International Organisations

Overview

International organisations are institutions formed by multiple countries to address issues that transcend national boundaries—peace, security, trade, health, and development. For MAHA TET Paper II Social Studies, this topic falls under the Civics/Political Science component and tests your understanding of the United Nations system and other major global bodies.

Questions typically focus on the founding year, headquarters, member count, principal organs, and key functions of these organisations. You must know which body does what—the difference between the Security Council and the General Assembly, or between WHO and WTO. This topic connects directly to concepts of democracy, global citizenship, and India's role in world affairs, making it relevant for teaching upper-primary students about interconnected global systems.

Mastering this topic requires memorising factual details (dates, locations, membership) while understanding the broader purpose each organisation serves. Expect 2–4 questions from this area in the Social Studies section.

---

Key Concepts

• **International organisations** are voluntary associations of sovereign states created by treaties to pursue common objectives such as peace, economic cooperation, or humanitarian aid.

• The **United Nations (UN)** is the most important international organisation, founded in 1945 after World War II to maintain international peace and prevent future wars.

• The UN operates through **six principal organs**: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the Secretariat.

• The **Security Council** has five permanent members (P5)—USA, UK, France, Russia, and China—each holding **veto power**, meaning any one can block a resolution.

• **Specialised agencies** of the UN (WHO, UNESCO, ILO, FAO, IMF, World Bank) work independently but coordinate with the UN on specific global issues.

• **Regional organisations** like the European Union, African Union, and ASEAN address issues specific to their geographic areas.

• India is a **founding member** of the UN and has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council multiple times; India seeks permanent membership in a reformed Security Council.

• International organisations operate on principles of **sovereignty, equality of states, and collective action** for global public goods.

---

Key Facts

| Organisation | Founded | Headquarters | Members | Key Function | |--------------|---------|--------------|---------|--------------| | United Nations (UN) | 1945 | New York, USA | 193 | Maintain international peace and security | | WHO (World Health Organisation) | 1948 | Geneva, Switzerland | 194 | Global public health | | UNESCO | 1945 | Paris, France | 193 | Education, science, culture | | UNICEF | 1946 | New York, USA | Works in 190+ countries | Children's welfare | | ILO (International Labour Organisation) | 1919 | Geneva, Switzerland | 187 | Labour rights and standards | | FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) | 1945 | Rome, Italy | 194 | Food security, agriculture | | IMF (International Monetary Fund) | 1944 | Washington DC, USA | 190 | Monetary cooperation, financial stability | | World Bank | 1944 | Washington DC, USA | 189 | Development loans, poverty reduction | | WTO (World Trade Organisation) | 1995 | Geneva, Switzerland | 164 | International trade rules | | ICJ (International Court of Justice) | 1945 | The Hague, Netherlands | 15 judges | Settles legal disputes between states |