Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q54 (IAS/2019) International Relations & Global Affairs › International Organisations & Groupings › International legal conventions Official Key

Consider the following statements : 1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a 'Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air'. 2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument. 3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly. 4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Explanation

The correct answer is option C (statements 2 and 4 only).

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea [3]and Air supplements the United Nations Convention against[2]Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), not UNCAC. These are two separate international legal frameworks.

Statement 2 is correct as UNCAC is indeed the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument[4], making it the first of its kind globally.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the documents provided do not contain information about a specific chapter on asset recovery in UNTOC. This provision is actually a feature of UNCAC, not UNTOC, representing a confusion between the two conventions.

Statement 4 is correct as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime serves as the secretariat[6] for UNCAC and provides technical assistance to States for implementation of these conventions[5], indicating its mandate to assist with both UNCAC and UNTOC implementation.

Therefore, only statements 2 and 4 are correct, making option C the right answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.unodc.org/documents/middleeastandnorthafrica/smuggling-migrants/SoM_Protocol_English.pdf
  2. [2] https://www.unodc.org/documents/middleeastandnorthafrica/organised-crime/UNITED_NATIONS_CONVENTION_AGAINST_TRANSNATIONAL_ORGANIZED_CRIME_AND_THE_PROTOCOLS_THERETO.pdf
  3. [3] https://www.unodc.org/documents/middleeastandnorthafrica/organised-crime/UNITED_NATIONS_CONVENTION_AGAINST_TRANSNATIONAL_ORGANIZED_CRIME_AND_THE_PROTOCOLS_THERETO.pdf
  4. [4] https://www.unodc.org/corruption/en/uncac/learn-about-uncac.html
  5. [5] https://www.unodc.org/documents/brussels/UN_Convention_Against_Corruption.pdf
  6. [6] https://www.unodc.org/documents/treaties/UNCAC/Publications/LegislativeGuide/UNCAC_Legislative_Guide_E.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : 1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a 'Protocol against the Smuggling of…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 5/10
Statement 1
Is the "Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air" a protocol of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"PROTOCOL AGAINST THE SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS BY LAND, SEA AND AIR, SUPPLEMENTING THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME"
Why this source?
  • The passage explicitly names the instrument as supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
  • This indicates its parent convention is UNTOC, not the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"III. Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime"
Why this source?
  • The document index lists the protocol under the heading 'Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime'.
  • Reinforces that the protocol is connected to UNTOC rather than UNCAC.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"In ratifying the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime"
Why this source?
  • Contains language stating the Protocol 'supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime' in the context of ratification/declarations.
  • Supports that the protocol is linked to UNTOC and not to the UNCAC.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Objective > p. 391
Strength: 5/5
“Is to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, and specifically focusing on transboundary movements. • The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an additional agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. • The Protocol establishes procedures for regulating the import and export of LMOs from one country to another. All Rights Reserved. No part of this uaterial ma,v be reproduced in anVy tbrm or by anv neans, \\iithout Permission iu writing. ffi”
Why relevant

Shows the general pattern that named 'Protocols' (e.g., the Cartagena Protocol) are additional agreements explicitly attached to a particular parent convention.

How to extend

A student could check whether the Migrant Smuggling Protocol is explicitly described as an additional agreement to UNCAC in authoritative lists (similar to how Cartagena is tied to CBD).

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > cartagEna Protocol. > p. 10
Strength: 4/5
“Te Biosafety Protocol makes clear that products from new technologies must be based on the precautionary principle and allow developing nations to balance public health against economic benefts. Te Protocol promotes bio-safety by establishing rules and procedures for the safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modifed Organisms (LMOs). Parties to the Protocol must ensure that Living Modifed Organisms (LMOs) are handled, packaged and transported under conditions of safety. Furthermore, the shipment of Living Modifed Organisms (LMOs) subject to trans-boundary movement must be accompanied by appropriate documentation, specifying among other things, identity of Living Modifed Organisms (LMOs) and contact of further information.”
Why relevant

Explains the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol's role as a protocol that establishes rules and procedures under a specific convention, illustrating how protocols implement and extend a convention's scope.

