Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nalanda University Sign MoU to Advance Science-Led Sustainable Development, Technology Outreach and Rural Transformation

Statement 1 is Correct: In standard mediation and conflict resolution practices, acknowledging the emotional, historical, and cultural grievances of marginalized groups is a necessary first step. Validating the tribal community's cultural concerns helps build trust and creates a conducive environment before negotiating technical solutions. Statement 2 is Incorrect: While addressing urban health concerns represents the utilitarian principle of the "greatest good for the greatest number," democratic governance and rights-based ethics dictate that this cannot come at the cost of steamrolling the fundamental rights and cultural dignity of a vulnerable minority. In India, tribal land and cultural identities are protected under the Constitution (Fifth and Sixth Schedules) and laws like the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, and PESA, 1996, which mandate respecting tribal rights and often require community consent. Statement 3 is Correct: Resolving complex public disputes requires inclusive, participatory governance. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform that brings together opposing parties (tribal leaders, urban representatives) and neutral experts fosters consensus-building, builds mutual understanding, and effectively de-escalates tensions. Statement 4 is Correct: Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a standard governance tool used to objectively evaluate the ecological and human costs of a project. Transparently sharing these findings ensures evidence-based decision-making, counters misinformation, and helps all stakeholders understand the objective realities of the proposed site. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Correct. WaterCredit uses microfinance tools to help people access clean water and sanitation solutions. It provides small loans to individuals and households to invest in these facilities. Statement 2 is Incorrect. WaterCredit is not a global initiative under WHO and World Bank. It's an initiative of Water.org, an international non-profit organization focused on water and sanitation access. Statement 3 is Correct. WaterCredit aims to empower people by enabling them to pay for their own water and sanitation needs, reducing reliance on potentially unreliable subsidies. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) attempts to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development. REDD goes beyond deforestation and forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. REDD has the potential to simultaneously contribute to climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation, whilst also conserving biodiversity and sustaining vital ecosystem services. Protection of biodiversity: Forests are incredibly diverse ecosystems, and protecting them through REDD initiatives helps safeguard countless species of plants and animals. Resilience of forest ecosystems: By reducing deforestation and degradation, REDD helps maintain healthy forests that can better withstand natural disturbances like droughts, floods, and pests. Poverty reduction: Many forest communities rely on forests for their livelihoods. REDD programs can provide financial incentives for sustainable forest management, creating income opportunities and alleviating poverty. Therefore, the correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

Arsenic, fluoride, and uranium are naturally occurring elements that can leach into groundwater in some regions of India. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol not typically found as a pollutant in drinking water. Formaldehyde is a synthetic compound used in various industrial processes and is not a common contaminant in groundwater.

Pair 1 is correctly matched. Alma Ata Declaration: The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 612 September 1978. It expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all people. Pair 2 is not correctly matched. Hague Convention: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law that provides an expeditious method to return a child internationally abducted by a parent from one member country to another. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Talanoa Dialogue is a process designed to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020. The Dialogue was mandated by the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change to take stock of the collective global efforts to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Pair 4 is not correctly matched. The Under2 Coalition is a global community of state and regional governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. The coalition brings together more than 220 governments that represent over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy. Signatories commit to keeping global temperature rises to well below 2C with efforts to reach 1.5C.

Statement 1 is correct: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, introduces the concept of Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH). These are areas within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries that must be kept inviolate to ensure wildlife protection. CWHs can only be declared based on scientific evidence and after completing the due process of rehabilitation and resettlement of affected communities. Statement 2 is correct: In 2015, the Baiga tribal community in Madhya Pradesh became the first to be granted Habitat Rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. This recognition allowed them to continue living within the Kanha Tiger Reserve while accessing forest resources for their bonafide livelihood needs. Statement 3 is incorrect: According to the Forest Rights Act, 2006, it is the respective State governments that have the authority to declare and vest Habitat Rights for Primitive Tribal Groups and pre-agricultural communities over critical wildlife habitats, after obtaining consent from the tribal communities and establishing measures for their resettlement and rehabilitation. Hence, correct answer is option (a) 1 and 2 only.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and places a legal obligation on governments to ensure non-discrimination and accessibility. It also mandates reservations for PwDs, such as increasing the quota to 4% in government employment and 5% in higher education. Statement 2 is Correct: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains: built infrastructure (barrier-free public buildings), transport systems (accessible railways, airports, and roads), and information and communication technology (accessible government websites and digital ecosystems). Statement 3 is Incorrect: The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company to provide concessional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and higher education among PwDs. However, it was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the correct option is B.

A seed village, wherein trained group of farmers are involved in the production of seeds of various crops and cater to the needs of themselves, fellow farmers of the village and farmers of neighbouring villages in the appropriate time and at an affordable cost is called a seed village.

* Statement 1 is incorrect. The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is not an agency of the United Nations. It is an international non-profit organization. * Statement 2 is correct. The WTO is known for its initiatives like World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College, all aimed at addressing the global sanitation crisis. * Statement 3 is incorrect. While the WTO advocates for improved sanitation and hygiene, its primary function is not to grant funds. It focuses on advocacy, education, and capacity building to achieve its goals. _Therefore, only statement 2 is correct._

Statement 1 is correct. UN-Habitat's primary mandate, as established by the UN General Assembly, is to promote the development of socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. This includes ensuring adequate shelter for all residents. Statement 2 is incorrect. UN-Habitat partners with a wider range of stakeholders beyond just governments and local urban authorities. They collaborate with academic institutions, NGOs, private sector entities, and civil society organisations to achieve their goals. Statement 3 is correct. UN-Habitat's work aligns with the broader UN objectives of poverty reduction and access to essential services.

The article explicitly states, 'The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nalanda University (NU) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote technology deployment, sustainability, rural development, skill enhancement and scientific outreach.' Option B captures the essence of this primary objective.

The article states, 'the collaboration with CSIR would advance sustainable development in and around the Nalanda region through deployment of technologies in areas such as model village development, solid waste management, water quality improvement and environmental sustainability'. Space exploration is not mentioned as a focus area for this specific MoU.

Statement 1: The article mentions, 'The partnership aims to leverage ... Nalanda University's international academic ecosystem to create scalable models of community-centric development while enhancing the global visibility of Indian scientific innovations.' (Correct) Statement 2: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi 'underscored the critical role of social sciences in ensuring the successful adoption of scientific innovations for societal benefit.' (Correct) Statement 3: The MoU 'envisages establishment of a CSIR Technology Gallery at the Nalanda University campus'. (Correct) Therefore, all three statements are correct.