Which one of the following statements is NOT correct about NATO?
- (a)It was formed out of the signing of the Washington Treaty
- (b)Russia is not a member of this organization
- (c)It derives its authority from the UN Charter
- (d)Finland is its latest member
Correct — D, Finland is its latest member. This is the statement that is NOT correct: Finland joined NATO in April 2023, but Sweden became the alliance's 32nd and newest member on 7 March 2024. So as of the September 2024 exam the latest member was Sweden, not Finland.
- (a)It was formed out of the signing of the Washington Treaty — This is CORRECT — NATO was created by the North Atlantic Treaty (the 'Washington Treaty'), signed in Washington, D.C. on 4 April 1949 — so it is not the exception.
- (b)Russia is not a member of this organization — This is CORRECT — Russia is not a NATO member; NATO was in fact founded as a Western collective-defence bloc against the Soviet Union — so this is a true statement.
- (c)It derives its authority from the UN Charter — This is treated as CORRECT — the North Atlantic Treaty reaffirms faith in the UN Charter and its collective-defence clause rests on Article 51 (the right of self-defence) of the Charter — so it is a true statement, not the exception.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a collective-defence alliance formed by the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, D.C. on 4 April 1949 by 12 founding members. Its core is Article 5 (an attack on one is an attack on all), and its framework is anchored in the UN Charter, especially the Article 51 right of individual and collective self-defence. Its headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.
Three statements are standard NATO facts; the item turns on the 'latest member'. Recent enlargement: Finland (April 2023) then Sweden (March 2024). Sweden is the newest, so calling Finland the latest member is the wrong statement.
- Founded by the North Atlantic (Washington) Treaty, 4 April 1949; 12 founding members.
- Article 5 = collective defence; Article 51 of the UN Charter underpins it.
- Finland joined April 2023 (31st member); Sweden joined 7 March 2024 (32nd, latest).
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium; Russia is not a member.
- Assuming Finland (a big 2023 story) is still the 'latest' member — Sweden joined in March 2024.
- Thinking Russia is or was a NATO member because of partnership councils in the past.
International-affairs GK — NATO's founding treaty, members, headquarters or its newest entrant.
Consider the following statements: 1. North Atlantic Co-operation Council (NACC) is the name of the new organization which has replaced the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 2. The United States of America and the United Kingdom became members of NATO when it was formed in 1949. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer(b) 2 only
Same concept — NATO's formation and membership. UPSC confirmed the US and UK were among NATO's 1949 founders (and that NATO was never replaced by NACC), reinforcing the founding-treaty and membership facts tested in this NDA item.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which country became the 32nd (and latest) member of NATO in March 2024?
- (a)Finland
- (b)Ukraine
- (c)Sweden
- (d)Austria
Answer(c) Sweden — joined on 7 March 2024.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The North Atlantic Treaty that founded NATO was signed in 1949 in which city?
- (a)Brussels
- (b)Washington, D.C.
- (c)London
- (d)Paris
Answer(b) Washington, D.C. — hence 'the Washington Treaty'.