How to extend

Use this pattern to look for official texts or UN pages stating the Migrant Smuggling Protocol's parent convention (if any) to see if it functions likewise under UNCAC.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > Kyoto Protocol on clImatIc changE. > p. 7
Strength: 4/5
“Tis is a protocol to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climatic Change (UNFCCC). It was adopted in the conference at Kyoto (Japan) in 1997. Kyoto Protocol is a voluntary treaty signed by 141 countries including the European Union, Japan, and Canada. According to this Protocol, the developed industrialised countries are required to reduce emission of greenhouse gases by an average of 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012. Te Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC) has predicted an average global rise in temperature of Earth from 1.4o C to 5.8o C between 1990 and 2100. If successfully implemented, the Kyoto Protocol will reduce that increase by somewhere 0.02o C and 0.28o C by the year 2050 (Nature, October 2003).”
Why relevant

Gives the Kyoto Protocol as an example of a protocol to the UNFCCC, reinforcing that protocols are commonly linked to particular UN conventions and named accordingly.

How to extend

Compare naming/placement conventions: check if the Migrant Smuggling Protocol is listed as a protocol to UNCAC as Kyoto is to UNFCCC.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Frotocol > p. 392
Strength: 3/5
“• The Cartagena Protocol is reinforced by the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary protocol on Liability and Response. • The Supplementary Frotocol specifies response measures to be taken in the event of damage to biodiversity resulting from LMOs. • The competent authority in a party to the Supplementary Protocol must require the person in control of the LMO (operator) to take the response measures or it may implement such measures itself and recover any costs incurred from the operator.”
Why relevant

Describes a 'Supplementary Protocol' that reinforces a parent protocol, showing that international instruments have hierarchical relationships (convention → protocol → supplementary protocol).

How to extend

A student could search organizational hierarchies of instruments to see whether the Migrant Smuggling instrument sits under UNCAC or under a different convention/framework.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 35: TABLES > List I-Union List. > p. 549
Strength: 3/5
“12. United Nations Organi~ation. 13. Participation in international conferences. associations and other bodies and implementing of decisions made thereat. 14. Entering into treaties and agreements with foreign countries and implementing of treaties, agreements and conventions with foreign countries. 15. War and peace. • 16. Foreign jurisdiction. 17. Citizenship. naturalisation and aliens. 18. Extradition. 19. Admission into and emigration and expulsion from India; passports and visas. 20. Pilgrimages to places outside India. 21. Pir.icies and crimes committed on the high seas or in the air; ofiences asa:inst the law of nations committed on land or the high seas or in the air.”
Why relevant

Notes the governmental power/role of 'entering into treaties and agreements' and 'United Nations Organisation', indicating that protocols are formal international treaties requiring explicit attribution to conventions or UN bodies.

How to extend

Use official treaty depositaries (UN Treaty Collection) or national treaty lists to verify whether the Migrant Smuggling Protocol is deposited as a protocol to UNCAC.

Statement 2
Is the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) the first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was adopted by the General Assembly on the 31 October 2003 and entered into force on 14 December 2005. It is the first global legally binding instrument in that"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names UNCAC and states adoption and entry-into-force dates.
  • Directly describes it as the first global legally binding instrument, matching the claim.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument."
Why this source?
  • Authoritative UNODC source explicitly calls UNCAC the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument.
  • Provides context about drafting and adoption that supports the Convention's global legal status.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The UNCAC is the only binding global anti-corruption instrument."
Why this source?
  • Independent coalition summary concisely states UNCAC is the only binding global anti-corruption instrument.
  • Corroborates the claim from a civil-society perspective.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Non-legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (NIBI) > p. 403
Strength: 4/5
“• The Seventh Session of the UNFF adopted the Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests on April 2007. • It is the first time Member States have agreed to an international instrument for sustainable forest management. • The instrument is expected to have a major impact on international cooperation and national action to reduce deforestation, prevent forest degradation, promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty for all forest-dependent peoples.”
Why relevant

Shows explicit contrast between 'non-legally binding' instruments and instruments that create binding obligations, highlighting that instruments on international issues can be either binding or non-binding.

