CBSE Class 12 · International Organisations

Reform of the UN Security Council and India's Claim (Class 12 Political Science)

Updated 15 October 2026 · Fact-checked

After the Cold War, many states argued that the UN, built on the power realities of 1945, needed reform. A 1992 General Assembly resolution said the Security Council no longer reflected current realities, served Western interests and lacked fair representation. Proposals cover new members, criteria and the veto. India seeks a permanent seat, but agreement remains difficult.

Notice how changes since 1945 push demands for more seats, fairer criteria and a veto debate, with India seeking a permanent seat.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Reform of the UN Security Council

Why this topic matters. Reform is the analytical heart of Chapter 4. Boards set 4- and 6-mark questions on the criteria proposed for new Security Council members, the three complaints of 1992, the steps agreed in 2005, and India's case for a permanent seat. NCERT sections: 'Reform of the UN after the Cold War', 'Reform of structures and processes', 'Jurisdiction of the UN', 'India and the UN reforms'.

1. Why reform after the Cold War? The UN's organisation reflected the world after 1945. By 1989, as the Cold War ended, that world had changed:

The Soviet Union collapsed; the US became the strongest power; Russia-US relations became far more cooperative.
China was fast emerging as a great power and India was growing rapidly; Asian economies were growing at an unprecedented rate.
Many new countries joined the UN after breaking away from the Soviet Union or the communist states of eastern Europe.
New challenges: genocide, civil war, ethnic conflict, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, environmental degradation, epidemics.

2. Two kinds of reform. Almost everyone agrees on the need; nobody agrees on what, how and when.

Kind	The debate
Structures and processes	Mainly the Security Council: more permanent and non-permanent seats, especially from Asia, Africa and South America. The US and Western countries also want better budget procedures and administration
Jurisdiction (issues)	Some want a bigger, more effective role in peace and security missions; others want the UN limited to development and humanitarian work (health, education, environment, population control, human rights, gender and social justice)

3. The 1992 resolution and the 1997 inquiry. In 1992 the General Assembly adopted a resolution reflecting three complaints: the Security Council (i) no longer represents contemporary political realities; (ii) its decisions mirror Western values and interests alone, with a handful of powers in control; (iii) it lacks equitable representation. On 1 January 1997, Secretary-General Kofi Annan began an inquiry into how the UN should be reformed.

4. Criteria proposed for new members. A new member should be: a leading economy | a leading military power | a large contributor to the UN budget | a big nation by population | a nation that respects democracy and human rights | a country that makes the Council more representative of world diversity (geography, economic systems, culture). Each has some validity, but each raises questions: how big is big enough? Can a state buy a seat through budget payments? Is a huge population an asset or a burden? Would the best human-rights records make effective members? Should representation follow continents, regions, development levels or civilisations?

5. The veto debate. The Security Council has 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members; the P5's two privileges are permanency and the veto. Some want the veto abolished, seeing it as clashing with democracy and the sovereign equality of members. Against this: the P5 are unlikely to agree; the world may not be ready even after the Cold War; and without the veto, as in 1945, the great powers might lose interest, act outside the UN, and leave it ineffective.

6. Jurisdiction: the 2005 summit. In September 2005, marking 60 years, heads of all member states agreed to:

Step	Note
Peacebuilding Commission	Which conflicts should it enter?
Responsibility of the international community when national governments fail to protect their citizens from atrocities	Who decides, and how?
Human Rights Council	Operational since 19 June 2006
Millennium Development Goals	Now followed by the SDGs
Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms	Can states agree on a definition?
Democracy Fund	How should funds promote democracy?
Wind up the Trusteeship Council	Its task is over

NCERT stresses that each step is itself contentious. Its Darfur cartoon (Sudan, crisis since 2003) asks whether the UN needs a wider jurisdiction to act on humanitarian crises that drew only empty promises.

