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
1
The ICJ’s jurisdiction is frequently invoked to resolve disputes over territorial sovereignty and which other type of major international boundary?
Answer:
Maritime boundaries and continental shelf delimitations.
Many ICJ contentious cases involve States seeking clarification on their maritime limits, which are vital for resource exploitation.
2
Which body within the ICJ is responsible for all administrative matters, translation, and records?
Answer:
The Registry
The Registry is the permanent administrative organ of the Court, headed by a Registrar.
3
The ICJ may indicate **provisional measures** (similar to injunctions) in a case. These measures are:
Answer:
Taken to preserve the rights of either party pending a final decision, and are generally considered binding.
Provisional measures are urgent, temporary actions required to prevent irreparable harm while the Court deliberates the merits of the case.
4
The ICJ Statute allows for the Court to decide a case *ex aequo et bono* (based on what is just and equitable), but only if:
Answer:
The parties agree to it.
This provision (Article 38(2)) allows the Court to disregard formal law and base its decision purely on equity, but only if explicitly authorized by the States involved.
5
When hearing a case, the quorum required for the ICJ to function is:
Answer:
Nine Judges.
Article 25 of the Statute states that the full Court shall sit except when the Rules of Court provide otherwise, and that a quorum of nine Judges shall suffice to constitute the Court.
6
The President and Vice-President of the ICJ are elected by the Judges of the Court for a term of:
Answer:
Three years.
The President and Vice-President serve three-year terms and may be re-elected.
7
The judgments of the ICJ are rendered by:
Answer:
Majority vote, with the President casting a deciding vote if there is a tie.
Judgments are decided by a majority of the Judges present, and in the event of an equality of votes, the President (or the Judge acting as President) shall have a casting vote (Article 55(2)).
8
What is the key difference between the ICJ and the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
Answer:
The ICJ deals with disputes between States; the ICC deals with prosecuting individuals for international crimes.
The ICC is a separate treaty-based organization, while the ICJ is a UN organ. ICJ concerns States; ICC concerns individuals.
9
The ICJ primarily deals with disputes concerning which areas of international law?
Answer:
State responsibility, border disputes, treaty interpretation, and territorial sovereignty.
The ICJ handles legal disputes between States based on public international law.
10
The official languages of the International Court of Justice are:
Answer:
English and French.
All official proceedings, documentation, and judgments are produced in both English and French.