How to extend

A student could use this rule to check whether anti-corruption instruments are explicitly described as 'non-legally binding' or as creating 'legally binding obligations' to judge if UNCAC was the first binding one.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.17. UNCCD > p. 407
Strength: 4/5
“• o Established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. • o The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation. • r The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is one of the Rio Conventions that focuses on desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD).”
Why relevant

Gives an example (UNCCD) of a convention that is described as 'the sole legally binding international agreement' for its subject, illustrating how textbooks label first/unique legally binding instruments in a policy area.

How to extend

A student could look for similar textbook/descriptive claims about anti-corruption instruments (e.g., 'sole' or 'first legally binding') to assess whether UNCAC holds that status.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > 24.1. UNFCCC > p. 321
Strength: 5/5
“• o UN Summit Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 adopted, by consensus, the first multilateral legal instrument on Climate Change, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change or the UNFCCC. • In 1992, countries joined UNFCCC to cooperatively consider what they could do to limit average global temperature increases and the resulting climate change, and to cope with whatever impacts were, by then, inevitable.”
Why relevant

States that UNFCCC was 'the first multilateral legal instrument' on climate change, demonstrating a precedent of identifying 'first' legally binding global instruments for specific issue areas.

How to extend

Use the same comparative approach: find authoritative statements or adoption dates for anti-corruption instruments to see if any predate UNCAC and were legally binding.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.16 ROTTTRDAM CONVENTION > p. 406
Strength: 4/5
“• It was adopted in 1998 by a Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and entered into force on February 14, 2004. • The Convention creates legally binding obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Exporting. All Rights Reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or means, without permission in writing.”
Why relevant

Gives a concrete example (Rotterdam Convention) of an international treaty adopted at a conference and later entering into force with 'legally binding obligations', showing the typical form and dating process of binding instruments.

How to extend

A student can compare adoption/entry-into-force dates and treaty language of UNCAC versus other anti-corruption instruments to determine which is first and binding.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > KIGALI AMENDMENT > p. 602
Strength: 3/5
“• The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international, legally binding agreement entered into force in 2019 to cut the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). • Initially, the amendment was ratified by 65 countries. Liberia becoming the 100<sup>th</sup> nation to ratify the Amendment in July 2020 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) are the climate pledges and intended reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of countries under the UNFCCC. All countries that signed the UNFCCC were asked to declare their INDCs at the UN's 2013 climate negotiations in Warsaw (CoP 19). The INDC will become the first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) when a country ratifies the Paris agreement.”
Why relevant

Describes the Kigali Amendment as an international, legally binding agreement entered into force in 2019, reinforcing that binding status is often noted alongside ratification/entry-into-force dates.

How to extend

A student could apply this pattern by checking whether UNCAC (or earlier anti-corruption instruments) have entry-into-force dates and ratification records indicating legally binding status before any alternatives.

Statement 3
Does the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) include a specific chapter on asset recovery or the return of assets to their rightful owners?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act 2002 (SARFAESI Act 2002) > p. 137
Strength: 4/5
“3. Securitization: Acquisition of financial assets (loans) by an ARC from any financial institution for the purpose of converting such assets into marketable securities. The provisions have enabled banks and financial institutions to improve recovery by exercising powers to take possession of securities, sell them and reduce nonperforming assets by adopting measures for recovery and reconstruction.”
Why relevant

Describes 'securitization' and measures enabling recovery and reconstruction of financial assets — shows that legal frameworks often include explicit recovery mechanisms for assets.

How to extend

A student could note that if domestic statutes commonly include dedicated recovery provisions, international treaties addressing transnational crime might likewise contain dedicated provisions on asset recovery and then check UNTOC's text or table of contents.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act 2002 (SARFAESI Act 2002) > p. 136
Strength: 3/5
“Asset reconstruction: It means acquisition by an ARC of any right or interest of any bank or financial institution in any debt/loan/advance for the purpose of realisation/recovery of such debt.”
Why relevant

Defines 'asset reconstruction' as acquisition of rights to realise/recover debts — demonstrates a standard legal concept of asset recovery used in statutes.