7. India and UN reform.

India's position	Details
General stance	Supports a strengthened, revitalised UN, an enhanced role in development and cooperation; development should be central, as a precondition for peace and security
Main concern	The Security Council has stayed largely static (enlarged from 11 to 15 in 1965, no new permanent members) while the General Assembly, now mostly developing countries, has grown. This harms its representative character
Proposal	More permanent and non-permanent members; a broad-based Council with more developing countries, since its success depends on political support
Grounds for India's own seat	Most populous country (almost one-fifth of humanity); largest democracy; part of virtually all UN initiatives; long, substantial peacekeeping record; economic emergence; regular payments, never defaulted
Why a seat matters	Symbolic status: a reputation for power brings influence in foreign policy
Objections others raise	Pakistan is reluctant; some worry about India's nuclear weapons; some think its troubles with Pakistan would make it ineffective; some fear having to admit Brazil, Germany, Japan, perhaps South Africa; some insist Africa and South America, the only continents with no permanent member, come first

8. A limit on reform: the unipolar world. Some hoped a reformed UN could check the US. NCERT doubts it: the US is the only superpower, the largest contributor, the host country, has many nationals in the UN bureaucracy, holds a veto and has a big say in choosing the Secretary-General. Still, the UN brings the US and the rest of the world into discussion, and offers a space where its policies can be argued against and compromises shaped.

Key quotations

Short lines worth knowing by heart: who says them, when, and why they matter.

there is little clarity and consensus on the nature of reform
NCERT, Contemporary World Politics, Chapter 4: On demands to reform the UN after the Cold War.
Agreement on the need, disagreement on the content.
in conflict with the concept of democracy and sovereign equality
NCERT, Chapter 4: How many states see the veto of the five permanent members.
The core argument for abolishing or modifying the veto.
the permanent members are unlikely to agree to such a reform
NCERT, Chapter 4: On proposals to abolish or change the veto.
Reform needs the consent of those who would lose power.
it may not be very easy for India or anyone else
NCERT, Chapter 4: Conclusion on the prospects of new permanent members.
Objections from many states block quick expansion.

Reform of the UN Security Council: key facts

Three complaints (1992 resolution): No longer represents contemporary political realities
Decisions reflect only Western values and interests, dominated by a few powers
Lacks equitable representation; Learn all three in this order: realities, West, representation.
Six criteria for new members: Major economic power
Major military power
Substantial contributor to the UN budget
Big nation by population
Respects democracy and human rights
Makes the Council more representative of world diversity; Proposed after Annan's inquiry of 1 January 1997.
September 2005 summit steps: Peacebuilding Commission
Responsibility to act when governments fail to protect citizens from atrocities
Human Rights Council (from 19 June 2006)
Millennium Development Goals
Condemn terrorism in all forms
Democracy Fund
Wind up the Trusteeship Council; Seven steps; any four for a 4-mark answer.
India's grounds: Most populous, almost one-fifth of humanity
Largest democracy
Part of virtually all UN initiatives
Long peacekeeping record
Economic emergence
Regular financial contributions; Add the representation argument: developing countries dominate the General Assembly.
Objections to India: Pakistan's reluctance
Nuclear weapons capability
Troubles with Pakistan may make it ineffective
Would force entry of Brazil, Germany, Japan, perhaps South Africa
Africa and South America have no permanent seat; Present these as other countries' views, not facts.

How to answer Reform of the UN Security Council questions

Reform questions reward lists learnt exactly (three complaints, six criteria, seven 2005 steps) and balanced evaluation (India's claim versus objections; abolishing versus keeping the veto). A passage on structures and processes is a likely source.

1Identify which list is asked: 1992 complaints, 1997 criteria, or 2005 steps. Do not mix them.
2For criteria, write one line on why each is valid and, in 6-mark answers, one problem it raises.
3For India's claim, give at least four grounds with facts (population share, democracy, peacekeeping, payments).
4If asked to 'evaluate', add the objections other states raise and conclude that agreement is hard.
5For the veto, give both sides and NCERT's reason it survives: great powers might otherwise abandon the UN.
6Link reform to change: end of the Cold War, rise of China and India, new members, new threats.

Reform of the UN Security Council in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Why the Security Council looks outdated

Suppose a school's sports committee was set up years ago with five permanent captains from the then-strongest houses. Since then, the school has doubled in size and two new houses now win most trophies, but they get only rotating two-year seats and cannot block decisions.

How does this mirror the case for Security Council reform?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Old permanent captains mirror the P5 chosen as the victors of 1945.
The growing school mirrors a General Assembly of 193 members, mostly developing countries.
New winning houses mirror emerging powers such as India, with no permanent seat.

Answer: The body no longer reflects present realities or fair representation, which are exactly two of the 1992 complaints.

