With reference to India's involvement in World War II and the Bengal famine, consider the following statements: 1. Approximately 2.5 million Indians served during World War II. 2. Exactly 100,000 Indians died during World War II. 3. Over 4 million people were killed in the Bengal famine. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

India's UN Rep argues WWII authority cannot compensate for current legitimacy deficits

GS2Polity · Governance · IR· International institutions & agencies (UN, WTO, IMF...)· Mains· 23 October 2026

UNSC reform and legitimacy: a key GS2 International Relations topic regarding multilateralism.

Why in news

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, argued that the UN Security Council's authority from WWII cannot compensate for its current legitimacy deficits.

Background

India's Permanent Representative Harish Parvathaneni addressed the UN General Assembly on October 22, 2026. He highlighted that 2.5 million Indians served in WWII, with 90,000 dying and over 4 million killed in the Bengal famine.

Facts for Prelims

PostHarish Parvathaneni: India's Permanent Representative to the UN
Fact2.5 million Indians served in WWII
Fact90,000 Indians died in WWII
FactOver 4 million killed in the Bengal famine
BodyUN Security Council: Principal organ of the United Nations

Prelims practice question

With reference to India's involvement in World War II and the Bengal famine, consider the following statements:

Approximately 2.5 million Indians served during World War II.
Exactly 100,000 Indians died during World War II.
Over 4 million people were killed in the Bengal famine.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)2 only
(b)3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)2 and 3 only

Show answer

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only — Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: The note states that 90,000 Indians died in WWII.

For Mains

Q. Critically examine the need for UN Security Council reforms to address contemporary geopolitical challenges and ensure equitable global representation.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Institutional inertia: Reliance on 1945 power structures failing to address modern multi-polar conflicts
Legitimacy gap: Disconnect between historical victory-based authority and current representative requirements

Keywords: UN Security Council reform · legitimacy deficit · equitable representation · geopolitical challenges · multilateralism

Read the full news →Report a mistake in this note How notes are made Source: The Hindu ↗

More International Relations notes

Gelephu Mindfulness City inaugurates Immigration Terminal with automated e-gates for Bhutanese and Indian nationals · 23 October 2026
14 Indian nationals on yacht safe near Hodeidah after Houthis claim rescue · 23 October 2026
Piyush Goyal warns EU CBAM and EUDR regulations invite disaster for India · 23 October 2026
UAE non-oil trade grew nearly 50 per cent to $76 billion in 2025 · 22 October 2026
Modi to attend 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum as Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia skip · 22 October 2026
Netanyahu invites Modi to light torch with pilot Smit Machchhar for Israel's Independence Day · 22 October 2026

All International Relations current affairs →

Something wrong, or something missing?

Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.

Report a mistake →Ask for something →[email protected]

This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.