2021 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I

Question 24: Environment and Ecology

With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on Forests’, which of the following statements are correct?

  1. 1.It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
  2. 2.It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
  3. 3.It is a legally binding international declaration.
  4. 4.It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
  5. 5.India was one of the signatories at its inception.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a1, 2 and 4
b1, 3 and 5
c3 and 4
d2 and 5

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

The New York Declaration on Forests was launched at the UN Climate Summit in New York in 2014. It sets a global timeline: halve natural forest loss by 2020 and end it by 2030. It is a voluntary political declaration, not a legally binding treaty, and it has been endorsed by governments, large companies, indigenous peoples' groups and civil society. India is not among its endorsers. Remember: voluntary, multi-stakeholder, 2014, end loss by 2030.

  • 1. It was first endorsed at the UN Climate Summit in 2014.
  • 2. It endorses a global timeline to end natural forest loss by 2030.
  • 3. It is a voluntary political declaration, not legally binding.
  • 4. Governments, companies and indigenous communities have endorsed it.
  • 5. India has not endorsed the declaration.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: It was first endorsed at the UN Climate Summit in 2014.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: It endorses a global timeline to end natural forest loss by 2030.

Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 3, 4 or 5.

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) Right: statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
  • (b) Wrong: the declaration is not legally binding and India is not a signatory.
  • (c) Wrong: statement 3 is false, and it drops statements 1 and 2.
  • (d) Wrong: India did not endorse it, and it drops statements 1 and 4.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.