Question map
With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision. 2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year. 3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1 (3 only). The United Nations Credentials Committee is a subordinate body of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), not the Security Council. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect as it operates under the UNGA’s Rules of Procedure.
Regarding Statement 2, the committee does not follow a fixed thrice-yearly schedule in March, June, and September. Instead, it is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly (usually starting in September) and meets as required to examine the credentials of representatives.
Statement 3 is correct because the committee’s primary mandate is to examine the credentials of representatives of Member States and to ensure they are formally issued by the Head of State, Government, or Foreign Minister. After this assessment, it submits a report to the General Assembly for formal approval, which is crucial in cases of disputed governments or regime changes.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis question is a classic 'Current Affairs disguised as Static'. The trigger was the 2021 controversy over who represents Afghanistan (Taliban) and Myanmar (Junta) at the UN. Strategy: When a procedural row hits the headlines, do not just read the political outcome; open the UN handbook and check the 'parent organ' and 'reporting mechanism' of the committee involved.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Was the United Nations Credentials Committee established by the UN Security Council?
- Statement 2: Does the United Nations Credentials Committee operate under the supervision of the UN Security Council?
- Statement 3: Does the United Nations Credentials Committee traditionally meet in March, June, and September each year?
- Statement 4: Does the United Nations Credentials Committee assess the credentials of representatives of all UN member states?
- Statement 5: Does the United Nations Credentials Committee submit a report on credentials to the United Nations General Assembly for approval?
- Explicitly links the UN Credentials Committee to the UN General Assembly session, implying it is a General Assembly body rather than a Security Council creation.
- Says the Committee 'convenes in the context of the ... UN General Assembly', which indicates its institutional home is the GA.
- Describes the Security Council's role in considering and voting on membership applications to recommend admission to the General Assembly — a distinct function from the Credentials Committee's GA context.
- Shows the Security Council's membership-related duties, suggesting establishment of the Credentials Committee is not part of the Security Council's described actions.
Lists the UN's main organs (General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, ICJ, Secretariat) but does not name a 'Credentials Committee' as a principal organ.
A student could infer that a body called 'Credentials Committee' is likely not a principal organ and so check which principal organ (e.g., the General Assembly) typically creates subsidiary committees.
Explains General Assembly membership and voting (all members have one vote each), highlighting GA's broad representative and administrative role in UN membership matters.
A student could extend this by checking typical GA responsibilities (administration of membership and credentials) rather than Security Council functions to assess the likely origin of a Credentials Committee.
States that members of the General Assembly are automatically members of other principal organs and specialised agencies, suggesting the GA is the central organ for membership-related matters.
One could use this to suspect that credentials (which concern representatives of GA members) are handled within GA structures rather than by the Security Council.
Describes the Security Council's reform debates and emphasizes its role in security-related functions rather than administrative or representational matters.
A student could combine this with knowledge that credentials are administrative/representational to argue it is less likely the Security Council established a Credentials Committee.
Notes the Security Council's focused mandate (functioning and membership of the Council itself) and debates about its composition, implying administrative organ creation is not its central function.
A student might use this pattern to prioritize checking General Assembly records for the establishment of committees concerned with member representation/credentials.
Lists the UN's main organs (including the General Assembly) which house committees and administrative functions.
A student could infer that standing committees (like a Credentials Committee) are more likely to be organs/subsidiaries of the General Assembly than of the Security Council and then check procedural rules of the GA.
Explains the distinct composition and voting structure of the General Assembly (one state, one vote) versus the Security Council (five permanent members).
One could use this contrast to reason that procedural/representation committees tied to universal membership (e.g., credentials) would logically be placed under the GA rather than the Security Council, and then verify which organ appoints the committee.
Emphasises that security and peace issues are dealt with in the Security Council, implying the Council's remit is primarily substantive/security-related.
A student can use this scope limitation to hypothesize that administrative/credential matters fall outside the Council's core remit and are handled elsewhere (likely the General Assembly), then check UN rules on credentials.
Frames discussions about the Security Council's specific role and reform, highlighting that debate centers on Council membership and functions rather than general administrative committees.
This supports the approach of distinguishing Council functions from GA administrative functions; a student could next look up which organ typically manages membership/credential processes.
