Consider the following statements : Statement I : At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the 'Declaration on Climate and Health'. Statement II : The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector. Statement III : If India's health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- (c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Why the answer is (c)
• At COP28 in Dubai (December 2023) India did not sign the Declaration on Climate and Health, which over 120 countries endorsed — statement I is correct.
• Statement II is wrong: the Declaration is a voluntary, non-binding political statement; signing it creates no legal obligation to decarbonise the health sector.
• Statement III is correct and was India's stated reason: cutting greenhouse gases from health-care, especially cooling and refrigeration, could compromise the resilience and reach of a system that still needs to expand.
• So only one of II and III is correct, and that one (III) explains India's decision.
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- Statement II is wrong: the Declaration is non-binding.
- (b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
- Statement II is wrong, so both cannot be correct.
- (d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
- Statement III is correct and explains India's stance.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.