Constitutional Position

• One of the six principal organs of the United Nations, entrusted with primary responsibility for maintenance of international peace and security.
• Established under Chapter V of the UN Charter (Articles 23–32).
• Decisions of the UNSC are binding on all UN Member States, unlike UN General Assembly resolutions.

Composition and Membership

• Total Members: 15
  • Permanent Members (P5): United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China
  • Non-Permanent Members (E10): 10 members elected for two-year terms
• Non-permanent members are elected by the UN General Assembly based on:
  • Equitable geographical representation
  • Contribution to international peace and security

Regional Distribution of E10

• Africa – 3
• Asia-Pacific – 2
• Latin America & Caribbean – 2
• Western Europe & Others – 2
• Eastern Europe – 1

Voting System and Veto Power

• Each member has one vote
• Substantive matters:
  • Require 9 affirmative votes including concurrence of all P5
  • A negative vote by any P5 = Veto
• Procedural matters:
  • Require 9 affirmative votes
  • Veto not applicable

Veto – Key Insight

• Veto is not explicitly mentioned in the Charter but flows from voting rules.
• Abstention by a permanent member does not count as veto.
• Criticised for causing institutional paralysis, especially in conflicts involving P5 interests.

Powers and Functions

• Conflict Prevention and Resolution
  • Investigates disputes and situations threatening peace
  • Calls upon parties to settle disputes peacefully
• Enforcement Measures
  • Imposes economic sanctions, arms embargoes, travel bans
  • Authorises use of force under Chapter VII
• Peacekeeping Operations
  • Establishes and mandates UN Peacekeeping Missions
• Legal and Institutional Roles
  • Recommends admission of new UN members
  • Recommends appointment of the UN Secretary-General
  • Elects judges of the International Court of Justice jointly with UNGA

UNSC Resolutions – Nature and Scope

• Chapter VI Resolutions:
  • Peaceful settlement of disputes
  • Recommendatory in nature
• Chapter VII Resolutions:
  • Action with respect to threats to peace, breaches of peace, acts of aggression
  • Legally binding, may include sanctions or military action

Subsidiary Organs of UNSC

• Sanctions Committees (country or theme-specific)
• Counter-Terrorism Committee
• Peacebuilding Commission
• Military Staff Committee (largely inactive in practice)

Relationship with Other UN Organs

• UN General Assembly
  • Can discuss issues but cannot override UNSC decisions
  • Can act when UNSC is paralysed under the “Uniting for Peace” resolution (1950)
• International Court of Justice
  • UNSC may seek advisory opinions
  • ICJ judgments depend on UNSC for enforcement

Major Criticisms of the UNSC

• Lack of Representativeness
  • Reflects post-World War II power structure
  • No permanent representation for Africa, Latin America, or India
• Veto Misuse
  • Used for national interest rather than global peace
  • Blocks action in crises such as Syria, Gaza, Ukraine
• Democratic Deficit
  • Disproportionate power concentrated in P5
• Selective Enforcement
  • Inconsistent application of international law

UNSC Reform Debate

• Need for Reform
  • Changed global power realities
  • Rise of emerging powers and Global South
• Proposed Areas
  • Expansion of permanent and non-permanent membership
  • Reform or restriction of veto power
• India’s Position
  • Advocates permanent membership
  • Supported by G4 (India, Japan, Germany, Brazil)
  • Emphasises representation, legitimacy, and effectiveness

India and the UNSC

• India has served 8 times as a non-permanent member.
• Strong contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
• Argues for reform based on:
  • Population size
  • Democratic credentials
  • Economic and military capability
  • Contribution to global governance