ICSE Class 10 · Chapter 18

Non-Aligned Movement ICSE Class 10: Meaning, Objectives and Nehru's Role

Updated 14 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Non-alignment was the policy of newly independent countries of not joining either Cold War bloc and judging each issue on its merits. ICSE Class 10 tests the meaning of non-alignment, the objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement founded at Belgrade in 1961, the meaning of Panchsheel, Jawaharlal Nehru's role and the names of NAM's architects.

What Non-Aligned Movement is about

After the Second World War the world was divided between two power blocs: the Western bloc led by the USA (with NATO) and the Eastern bloc led by the USSR (with the Warsaw Pact). Many newly independent countries of Asia and Africa did not want to become pawns in this Cold War. They chose to stay out of both military alliances and to follow an independent foreign policy. This was non-alignment.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formally founded at the Belgrade Conference in September 1961. Its main architects were Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Sukarno of Indonesia and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.

The syllabus asks for: a brief meaning of non-alignment; the objectives of NAM; the meaning of Panchsheel (its principles are taught only for understanding and are not tested); the role of Nehru; and the names of the architects. CISCE examiners noted that students could not name the founders correctly and confused Panchsheel with functions of the Security Council.

Weightage: CISCE publishes no chapter weightage. History is tested in Part I (compulsory 1- and 2-mark items) and in Part II Section B, where you answer three of five 10-mark History questions, each split 3 + 3 + 4.Source: CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper 501, History & Civics (H.C.G. Paper 1)

Key concepts

Meaning of non-alignment

Non-alignment means not joining either of the two power blocs (the American-led Western bloc or the Soviet-led Eastern bloc) or their military alliances, and keeping the freedom to decide every international issue on its own merits.

Non-alignment is not neutrality or isolation. A neutral country stays away from conflicts altogether; a non-aligned country takes an active part in world affairs, speaks against injustice and aggression, and works for peace, but does so independently, without being tied to a bloc.

Worked example

(2 marks) What is meant by the term non-alignment?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Non-alignment means not joining either of the two power blocs led by the USA and the USSR, or their military alliances - 1 mark.
It means following an independent foreign policy and judging international issues on their merits; it is not neutrality - 1 mark.

Answer: Non-alignment is the policy of keeping away from both Cold War power blocs and their military alliances, and following an independent foreign policy that judges each issue on its merits. It is active involvement, not neutrality.

Founding and architects of NAM

The idea grew at the Asian-African Conference at Bandung, Indonesia (1955). The Non-Aligned Movement was formally founded at the first summit conference at Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in September 1961, attended by 25 countries.

Architects (founders):

Jawaharlal Nehru (India)
Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)
Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia)
Sukarno (Indonesia)
Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)

NAM grew to include most countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Worked example

(2 marks) Name any four architects of the Non-Aligned Movement along with their countries.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Jawaharlal Nehru (India) and Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt) - 1 mark.
Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia) and Sukarno (Indonesia) (also Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana) - 1 mark.

Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia and Sukarno of Indonesia; Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana is also counted among the founders.

Objectives of NAM

1. To keep away from military alliances and power blocs, and to safeguard the independence and sovereignty of member countries.
2. To oppose imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism and racism, including apartheid.
3. To work for world peace and peaceful coexistence among nations.
4. To promote disarmament, especially nuclear disarmament.
5. To strengthen the United Nations.
6. To promote economic development and cooperation among developing countries and work for a fair international economic order.
7. To settle international disputes by peaceful means.

Worked example

(2 marks) Mention any two objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

To keep away from the power blocs and their military alliances and protect members' independence - 1 mark.
To oppose colonialism and racism and work for world peace and disarmament - 1 mark.

Answer: NAM aimed to keep its members free of Cold War military alliances, protecting their independence, and to oppose colonialism and racism while working for world peace and disarmament.

Panchsheel (meaning)

Panchsheel means 'five principles'. It refers to the five principles of peaceful coexistence first set out in the agreement between India and China in 1954, signed in the time of Jawaharlal Nehru and Zhou Enlai. They were meant to guide relations between nations and later became part of the thinking of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Only the meaning is tested. For understanding, the five principles are: mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peaceful coexistence.

