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Q24 (IAS/2024) Economy › Schemes, Inclusion & Social Sector › Public health programmes Official Key

Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization : 1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations. 2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. 3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A (statement 2 only).

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** The World Toilet Organisation was founded by Jack Sim in Singapore on 19 November 2001[1], making it an independent non-profit organization, not a UN agency. While the WTO initiated the United Nations World Toilet Day[1], it remains separate from the UN system.

**Statement 2 is correct:** WTO established World Toilet Day and the World Toilet Summit in 2001; this was followed by the World Toilet College in 2005[2]. The aim of both the organization and the summit was to draw the world's attention to the global sanitation crisis[3], confirming these initiatives were designed to inspire action on sanitation issues.

**Statement 3 is incorrect:** World Toilet Organization is one of the few organizations whose sole focus is on toilets and sanitation[4], and breaking the silence on the sanitation crisis is at the heart of WTO's efforts[5]. The documents describe WTO's work in terms of advocacy, mobilization, and breaking taboos—not as a funding agency. There is no evidence that granting funds to countries is its main function.

Sources
  1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Toilet_Organization
  2. [2] https://worldtoilet.org/web-agency-gb-about-us/
  3. [3] https://www.theearthandi.org/post/world-toilet-summit-and-promoting-healthy-sanitation-efforts
  4. [4] https://worldtoilet.org/web-agency-gb-about-us/
  5. [5] https://worldtoilet.org/web-agency-gb-about-us/
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Q. Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization : 1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations. 2. World Toi…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 10/10

This is a classic 'Imposter Trap'. UPSC exploits the generic name 'World Toilet Organization' to trick you into thinking it's a UN agency (like WHO or WMO). The key is distinguishing between Intergovernmental bodies (UN) and Civil Society NGOs, and recognizing that NGOs rarely have the financial capacity to 'grant funds' to sovereign nations.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is the World Toilet Organization an agency of the United Nations?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The World Toilet Organization was founded by Jack Sim on November 19, 2001... Since the first summit, the event has attracted the support of NGOs, the private sector, civil society organizations, and the international community."
Why this source?
  • Describes the World Toilet Organization as founded by an individual (Jack Sim) on a specific date, indicating an independent organization.
  • States the group's aims and that it has attracted support from NGOs, private sector and civil society—suggesting it is not presented as a UN agency.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The WTO is also the organizer of the World Toilet Summit, the Urgent Run and initiated the United Nations World Toilet Day. The World Toilet Organisation was founded by Jack Sim in Singapore on 19 November 2001."
Why this source?
  • Identifies the World Toilet Organisation as an independent body that organized events and 'initiated the United Nations World Toilet Day', implying it is not itself a UN agency.
  • Gives founding details (founded in Singapore on 19 November 2001), supporting its status as a separate organization.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"UN-Water is the United Nations (UN) inter-agency coordination mechanism for freshwater-related issues, including sanitation. ... UN-Water is comprised of UN entities with a focus on, or interest in, water-related issues as Members and other non-UN international"
Why this source?
  • Explains that UN-Water is an inter-agency UN coordination mechanism composed of UN entities and 'other non-UN international' organizations, indicating that organizations working with the UN on sanitation can be non-UN bodies.
  • Supports the interpretation that initiating a UN observance does not make an organization a UN agency.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
Strength: 5/5
“On 24 October 1945 the UNO came into existence with 51 members. The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Trygve Lie, was elected the first UN Trygve Lie The World after World War II 252 Secretary-General. In addition to its main organs, UNO has currently 15 specialised agencies. Some of the prominent agencies are: International Labour Organisation (ILO - Geneva), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - Rome), International Monetary Fund (IMF - Washington (D.C)), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO - Paris), World Health Organization (WHO - Geneva), and World Bank (Washington (D.C)).”
Why relevant

Gives a clear list of the UN's 'specialised agencies' (ILO, FAO, IMF, UNESCO, WHO, World Bank), illustrating what kinds of organisations are officially classed as UN specialised agencies.

