2022 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I

Question 78: International Relations and Current Affairs

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements :

  1. 1.The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
  2. 2.Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
  3. 3.Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

a1 and 2 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The General Assembly grants observer status through its resolutions. Non-member States, such as the Holy See and Palestine, are permanent observer States, and intergovernmental organisations and other entities can seek observer status too. Permanent observers may maintain missions at the UN headquarters in New York and take part in the Assembly's work, without a vote. All three statements are correct.

  • 1. The General Assembly can grant observer status to non-member States.
  • 2. Intergovernmental organisations can seek observer status.
  • 3. Permanent observers maintain missions at UN headquarters.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: The General Assembly can grant observer status to non-member States.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Intergovernmental organisations can seek observer status.

  3. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: Permanent observers maintain missions at UN headquarters.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

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. Statement 3 on missions is also correct.
  • (b) Wrong. Statement 1 on granting status to non-member States is also correct.
  • (c) Wrong. Statement 2 on intergovernmental organisations is also correct.
  • (d) Correct. All three are accurate.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.