Timeline shows major UN-related meetings occurring in April–May and June (e.g., San Francisco conference in April–May and signing in June).
A student could combine this with knowledge of regular UN session timings to see if a standing committee might cluster around those mid‑year dates.
Multiple UN conferences (e.g., Rio+20 and other sustainable development meetings) are explicitly held in June.
Use the recurring pattern of June UN conferences to check whether Credentials Committee activities coincide with other June meetings or sessions.
The creation and sessions of a UN body (UN Environment Assembly) are tied to June conferences, showing organizational business often clusters in that month.
A student could infer that some UN committees meet when larger UN assemblies convene in June and verify schedules of the Credentials Committee against those assemblies.
Reference to heads of state meeting in September (UN anniversary/meeting in Sept. 2005) points to significant UN activity in September.
Combine this with the fact that major UN gatherings occur in September to hypothesize the Credentials Committee might meet then to prepare credential issues for those sessions.
Mentions a 'Credentials Committee' (in a different institutional context) indicating that credentials committees are standard procedural bodies established to examine membership/credentials.
Recognize that a UN Credentials Committee would plausibly convene at set times tied to plenary sessions; a student could check UN procedural rules or past agendas to confirm exact months.
- Explicitly states the Committee submits recommendations on approval or rejection for the credentials of representatives of all Member States.
- Indicates the Committee's report is addressed to the General Assembly, showing its role covers all Member States' representatives.
- Explains credentials are referred to a Credentials Committee appointed by the General Assembly each regular session.
- States the review of the credentials of UN Member States is an annual process and that the Credentials Committee examines the credentials.
Says the UN General Assembly includes all member states and that in the General Assembly all members have one vote each — highlighting the GA as the plenary body of all members.
A student could infer that any formal accreditation of representatives would need to operate at the GA level and so check whether the Credentials Committee is a GA committee that deals with member-state delegations.
Exercise statement notes that members of the General Assembly are (asserted) automatically members of other principal organs and specialised agencies — linking membership status across UN organs.
One could use this to question whether credentialing is organ-specific or universal, and therefore test if the Credentials Committee’s remit is limited to GA representatives or covers representatives to other organs too.
Notes that the question of membership is a serious one and that heads of member-states meet to review the situation — indicating membership and its formalities are important UN matters.
A student might extend this by looking for UN administrative mechanisms (e.g., committees) that handle formal membership matters such as accreditation of representatives.
Refers to the UN ‘bringing together over 190 nations’ — underscoring the large scale of membership and the practical need for procedures to recognize representatives.
Given the large membership, a student could hypothesize that a standing body (like a Credentials Committee) would be required to handle credentials for many member-state delegations and then verify that in UN rules.
Discusses distinct membership/selection criteria for Security Council members, showing that different UN organs have different membership-related rules.
This suggests checking whether credential assessment is uniform for all organs or varies (e.g., GA vs Security Council), helping narrow whether the Credentials Committee’s remit is all member-state representatives or specific to one organ.
Lists a 'Credentials Committee' as a named committee in the Constituent Assembly, indicating that a credentials committee is a recognized type of deliberative/administrative body.
A student could generalize that many deliberative bodies create 'credentials committees' to examine credentials and then check whether similar committees in international assemblies (like the UN) follow parallel reporting practices.
Reiterates the existence of a 'Credentials Committee' among standard minor committees, reinforcing the pattern that credential issues are handled by a designated committee.
Combine this pattern with knowledge that assemblies typically require formal validation of members to infer the committee likely produces a report to the plenary for action, then verify with UN documents.
Describes a general rule where statutory commissions present annual (or ad hoc) reports to a higher authority which are then placed before a legislative body for consideration.
A student could apply this general reporting pattern (committee/commission → report → placed before plenary/assembly) to hypothesize the UN Credentials Committee likewise issues a report to the General Assembly, then consult UN rules to confirm.
Provides another example of a commission routinely submitting reports to the head of state, which are then placed before the legislature — showing institutional precedent for committees reporting to a larger body.
Use this institutional precedent plus knowledge that the General Assembly is the UN plenary organ to justify checking whether the UN's credentials committee follows the same report→plenary pattern.