How to extend

A student could compare that canonical list of specialised agencies with the name 'World Toilet Organization' (and check whether it appears on official UN lists) to judge whether it is one of them.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Chapter 4 International Organisations > p. 50
Strength: 4/5
“Social and economic issues are dealt with by many agencies including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Human Rights Commision (UNHRC), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Childr en's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), among others.”
Why relevant

Shows examples of international/social-economic organisations associated with the UN (WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO), many of which explicitly carry the 'United Nations' or 'UN' label.

How to extend

A student could use the pattern that many UN bodies include 'UN' or 'United Nations' in their formal title to check whether 'World Toilet Organization' is similarly titled or officially linked to the UN.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Human Rights Watch > p. 60
Strength: 4/5
“One veto can stall a Security Council resolution.• 2. Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements about the way the UN functions. • a. All security and peace related issues are dealt with in the Security Council.• b. Humanitarian policies are implemented by the main organs and specialised agencies spread across the globe.• c. Having consensus among the five permanent members on security issues is vital for its implementation.• d. The members of the General Assembly are automatically the members of all other principal organs and specialised agencies of the UN. E x e r c i s e s”
Why relevant

States that 'humanitarian policies are implemented by the main organs and specialised agencies spread across the globe', indicating that UN agencies are organisationally tied to the UN's principal organs.

How to extend

A student could look for organisational ties (e.g., governance, founding treaties, listing on UN websites) between the World Toilet Organization and UN principal organs to test if it is an official agency.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
Strength: 3/5
“International agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), began holding international conferences and promoting detailed studies to get a more coordinated and effective response to environmental problems. Since then, the environment has emerged as a significant issue of global politics. The growing focus on environmental issues within the arena of global politics was firmly consolidated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. This was also called the Earth Summit. The summit was Collect news clippings on reports linking environment and politics in your own locality.”
Why relevant

Notes that international agencies like UNEP operate within UN-led environmental processes, illustrating that many UN-related agencies participate in UN conferences and programmes.

How to extend

A student could check whether the World Toilet Organization is a participant in or created by UN conferences/programmes (e.g., listed as a UN partner) to assess its formal UN agency status.

Statement 2
Are World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College initiatives organized by the World Toilet Organization?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"WTO established World Toilet Day and the World Toilet Summit in 2001; this was followed by the World Toilet College in 2005."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states WTO established World Toilet Day and the World Toilet Summit in 2001.
  • Directly notes World Toilet College was created afterwards in 2005, linking all three initiatives to WTO.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Through our initiatives – World Toilet Day, World Toilet Summit, World Toilet College and SaniShop – we continue to mobilise an international network..."
Why this source?
  • Lists World Toilet Day, World Toilet Summit and World Toilet College as the organization's initiatives.
  • Frames these programs as part of WTO's ongoing mobilization and advocacy work.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The WTO is also the organizer of the World Toilet Summit, the Urgent Run and initiated the United Nations World Toilet Day."
Why this source?
  • Identifies the WTO as the organizer of the World Toilet Summit and as the initiator of World Toilet Day.
  • Supports the claim that these events/initiatives are driven by the World Toilet Organization.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > Historical Perspective > p. 28
Strength: 4/5
“Te Earth Summit, 1992• 6. Te World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002”
Why relevant

Shows the international practice and naming pattern of convening thematic global 'Summits' (e.g., 'The World Summit on Sustainable Development').

How to extend

A student could infer that an entity named 'World Toilet Organization' might likewise convene a 'World Toilet Summit' and check the organization's publications or event history to verify.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
Strength: 4/5
“International agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), began holding international conferences and promoting detailed studies to get a more coordinated and effective response to environmental problems. Since then, the environment has emerged as a significant issue of global politics. The growing focus on environmental issues within the arena of global politics was firmly consolidated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. This was also called the Earth Summit. The summit was Collect news clippings on reports linking environment and politics in your own locality.”
Why relevant

States that international agencies (e.g., UNEP) hold international conferences and promote coordinated responses to thematic issues.

How to extend

One could extend this general rule to hypothesize that an organization focused on sanitation might run related events/days/colleges and then look for documentary evidence (press releases, websites) tying those events to that organization.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Ideas for the Teacher > p. 98
Strength: 3/5
“For the first time, global environmental issues were firmly consolidated at the political level.• d. It was a summit meeting.• 3. Which among the following are TRUE about the global commons? • a. The Earth's atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floor and outer space are considered as part of the global commons.• b. The global commons are outside sovereign jurisdiction.• c. The question of managing the global commons has reflected the North-South divide.• d. The countries of the North are more concerned about the protection of the global commons than the countries of the South.• 4. What were the outcomes of the Rio Summit?• 5.”
Why relevant

Explicitly notes that the Earth Summit was 'a summit meeting', illustrating the common use of 'Summit' for organized, theme-centred international gatherings.