How to extend

Use this pattern to suspect that multilateral instruments confronting organized crime could adopt analogous, named chapters or articles on recovering illicit assets.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > Asset Reconstruction Company > p. 231
Strength: 3/5
“An Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) is a specialised financial institution that buys the NPAs or bad assets from banks and financial institutions so that the latter can clean up their balance sheets. ARCs clean up the balance sheets of banks when the banks sell the bad assets to the ARCs at a mutually agreed value. This helps banks to concentrate in normal banking activities rather than going after the defaulters by wasting their time and effort. 1992. • Narasimham Committee (1998) recommended setting up an ARC specifically for purchasing NPAs from banks and financial institutions. • Subsequently, the SARFAESI Act, 2002, created the legal framework for establishing a multiple private ARCs.”
Why relevant

Explains the institutional response (Asset Reconstruction Companies) for handling bad assets, illustrating that specialized mechanisms and institutions are commonly created to effect asset return/recovery.

How to extend

From the prevalence of specialized mechanisms domestically, a student might infer international conventions could similarly establish or encourage mechanisms for cross-border asset return and then check UNTOC provisions or related protocols.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Overview > p. 45
Strength: 3/5
“In this chapter we shall discuss the role of international organisations after the collapse of the Soviet Union. We shall examine how, in this emerging world, there were calls for the restructuring of international organisations to cope with various new challenges including the rise of US power. The potential reform of the United Nations Security Council is an interesting case of the reform process and its difficulties. We then turn to India's involvement in the UN and its view of Security Council reforms. The chapter closes by asking if the UN can play any role in dealing with a world dominated by one superpower.”
Why relevant

Discusses how international organisations and conventions are restructured to cope with new challenges, implying that UN conventions can contain thematic chapters addressing specific problems.

How to extend

A student could apply this general rule—UN conventions often have thematic chapters—to expect UNTOC might include specific thematic provisions (e.g., asset recovery) and then inspect UNTOC's structure.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > I0Ps" > p. 397
Strength: 2/5
“"I0Ps" Five global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been associated with the treaty since its beginnings and were confirmed in the formal status of International Organization Partners (lOPs) ofthe Convention. AII Rights Reservecl. No part of this material nrv, be reproclucecl in any forn or bv anv means, rtithout Pernission it \\,ritillg. ffi”
Why relevant

Notes that treaties can have formal International Organization Partners (IOPs), showing treaties are structured instruments with implementation and partnership elements.

How to extend

Given treaties' structured nature and partnership mechanisms, a student could reasonably look for similarly structured provisions on cooperation in asset recovery within UNTOC or its implementation instruments.

Statement 4
Is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) mandated by member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
Strength: 4/5
“On 24 October 1945 the UNO came into existence with 51 members. The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Trygve Lie, was elected the first UN Trygve Lie The World after World War II 252 Secretary-General. In addition to its main organs, UNO has currently 15 specialised agencies. Some of the prominent agencies are: International Labour Organisation (ILO - Geneva), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - Rome), International Monetary Fund (IMF - Washington (D.C)), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO - Paris), World Health Organization (WHO - Geneva), and World Bank (Washington (D.C)).”
Why relevant

States created the UN and its main organs/specialised agencies to facilitate cooperation and implement international aims.

How to extend

A student could infer that organs/agencies (like UNODC) are plausible instruments member States would empower to help implement treaties such as UNCAC/UNTOC and then check UNODC's specific mandate.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.TT. UNITED NATIONS FORUM ON FORESTS (UNT) > p. 401
Strength: 4/5
“28.TT. UNITEI} NATIONS FORUM ON FORESTS {UNTT)}} The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), established the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) in October 2000, a subsidiary body with the main objective to promote 'the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end' based on the Rio Declaration, the Forest Principles, Chapter III of Agenda 21 and the outcome of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) / Intergovernmental Forum. The Forum has universal membership, and is composed of all Member States of the United Nations and specialized agencies: All Rights Reserved.”
Why relevant

ECOSOC (a UN organ) established a subsidiary body (UNFF) to promote implementation of international forest commitments — an example of member States using UN bodies to implement conventions and agreed outcomes.

