UPSC Prelims 2015— Question 12

Correct answer: Option B. IUCN is an international membership union, not an organ of the United Nations. It works through members and networks and undertakes conservation programmes globally. CITES is an international agreement between governments and is legally binding on its parties, but it operates through national implementation rather than replacing domestic law. Thus statements 2 and 3 are correct. Option-wise analysis: Option A: “1 only” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option B: “2 and 3 only” is correct. It directly matches the factual or conceptual requirement tested by the question and is supported by the principle explained above. Option C: “1 and 3 only” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option D: “1, 2 and 3” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Prelims takeaway: Focus on the precise institutional role, constitutional provision, geographical association, or technical definition being tested. UPSC questions often place a broadly familiar fact beside a narrowly incorrect qualifier; identifying that qualifier is essential for elimination.