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Question

Which one of the following is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2023 English Previous Year Paper (16-April-2023)
The correct answer is

Japan

Understanding the UN Security Council Permanent Members

The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). Its primary responsibility is maintaining international peace and security. The Security Council has fifteen members: five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.

The five permanent members hold veto power over any substantive resolution.

Permanent Members of the UN Security Council

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council are:

  • China
  • France
  • Russian Federation
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

Analyzing the Options

We are asked to identify which of the given options is NOT a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Let's examine each option against the list of permanent members:

  • France: France is listed as one of the five permanent members.
  • China: China (specifically the People's Republic of China since 1971, previously the Republic of China) is listed as one of the five permanent members.
  • Japan: Japan is a significant contributor to the UN but is not listed as a permanent member. Japan has served multiple terms as a non-permanent member.
  • United Kingdom: The United Kingdom is listed as one of the five permanent members.

Identifying the Non-Permanent Member Option

Based on the analysis, Japan is the country among the given options that is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It is a non-permanent member when elected by the General Assembly.

Conclusion on UN Security Council Membership

Therefore, the country that is not a permanent member among the choices provided is Japan.

Revision Table: UN Security Council Facts

Feature Description
Total Members 15
Permanent Members 5
Non-Permanent Members 10 (elected for 2-year terms)
Veto Power Held by Permanent Members
Purpose Maintaining international peace and security

Additional Information on UN Security Council

The selection of the five permanent members was based on the geopolitical realities following World War II. These were the major victorious powers at that time.

The ten non-permanent members are elected based on geographic representation. Seats are allocated among regional groups. The non-permanent members participate fully in the council's work but do not hold veto power.

Discussions about reforming the UN Security Council, including expanding the number of permanent or non-permanent members, have been ongoing for many years, but no consensus has been reached among member states on how to proceed.

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