Memory hook: Old captains, new champions.

Why the veto survives

Imagine the committee votes to remove the old captains' power to block decisions. The captains, who also fund most events, threaten to run their own tournaments outside the committee.

What does NCERT's argument about the veto suggest here?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Those who hold a privilege are unlikely to vote it away.
If forced, powerful members may act outside the body.
A body without the powerful may become ineffective.

Answer: Abolishing the veto might cost the UN the support of the great powers, which is why reform of the veto is so hard.

Memory hook: Strip the veto, lose the giants.

Tricks to remember Reform of the UN Security Council

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

R-W-E: the 1992 complaints
Realities, Western dominance, Equitable representation.
Use it when: Three complaints of the 1992 resolution.
E-M-B-P-D-R: the criteria
Economy, Military, Budget, Population, Democracy, Representativeness: 'Every Member Brings People's Democratic Rights'.
Use it when: Criteria for new Security Council members.
P-R-H-M-T-D-W: 2005
Peacebuilding, Responsibility, Human Rights Council, MDGs, Terrorism, Democracy Fund, Wind up Trusteeship: 'Please Read How Members Tackle Difficult Work'.
Use it when: September 2005 summit steps.

Reform of the UN Security Council: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Expansion of the Council · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

In which year was the UN Security Council enlarged from 11 to 15 members?
(a) 1945
(b) 1965
(c) 1992
(d) 2005

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT: enlarged in 1965 with no change in permanent members (1 mark).

Answer: (b) 1965

Example 2: Two kinds of reform · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

Distinguish between the two basic kinds of reform the UN faces. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Structures and processes (1 mark).
Jurisdiction: which issues the UN handles (1 mark).

Answer: (i) Reform of structures and processes: how the UN is organised and works, above all the membership and functioning of the Security Council, and its budget and administration. (ii) Reform of jurisdiction: which issues the UN should handle, for instance a larger role in peace and security, or a role limited to development and humanitarian work.

Example 3: Assertion and reason: the veto · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): Abolishing the veto has not happened despite strong demands.
Reason (R): Without the veto, the great powers might lose interest in the UN and act outside it.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT gives the danger of great powers abandoning the UN as a reason the veto stays (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Example 4: Problems with the criteria · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain any two criteria proposed for new Security Council members and the difficulty each one raises. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Criterion 1 with its rationale (1 mark) and difficulty (1 mark).
Criterion 2 with its rationale (1 mark) and difficulty (1 mark).

Answer: (i) Being a substantial contributor to the UN budget: those who pay most bear the cost of UN action and so arguably deserve a say. But it raises the question of what level of payment would qualify, and whether a rich state could simply buy its way into the Council. (ii) Making the Council more representative of the world's diversity: a body acting for the world should reflect its regions, economic systems and cultures. But representation could be counted by continents, sub-regions, levels of development or civilisations, and each method gives a different answer, while most nations contain many cultures within their borders. So every criterion has some validity, yet states favour those that suit their own interests.

Example 5: Source-based: India's case · 4 marks · Source-basedHarder board level

Read the passage (written for this page) and answer.

One country argues that the Council has hardly changed since its enlargement in the 1960s, while the Assembly has filled with developing nations. It points to its huge population, its democratic record, its long service in peacekeeping and its unbroken record of paying dues. Others reply that its rivalry with a neighbour and its weapons programme are reasons for caution.

(i) Which country is described? (1)
(ii) Name the neighbour referred to. (1)
(iii) Explain how the 'representation' argument strengthens this country's claim. (2)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) India (1 mark).
(ii) Pakistan (1 mark).
(iii) Static Council versus a General Assembly dominated by developing countries; broad-based support (2 marks).

Answer: (i) India. (ii) Pakistan. (iii) The Security Council grew from 11 to 15 in 1965 but has added no permanent members, while most General Assembly members are now developing countries. India argues that those affected by the Council's decisions should share in making them, and that a Council with more developing countries, including the most populous nation and largest democracy, would be more representative and would therefore enjoy wider political support for its actions.

