UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I
Question 20: International Relations and Current Affairs
With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’, consider the following statements :
- 1.It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO.
- 2.It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging.
- 3.It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The OPCW, based in The Hague, implements the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is an independent international organisation, not an organ of the European Union, though it works with the UN and other bodies. It monitors the chemical industry to check that toxic chemicals are not turned into new weapons, and it provides assistance and protection to member States threatened by chemical weapons. It won the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
- 1. The OPCW is an independent international body, not an EU organisation.
- 2. It monitors the chemical industry to prevent new chemical weapons.
- 3. It gives assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical weapons threats.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The OPCW is an independent international body, not an EU organisation.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statement 1 is false: the OPCW is not an EU organisation.
- (b) Right: statements 2 and 3 are correct, statement 1 is not.
- (c) Statement 1 is false, so this combination fails.
- (d) Statement 1 is false, so 'all three' fails.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.