Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Two years
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The United Nations Security Council consists of both permanent and non permanent members. While the five permanent members are fixed, non permanent members are elected for limited terms and rotate among the wider UN membership. This question checks knowledge of the length of that term, a detail that frequently appears in general knowledge and international relations examinations.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
According to the United Nations Charter, the Security Council has ten non permanent members elected by the General Assembly. These members are chosen for a term of two years and are not immediately eligible for re election. The idea is to give different regions and states a chance to participate in Council work while maintaining continuity through staggered elections. Therefore, the two year term is a key factual element that candidates must remember.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Security Council has fifteen members in total, consisting of five permanent and ten non permanent members.Step 2: Remember that non permanent members are elected by the General Assembly.Step 3: Connect this with the fact that each non permanent member serves for a standard period of two years.Step 4: Look at the options and identify Two years as the correct duration.Step 5: Confirm that other options such as one year, three years, or six months do not match the UN Charter provision.
Verification / Alternative check:
One way to verify is to think of recently elected non permanent members, including India in various terms. News reports usually state that India has been elected to the Security Council for a two year term, which reinforces the memory of the correct duration. Repeated exposure to these news items helps confirm that the two year term is the standard rule for all non permanent seats.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, Three years, is wrong because the Security Council does not use three year terms; that duration is more common in other elected bodies.Option C, One year, is wrong as such a short term would not provide enough continuity for complex Security Council deliberations.Option D, Six months, is clearly incorrect because it is far too short for the level of responsibility involved.
Common Pitfalls:
Occasionally students confuse the term lengths of different UN organs. For example, members of the Economic and Social Council or certain other bodies may serve for three years, which can mislead candidates in a hurry. Another pitfall is not paying attention to news articles that clearly mention the two year term when a country is elected to the Council. Regular reading of such articles and a mental table of term lengths for major UN bodies can prevent these errors.
Final Answer:
Two years
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