(a) Correct.

(b) Correct.

(c) Wrong. (The Secretary-General does not have veto power; only the 5 permanent members of the UNSC have it.)

(d) Correct.

(a) Correct.

(b) Correct.

(c) Correct.

(d) Wrong. (Membership of the General Assembly does not mean automatic membership of other organs/agencies; they have their own election processes.)

a) to prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among states.

b) Secretariat (or Secretary-General).

c) 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.

d) António Guterres (Update this as per the current year if it changes, but as of now, it is António Guterres).

1. Economic and Social Council -> Looks into the economic and social welfare of the member countries.
2. International Court of Justice -> Resolves disputes between and among member countries.
3. International Atomic Energy Agency -> Safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
4. Security Council -> Preservation of international peace and security.
5. UN High Commission for Refugees -> Provides shelter and medical help during emergencies.
6. World Trade Organisation -> Facilitates free trade among member countries.
7. International Monetary Fund -> Oversees the global financial system.
8. General Assembly -> Debates and discusses global issues.
9. World Health Organisation -> Provides good health for all.
10. Secretariat -> Administration and coordination of UN affairs.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) is the most crucial organ of the UN. Its primary functions are:

• Maintaining Peace: To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN.
• Investigating Disputes: To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction.
• Recommending Action: To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement.
• Military Action: To take military action against an aggressor if peaceful means fail.
• Elections: It plays a role in the election of the Secretary-General and judges of the International Court of Justice.

As an Indian citizen, I strongly support India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UNSC based on the following justifications:

1. World's Largest Democracy: India is the largest functioning democracy globally, ensuring stability and representation.
2. Population: India is the most populous country, representing almost 1/5th of humanity. A council without India ignores a huge chunk of the global population.
3. Economic Power: India is one of the fastest-growing economies and a major player in global trade.
4. UN Peacekeeping: India has been one of the largest and most consistent contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping missions.
5. Financial Contributions: India makes regular financial contributions to the UN and has never defaulted on its payments.

Restructuring the UN, especially the Security Council, faces several major hurdles:

• Definition of Criteria: The UN proposed criteria for new members (major economic power, military power, contributor to budget, etc.). However, there is no agreement on how much economic or military power is enough to qualify.
• Geopolitical Rivalries: Countries often oppose their regional rivals' entry into the permanent club. For example, Pakistan opposes India, and China opposes Japan.
• The Veto Problem: Many nations want to abolish the veto power, arguing it is undemocratic. However, the current P-5 nations will never agree to give up their veto, making reform almost impossible.
• Representation vs. Effectiveness: Expanding the UNSC to make it more representative might make it too large to take quick, effective decisions during a global crisis.

Despite its flaws, the UN is indispensable (essential) for the following reasons:

1. Platform for Dialogue: In a world with over 190 independent countries, conflicts are natural. The UN provides a platform to discuss issues and find peaceful solutions rather than rushing to war.
2. Interdependence: Today's problems like climate change, pandemics (like COVID-19), and international terrorism cannot be solved by one country alone. The UN facilitates necessary global cooperation.
3. Socio-Economic Development: Through agencies like the WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP, the UN has done phenomenal work in eradicating diseases, fighting poverty, and improving child welfare.
4. Information Gathering: It helps countries gather vital statistics and research on global economic and social issues.
5. Moderating US Hegemony: In a unipolar world, the UN is the only platform where other countries can unite to somewhat check the influence and policies of the United States.

Yes, I agree that reforming the UN primarily boils down to restructuring the Security Council.

Arguments in favor:

• Core of Power: The UNSC is the only UN body that can take binding decisions and authorize military force. Therefore, true reform must happen where the actual power lies.
• Outdated Structure: The current structure of the UNSC reflects the world of 1945 (post-WWII). It does not reflect contemporary geopolitical realities where countries like India, Brazil, Japan, and Germany have emerged as major global players.
• Lack of Equitable Representation: Entire continents like Africa and South America have zero permanent representation in the UNSC. This makes the council undemocratic and unrepresentative of the modern world.
• Misuse of Veto: The P-5 frequently use their veto power to protect their own national interests rather than global peace, highlighting the urgent need to restructure the council and review the veto system.

The IMF oversees international financial regulations and helps countries facing severe balance of payment crises (macro-level stability). The World Bank focuses primarily on long-term human development, infrastructure, and poverty reduction by providing loans to developing nations.

1. Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
2. Human Rights Council. (Note: Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also work for human rights but are NGOs, not official UN agencies).

Veto is a negative vote. In the UN Security Council, if any of the five permanent members casts a veto against a resolution, that resolution cannot be adopted, even if all other members vote in favor of it.

• Composition: The UNSC consists of 15 members (5 permanent: US, UK, France, Russia, China; and 10 non-permanent members elected for 2-year terms).
• Demand for Expansion: The world has changed drastically since 1945. The UN membership has grown from 51 to 193, mostly due to newly independent nations in Asia and Africa. However, the permanent membership has remained static. Countries argue that without expanding the UNSC to include emerging powers (like India, Brazil, Japan) and unrepresented continents (Africa, South America), the council lacks legitimacy and democratic fairness.

In a unipolar world, the UN struggles to completely control US actions because the US is the largest financial contributor to the UN, and the UN is physically located in New York. However, the UN is still relevant:

1. It provides a space where the US can be criticized, and global opinion can be shaped against unilateral US actions.
2. The US itself needs the UN to legitimize its actions and to share the burden of peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
3. It helps smaller nations form coalitions to negotiate with the US on global platforms.

(a) WTO: Set up in 1995 as the successor to GATT. It formulates rules for international trade. It has 164 members. Major economic powers often dominate it, but it provides a framework to resolve trade disputes.

(b) IAEA: Established in 1957. It seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for military purposes. Its teams regularly inspect nuclear facilities worldwide.

Answer: Because it lacks independent sovereignty and authority to force member states against their will; it relies on the consensus and cooperation of its member states.

Answer: The UN cannot easily intervene in the internal matters of a state, making it difficult to enforce decisions without member consent.

Answer: The UN General Assembly.

Answer: Peace.

Answer: To show the global reach and universality of the organization without putting any specific country at the center.