Explanation
- A
Syria and Jordan
(a) Syria and Jordan. Those States were in the news for civil war and refugees, not for the 2014 West African Ebola epidemic. Wrong outbreak geography.
- B
Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
(b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The 2014–16 Ebola outbreak was centred on these three West African countries and dominated the news in the months before this paper. That trio is the official key.
- C
Philippines and Papua New Guinea
(c) Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Pacific States were not the Ebola epicentre. Not the key.
- D
Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam
(d) Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam. Caribbean/Guiana names, not the West African Ebola belt. Not the key.
Summary. Official key is (b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The 2014 Ebola epidemic was a West African event in those three countries. Syria–Jordan, Pacific islands and Caribbean names were other news, not this outbreak. Only (b) matches the epidemic map.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q52 · General Studies · 2 marks
In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which claimed that the land was sacred and critical to their cultural identity. At the same time, urban residents and local industries supported the project, citing severe solid waste challenges and health concerns due to lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has escalated with road blockades, social media campaigns, and allegations of police excesses. As a responsible Government official, you are tasked with resolving the situation through mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome that balances environmental needs, tribal rights, and urban public health. Consider the following statements with reference to the above: 1. A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives. 2. The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group. 3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform - including tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives - to build mutual understanding and help de-escalate tensions. 4. Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently with both sides to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. Which of the statements given above would contribute to the resolution process? -
2025 · Q34 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change is frequently discussed in global discussions on sustainable development and climate change. Statement II: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change sets out the principles of carbon markets. Statement III: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on climate change intends to promote inter-country non-market strategies to reach their climate targets. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? -
2024 · Q67 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following countries : 1. Italy 2. Japan 3. Nigeria 4. South Korea 5. South Africa Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population of declining population ?