How to extend

Apply this naming convention to consider whether 'World Toilet Summit' follows the same pattern and search for organizer attribution in event materials.

NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992 > p. 4
Strength: 3/5
“In June 1992, more than 100 heads of states met in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, for the first International Earth Summit. The Summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection and socioeconomic development at the global level. The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity. The Rio Convention endorsed the global Forest Principles and adopted Agenda 21 for achieving Sustainable Development in the 21st century.”
Why relevant

Describes a large international meeting where leaders signed declarations and adopted programs, exemplifying how organized bodies produce named global initiatives and observances.

How to extend

Use this as a precedent that named global days/colleges can be sponsored by organizations; then check primary sources (organization site, UN calendars) to see who sponsors 'World Toilet Day' or related programs.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
Strength: 2/5
“On 24 October 1945 the UNO came into existence with 51 members. The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Trygve Lie, was elected the first UN Trygve Lie The World after World War II 252 Secretary-General. In addition to its main organs, UNO has currently 15 specialised agencies. Some of the prominent agencies are: International Labour Organisation (ILO - Geneva), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO - Rome), International Monetary Fund (IMF - Washington (D.C)), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO - Paris), World Health Organization (WHO - Geneva), and World Bank (Washington (D.C)).”
Why relevant

Lists that there are specialized international agencies (e.g., WHO, FAO) which typically run sectoral programs and initiatives.

How to extend

From this pattern, a student could treat 'World Toilet Organization' as the sort of specialized body that might run thematic initiatives and so seek direct attribution for the named initiatives on authoritative pages.

Statement 3
Do the World Toilet Organization's initiatives (World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, World Toilet College) aim to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Organization was established with the aim to break the taboo around toilets and the sanitation crisis. Through our initiatives – World Toilet Day, World Toilet Summit, World Toilet College – we continue to mobilise an international network of partners, supporters, donors, governments and international organisations to advocate for effective sanitation policies to ensure health, dignity and well-being for everyone, everywhere."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the organization was founded to address the sanitation crisis.
  • Says the listed initiatives (World Toilet Day, World Toilet Summit, World Toilet College) are used to mobilise an international network to advocate for effective sanitation policies.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Breaking the silence on the sanitation crisis is at the heart of WTO’s efforts. WTO established World Toilet Day and the World Toilet Summit in 2001; this was followed by the World Toilet College in 2005."
Why this source?
  • States that 'breaking the silence on the sanitation crisis' is central to WTO's efforts.
  • Specifically notes WTO established World Toilet Day, World Toilet Summit, and later the World Toilet College, linking those initiatives to the sanitation mission.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The aim of both the organization and the summit was to draw the world’s attention to the global sanitation crisis."
Why this source?
  • A third‑party source states the aim of the organization and the summit was to draw the world’s attention to the global sanitation crisis.
  • Indicates the summit (one of the listed initiatives) was explicitly intended to spotlight the sanitation problem and attract support.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Odisha — community-led sanitation campaign > p. 37
Strength: 4/5
“In Bhadrak district, Odisha, a community sanitation campaign helped more people build and use toilets. This reduced open defecation significantly, and improved child health, with fewer cases of diarrhoea and infections. What do you infer from this case study? Simple steps like good sanitation can greatly reduce the spread of communicable diseases. Find about such community campaigns held in your location. Share in your class and discuss with your peers about the impact of such initiatives.”
Why relevant

Describes a community-led sanitation campaign that used local initiatives to increase toilet use and thereby reduce open defecation and disease—example of targeted campaigns inspiring practical action on sanitation.

