The International Court of Justice (ICJ), also called the World Court, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was set up by the UN Charter in 1945 and started work in 1946, replacing the League of Nations' Permanent Court of International Justice. Only states can be parties before it; it also gives advisory opinions to UN organs. Fifteen judges serve nine-year terms, elected by the General Assembly and Security Council.
Key facts
- Created by the UN Charter in 1945; first judges elected 6 February 1946; first met April 1946.
- 15 judges, nine-year terms, no two from the same country.
- Its judgments bind the parties but enforcement rests with the Security Council.
- Indian judges: Nagendra Singh was President (1985 to 1988); Dalveer Bhandari has sat since 2012 (term to 2027). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- President since March 2025: Yuji Iwasawa of Japan. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask about it
Exams ask its seat, its number of judges, its Indian judges, and how it differs from the ICC.
Pakka yaad trick
ICJ = countries, 15 judges, UN organ. ICC = criminals, treaty court. The J court judges governments.