UPSC Prelims 2004 Q113: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
List I (Agency)
(A) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
(B) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
(C) United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
(D) Universal Postal Union (UPU)
List II (Headquarters)
1. Nairobi
2. Vienna
3. Berne
4. New York
Codes:
- (a) A 2 B 3 C 4 D 1
- (b) A 4 B 1 C 2 D 3
- (c) A 2 B 1 C 4 D 3
- (d) A 4 B 3 C 2 D 1
Answer: (b) A 4 B 1 C 2 D 3
Explanation
UN agencies and their headquarters
| Agency | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| A. UNDP | New York (4) |
| B. UNEP | Nairobi (1) |
| C. UNIDO | Vienna (2) |
| D. Universal Postal Union | Berne (3) |
The correct matching is A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3: the UNDP sits at New York, UNEP at Nairobi, UNIDO at Vienna and the Universal Postal Union at Berne in Switzerland.
Answer: (b) A 4, B 1, C 2, D 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. UNDP is at New York, not Vienna.
- (b) CORRECT. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3 matches all four.
- (c) Incorrect. UNDP is at New York, not Vienna.
- (d) Incorrect. UNEP is at Nairobi, not Berne.
Key point
UNEP: Nairobi (only UN HQ in the global South); UNIDO: Vienna; UPU: Berne; UNDP: New York.
Remember
UNEP is headquartered in Nairobi.
Common mistakes
- Placing UNEP in Geneva or Paris.
- Mixing UNIDO with the IAEA, also in Vienna.
- Forgetting that the UPU is at Berne.
Exam tip
UN HQs: New York (main), Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi.
Sources
- United Nations Environment Programme — About UNEP: headquarters, Nairobi
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization — About UNIDO: headquarters, Vienna
- Universal Postal Union — About the UPU: headquarters, Bern
- United Nations Development Programme — About UNDP: headquarters, New York