How to extend

A student could compare the local campaign's methods and outcomes with the functions of global events/organizations (e.g., summits, awareness days, training) to judge whether such tools are likely intended to inspire similar action at larger scales.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Health Policy > p. 781
Strength: 4/5
“It was a nation-wide campaign in India aimed at cleaning up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of India's cities, towns and rural areas, and doing away with manual scavenging. The main aim was to make the country free of open defecation to which purpose government encouraged the building of toilets. In 2018, the World Health Organisation said thousands of deaths from diarrhoea were averted in rural India after the launch of the sanitation mission.”
Why relevant

Reports that a national sanitation mission encouraged toilet building and that WHO credited the mission with averting deaths—shows health agencies frame sanitation efforts as life‑saving and action‑oriented.

How to extend

One could infer that organizations concerned with sanitation (like WHO) support initiatives that mobilize construction, behaviour change and policy—so a global NGO's named initiatives plausibly aim to inspire comparable action.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
Strength: 5/5
“International agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), began holding international conferences and promoting detailed studies to get a more coordinated and effective response to environmental problems. Since then, the environment has emerged as a significant issue of global politics. The growing focus on environmental issues within the arena of global politics was firmly consolidated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. This was also called the Earth Summit. The summit was Collect news clippings on reports linking environment and politics in your own locality.”
Why relevant

Explains that international agencies hold conferences and promote studies to coordinate and prompt effective responses to environmental problems—demonstrates a general pattern where summits are used to inspire coordinated action.

How to extend

A student could apply this general rule (summits as tools to mobilize international attention and action) to the World Toilet Summit as an analogous mechanism to inspire sanitation action globally.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > Climate action, or the ground celebrated by the UN. > p. 331
Strength: 5/5
“Climate action or the ground celebrated by the UN • The UNFCCC secretariat's Momentum for Change Initiative presented awards to representatives of some of the best examples of climate solutions in the world—which inspire increased climate action. • The Momentum for Change initiative this year, for the first time, included the category of information and communication technology.”
Why relevant

Describes the UNFCCC 'Momentum for Change' initiative presenting awards to examples that 'inspire increased climate action'—explicit example of an international initiative designed to inspire action by highlighting best practices.

How to extend

By analogy, a student could treat World Toilet Organization initiatives (summits, days, colleges) as similar awareness/training platforms intended to showcase solutions and inspire action on sanitation.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Failures of Planning > p. 12
Strength: 4/5
“the restoration of title rights over land is a distant dream. • 8. The planning has not been able to bridge the gap between economic, social, and regional inequalities.• 9. According to WHO Unicef report about 638 million people in India do not have access to toilets. Around 69% of rural Indians defecate in the open. In the cities, the figure is 18% (Times of India, 17th March, 2010, New Delhi ed. pp. 1 and 19.• 10. The plans have failed to achieve balanced regional development.”
Why relevant

Cites a WHO–UNICEF report quantifying the large scale of lack of toilets—establishes the existence of a global sanitation crisis that would plausibly motivate action-oriented initiatives.

How to extend

Knowing the scale of the problem, a student could reasonably infer that organizations addressing sanitation would design initiatives (days, summits, training) to spark policy and behavioral responses to that crisis.

Statement 4
Is the main function of the World Toilet Organization to grant funds to least developed countries and developing countries?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The aim of both the organization and the summit was to draw the world’s attention to the global sanitation crisis."
Why this source?
  • States the organization's stated aim: raising global attention to the sanitation crisis, an awareness/advocacy role rather than a funding role.
  • Implies primary activities are events and campaigns (e.g., World Toilet Summit) focused on publicity and engagement, not direct grant-making.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The WTO is also the organizer of the [World Toilet Summit](/wiki/World_Toilet_Summit "World Toilet Summit"), the Urgent Run and initiated the United Nations [World Toilet Day](/wiki/World_Toilet_Day "World Toilet Day")."
Why this source?
  • Lists the World Toilet Organization's initiatives as organizing events (World Toilet Summit, Urgent Run, World Toilet Day), indicating operational focus on awareness and events.
  • No mention in this passage of grant-making or funding least developed/developing countries as an organizational main function.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > Least Developed Countries Fund > p. 427
Strength: 4/5
“• The LDCF was established to support a work programme to assist Least Developed Country Parties (LDCs) carry out inter alia, the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). • The Global Environment Facility (GEF), as the entity that operates the financial mechanism, has been entrusted to operate this fund.”
Why relevant

Describes a fund (LDCF) explicitly set up to provide finance for LDCs' adaptation needs and administered by an established financial entity (GEF).

