Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. India’s campaign for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council reflects both its global ambitions and the complexities of multilateral diplomacy. Discuss.
- Q. Misleading food claims are a public health and consumer protection concern. Discuss with reference to FSSAI’s recent regulatory action.
Q. India’s campaign for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council reflects both its global ambitions and the complexities of multilateral diplomacy. Discuss.
(GS Paper II – International Relations)
Introduction:
India has launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. The election will be held in June 2027, and India is contesting against Tajikistan for one Asian seat. If elected, it will be India’s 9th term on the UNSC.
Body
India’s Global Ambitions
India’s candidature reflects its rising global profile. As a G20 member, major economy, large democracy and important voice of the Global South, India seeks a greater role in global decision-making.
UNSC membership allows India to influence debates on:
- terrorism and cross-border security
- peacekeeping and conflict resolution
- sanctions and international crises
- maritime security and Indo-Pacific issues
- reform of multilateral institutions
It also strengthens India’s long-standing demand for a permanent seat in a reformed UNSC. A strong victory would signal wider international acceptance of India’s claim.
Complexities of Multilateral Diplomacy
However, UNSC elections are not decided by stature alone. They are conducted through secret ballot in the UN General Assembly and require a two-thirds majority. Recent examples show unpredictability: Germany lost despite being a major economy, while Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines with support from smaller States, the OIC group and likely Chinese backing.
This shows that bloc politics, smaller-country solidarity, Global South sentiment, issue-based voting and great-power influence can shape outcomes. Tajikistan may also seek support from Central Asian and Islamic groupings.
Why It Matters for India
UNSC membership is useful for countering hostile narratives, especially on terrorism. During Pakistan’s 2025-26 UNSC term, India’s diplomacy ensured that Pakistan could not effectively use the Council against India, while the UNSC condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack helped India diplomatically.
Conclusion:
India’s UNSC campaign is both a statement of ambition and a test of diplomacy. Success will require sustained outreach across regions, sensitivity to Global South concerns and careful coalition-building. A strong mandate would reinforce India’s role as a responsible stakeholder in global governance.
Q. Misleading food claims are a public health and consumer protection concern. Discuss with reference to FSSAI’s recent regulatory action.
(GS Paper II – Governance / Public Health)
Introduction:
Food regulation is not limited to ensuring that food products contain permitted ingredients. It also includes regulating how food products are advertised, labelled and promoted. FSSAI’s recent action against misleading food claims, including notices to several food companies, highlights the need for evidence-based food communication.
Body
Why Misleading Food Claims are a Concern
1. Consumer Protection
Claims such as “100% pure,” “healthy,” “natural,” “energy” or “immunity-boosting” can influence consumer behaviour. If such claims are not scientifically supported, they mislead consumers.
2. Public Health
India is facing rising concerns related to obesity, unhealthy diets and lifestyle diseases. Unsupported claims may make consumers believe that packaged food is healthier than it actually is.
3. Children’s Nutrition
Products marketed around children’s health, such as malt-based drinks or baby foods, require stricter scrutiny because parents may rely heavily on nutritional claims.
4. Digital Marketplaces
FSSAI’s scrutiny of e-commerce listings is important because online product descriptions and banners may differ from physical labels and directly influence purchase decisions.
Challenges
- Online claims change rapidly.
- Consumers may not read nutrition labels carefully.
- Claims may remain on some platforms even after correction.
- Companies may use indirect promotional language to create similar impressions.
Way Forward
FSSAI should ensure continuous monitoring, evidence-based approval of claims, accountability of e-commerce platforms, stronger penalties for repeat violations and consumer awareness on reading nutrition labels.
Conclusion:
FSSAI’s action is a step towards transparent food governance. In a growing packaged-food market, protecting consumers requires not only safe food but also truthful, evidence-based and responsible food claims.