Example 6: Long answer: should the Security Council be reformed? · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

"Everyone agrees the Security Council must change, but no one agrees how." Evaluate this statement with reference to the demands for reform and the obstacles to it. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Why reform: changed realities after the Cold War (1 mark).
1992 complaints (1 mark).
Disagreement over criteria (1 mark).
Disagreement over representation and the veto (1 mark).
India's claim and objections as an example (1 mark).
Judgement (1 mark).

Answer: Agreement on the need is wide. The Council was designed for the world of 1945, but since the Cold War the Soviet Union has collapsed, the US dominates, China and India have risen, Asian economies have boomed and many new states have joined. In 1992 the General Assembly complained that the Council no longer represents contemporary realities, reflects only Western values and interests and is dominated by a few powers, and lacks equitable representation.

Agreement on the method is missing. After Annan's inquiry in 1997, six criteria were proposed: economic power, military power, budget contribution, population, respect for democracy and human rights, and representativeness. Each is valid but problematic: how big is big enough, can a seat be bought, and should representation follow continents, development levels or cultures? The veto divides members too: many see it as undemocratic, but the permanent members will not give it up, and without it the great powers might ignore the UN.

India's case shows the deadlock. It cites its population, democracy, peacekeeping, economic emergence and regular payments, but Pakistan opposes it, some point to its nuclear weapons, others fear having to admit Brazil, Germany, Japan or South Africa, and some want Africa and South America represented first.

The statement is therefore accurate: reform has broad support in principle, but because every proposal favours some states and hurts others, NCERT concludes that new permanent membership will not come easily.

Where students lose marks in Reform of the UN Security Council

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Mixing up the three lists
1992, 1997 and 2005 all concern reform.
Wrong working
The 1992 resolution called for a Human Rights Council.
Right working
1992 = three complaints; 1997 = Annan's inquiry and criteria; 2005 = seven steps including the Human Rights Council.
Do this: Learn the year with each list: R-W-E, E-M-B-P-D-R, P-R-H-M-T-D-W.
Usually costs: 2-4 marks.
Mistake: One-sided India answers
Writing only patriotic grounds when asked to evaluate.
Wrong working
India must be made a permanent member because it is great.
Right working
Grounds (population, democracy, peacekeeping, economy, payments) plus objections others raise.
Do this: In 'evaluate' or 'critically examine', give both sides.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Saying the Council never changed
Forgetting 1965.
Wrong working
The Security Council has had 15 members since 1945.
Right working
It grew from 11 to 15 in 1965; permanent members stayed at five.
Do this: Remember: one change, non-permanent only.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Listing criteria without explanation
Treating a 6-mark question as a 1-mark list.
Wrong working
Economy, military, population, democracy.
Right working
Each criterion with why it is valid and what problem it raises.
Do this: Criterion + reason + difficulty.
Usually costs: Half the marks.

Exam tips

Asked in: 2024 board paper 59/1/1 Q20 (4 marks, four criteria proposed in 1997 for new members); 2024 board paper 59/2/1 Q28 (6 marks, (a) grounds for India's claim or (b) the three complaints of 1992); 2023 board paper 59/3/1 Q30 (6 marks, criteria for new members, or steps agreed in 2005); 2025 board paper 59/4/1 Q20(a) (4 marks, four steps agreed in September 2005); 2026 board paper 59/2/1 Q24 (4 marks, passage on reform of structures and processes). Answers here are our own.
When asked about 'India and UN reforms', cover both India's general stand and its claim to a seat.
Attribute objections to 'some countries'; NCERT names Pakistan only as one of them.
Use the 1965 enlargement and the developing-country majority to support the representation argument.
Close evaluation answers with NCERT's conclusion that expansion will not come easily.

