UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 50 years ago: China supports India for Security Council seat

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Asian Group's nomination of India for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in August 1976: 1. The Asian seat for which India was nominated was one falling vacant on the completion of Japan's two-year term. 2. The Asian Group numbered 34 members at the time, whereas its present-day successor, the Asia-Pacific Group, numbers 53. 3. The nomination was formally notified to the other UN regional groups by the Asian Group's Chairman, a position then held by Mongolia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Asian seat for which India was nominated was one falling vacant on the completion of Japan's two-year term.
  2. The Asian Group numbered 34 members at the time, whereas its present-day successor, the Asia-Pacific Group, numbers 53.
  3. The nomination was formally notified to the other UN regional groups by the Asian Group's Chairman, a position then held by Mongolia.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. In UN electoral practice, the position created for the Asian seat in 1976 — after the Philippines and Mongolia withdrew in India's favour — is best described as one in which:

  • A. the regional group's endorsement itself vested the seat in India, the General Assembly's ballot being dispensed with
  • B. the seat was left unfilled for the session and later filled by the Council co-opting a State from the region concerned
  • C. a State that had already served on the Council stood down so that a State never previously elected could take the seat
  • D. the region forwarded exactly as many endorsed candidates as it had seats, India still having to be elected by the General Assembly

Q3. Which one of the following was the first biennium in which India sat on the UN Security Council as an elected non-permanent member?

  • A. 1947-48
  • B. 1950-51
  • C. 1952-53
  • D. 1967-68

Q4. The enlargement of the UN Security Council from eleven to fifteen members took effect under a Charter amendment which was:

  • A. adopted by the Security Council in 1963 and brought into force in 1965 on ratification by two-thirds of Members
  • B. adopted by the General Assembly in 1965 and brought into force in 1971 on ratification by two-thirds of Members
  • C. adopted by the General Assembly in 1963 and given effect immediately upon its adoption without further ratification
  • D. adopted by the General Assembly in 1963 and brought into force in 1965 on ratification by two-thirds of Members

Q5. Under the pattern of distribution adopted along with the enlargement of the Security Council, how many of the ten non-permanent seats are allotted to African and Asian States taken together?

  • A. Four
  • B. Six
  • C. Five
  • D. Seven

Q6. Consider the following milestones in India-China relations and the years assigned to them: 1. Sino-Indian war fought largely over the Aksai Chin region - 1962 2. Restoration of ambassador-level diplomatic representation between the two countries - 1976 3. Visit of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to China, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades - 1988 4. Establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the People's Republic of China - 1954 Which of the above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Sino-Indian war fought largely over the Aksai Chin region - 1962
  2. Restoration of ambassador-level diplomatic representation between the two countries - 1976
  3. Visit of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to China, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades - 1988
  4. Establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the People's Republic of China - 1954
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q7. The mutual withdrawal of ambassadors that reduced India-China representation below ambassador level, and which was reversed only in 1976, followed which one of the following events?

  • A. The India-Pakistan war of 1965, in which China issued an ultimatum to India over the Sikkim frontier
  • B. The Tibetan uprising of 1959 and the grant of asylum in India to the fourteenth Dalai Lama
  • C. The Sino-Indian war of October-November 1962, fought principally over the disputed Aksai Chin region
  • D. The India-Pakistan war of 1971, after which China opposed Bangladesh's admission to the United Nations

Q8. Consider the following statements comparing China's posture on India's Security Council candidatures then and now: 1. In August 1976 China, then a permanent member of the Council, joined the rest of the Asian Group in backing India's candidature for a non-permanent seat. 2. In the General Assembly's 2025 debate on Security Council reform, China cautioned against an expansion that would make the Council too broad to preserve its effectiveness and authority. 3. France and the United Kingdom, unlike China, have withheld public support for permanent seats for the G4 countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In August 1976 China, then a permanent member of the Council, joined the rest of the Asian Group in backing India's candidature for a non-permanent seat.
  2. In the General Assembly's 2025 debate on Security Council reform, China cautioned against an expansion that would make the Council too broad to preserve its effectiveness and authority.
  3. France and the United Kingdom, unlike China, have withheld public support for permanent seats for the G4 countries.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. In the General Assembly's 2025 debate on Security Council reform, the demand for an effective increase in the representation of developing countries, with priority and special arrangements for Africa's demands, was pressed by the representative of:

  • A. Brazil
  • B. China
  • C. France
  • D. Japan

Q10. Among the four G4 countries seeking permanent seats on the UN Security Council, which one was the earliest to be elected to a non-permanent seat on the Council?

  • A. Japan
  • B. India
  • C. Germany
  • D. Brazil

Q11. Consider the following statements about the election of non-permanent members of the UN Security Council: 1. Five non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly each year, for terms of two years. 2. A candidate must obtain a simple majority of the members present and voting in the General Assembly. 3. Article 23(1) of the Charter requires that due regard be paid to a State's contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security and to equitable geographical distribution. 4. The non-permanent members are chosen by the General Assembly and the Security Council voting independently and concurrently. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Five non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly each year, for terms of two years.
  2. A candidate must obtain a simple majority of the members present and voting in the General Assembly.
  3. Article 23(1) of the Charter requires that due regard be paid to a State's contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security and to equitable geographical distribution.
  4. The non-permanent members are chosen by the General Assembly and the Security Council voting independently and concurrently.
  • A. 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only