Which of the following countries was NOT elected in June 2020 as a non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council for the year 2021-22 ?
- (a)Ireland
- (b)Norway
- (c)Mexico
- (d)Canada
Correct — D, Canada. In the UN General Assembly election held on 17 June 2020, five non-permanent members were chosen for the 2021-22 term: India (Asia-Pacific), Kenya (Africa), Mexico (Latin America & Caribbean), and Norway and Ireland for the two Western Europe & Others (WEOG) seats. Canada also contested a WEOG seat but finished third and lost (Norway 130 votes, Ireland 128, Canada 108). So Canada was the only listed country NOT elected → (d).
- (a)Ireland — Ireland WAS elected — it won a WEOG seat with 128 votes, so it is not the country that was left out.
- (b)Norway — Norway WAS elected — it topped the WEOG contest with 130 votes, so it is not the answer.
- (c)Mexico — Mexico WAS elected — it took the Latin America & Caribbean (GRULAC) seat, so it is not the country that failed.
The UN Security Council has 15 members: 5 permanent (P5 — China, France, Russia, UK, USA) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, with five replaced each year on a rotating regional-group basis. A two-thirds majority is required to win a seat.
The question hinges on a contested WEOG race in which three developed democracies (Norway, Ireland, Canada) chased two seats — the classic setup for one to lose. India, elected the same day for the Asia-Pacific seat, began its 2021-22 term. Remember: the three winners of the day were India, Mexico and Kenya (uncontested/regional), and among the WEOG trio Canada was the one squeezed out.
- Elected 17 June 2020 for 2021-22: India, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Ireland
- WEOG (2 seats): Norway (130) and Ireland (128) won; Canada (108) lost
- UNSC = 15 members: 5 permanent + 10 non-permanent (two-year terms)
- India began its eighth stint as a UNSC non-permanent member in January 2021
Canada was the only listed country not elected → answer (d).
- Assuming a G7 country like Canada must have won — it actually lost the WEOG race
- Forgetting that India was also elected the same day (for the Asia-Pacific seat)
Current-affairs recalls pair the body (UNSC), the year of the term (2021-22) and a 'which country won/lost' twist — hold the five winners (India, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Ireland) and the WEOG loser (Canada).
The Security Council of UN consists of 5 permanent members, and the remaining 10 members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of
- (a) 1 year
- (b) 2 years
- (c) 3 years
- (d) 5 years
Answer(b) 2 years
Same concept — UNSC non-permanent membership. UPPSC asks who was/wasn't elected in 2020; UPSC tests the two-year term of the 10 non-permanent members.
- practice — not a real PYQ
For what term are the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council elected?
- (a)One year
- (b)Two years
- (c)Three years
- (d)Five years
Answer(b) Two years — the 10 non-permanent members serve two-year terms, with five elected each year.
- practice — not a real PYQ
India began its 2021-22 term on the UN Security Council representing which regional group's seat?
- (a)WEOG
- (b)Asia-Pacific
- (c)African Group
- (d)Eastern European
Answer(b) Asia-Pacific — India was elected unopposed to the Asia-Pacific seat in June 2020.