Practice questions on Reform of the UN Security Council

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The 2005 summit agreed to set up which body, operational from 19 June 2006?
(a) Peacebuilding Commission
(b) Human Rights Council
(c) Trusteeship Council
(d) Democracy Fund
Hint
The date gives it away.
Answer
(b) Human Rights Council.
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
State any two complaints about the Security Council reflected in the General Assembly resolution of 1992. (2 marks)
Hint
Realities, West, representation.
Answer
Any two: (i) it no longer represents contemporary political realities; (ii) its decisions mirror Western values and interests alone, with a handful of powers in control; (iii) it lacks equitable representation.
Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
The UN's 60th-anniversary summit tried to fit the organisation to a changed world. Describe four of its decisions. (4 marks)
Hint
Choose four of seven; add a line each.
Answer
Marking the UN's 60th year, leaders agreed: (i) to create a Peacebuilding Commission to help societies emerging from conflict; (ii) to accept the international community's responsibility when national governments fail to protect their own citizens from atrocities; (iii) to establish a Human Rights Council, which began work on 19 June 2006; (iv) to condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Other steps were agreements to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, a Democracy Fund, and winding up the Trusteeship Council. NCERT notes each step is contentious, for example the difficulty of agreeing on a definition of terrorism.
Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
Why do some countries oppose India becoming a permanent member of the Security Council? Give two reasons. (2 marks)
Hint
Nuclear, Pakistan, other claimants.
Answer
Any two: some are concerned about India's nuclear weapons capabilities; some think its difficulties with Pakistan would make it ineffective; some fear it would mean also admitting Brazil, Germany, Japan or South Africa, whom they oppose; some want Africa and South America represented first.
Q5 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): India wants only the elected, non-permanent seats of the Security Council to be increased.
Reason (R): India believes development should be central to the UN's agenda.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Hint
Both kinds of seats?
Answer
(d) A is false but R is true: India supports more permanent and non-permanent members.
Q6 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
Suppose your school debate asks: 'Should India seek to abolish the veto, or seek a veto for itself?' Using NCERT's arguments, write a short reasoned answer. (4 marks)
Hint
The 'bossism' question in the margin.
Answer
Abolishing the veto fits democratic principles: many see it as clashing with democracy and the sovereign equality of states, and weaker countries are the ones who need protection, not the strongest. But it is unrealistic, because the five permanent members are unlikely to agree, and without the veto they might ignore the UN and act outside it. Seeking a seat with a veto is more practical: permanent membership carries symbolic status and influence, and India argues it deserves this by population, democracy, peacekeeping and regular payments. Yet joining the privileged group risks India becoming 'another boss' rather than a voice for developing countries. A balanced answer is that India should press for an expanded, more representative Council while arguing for limits on how the veto is used.
Q7 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
"The UN cannot be a balance against the US, but it is not useless either." In the light of this statement, discuss whether reforming the UN can help in a unipolar world. (6 marks)
Hint
Sources of US influence, then the UN's uses.
Answer
Some countries hoped reform would help the UN restrain the US after the Soviet Union's collapse. NCERT is doubtful. The US is the only superpower, and its military and economic strength let it ignore international organisations. Inside the UN its influence is large: it is the single largest financial contributor, the UN is located on US territory, many US nationals work in the bureaucracy, and its veto lets it block moves it dislikes and gives it a strong say in choosing the Secretary-General. It can also split the rest of the world, which is rarely united against it. So no reform of membership is likely to turn the UN into a balance against US power.
But the UN is not useless. It brings the US and over 190 other nations into discussion on conflict and development, and US leaders, despite criticism, see value in it. For the rest of the world it provides a space where arguments against particular US policies are heard and compromises and concessions can be shaped. A more representative Security Council, with more developing countries, could strengthen this role by giving those arguments more weight.
In conclusion, reform cannot balance US power, but it can make the UN a better forum for dialogue and persuasion, and in an interdependent world that is reason enough to pursue it.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.When did Kofi Annan begin an inquiry into UN reform?Show answer
1 January 1997.
2.What are the two privileges of permanent members?Show answer
Permanency and the veto.
3.Which continents have no permanent member?Show answer
Africa and South America.
4.What share of the world's population does India have, according to NCERT?Show answer
Almost one-fifth.
5.When did the heads of member states meet to mark 60 years of the UN?Show answer
September 2005.
6.Which UN body did the 2005 summit agree to wind up?Show answer
The Trusteeship Council.

Reform of the UN Security Council: frequently asked questions

Why does the Security Council need reform?

Because it reflects the power realities of 1945, not today's world, and critics say it serves Western interests and lacks equitable representation.

What criteria have been suggested for new members?

Economic power, military power, budget contribution, population, respect for democracy and human rights, and making the Council more representative of world diversity.

Why does India deserve a permanent seat?

India argues it is the most populous country and largest democracy, has served in virtually all UN initiatives and peacekeeping, is a growing economy and pays its dues regularly.

Why is the veto hard to abolish?

The permanent members will not agree, and without it the great powers might ignore the UN, making it ineffective.