How to extend

A student could use this pattern (specialized funds administered by multilateral bodies) to ask whether the World Toilet Organization is structured similarly or instead focuses on advocacy/standards rather than operating a grant fund.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > International Development Association (IDA) > p. 399
Strength: 4/5
“• IDA was established in 1960 to help the world's poorest countries and it complements the World Bank's original lending arm - IBRD.• IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing interest free loans called credits and grants for programmes that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities and improve people's living conditions. It provides finance for the development of areas in the members territories.• IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world's 82 poorest countries, 40 of which are in Africa.”
Why relevant

Explains that IDA provides interest-free loans and grants to the world's poorest countries as a main mandate—example of an international body whose principal role is granting finance to poor countries.

How to extend

Compare IDA's explicit financing mandate with the stated mission of the World Toilet Organization (if known) to see if WTO fits the same institutional profile.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > International Development Association (IDA) > p. 400
Strength: 3/5
“• IDA is funded largely by contributions from the governments of its member countries. Additional funds come from IBRD and International Finance Corporation (IFC).• Together, IBRD and IDA make up the World Bank. The voting power of the member countries in the World Bank is based on the economic size (GDP) in addition to their contribution to the IDA. World Bank gives loan to member countries/Govt. and private agencies in the member countries.”
Why relevant

Notes how an international development institution (IDA) is funded and gives loans to member countries—illustrates governance and funding mechanisms typical of organizations that grant to LDCs/developing countries.

How to extend

Use this as a checklist (funding sources, mandate to lend/grant, institutional operator) to evaluate whether the World Toilet Organization has comparable structures to make grants its main function.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 3: Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment > IBSA TRUST FUND AGREEMENT, 2017 > p. 32
Strength: 3/5
“India, Brazil and South Africa signed the IBSA Trust Fund Agreement that seeks to fight poverty in other developing countries. Each country contributes USD 1 million annually to this fund, which is managed by the UNDP Special Unit for South-South Cooperation.”
Why relevant

Gives an example of a purpose-built trust fund (IBSA Trust Fund) where specific countries contribute annually to give assistance to developing countries—illustrates that targeted funds to developing countries are often set up as multilateral trusts.

How to extend

A student could look for whether World Toilet Organization operates a trust/fund with regular contributions and UN/ multilateral management, which would support the claim that its main function is granting funds.

Statement 5
Is ending open defecation the primary focus or main aim of the World Toilet Organization?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Sustainable Development Goal #6 calls for universal access to adequate and equitable sanitation and the end of open defecation by 2030. World Toilet Organization is one of the few organizations whose sole focus is on toilets and sanitation."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly notes the global development target (SDG 6) that includes 'the end of open defecation by 2030', linking the issue to sanitation goals.
  • States that the World Toilet Organization is one of the few organizations focused solely on toilets and sanitation, connecting WTO's remit to SDG sanitation targets.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non-profit committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. Breaking the silence on the sanitation crisis is at the heart of WTO’s efforts."
Why this source?
  • Describes WTO as a global non-profit committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide, showing its primary focus is toilets and sanitation broadly.
  • Says 'Breaking the silence on the sanitation crisis is at the heart of WTO’s efforts,' indicating advocacy on sanitation issues rather than a single narrowly defined aim.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Health Policy > p. 781
Strength: 4/5
“It was a nation-wide campaign in India aimed at cleaning up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of India's cities, towns and rural areas, and doing away with manual scavenging. The main aim was to make the country free of open defecation to which purpose government encouraged the building of toilets. In 2018, the World Health Organisation said thousands of deaths from diarrhoea were averted in rural India after the launch of the sanitation mission.”
Why relevant

Describes a national sanitation campaign whose main aim was to make the country free of open defecation and notes WHO commenting on health benefits from such campaigns.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern (sanitation campaigns explicitly target ODF status and attract international health attention) to check whether the World Toilet Organization's stated aims similarly prioritize ending open defecation.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 14: Settlements > SLUMS AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS > p. 42
Strength: 5/5
“On October 2, 2014, Swachh Bharat Mission was launched throughout the country with an aim to achieve the vision of a "Clean and Open Defecation-Free India" by October 2, 2019. The percentage of latrines in households has increased from 88.7% in 2002 to 91.2% in 2012. Many people, especially children, defecate anywhere in the slum area. • (iv) Running water (piped water) is missing.• (v) People wash their clothes and utensils under the hand-pumps.• (vi) There is low sex ratio in the slum areas.”
Why relevant

Gives a clear example (Swachh Bharat Mission) where the declared vision is explicitly 'Clean and Open Defecation-Free', showing that some sanitation initiatives explicitly list ending open defecation as their primary goal.