Worked example

(2 marks) What is meant by Panchsheel?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Panchsheel means five principles of peaceful coexistence to guide relations between nations - 1 mark.
They were first stated in the India-China agreement of 1954 and became a basis of India's foreign policy and NAM - 1 mark.

Answer: Panchsheel means 'five principles' of peaceful coexistence for conducting relations between nations, first set out in the India-China agreement of 1954 and adopted as a basis of India's foreign policy and of the non-aligned approach.

Role of Jawaharlal Nehru

1. Architect of India's foreign policy of non-alignment: he kept India out of both blocs, believing a newly independent country needed peace and freedom of action for its development.
2. One of the founders of NAM, with Nasser and Tito; he took a leading part at Bandung (1955) and Belgrade (1961).
3. Promoted Panchsheel and peaceful coexistence as principles of international relations.
4. Opposed colonialism and racism: supported freedom movements in Asia and Africa and condemned apartheid in South Africa.
5. Advocated disarmament, especially an end to nuclear weapons testing, and worked to strengthen the United Nations.
6. Gave India a respected voice in world affairs; India helped in peaceful settlement efforts, such as chairing the commission that dealt with prisoners of war after the Korean War.

Worked example

(3 marks) Explain the role of Jawaharlal Nehru in the Non-Aligned Movement.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

He shaped India's policy of non-alignment, keeping India free of both blocs - 1 mark.
He was one of NAM's founders with Nasser and Tito, active at Bandung and Belgrade - 1 mark.
He promoted Panchsheel, peaceful coexistence and disarmament, and opposed colonialism and racism - 1 mark.

Answer: Nehru made non-alignment the basis of India's foreign policy, co-founded NAM with Nasser and Tito at Belgrade in 1961 after Bandung, and promoted Panchsheel, peaceful coexistence and disarmament while opposing colonialism and apartheid.

Why newly independent countries chose non-alignment

1. They had just won freedom and did not want to lose it again by becoming dependent on a superpower.
2. They needed peace to concentrate on economic development and fighting poverty; joining a bloc could drag them into wars.
3. Staying non-aligned let them accept aid and technology from both sides.
4. They shared a common history of colonial rule and wanted to work together against colonialism and racism.
5. A group of non-aligned states could act as a moderating influence between the blocs and reduce the danger of a world war.

Worked example

(2 marks) Give two reasons why newly independent countries preferred non-alignment.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

To protect their newly won independence from superpower domination - 1 mark.
To keep peace for economic development and to obtain aid from both blocs - 1 mark.

Answer: They wanted to protect their hard-won independence from superpower control, and they needed peace and freedom to take aid from both blocs for their economic development.

Non-Aligned Movement in real life

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

Non-alignment versus neutrality

Suppose two rival groups in a class demand that every student join one side. One student joins neither but speaks up when either group bullies someone, and helps both groups when they need it.

Is the student neutral or non-aligned? Explain.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A neutral student would avoid all involvement.
This student stays out of both groups but actively speaks on right and wrong and helps both.
That matches non-alignment: independence plus active participation.

Answer: The student is non-aligned, not neutral: he refuses to join either group but takes an active, independent stand on each issue on its merits, as NAM countries did in the Cold War.

Memory hook: Non-aligned is independent and active, not silent.

Panchsheel

Imagine two neighbouring housing societies agree in writing that they will respect each other's boundaries, never use force, not interfere in each other's committee elections, treat each other as equals and live in peace.

Which idea in international relations does their agreement resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The five points match respect for territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
These are the five principles of Panchsheel.
Panchsheel was first stated in the India-China agreement of 1954.

Answer: It resembles Panchsheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence first set out by India and China in 1954.

Memory hook: Panch (five) sheel (principles) for peaceful neighbours.

Objectives of NAM

Suppose a group of small, poor countries forms a forum to demand fairer trade rules, oppose racial discrimination anywhere, and call on big powers to reduce nuclear weapons.

