General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
11
When a State party to a contentious case does not have a Judge of its nationality on the bench, it may choose a person to sit as a Judge *ad hoc*. This function is primarily to:
Answer:
Ensure that the Court fully considers the State's perspective and legal culture.
Judges *ad hoc* participate fully in the deliberation of the case but do not change the fact that the Court is composed of 15 permanent judges.
12
The **Optional Clause** (Article 36(2) of the ICJ Statute) allows States to recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court on the basis of:
Answer:
A unilateral declaration made in advance, accepting jurisdiction generally over similar declarations by other States.
Accepting the optional clause means a state agrees to ICJ jurisdiction in disputes with any other state that has accepted the same obligation.
13
Judges on the ICJ bench cannot be of the same nationality. They are elected for a term of:
Answer:
Nine years.
Judges are elected for nine-year terms and may be re-elected.
14
Which UN organ is responsible for enforcing ICJ judgments, if the losing party fails to comply?
Answer:
The UN Security Council
If a party fails to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment of the Court, the other party may have recourse to the Security Council (Article 94(2) of the UN Charter).
15
The judgments delivered by the ICJ in contentious cases are legally binding on:
Answer:
Only the parties directly involved in that specific case.
Article 59 of the ICJ Statute states that the decision of the Court has no binding force except between the parties and in respect of that particular case.
16
ICJ Judges are elected by which two UN bodies voting concurrently but separately?
Answer:
The UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.
Candidates must achieve an absolute majority in both organs to be elected.
17
How many Judges make up the bench of the International Court of Justice?
Answer:
15
The Court consists of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms. They are chosen to ensure the representation of the world's principal legal systems.
18
What is the primary source of law the ICJ applies when deciding disputes between States?
Answer:
International conventions (treaties), international custom, general principles of law, and judicial decisions/teachings of publicists.
This list is set out in Article 38(1) of the ICJ Statute.
19
The ICJ issues two main types of decisions. These are judgments (contentious cases) and what other type of legal pronouncement?
Answer:
Advisory Opinions
Advisory Opinions are requested by authorized UN bodies (like the General Assembly or Security Council) on legal questions, and are generally non-binding.
20
The jurisdiction of the ICJ in contentious cases is based on what principle?
Answer:
The principle of State consent.
States must explicitly consent to the ICJ hearing their dispute, through a special agreement, a treaty clause, or through the optional clause (declarations accepting compulsory jurisdiction).