How to extend

Compare that explicit phrasing to the World Toilet Organization's official mission statement to assess if ODF is their primary stated objective.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Odisha — community-led sanitation campaign > p. 37
Strength: 4/5
“In Bhadrak district, Odisha, a community sanitation campaign helped more people build and use toilets. This reduced open defecation significantly, and improved child health, with fewer cases of diarrhoea and infections. What do you infer from this case study? Simple steps like good sanitation can greatly reduce the spread of communicable diseases. Find about such community campaigns held in your location. Share in your class and discuss with your peers about the impact of such initiatives.”
Why relevant

A community sanitation campaign case study links building and using toilets to a significant reduction in open defecation and improved health outcomes, illustrating a typical objective–outcome link for sanitation groups.

How to extend

Use this typical objective–outcome logic to judge whether an organization focusing on toilets would prioritise ending open defecation as a central measurable aim.

INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems > Dharavi–Asia's Largest Slum > p. 103
Strength: 4/5
“At the other extreme of it are the slums, jhuggi-jhopari clusters and colonies of shanty structures. These are inhabited by those people who were forced to migrate from the rural areas to these urban centres in search of livelihood but could not afford proper housing due to high rent and high costs of land. They occupy environmentally incompatible and degraded areas. Slums are residential areas of the least choice, dilapidated houses, poor hygienic conditions, poor ventilation, lack of basic amenities, like drinking water, light and toilet facilities, etc. Open defecation, unregulated drainage system and overcrowded narrow street patterns are serious health and socioenvironmental hazards.”
Why relevant

Describes slums lacking toilet facilities and names open defecation as a serious public-health hazard, indicating that organisations addressing toilet access often confront open defecation as a key problem.

How to extend

A student could infer that an organization centered on toilets is likely to address open defecation and then check whether the World Toilet Organization lists that problem among its primary aims.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.9. COALITION AGAINST WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING (CAWT) > p. 401
Strength: 3/5
“• The Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) aims to focus public and political attention and resources on ending the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. • Initiated in 2005, CAWT is a unique voluntary public-private coalition of like-minded governments and organizations sharing a common purpose.”
Why relevant

Provides an example of an international coalition whose aim is stated succinctly (ending illegal wildlife trade), illustrating the pattern that international NGOs/coalitions often state a single clear primary focus.

How to extend

Apply this pattern to expect that the World Toilet Organization would have a similarly succinct primary aim; then verify if that succinct aim is 'ending open defecation'.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently tests the 'Functional Scope' of organizations. They swap the functions of a Bank (funding) with an NGO (advocacy). If an option claims a small/thematic body is funding sovereign nations, it is a red flag.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap / Logical Elimination. While the organization appears in news around Nov 19 (World Toilet Day), the question is solvable by identifying the 'Funding' statement as structurally improbable for an NGO.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: International Organizations & Sanitation (linked to SDG 6 and Swachh Bharat Mission).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the status of confusing bodies: World Economic Forum (NGO), Amnesty International (NGO), Doctors Without Borders (NGO) vs. UN-Habitat (UN Prog), UN-Water (Coordination Mechanism). Know the 'UN Specialized Agencies' list (15 total) by heart to spot intruders.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying an organization, apply the '3-Tag Rule': 1. Status (UN vs NGO), 2. Function (Advocacy vs Funding vs Regulation), 3. HQ. If Statement 3 says an NGO 'grants funds to countries', it is 99% false.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 UN principal organs vs specialized agencies
💡 The insight

Distinguishes the UN's core organs from separate specialised agencies that carry out sectoral functions.