How to extend

Use this pattern (ECOSOC creating bodies to assist implementation) to hypothesize that ECOSOC/UNGA could similarly mandate UNODC to assist with crime-related conventions; then verify through UNODC/UN resolutions.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.17. UNCCD > p. 407
Strength: 3/5
“• o Established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. • o The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation. • r The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is one of the Rio Conventions that focuses on desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD).”
Why relevant

The UNCCD is presented as a legally binding international agreement with focus on implementation — an example of the type of convention for which implementation assistance is required.

How to extend

Compare UNCCD (environment convention) with crime conventions (UNCAC/UNTOC) to reason that member States often set up UN mechanisms to help implement binding conventions, suggesting such arrangements are common and checkable.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Missionss > p. 403
Strength: 3/5
“To influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversiry of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects globally and brings governments, nongovernment organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy. IUCN Members include both States and nongovernmental organizations' A neutral forum for governments, NGOs, scientists, business and local communities to find practical solutions to conservation and development challenges.”
Why relevant

IUCN is described as bringing governments, NGOs and UN agencies together to develop and implement policy — showing UN agencies can play coordinating/implementation roles.

How to extend

Apply this coordination role to UNODC: a student could expect UNODC to be the UN agency coordinating implementation of crime-related conventions and then seek concrete mandate text.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Chapter 4 International Organisations > p. 50
Strength: 2/5
“Search for at least one news item about the activities of each of the UN agencies mentioned on this page. Cold War or no Cold War, one reform is needed above all. Only democratic leaders should be allowed to represent their countries in the UN. How can they allow dictators to speak in the name of the people of their country? organisation was set up through the signing of the United Nations Charter by 51 states. It tried to achieve what the League could not between the two world wars. The UN's objective is to prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among states.”
Why relevant

The UN's stated objective is to facilitate cooperation among states — a general rule underpinning why member States would mandate UN offices to assist implementation of international agreements.

How to extend

Use this general objective to justify investigating whether cooperation on crime treaties was assigned to a specific UN office (UNODC) by member States.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC creates difficulty by 'Cross-Pollination'. They take a specific attribute of Entity A (Asset Recovery) and paste it into a statement about Entity B (UNTOC). If a statement is highly specific about a 'Chapter' or 'Protocol', pause and check if it belongs to the sibling convention.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap (Feature Swap) + Source: UNODC Official Website / Standard International Relations Notes.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Global Security Architecture > UNODC Mandates > Distinction between 'Organized Crime' (UNTOC) and 'Corruption' (UNCAC).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Palermo Protocols' under UNTOC: 1) Trafficking in Persons, 2) Smuggling of Migrants, 3) Illicit Firearms. Contrast with UNCAC's 5 Pillars: 1) Prevention, 2) Criminalization, 3) Cooperation, 4) Asset Recovery (Chapter V), 5) Technical Assistance.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When two related bodies appear in one question (UNCAC vs UNTOC), assume the examiner has swapped their children (Protocols) or their organs (Chapters). Verify the 'Parent-Child' relationship before marking true.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Protocols as supplemental instruments to conventions
💡 The insight

A protocol can be an additional agreement that supplements and operationalizes a parent convention.

High-yield for UPSC: many international law questions hinge on whether an instrument is a standalone convention or a protocol to a specific convention. This helps classify treaties, understand legal hierarchy, and answer matching/identification questions on international instruments.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Objective > p. 391
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > Kyoto Protocol on clImatIc changE. > p. 7
🔗 Anchor: "Is the "Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air" a proto..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Rio Conventions trio (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD)
💡 The insight

Several major environmental treaties operate as a coordinated group of conventions adopted around the Earth Summit.

Important for environment and international relations sections: knowing the trio and their interlinkages aids in answering questions on global environmental architecture, treaty coordination, and comparative treaty mandates.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > Rio Conventinns > p. 427
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Nature conservation > p. 389
🔗 Anchor: "Is the "Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air" a proto..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Supplementary protocols and liability/response mechanisms
💡 The insight

Supplementary protocols can reinforce a primary protocol by specifying liability and response measures for damages.

Useful for UPSC when evaluating treaty scope and enforcement: recognizing that instruments may have follow-up protocols clarifies implementation responsibilities and state obligations, which appears in policy and law questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Frotocol > p. 392
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Objective > p. 391
🔗 Anchor: "Is the "Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air" a proto..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Legally binding vs non-legally binding international instruments
💡 The insight

Distinguishes treaties that create binding legal obligations from instruments that are political or voluntary, which is central to judging whether a convention is the 'first legally binding' instrument.

