Official Question UPSC 2026
Consider the following UN organisations/agencies : 1. World Food Programme 2. United Nations Children's Fund 3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 4. International Labour Organisation How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: A
Consulting the official archives of The Nobel Foundation, all four listed agencies have won the Nobel Peace Prize, but their award frequencies differ:
•World Food Programme (WFP): Awarded once recently in 2020 for its efforts in combating global hunger and preventing starvation from being used as a weapon of war.
•United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): Awarded once in 1965, recognizing its post-war humanitarian relief and efforts to foster international solidarity for children.
•International Labour Organisation (ILO): Awarded once in 1969, marking its 50th anniversary and its fundamental role in promoting social justice and fair labor laws.
•United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Awarded twice (in 1954 and 1981). The first prize recognized its monumental work resettling European refugees after WWII, while the second honored its ongoing global mandate addressing massive displacement in developing continents.
Conclusion: Since the UNHCR is the only organization among the four to receive the prize twice, exactly 1 agency meets the criteria.