Which NAM objectives does this forum share?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Fairer trade: economic cooperation and a fair international economic order.
Opposing racial discrimination: anti-racism and anti-apartheid.
Reducing nuclear weapons: disarmament.

Answer: It shares NAM's objectives of economic cooperation and a fair world economic order, opposition to racism, and disarmament.

Memory hook: NAM: no blocs, no colonies, no racism, no bombs.

Topics in this chapter

Non-Aligned Movement: Meaning, Objectives, Panchsheel and Role of Nehru

Non-Aligned Movement: key facts

Bandung Conference: 1955, Indonesia (Asian-African); Forerunner of NAM.
NAM founded: Belgrade, September 1961; 25 countries attended.
Architects: Nehru (India), Nasser (Egypt), Tito (Yugoslavia), Sukarno (Indonesia), Nkrumah (Ghana)
Panchsheel: India-China agreement, 1954; Only meaning tested.

How the board asks Non-Aligned Movement

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Question type	How it is asked	Method
Identify a principle (Part I MCQ)	'Identify the principle of Panchsheel' with options mixing Security Council functions.	Panchsheel principles are about mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, coexistence. 'Act against the aggressor' is a Security Council function.
Meaning (2 marks)	'What is meant by non-alignment?' or 'Panchsheel'.	Two points: what it is and what it is not (or where it came from).
Founders and objectives (4 marks)	Two founders and two objectives.	Write names with countries; objectives as full sentences.
Nehru's role (3 marks)	Explain Nehru's role in NAM.	Policy-maker, founder, Panchsheel, anti-colonialism, disarmament.

Tricks to remember Non-Aligned Movement

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

Founders: 'N-N-T-S-N'
Nehru, Nasser, Tito, Sukarno, Nkrumah: 'Nice Nations Trust Sincere Neighbours.'
Use it when: Architects.
B-B: 55, 61
Bandung 1955, Belgrade 1961.
Use it when: Dates and places.
Panchsheel R-N-N-E-P
Respect, Non-aggression, Non-interference, Equality, Peaceful coexistence (for understanding).
Use it when: MCQs that test recognition.

Non-Aligned Movement: board-level solved questions

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Example 1: Panchsheel principle · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Identify the principle of Panchsheel.
(a) Mutual non-aggression
(b) Regulate armaments
(c) Take action against the aggressor
(d) Recommend admission of members

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(b), (c) and (d) are functions of the UN Security Council.
Mutual non-aggression is one of the five principles.

Answer: (a) Mutual non-aggression.

Example 2: Where NAM was founded · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level

The first summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was held at:
(a) Bandung
(b) Belgrade
(c) New Delhi
(d) Cairo

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Bandung (1955) was the Asian-African Conference, a forerunner.
NAM was formally founded at Belgrade in 1961.

Answer: (b) Belgrade.

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

Assertion (A): Non-alignment is the same as neutrality.
Reason (R): Non-aligned countries did not join either power bloc.
(a) Both A and R are true and R explains A
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A
(c) A is false but R is true
(d) A is true but R is false

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Non-aligned countries took an active part in world affairs, so non-alignment is not neutrality: A is false.
They did stay out of both blocs: R is true.

Answer: (c) A is false but R is true.

Example 4: Meaning of non-alignment · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

What is meant by the term non-alignment?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Not joining either the US-led or the Soviet-led bloc, or their military alliances.
Following an independent foreign policy and judging issues on merit; it is not neutrality.

Answer: Non-alignment means not joining either Cold War power bloc or its military alliances, and following an independent foreign policy that judges each international issue on its merits, while actively working for peace.

Example 5: Founders and objectives · 4 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name any two founders of the Non-Aligned Movement. Mention any two of its objectives.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Founder: Jawaharlal Nehru (India).
Founder: Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia) (or Nasser, Sukarno, Nkrumah).
Objective: to stay away from power blocs and military alliances.
Objective: to oppose colonialism and racism, and promote disarmament and world peace.

Answer: Founders: Jawaharlal Nehru of India and Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia (also Nasser of Egypt, Sukarno of Indonesia, Nkrumah of Ghana). Objectives: (1) to keep away from military alliances of the power blocs; (2) to fight colonialism and racism and work for disarmament and peace.

