Question 2 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Current Affairs

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: Evaluate the funding and organizational nature keywords in both statements. Statement 1 incorrectly mentions government and WHO funding for the India Sanitation Coalition (ISC), which is a multi-stakeholder initiative. Statement 2 accurately describes the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) as an apex body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Based on this, eliminate statement 1 and select statement 2.

Key Info: ## India Sanitation Coalition (ISC)
**India Sanitation Coalition (ISC)** is a prominent multi-stakeholder platform founded in 2015 at FICCI, New Delhi, to promote sustainable sanitation practices across India. It brings together corporate entities, government agencies, NGOs, civil society, financial institutions, donors, and technical experts to drive collaborative action, share best practices, and scale up sanitation interventions.

While ISC works closely with government and international organizations, it is not specifically funded by the Government of India or the World Health Organization. Instead, it facilitates sector-wide partnerships and resource mobilization from diverse sources.

## National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
The **National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)**, established in 1976, functions as a premier autonomous research and policy institution under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. NIUA advises the central government on urban policy, research, capacity building, and innovative urban solutions.

As an apex body, NIUA provides technical inputs, knowledge support, conducts urban sector research, and implements initiatives addressing urban planning, governance, smart cities, sustainable development, and inclusive urbanization. It is instrumental in supporting flagship government programs like Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, and Swachh Bharat Mission, collaborating with national and international partners to address complex urban challenges.

Answer

Option A: 1 only

Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2