Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation where students represent countries, debate global issues, and draft resolutions — developing public speaking, research, and diplomacy skills. This complete guide explains what MUN is, how it works, and how you can participate.
Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation of the United Nations in which students — called delegates — represent member states and debate real-world global issues. Working within a structured parliamentary framework, delegates research their country's foreign policy, write position papers, deliver speeches, negotiate in informal caucuses, and collaborate to produce formal resolutions.
At its core, MUN transforms a classroom skill set into a live diplomatic exercise. A delegate representing India at a General Assembly committee on climate finance must simultaneously understand India's negotiating history at COP summits, identify allied bloc partners, draft operative clauses that survive hostile amendment, and speak persuasively under time pressure — all within a single conference session.
The origins of MUN trace back to the League of Nations simulations held at American universities in the 1920s. The first Harvard Model United Nations — widely regarded as the modern template — was established in 1953. Through the 1970s and 1980s, conferences proliferated across North American and European campuses before the model began spreading to Asia in the 1990s. Today, the National Model United Nations (NMUN) in New York draws over 5,000 delegates annually, and global participation is estimated at several hundred thousand students each year.
In India, MUN grew rapidly through the 2000s as elite schools and colleges in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru imported the format. The Indian circuit introduced a distinctive innovation: AIPPM (All India Political Parties Meet), a home-grown committee format in which delegates represent Indian political parties rather than countries — making MUN more immediately relevant to the country's domestic political landscape.
Delhi MUN 2026 is part of this continuing tradition — bringing together delegates from Delhi NCR and beyond to simulate both UN committees and Indian parliamentary bodies in a single conference.
From opening speeches on the General Speakers' List to unmoderated caucus lobbying and final voting — each stage of a MUN session has a defined procedure that delegates must master.
Learn More →UN General Assembly bodies follow UNA-USA rules; Indian committees (AIPPM) follow parliamentary procedure; International Press operates as the conference media body. Each has its own workflow.
Learn More →MUN develops public speaking, structured argumentation, country and policy research, coalition-building, and document drafting — skills valued in law, policy, business, and international relations.
Learn More →A MUN conference follows a structured sequence from pre-conference preparation through to final voting. Here is what every delegate experiences across a typical two-to-three day conference.
You receive a committee (e.g. UNGA, AIPPM) and an agenda topic. Research your country's foreign policy position, UN voting history, and alliances.
Full Guide →Submit a one-to-two page position paper outlining your country's stance on the agenda, prior actions taken, and the policy solutions your delegation proposes.
Full Guide →The conference opens with the General Speakers' List — each delegate delivers a formal opening speech. Points of Information can follow.
Full Guide →Committees alternate between moderated caucuses (structured debate on sub-topics) and unmoderated caucuses (open lobbying to form blocs and merge papers).
Full Guide →Delegates collaborate to write working papers, merge blocs, and advance draft resolutions through committee. Sponsors present, signatories support debate.
Full Guide →The committee votes on draft resolutions clause by clause. The Executive Board then announces Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, and High Commendation awards.
Full Guide →Delhi MUN 2026
UN committees and AIPPM. Open to first-time and experienced delegates from Delhi NCR and beyond.
Different committee types simulate different real-world bodies and operate under distinct rules of procedure. Understanding which type you are assigned to is the first step in conference preparation.
| Committee Type | Examples | Delegates Represent | Procedure |
|---|---|---|---|
| UN General Assembly | UNGA I–VI, ECOSOC, UNHRC | Member States / Countries | UNA-USA Rules of Procedure |
| UN Security Council | UNSC, P5+10 | P5 + 10 Elected Members | UNA-USA (modified veto rules) |
| Specialised Agency | WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO | Member States / Countries | UNA-USA Rules of Procedure |
| Indian Committee (AIPPM) | AIPPM, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha | Indian Political Parties | AIPPM Procedure (EB-defined) |
| Crisis Committee | JCC, Ad Hoc, Historical | Countries / Individuals | Modified / Crisis RoP |
| International Press | IP, Press Corps | Media Organisations | Journalism Workflow |
MUN is one of the few extracurricular activities that simultaneously develops academic, professional, and social skills in a competitive but collaborative environment.
First-time delegates often feel overwhelmed — but preparation is straightforward once you break it into clear steps. Follow this sequence in the weeks before your conference.
Study your committee background guide
Most conferences publish a study guide for each committee. Read it in full — it defines the agenda, outlines key issues, and lists relevant UN resolutions.
Research your country's position
Use the UN voting records database, your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, and reputable news sources to map your nation's stance on the agenda.
Write and submit your position paper
Summarise your country's background, current stance, and proposed solutions in one to two pages. Submit before the deadline — most EBs score it.
Learn the rules of procedure
Study the specific RoP for your committee type — UNA-USA for UN simulations, AIPPM for Indian committees. Know the points, motions, and caucus types cold.
Practise your opening speech
Write a 60-to-90 second opening statement. Practise aloud until you can deliver it fluently without notes. Time yourself — most GSL slots are strict.
Pack your conference checklist
Prepare your delegate placard, printed position paper, notebook, formal attire for all days, and any conference materials sent by the organisers.
India has one of the largest and most active MUN communities in Asia. Conferences are held throughout the academic year in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune — with Delhi NCR alone hosting more than fifty conferences annually across school and college circuits.
The Indian circuit is distinguished by its embrace of AIPPM — a committee type developed and refined entirely within the subcontinent. In AIPPM, delegates represent the BJP, INC, AAP, SP, and other national parties rather than countries, debating Bills on domestic issues. This format demands a command of Indian political history, party manifestos, and parliamentary procedure that is unlike any other MUN committee globally.
Delhi MUN 2026 brings together the best of both formats: UNA-USA General Assembly committees for delegates looking to simulate international diplomacy, and AIPPM committees for those engaging with India's domestic political reality. The conference is open to delegates from Delhi NCR schools and colleges, as well as outstation applicants.
Whether you are attending your first MUN or your fifteenth, Delhi MUN 2026's Executive Board provides orientation support, published study guides, and a feedback-first approach to delegate evaluation.
General Assembly committees following UNA-USA procedure. Delegates represent member states and debate international agenda topics — open to first-time and experienced delegates.
Learn More →All India Political Parties Meet — India's signature MUN committee format. Delegates represent political parties, debate Bills, and navigate the Chits, Zero Hour, and Whip system.
Learn More →Seats are limited across all committees. Register early to secure your preferred committee assignment. The registration portal is open now at my.delhimun.in.
Learn More →Ready to Debate?
Put your understanding of Model United Nations to work at Delhi's most anticipated conference. UN committees and AIPPM — open to delegates from Delhi NCR and beyond.
Everything first-time delegates need — what to expect, how to prepare, speaking tips, and what judges look for.
Read GuideWestern and Indian formal attire guide for MUN conferences — including budget shopping tips in Delhi.
Read GuideThe complete hub for MUN Rules of Procedure — UNA-USA vs AIPPM comparison, FAQs, and links to every delegate guide.
Read GuideHow to research your country for MUN — foreign policy, UN voting records, ally mapping, and country matrix.
Read GuideGSL speech structure, responding to POIs, floor tactics, and practice drills to speak with confidence.
Read GuideEverything to pack, print, and prepare — from one week before to post-conference follow-up.
Read Guide