Consider the following statements : 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (a)
• The International Solar Alliance was launched by India and France at the Paris climate conference (COP21) on 30 November 2015, with its headquarters at Gurugram (statement 1).
• Statement 2 is wrong: membership was initially open to 121 'sunshine' countries between the Tropics; since 2020 all UN members may join, but only about 100 have signed and ratified — it does not include all UN members.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: not all UN members are in ISA.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 1 is correct: ISA was launched at COP21, 2015.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.