High-yield for UPSC because many questions probe the legal force of international instruments and their implications for national implementation; connects to international law, treaty ratification, and policy enforcement. Mastering this helps in comparing instruments and answering questions on obligations and compliance.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Non-legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (NIBI) > p. 403
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.17. UNCCD > p. 407
🔗 Anchor: "Is the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) the first legally bi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Rio Conventions and 'first' multilateral legal instruments
💡 The insight

Identifies landmark conventions such as the UNFCCC and UNCCD as examples of 'first' multilateral legal instruments in a subject area, illustrating how chronological claims are made.

Useful for UPSC because it trains aspirants to track which treaty was the inaugural legally framed instrument in a field, and to use adoption dates and scope to eliminate options in MCQs and mains answers. Links environmental governance, summit outcomes, and treaty history.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > 24.1. UNFCCC > p. 321
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.17. UNCCD > p. 407
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > fuo+zo > p. 427
🔗 Anchor: "Is the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) the first legally bi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Adoption date vs entry-into-force and scope when claiming 'first' status
💡 The insight

Clarifies that adoption year, entry-into-force year, and geographic or thematic scope all matter when asserting that a treaty was the 'first' of its kind.

Important for UPSC as many questions require precise chronology and legal status of conventions; understanding these distinctions aids evaluation of precedence claims and interpretations of a treaty's practical effect.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.16 ROTTTRDAM CONVENTION > p. 406
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Non-legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (NIBI) > p. 403
🔗 Anchor: "Is the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) the first legally bi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Asset Reconstruction & SARFAESI framework
💡 The insight

Explains domestic legal mechanisms for recovering financial assets and returning value to creditors, which is conceptually related to 'asset recovery'.

High-yield for UPSC because questions often probe recovery of bad loans, banking law and policy; connects banking regulation, NPAs, and institutional responses. Mastering this helps answer policy-design and comparative law questions on asset recovery mechanisms.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act 2002 (SARFAESI Act 2002) > p. 136
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 3: Money and Banking - Part II > The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act 2002 (SARFAESI Act 2002) > p. 137
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 8: Financial Market > Asset Reconstruction Company > p. 231
🔗 Anchor: "Does the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC)..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Palermo Convention' is the nickname for UNTOC. The 'Merida Convention' is the nickname for UNCAC. A future question might swap these city names or ask about the 'Budapest Convention' (Cybercrime), which is Council of Europe, NOT UN.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'Thematic Fit' Logic. Statement 3 talks about 'returning assets to rightful owners'. This implies the money was *stolen* from an owner (Corruption/Embezzlement). UNTOC deals with *Smuggling/Trafficking* (Illegal markets). Therefore, Asset Return is thematically a core feature of Corruption (UNCAC), not Organized Crime (UNTOC). If S3 is wrong, options A, B, and D are eliminated. Answer is C.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link UNCAC Chapter V (Asset Recovery) to GS-2 (Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018). When writing Mains answers on bringing back black money or extraditing economic offenders (like Nirav Modi), explicitly cite 'UNCAC Chapter V' as the international legal basis.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2022 · Q15 Relevance score: 0.92

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements : 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention. 2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

IAS · 2009 · Q107 Relevance score: 0.62

With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements : 1. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of UN consists of 24 member States. 2. It is elected by a 2/3 majority of The General Assembly for a 3-year term. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2023 · Q90 Relevance score: 0.59

Consider the following statements : 1. Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the 'Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)'. 2. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries. 3. The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also in its objectives and commitments. How many of the above statements are correct?

IAS · 2016 · Q81 Relevance score: 0.47

Consider the following statements : 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2005 · Q99 Relevance score: 0.05

Consider the following statements: 1. The Charter of the United Nations Organization was adopted at Geneva, Switzerland in June, 1945. 2. India was admitted to the United Nations Organization in the year 1945. 3. The Trusteeship Council of the United Nations Organization was established to manage the affairs of territories detached from Japan and Italy after the Second World War or such territories not under the control of a country at that time. Which of the statements is/are correct?