UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 80: International Relations and Current Affairs
With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements :
- 1.The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of UN consists of 24 member States.
- 2.It is elected by a 2⁄3rd majority of the General Assembly for a 3-year term.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Only statement 2 is correct. The Economic and Social Council has 54 members, not 24, after its enlargement in 1973. The General Assembly elects them for three-year terms, with one-third retiring each year, by a two-thirds majority. ECOSOC coordinates the economic and social work of the UN and its specialised agencies.
- 1. ECOSOC has 54 members, not 24.
- 2. Members are elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms by a two-thirds majority.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: ECOSOC has 54 members, not 24.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Members are elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms by a two-thirds majority.
Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: ECOSOC has 54 members, not 24.
- (b) Right: only the election by two-thirds for three years is correct.
- (c) Wrong: statement 1 is false.
- (d) Wrong: statement 2 is correct.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.