UPSC Mains Law Paper Topic : United Nations : Its principal organs,
powers and functions and reform
- Write short note: Domestic jurisdiction of States. (94/I/8a/20)
- “Although the primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security belongs to the Security Council, the General Assembly is given in this connection certain facultative or permissive powers of consideration and recommendation.” Highlight the developments that equipped the General Assembly with a leading role on the question of international peace and security. (95/I/6b/30)
- Write short note : Nicaragua Vs U.S.A. - case concerning military and para- military activities in and around Nicaragua-1986 I.C.J. Reports (96/I/8c/20)
- Write short note : Optional clause (96/I/8b/20)
- Discuss with the help of suitable illustrations the productive and creative role played by the United Nations in shaping, developing and extending the normative content of contemporary international law. (96/I/5b/20)
- Write short note : Advisory opinion of International Court of Justice on Western Sahara I.C.J. 1975 p 12. (97/I/8b/20)
- Write short note : Legal significance of the Resolutions of the General Assembly. (97/I/8a/20)
- “The United Nations is primarily an organisation for maintaining peace and security.” Discuss. (98/I/5a/20)
- “The power of veto has paralysed the Security Council.” Do you agree with this view? Give reasons. (00/I/5d/20)
- Is the provision of the I.C.J. pertaining 45 (Main) Law—Topic Wise Paper to the appointment of ‘National Judges’ belonging to the nationality of parties to a dispute, proper in the interest of justice? How are judgements of the courts enforced? Explain. (00/I/5b/20)
- Do you agree with the view that voting procedure stated in Article 27 of the UN Charter has destroyed the efficiency of the Security Council? Discuss. (01/I/5b/20)
- Spell out the composition, functions and objectives of the I.L.L. How is the International Labour Code adopted by nations? What is the effect of this code on India’s Labour Laws? (02/I/8a/30)
- “The term ‘general principles of law recognised by civilized nation’ is very wide and vague”. Comment in the context of Article 38(i)(c) of the Statute of the ICJ. (03/I/5c/20)
- “The General Assembly has become more powerful than the Security Council of the United Nations.” Do you agree with this view? Give reasons. (04/I/5b/20)
- Discuss the jurisdiction of International Court of Justice. Who will decide as to whether the Court has jurisdiction or not? (04/I/8a/30)
- Critically examine the provisions of the United Nations Charter which enables the United Nations to perform its primary role of peace keeping. Does the Charter require any reform in this respect? (05/I/8a/30)
- “The establishment of compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice is essential for the maintenance of international peace and security.” Comment. Why are countries generally reluctant to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court? (06/I/ 6a/ 30)
- How does the ICJ get jurisdiction over contentious disputes? Can a state be compelled to submit its dispute with another sovereign state without its consent? (07/I/5c/20)
- Discuss the powers of the Security Council to investigate any ‘dispute’ or ‘situation’ inimical to international peace and security. (07/I/7b/30)
- Would you support the idea of the general review of the United Nations Charter? Give reasons. Also give your opinion about the continuity of the ‘Veto System’. What is the stand of India in these respects? (09/I/7a/30)
- Normally the States are reluctant to resort to the International Court of Justice mainly due to political factor; the general conditions of international relations; the greater suitability of other tribunals; a flexibility of arbitration in comparison jurisdiction and difficulty in getting enforcement of the decisions of the court. However, the court has made a reasonable contribution in settling disputes.
- ‘The United Nations is capable of legal development in accordance with the needs and circumstances. The Uniting for Peace Resolution, 1950 is its example.’ Discuss the validity of this resolution. (11/I/5b/30)
- The concepts of ‘necessity’ and ‘proportionality’ are the heart of self- defence in International Law. Explain, the light of UN Charter and recent trend of extending these to ‘pre-emptive’ or ‘anticipatory’ self-defence due to ‘the imminence of attacks and advancement in armaments’. (13/I/7a/25)