Example 6: Relevance after the Cold War · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

The Cold War ended in 1991. Is the Non-Aligned Movement still relevant? Give three arguments.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Its aims of world peace, disarmament and peaceful settlement of disputes remain important.
Developing countries still need a common voice for fairer trade, development and climate justice.
It helps countries keep independent foreign policies in a world where big powers still compete for influence.

Answer: Yes, in a changed form. (1) Peace, disarmament and peaceful settlement of disputes are still needed. (2) Developing countries still need a common platform on trade, development and the environment. (3) Countries still value independence in foreign policy amid great-power rivalry.

Example 7: Nehru and NAM · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

'Nehru gave India a voice in world affairs through non-alignment.' Explain with four points.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

He kept India out of both blocs, so India could speak independently.
He co-founded NAM and led at Bandung and Belgrade, giving newly independent countries a forum.
He promoted Panchsheel and peaceful coexistence and opposed colonialism and apartheid.
He advocated disarmament and strengthened the UN, and India contributed to peaceful settlement efforts such as those after the Korean War.

Answer: (1) By keeping India out of both blocs, Nehru gave it an independent voice. (2) As a co-founder of NAM, he led the newly independent nations at Bandung and Belgrade. (3) He promoted Panchsheel and opposed colonialism and apartheid. (4) He championed disarmament and the UN, and India took part in peace efforts such as those after the Korean War.

Case-study practice (Section B style)

Read the situation, then answer every part. In the board paper this is a 10-mark question split into 3 + 3 + 4 marks.

A third path

Read the extract and answer the questions.

'In 1961 leaders of twenty-five countries met in a European capital. They had all recently won or kept their freedom, and none wished to join the camps led by Washington or Moscow. An Indian leader who had earlier signed a five-point agreement with China was among the movement's chief architects.'

(i) · 3 marks
Name the movement and the city where it was founded. What is meant by its central idea?
Answer
Answer: The Non-Aligned Movement, founded at Belgrade. Non-alignment means not joining either power bloc or its alliances and following an independent foreign policy, judging issues on their merits.
1 mark for the movement, 1 for Belgrade, 1 for meaning.
(ii) · 3 marks
Identify the Indian leader and the 'five-point agreement'. What is meant by it?
Answer
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru; Panchsheel (1954). It means five principles of peaceful coexistence to guide relations between nations.
1 mark each.
(iii) · 4 marks
Name two other architects of the movement and state two of its objectives.
Answer
Answer: Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt) and Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia) (also Sukarno, Nkrumah). Objectives: to stay away from military alliances of the blocs; to oppose colonialism and racism and promote disarmament and world peace.
1 mark per architect; 1 per objective.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is split into step marks. Show every step: a right final answer alone rarely earns full marks.

What is meant by non-alignment? (2 marks) (2 marks)

Step	Marks
Not joining either bloc or its alliances.	1
Independent policy, judging on merit; not neutrality.	1

Explain Nehru's role in NAM. (3 marks) (3 marks)

Step	Marks
Architect of India's non-alignment.	1
Co-founder; Bandung and Belgrade.	1
Panchsheel, anti-colonialism, disarmament.	1

Two founders and two objectives of NAM. (4 marks) (4 marks)

Step	Marks
Founder 1 with country.	1
Founder 2 with country.	1
Objective 1.	1
Objective 2.	1

Where students lose marks in Non-Aligned Movement

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

Mistake: Wrong founders
CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates could not name the founders of NAM correctly.
Wrong working
Founders: Nehru and Gandhi.
Right working
Founders: Nehru (India), Nasser (Egypt), Tito (Yugoslavia), Sukarno (Indonesia), Nkrumah (Ghana).
Do this: Learn 'Nice Nations Trust Sincere Neighbours' with countries.
Usually costs: 2 marks.
Mistake: Taking Security Council functions as Panchsheel principles
CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates chose 'act against the aggressor' or 'recommend admission of members'.
Do this: Panchsheel is about mutual relations between two nations, not UN enforcement.
Usually costs: The full mark.
Mistake: Equating non-alignment with neutrality
Students write 'non-alignment means staying neutral'.
Do this: Add 'active participation, judging issues on merit'.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Writing the principles when only meaning is asked
The syllabus tests only the meaning of Panchsheel; listing five principles without the meaning may not earn the mark.
Do this: Lead with the meaning: five principles of peaceful coexistence, India-China 1954.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Practice questions on Non-Aligned Movement

