What does ‘veto’ power in the Security Council mean?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Even if all other permanent and non-permanent members vote for a particular decision, any permanent member’s negative vote can stall the decision.

The permanent members can vote in a negative manner, so that even if all other members vote for a decision, any one permanent member’s negative vote can stall it; this negative vote is the veto.

Option (1) No permanent member can cast negative vote without concurring to the unanimous decision of the General Assembly. — Incorrect. The veto needs no consent of the General Assembly; one permanent member’s negative vote alone stalls a decision.

Option (3) All permanent members must decide unanimously on which member can use veto power. — Incorrect. Every permanent member has the veto power as a privilege of its permanent seat under the Charter; the members do not choose among themselves who may use it.

Option (4) Non-permanent members can use veto in ‘exceptional’ circumstances. — Incorrect. The non-permanent members do not have the veto power at all.

NCERT (2025-26): “Reform of the UN after the Cold War … In the Security Council, there are five permanent members and ten non-permanent members. The Charter gave the permanent members a privileged position to bring about stability in the world after the Second World War. The main privileges of the five permanent members are permanency and the veto power. The non-permanent members serve for only two years at a time and give way after that period to newly elected members. A country cannot be re-elected immediately after completing a term of two years. The non-permanent members are elected in a manner so that they represent all continents of the world. Most importantly, the non-permanent members do not have the veto power. What is the veto power? In taking decisions, the Security Council proceeds by voting. All members have one vote. However, the permanent members can vote in a negative manner so that even if all other permanent and non-permanent members vote for a particular decision, any permanent member’s negative vote can stall the decision. This negative vote is the veto.…”