are 5 (earlier 6) Principal organs of UN:
  1. United Nations General Assembly.
  2. United Nations Security Council
  3. International Court of Justice
  4. United Nations Secretariat
  5. Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC)
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Formed in: 1945 It is the main deliberative, policy making and a representative organ of all 193 members. It meets annually in September in its HQ New York. Decisions are taken by majority. (Some by special & some by simple majority). The UNGA President holds a 1 Year Term.

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

Formed in: 1945 Objective: To maintain international peace & security. Membership: 15 (5 Permanent & 10 Non Permanent). All member states are obligated to comply with council decisions.

Powers:

  • Can impose sanctions.
  • Authorise the use of force to maintain or restore international peace.

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ)

Principal judicial organ of UN. HQ: Hague, Netherlands. Members: 15. (Decision by relative majority)

Role:

  • To settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes, submitted to it by states.
  • Give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN Organs & specialised agencies.

UN SECRETARIAT

Headed by: Secretary General. Role: Carry out day to day work (organisation of conferences, preparation of budget, etc) of UN as mandated by UNGA & other principal organs. Chief Administrative Officer is appointed by UNGA on the recommendation of UNSC for a 5 years term. (aka UN Secretary General–UNs foremost representative). He is appointed for a term of 5 years. (Actually the length is discretionary, but since 1971, there is a convention of 5 year term)

ECONOMIC & SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC)

PRINCIPAL ORGANS OF UN explained for UPSC It is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue & recommendations on economic, social & environmental issues and implementation of internationally agreed development goals. It serves as a central mechanism for activities of the UN system & its specialised agencies in the economic, social & environmental fields. (Sustainable development). Members: 54 (elected by UNGA)