charter. The UNSC determines threats to peace, recommends settlement methods, imposes sanctions, and authorizes military actions. It consists of 15 members: 5 permanent members with veto power and 10 elected non-permanent members. The UNSC is headquartered in New York City.
5. With reference to carbon rights, consider the following:
- Carbon rights determine who can access and benefit from carbon stored in ecosystems like forests and wetlands.
- Carbon rights are universally recognized under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- Carbon rights can influence participation in climate mitigation strategies such as REDD+.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 1 and 3 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]
Notes:
Statement 2 is incorrect. Carbon rights are not universally recognized under the UNFCCC; they depend on national legal frameworks. Therefore, options involving statement 2 are incorrect. Carbon rights indeed determine the beneficiary of stored carbon (Statement 1) and can influence the participation in REDD+ (Statement 3), making option 2 the correct answer.
6. Consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: The Arctic region is primarily governed by an international treaty similar to that of the Antarctic.
- Statement-II: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) governs territorial claims in the Arctic region.
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 explains Statement-I
[B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
[C] Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
[D] Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct]
Notes:Statement-I:- This statement is incorrect.
- The Arctic lacks a comprehensive international treaty like the Antarctic Treaty System, which demilitarizes and protects the Antarctic region.
Statement-II:
- This statement is correct.
- UNCLOS provides the legal framework for territorial claims and maritime boundaries in the Arctic, allowing nations to assert rights over seabed resources.
7. Which country has been appointed to the United Nations ISAR for the period 2025–2027 in April 2025?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bhutan
[C] Myanmar
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [India]
Notes:
India has been appointed to the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) for 2025–2027. This reflects global trust in India’s growing role in shaping international financial reporting systems. ISAR functions under the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It works to improve global accounting standards and promote transparent corporate disclosures. India’s selection highlights its efforts in strengthening corporate governance and financial accountability. ISAR also provides policy advice and technical support to improve the quality and comparability of financial reporting worldwide.
8. संयुक्त राष्ट्र समुद्री क़ानून सम्मेलन (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) के अनुसार, समुद्र में तेल और गैस के दोहन के लिए तटीय देशों की क्षेत्रीय सीमा कितनी होती है?
[A] 200 मील
[B] 350 मील
[C] 300 मील
[D] 400 मील
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [200 मील]
Notes:
सही उत्तर है 200 मील। संयुक्त राष्ट्र समुद्री क़ानून सम्मेलन (UNCLOS) के अनुसार, तटीय देशों को अपनी तटरेखा से 200 समुद्री मील तक के विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र (Exclusive Economic Zone – EEZ) में प्राकृतिक संसाधनों जैसे तेल और गैस की खोज और दोहन का संप्रभु अधिकार होता है। इस क्षेत्र में देश समुद्री संसाधनों का प्रबंधन कर सकते हैं जबकि अन्य देशों को नौवहन की स्वतंत्रता भी सुनिश्चित की जाती है। UNCLOS को 1982 में अपनाया गया था और 160 से अधिक देशों ने इसे मान्यता दी है, जो इसे समुद्री क़ानून के क्षेत्र में वैश्विक रूप से महत्वपूर्ण बनाता है।
9. The United Nations has declared which day as the World Day for Glaciers?
[A] March 21
[B] March 22
[C] March 23
[D] March 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [March 21 ]
Notes:
The United Nations has declared March 21 as the World Day for Glaciers. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 highlights the urgent need to protect glaciers from climate change. Glaciers are vast ice and snow formations that shape landscapes and serve as vital freshwater sources. They regulate sea levels and support biodiversity but are melting rapidly due to global warming. The 2025 initiative aims to promote scientific research, enhance global cooperation, mobilize resources for mitigation, and encourage community-led adaptation strategies.
10. Which organization has published the United Nations World Water Development Report 2025?
[A] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[B] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
[C] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)]
Notes:
The 2025 United Nations World Water Development Report was published by UNESCO. It highlights the crucial role of mountains and alpine glaciers (water towers) in sustaining ecosystems, economies, and societies. Forests cover 40% of mountain areas, with grasslands and alpine tundra at higher elevations. Two-thirds of global irrigated agriculture depends on mountain runoff. Mountain permafrost stores 66 Pg of soil organic carbon, 4.5% of the global pool. Mountains host 25 of 34 biodiversity hotspots, preserving vital plant gene pools. Glacier loss threatens water security, with Hindu Kush Himalayas projected to lose 50% of glaciers by 2100. Watermelon snow (glacier blood) effect accelerates melting due to red algae blooms. Urbanization disrupts the hydrological cycle and amplifies ecological disasters. Atmospheric pollution increases black carbon levels in ice cores and lake sediments.
