1. Consider the following statements:
- The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
- The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry 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? (UPSC Prelims 2022)
[A] 1 only
[B] 2 only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:The correct answer is
[D] Neither 1 nor 2, based on the official UPSC interpretation and detailed organizational mandates.
- Statement 1 – Incorrect: The India Sanitation Coalition (ISC) is a non-government, multi-stakeholder platform launched by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry). It is not a government-funded body, nor is it funded by the WHO. Its primary role is to bring together the private sector, NGOs, and government agencies to support sanitation through CSR and knowledge sharing.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect: While the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is associated with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), it is technically an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act. It is a national think-tank undertaking cutting-edge multi-disciplinary research, knowledge exchange and capacity development, policy planning and advocacy in the domain of urban development. It is also serving as the technical secretariat for U20, the urban engagement group of G20.
2. With reference to ‘WaterCredit’, consider the following statements :
- It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
- It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
- It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2021)
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]
Notes:The correct answer is
[C] 1 and 3 only. WaterCredit is a pioneering market-based model designed to address the global water and sanitation crisis through financial inclusion.
- Microfinance Tools (Statement 1 – Correct): WaterCredit applies the principles of microfinance to the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector. It provides small loans to individuals or households to help them install household water connections or toilets, shifting the focus from charity to credit-based solutions.
- Origin and Aegis (Statement 2 – Incorrect): WaterCredit is an initiative of Water.org, a global non-profit organization co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon. It is not an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) or the World Bank, although these bodies work toward similar Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Dependence on Subsidies (Statement 3 – Correct): The primary objective of WaterCredit is to empower poor people to solve their own water and sanitation needs through affordable financing. By providing access to loans, it reduces their reliance on government subsidies or high-interest informal lenders, making the solution more sustainable and scalable.
3. Which country officially withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2026?
[A] Canada
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
The U.S. has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), one year after President Donald Trump announced the exit. The WHO is the United Nations’ specialized health agency coordinating global responses to health threats like mpox, Ebola, and polio. The U.S. owes WHO about $280 million in unpaid dues and voluntary contributions. The U.S. no longer participates in WHO committees, governance, or technical working groups, including global flu monitoring.
4. Which African country has been declared free of trachoma by the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 15, 2025?
[A] Sudan
[B] Senegal
[C] Kenya
[D] Angola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Senegal]
Notes:
Senegal has recently been declared free of trachoma by the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 15, 2025. It became the 25th country globally and the 9th in Africa to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and leads to preventable blindness. It contributes to about 1.4% of global blindness, affecting 1.9 million people. Senegal faced trachoma since early 1900s and joined WHO’s global elimination alliance in 1998.
5. Which Indian city is the host of Second World Health Organization (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Summit 2025?
[A] Chennai
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Bengaluru
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
Recently, during the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025 in Geneva, India expressed full support for the Second World Health Organization (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Summit, which will be hosted in New Delhi in December 2025. This summit, organized by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, aims to align stakeholders, share evidence, and accelerate learning in the field of traditional medicine. The summit will explore how traditional medicine can restore balance in an era of instability, focusing on scientific innovations, including AI and biodiversity protection.
6. Which country has partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch a humanitarian initiative on Socotra Island?
[A] Saudi Arabia
[B] Oman
[C] Qatar
[D] United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [United Arab Emirates (UAE)]
Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a two-year humanitarian initiative to fight severe malnutrition on Yemen’s Socotra Island. Socotra Island faces a health emergency with a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 10.9% and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rate of 1.6% among children under five. The program focuses on reducing maternal and child deaths caused by malnutrition through food, health, and awareness support. It includes strengthening healthcare systems by training staff, supplying medicine, and improving epidemic response capacity.
7. Which organization has released the first State of the World’s Animal Health report in May 2025?
[A] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
[B] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
[C] International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
[D] World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) ]
Notes:
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recently released the first State of the World’s Animal Health report. It highlights that infectious animal diseases are now spreading to new regions and species, with 47 percent having zoonotic potential, meaning they can spread to humans. In 2024, Bluetongue virus affected 3,517 cases in 23 countries, and Germany saw its first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak since 1988. Between 2005 and 2023, nearly half the WOAH-listed diseases reported were zoonotic, posing a risk to human health. The report warns that climate change and global trade are key drivers behind the rising spread of these diseases. Preventing diseases reduces the need for antibiotics and helps fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which could cause huge losses. By 2050, AMR could result in livestock loss, threaten food for two billion people, and cause a US$100 trillion economic loss.
8. The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted the first-ever WHO Pandemic Agreement at which event?
[A] 78th World Health Assembly, Geneva
[B] 8th Global Public Health Conference, Bangkok
[C] Digital Health Festival, Melbourne
[D] International Conference on Medical and Health Sciences (ICMHS), New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [78th World Health Assembly, Geneva]
Notes:
Member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) have adopted the first-ever WHO Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly, Geneva. This agreement is the result of over three years of negotiations following the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to improve global cooperation for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response through fair access to vaccines, medicines, and tests. A Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) will be developed to ensure countries sharing virus samples receive timely support. Under PABS, pharma companies will give WHO 20% of real-time production for equitable distribution, especially to developing nations.
9. With respect to the World Health Organization (WHO), consider the following statements:
- Established in 1948, WHO is a UN agency that promotes health, ensures safety, and supports the vulnerable for global well-being.
- The WHO’s headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Recently, the U.S. and Russia both withdrew from WHO.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:
- Established in 1948, WHO is a UN agency that promotes health, ensures safety, and supports the vulnerable for global well-being. Correct: The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
- The WHO’s headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. Correct: The headquarters of the WHO is located in Geneva, Switzerland, serving as the central hub for its operations and international collaborations.
- Recently, the U.S. and Russia both withdrew from WHO. Incorrect: Though the US exited but Russia is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO).
10. Which country has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2025?
[A] Azerbaijan
[B] Georgia
[C] Armenia
[D] Moldova
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Georgia]
Notes:
Georgia has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization. It is located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia, in the Transcaucasia region. Malaria is a life-threatening fever caused by Plasmodium parasites spread by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is primarily found in tropical countries and is not contagious. The disease cannot spread from person to person; transmission occurs through mosquito bites.
