International & National Organisations

1. Introduction

Organizations at both the international and national levels play a crucial role in global governance, economic development, security, health, and cooperation among nations. They can be governmental (IGO), non-governmental (NGO), financial, or specialized institutions addressing specific global and domestic challenges.

2. International Organizations

International organizations are entities formed by multiple countries through treaties or agreements to promote cooperation and address global issues.

2.1 Types of International Organizations

1. Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) – Established by treaties between governments, with member states as participants (e.g., UN, WTO, IMF).
2. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – Independent groups working on social, economic, environmental, or humanitarian issues (e.g., Red Cross, Amnesty International).
3. Multinational Corporations (MNCs) – Large companies operating in multiple countries with significant economic influence (e.g., Apple, Microsoft).

2.2 Major International Organizations & Their Roles

1. United Nations (UN)

• Founded: 1945
• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Objective: Maintain international peace, security, and cooperation.
• Main Bodies:
  • General Assembly – All member states discuss global issues.
  • Security Council – Maintains peace and security (5 permanent members: USA, UK, France, Russia, China).
  • Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Promotes economic and social development.
  • International Court of Justice (ICJ) – Settles legal disputes between states.
  • UN Secretariat – Manages administration.

2. World Health Organization (WHO)

• Establishment: 16 November 1945
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Objectives: Promote peace and security through international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication; preserve cultural heritage.

3. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

• Establishment: 16 November 1945
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Objectives: Promote peace and security through international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication; preserve cultural heritage.

4. World Bank

• Founded: 1944
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
• Objective: Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for economic development and poverty reduction.
• Key Institutions:
  • International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
  • International Development Association (IDA)

5. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• Founded: 1944
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
• Objective: Ensures global financial stability by providing monetary support and economic advice.
• Functions:
  • Provides financial assistance to countries in economic crises.
  • Monitors global economic trends and policies.

6. World Trade Organization (WTO)

• Founded: 1995
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Objective: Promotes free trade and resolves trade disputes between nations.
• Key Functions:
  • Reduces trade barriers.
  • Regulates international trade agreements.

7. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• Founded: 1949
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Objective: Military alliance for collective defense among member countries.
• Key Principle: Attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

8. European Union (EU)

• Founded: 1993
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Objective: Political and economic integration of European countries.
• Key Features:
  • Single market (free movement of goods, services, capital, and people).
  • Common currency (Euro) used by many members.

9. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)

• Founded: 2006
• Objective: Promote economic cooperation and political influence among emerging economies.
• Key Institutions: New Development Bank (NDB).

10. Group of Twenty (G20)

• Establishment: 1999
• Members: 19 countries + European Union
• Objectives: International forum for governments and central bank governors to discuss policy pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability.

11. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

• Establishment: 11 December 1946
• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Objectives: Provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide; focus on child health, nutrition, education, and emergency relief.

12. International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)

• Establishment: 1923
• Headquarters: Lyon, France
• Objectives: Facilitate international police cooperation; combat transnational crime, terrorism, cybercrime, etc.
• Relevance: Highly relevant to police services; aids in cross-border investigations.

13. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

• Establishment: 8 December 1985
• Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal
• Member Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
• Objectives: Promote regional economic, technological, social, and cultural development; strengthen collective self-reliance.

14. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• Establishment: 8 August 1967
• Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Objectives: Accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in Southeast Asia; maintain regional peace and stability.

2.3 Other Important International Organizations

3. National Organizations

National organizations operate within a single country to manage its internal affairs, economy, security, health, education, and other essential functions.

3.1 Types of National Organizations

1. Governmental Organizations – Run by the government to manage national policies (e.g., RBI, Election Commission).
2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) – Independently work for social causes (e.g., CRY, Greenpeace India).
3. Regulatory Bodies – Monitor specific industries (e.g., SEBI, TRAI).

3.2 Major National Organizations in India

1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• Founded: 1935
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Role: Regulates banking, monetary policy, inflation control.

2. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

• Founded: 1988 (Statutory in 1992)
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Role: Regulates stock markets, protects investors.

3. Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Founded: 1950
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Role: Conducts free and fair elections in India.

4. NITI Aayog

• Founded: 2015
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Role: Policy think tank replacing Planning Commission, promotes economic growth.

5. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

• Founded: 1941
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Role: Investigates major crimes, corruption, and high-profile cases.

6. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

• Founded: 1997
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Role: Regulates telecom services and consumer rights.

7. Intelligence Bureau (IB)

• Establishment: 1887 (one of the oldest intelligence agencies in the world)
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Objectives: Internal security, counter-intelligence, and counter-terrorism; gather intelligence from within India and coordinate with other agencies.

8. National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• Establishment: 2008 (after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks)
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Objectives: Combat terrorism and other national security threats; handle investigation and prosecution of offenses affecting national security.

9. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

• Establishment: 1986
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Objectives: Fight drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal substances; implement the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

10. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• Establishment: 12 October 1993
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Objectives: Protect and promote human rights in India; investigate human rights violations by government officials or agencies.

11. Lokpal and Lokayuktas

• Lokpal Act: Passed in 2013, Lokpal was appointed in 2019
• Objectives: Address corruption complaints against public servants, including the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament.
• Lokayuktas: Similar bodies at the state level.

12. National Commissions

• National Commission for Women (NCW)
  • Establishment: 1992
  • Objectives: Safeguard and promote the rights of women.
• National Commission for Minorities (NCM)
  • Establishment: 1992
  • Objectives: Safeguard the interests of religious minorities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Jains).
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
  • Establishment: NCSC (2004), NCST (2004; previously with NCSC)
  • Objectives: Safeguard and promote the interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

3.3 Other Important National Organizations in India

For more details, refer to our International Relations book

International and national organizations play a critical role in maintaining global stability, economic development, security, and governance. Understanding their functions, objectives, and impact is essential for competitive exams and general awareness.