- [THE VERDICT]: Bouncer. While the context was in the news (Myanmar/Afghanistan credentials), the specific administrative details (meeting months, parent body) are not in standard books like NCERT or Laxmikanth.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: International Institutions > UN Principal Organs > Procedural Rules. The specific theme is 'Legitimacy and Representation' within the UN System.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Master the 6 Main Committees of the UNGA (Disarmament, Economic, Social, Special Political, Administrative, Legal). Contrast this with UNSC subsidiary bodies (Sanctions Committees, Counter-Terrorism Committee). Know the difference between 'Suspension of Membership' (UNGA on UNSC recommendation) vs 'Rejection of Credentials'.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: The 'News-to-Process' Pipeline. If the news says 'Taliban denied UN seat', ask: Who denied it? (Credentials Committee). Who do they report to? (UNGA). When do they decide? (Start of session/September). UPSC tests the *bureaucracy* behind the *headline*.
Knowing which bodies are principal UN organs is necessary to determine which organ can create subsidiary committees.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about the mandate, functions and institutional authority of UN bodies. Mastering this helps link which organs (General Assembly, Security Council, etc.) can set up committees or agencies and is useful in governance and international relations questions.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
Understanding the Security Council's membership and remit is directly relevant to whether it would establish a Credentials Committee.
Important for UPSC as it underpins questions on veto power, decision-making authority, and which organ handles security versus administrative matters. It connects to topics on global governance, world order, and UN decision-making processes.
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Chapter 4 International Organisations > p. 50
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > India and the UN Reforms > p. 57
Awareness of reform debates clarifies limits and contested aspects of the Council's authority to alter structures or create new permanent roles.
Useful for aspirants because questions test knowledge of institutional change, representation of developing countries, and procedural legitimacy—topics that cross international relations, public policy, and current affairs.
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Reform of Structures and Processes > p. 52
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Reform of the UN after the Cold War > p. 51
Identifies the main UN bodies whose mandates determine which organ could supervise subsidiary committees.
High-yield: knowing the UN's principal organs clarifies institutional jurisdiction and is often tested in questions on UN procedures and authority. Connects to topics on allocation of functions among the General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat and other organs; enables elimination-style answers about which body can or cannot supervise a given committee.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Chapter 4 International Organisations > p. 50
Defines the Council's permanent membership and veto prerogatives that shape its authority in security and political matters.
High-yield: mastery helps answer questions about the scope and limits of Security Council action, great-power influence, and why certain decisions require Council consent. Links to topics on peace and security, international law, and institutional checks within the UN.
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Chapter 4 International Organisations > p. 50
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Human Rights Watch > p. 60
Explains proposals to change Council membership and how representation affects legitimacy and decision-making power.
High-yield: useful for essay and mains answers on UN reform, regional representation, and India's role; helps frame arguments about institutional change, equity, and the practical limits of Security Council authority.
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Reform of Structures and Processes > p. 52
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > India and the UN Reforms > p. 57
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Reform of the UN after the Cold War > p. 51
Several major UN conferences and assemblies (for example the Earth Summit and the 2012 Sustainable Development conference) have been convened in June.
High-yield for questions on international conferences and timelines; links environmental governance to UN scheduling and helps answer chronology or venue-related prelims/mains questions. Mastering this aids in eliminating options based on month/date cues in MCQs and in writing concise chronologies in essays.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > History of the United Nations Environment Assembly > p. 387
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > THE EARTH SUMMIT > p. 597
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
The 'Committee on Contributions'. Just as the Credentials Committee handles membership cards, this committee (also under UNGA) handles membership fees (Article 19). If a country falls behind on payments (like Iran or Venezuela recently), they lose their vote. This is the next logical procedural question.
Use the 'House vs. Guard' analogy. The UN General Assembly is the 'House' where all members sit. The Security Council is the 'Guard' (15 members). 'Credentials' are like ID cards for entering the House. Who checks ID cards? The House administration (UNGA), not the security guards (UNSC). Thus, Statement 1 is illogical. Eliminate options with 1.
Mains GS-2 (International Relations): Link this to 'Recognition of States vs. Governments'. The Credentials Committee effectively decides regime legitimacy without formally recognizing states, acting as a geopolitical gatekeeper (e.g., Taiwan, Myanmar, Afghanistan).