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
Which of these leaders was NOT an architect of NAM?
(a) Tito
(b) Nasser
(c) Churchill
(d) Sukarno
Hint
British wartime leader.
Answer
(c) Churchill.
Q2 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Panchsheel was first stated in an agreement between India and:
(a) Pakistan
(b) China
(c) the USSR
(d) Nepal
Hint
1954.
Answer
(b) China.
Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
What is meant by Panchsheel?
Hint
Five principles.
Answer
Panchsheel means five principles of peaceful coexistence for relations between nations, first set out in the India-China agreement of 1954.
Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
State two differences between non-alignment and neutrality.
Hint
Active versus passive.
Answer
(1) A neutral state stays out of international disputes altogether, while a non-aligned state takes an active part in world affairs. (2) A non-aligned state speaks against aggression, colonialism and racism and judges each issue on merit, while a neutral state takes no sides even on such issues.
Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Mention three objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Hint
Blocs, colonialism, peace.
Answer
(1) To keep away from power blocs and military alliances. (2) To oppose imperialism, colonialism and racism. (3) To promote world peace, disarmament and economic cooperation among developing nations.
Q6 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
Why did India under Nehru choose non-alignment? Give three reasons.
Hint
Freedom, development, peace.
Answer
(1) To protect its newly won independence from domination by either superpower. (2) To keep peace for economic development and receive aid from both blocs. (3) To take independent positions on world issues and work for peace and against colonialism.
Q7 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
Name the two conferences linked with the origin of NAM, with years.
Hint
B and B.
Answer
The Asian-African Conference at Bandung (1955) and the first NAM summit at Belgrade (1961).
Q8 · 2 marks · Very short answerHOTS / competency
How did NAM help the struggle against colonialism and racism? Give two points.
Hint
Africa.
Answer
(1) It gave a united voice to former colonies supporting freedom movements in Asia and Africa. (2) It condemned apartheid in South Africa and pressed for international action against racial discrimination.

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.Where and when was NAM founded?Show answer
Belgrade, September 1961.
2.Who represented Egypt among NAM's architects?Show answer
Gamal Abdel Nasser.
3.What does Panchsheel mean?Show answer
Five principles of peaceful coexistence.
4.Which conference of 1955 was a forerunner of NAM?Show answer
The Asian-African Conference at Bandung.

Best order to study it

Revise the Cold War blocs.
Learn the meaning of non-alignment and how it differs from neutrality.
Learn the founding and architects.
Learn the objectives.
Learn the meaning of Panchsheel and Nehru's role.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

Non-alignment: no bloc, independent policy, active, not neutral.
Bandung 1955; Belgrade 1961 (25 countries).
Architects: Nehru, Nasser, Tito, Sukarno, Nkrumah.
Objectives: no blocs, anti-colonialism and racism, peace, disarmament, strengthen UN, economic cooperation.
Panchsheel: five principles of peaceful coexistence, India-China 1954 (meaning only).
Nehru: architect of non-alignment, co-founder, Panchsheel, anti-colonialism, disarmament.

Non-Aligned Movement: frequently asked questions

Do I need to learn the five principles of Panchsheel?

The syllabus says the principles are taught for understanding and not for testing; only the meaning is tested. Knowing them still helps with MCQs.

Was NAM a military alliance?

No. It was a movement of countries that chose to stay out of military alliances.

Who are the 'architects' of NAM?

Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt), Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia), Sukarno (Indonesia) and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana).

Based on: CISCE ICSE 2027 History & Civics syllabus (H.C.G. Paper 1); CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper and Marking Scheme, History & Civics (501)