The United Nations
The world body of 193 countries founded in 1945 after World War II to keep peace and foster cooperation.
What the paper can ask
- Charter signed at San Francisco on 26 June 1945 by 50 states (Poland signed later); 51 original members.
- 193 member states today; the Holy See and Palestine are observer states. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Six principal organs under Article 7; the General Assembly is the only organ where every member sits.
- Security Council: 15 members, five permanent (China, France, Russia, UK, US) with veto.
- Antonio Guterres is Secretary-General; his second term ends on 31 December 2026. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Latest
India launched its campaign for a 2028-29 non-permanent Security Council seat in July 2026; the UNGA in September 2026 designated 27 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
Why exams ask
Setters ask the founding date, the day it is observed, which organ sits outside the headquarters city, which body is not a principal organ, and India's membership year.
The full story
The United Nations was created by the UN Charter, drafted at the San Francisco conference (April to June 1945) and brought into force later that year. The Charter's Article 7 sets up six principal organs, among them the General Assembly (every member, one vote), the Security Council (15 members, 5 permanent with veto), the Secretariat under the Secretary-General, and a world court.
In the news
- UN General Assembly again urges end to US embargo on Cuba; India votes in favour 28 Oct
- UN General Assembly adopts first declaration on sea-level rise and statehood continuity 24 Sep
- UN Security Council holds third straw poll to pick Guterres' successor 18 Sep
- UN General Assembly designates 27 November as International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage 4 Sep
Test yourself
1.The 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, the first global environment summit, was held in:
Correct. The Stockholm Conference of June 1972 led to the creation of UNEP (headquartered in Nairobi) and to 5 June being World Environment Day.
Not quite. The Stockholm Conference of June 1972 led to the creation of UNEP (headquartered in Nairobi) and to 5 June being World Environment Day. It goes into your error book.
2.In which year was India admitted to the United Nations as an original member?
Correct. The UN member list gives India's date of admission as 30 October 1945; India had signed the Charter in June 1945, before independence.
Not quite. The UN member list gives India's date of admission as 30 October 1945; India had signed the Charter in June 1945, before independence. It goes into your error book.
3.Which principal organ of the United Nations is the only one not based in New York City?
Correct. The ICJ sits at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.
Not quite. The ICJ sits at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. It goes into your error book.