High-yield: UPSC often asks about structure and functions of the UN and the difference between principal organs and specialised agencies. This concept links to questions on international governance, treaty-making, and institutional responsibilities and helps decide whether an organisation is part of the UN system.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
🔗 Anchor: "Is the World Toilet Organization an agency of the United Nations?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Major UN specialised agencies and their headquarters
💡 The insight

Identifies prominent UN specialised agencies and their locations (for example ILO–Geneva, FAO–Rome, WHO–Geneva, UNESCO–Paris, IMF/World Bank–Washington).

High-yield: UPSC frequently tests matching agencies with functions or headquarters and asks which organisations are UN agencies. Mastery helps eliminate distractors in MCQs and supports answers in mains/essay questions about multilateral institutions.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Chapter 4 International Organisations > p. 50
🔗 Anchor: "Is the World Toilet Organization an agency of the United Nations?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 UN role in socio-economic and environmental issues
💡 The insight

Covers how the UN and its agencies address health, development, refugees and environmental problems through specialised bodies and programmes.

High-yield: Useful for prelims and mains questions on global public goods, multilateral responses to crises, and environmental governance. Links international organisations with policy domains (health, development, environment) frequently examined in UPSC.

📚 Reading List :
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Chapter 4 International Organisations > p. 50
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
🔗 Anchor: "Is the World Toilet Organization an agency of the United Nations?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 UN specialised agencies and their roles
💡 The insight

Understanding the structure and mandates of UN organs and specialised agencies clarifies which global initiatives a UN agency would plausibly organize.

High-yield for questions on international organisations and global governance; it links to identification of appropriate actors for global initiatives and distinguishes UN bodies from non-UN NGOs. Mastery helps answer who can legitimately convene global summits or issue global observance days.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > Yalta Conference > p. 252
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: International Organisations > Jurisdiction of the UN > p. 55
🔗 Anchor: "Are World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College initiatives ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Global summits and action plans (Earth Summit / Agenda 21)
💡 The insight

Global environmental and development problems are addressed through summit meetings that produce action plans and conventions.

Frequently tested in environment and international relations papers; connects to sustainable development frameworks, multilateral negotiation outcomes, and how international observances or programmes can originate. Helps in identifying outcomes and institutional mechanisms produced by summits.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > Historical Perspective > p. 28
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
  • NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992 > p. 4
🔗 Anchor: "Are World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College initiatives ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Sanitation campaigns and public-health impact
💡 The insight

National sanitation missions aim to eliminate open defecation and can produce measurable public-health outcomes noted by global health bodies.

Relevant for questions on public health policy, SDG implementation, and the interplay between national programmes and international health recognition. Useful for evaluating programme impact and the role of international health agencies in endorsing national efforts.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Health Policy > p. 781
🔗 Anchor: "Are World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College initiatives ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Sanitation's impact on communicable disease
💡 The insight

Improved sanitation directly reduces diarrhoeal diseases and child mortality.

High-yield for public health and GS papers: links sanitation policy to health outcomes and SDG targets. Useful for questions on health infrastructure, preventive public health measures, and evaluating programme effectiveness.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Health Policy > p. 781
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Odisha — community-led sanitation campaign > p. 37
🔗 Anchor: "Do the World Toilet Organization's initiatives (World Toilet Summit, World Toile..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

UN-Water. While World Toilet Org is an NGO, 'UN-Water' is the actual inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater and sanitation matters at the UN. It is NOT a specialized agency itself, but a coordinating entity.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Sovereign Funding' Logic: Statement 3 claims the org grants funds to 'least developed countries'. Only massive financial institutions (World Bank, IMF, GCF) or sovereign states grant funds to other *countries*. A thematic NGO might fund a *project*, but funding *countries* is outside their fiscal capacity. Eliminate 3.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connects to GS-2 (Role of NGOs and Pressure Groups): How civil society (World Toilet Org) lobbied the UN to adopt a resolution (World Toilet Day), demonstrating 'Agenda Setting' power without being a state actor.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2005 · Q99 Relevance score: 3.27

Consider the following statements: 1. The Charter of the United Nations Organization was adopted at Geneva, Switzerland in June, 1945. 2. India was admitted to the United Nations Organization in the year 1945. 3. The Trusteeship Council of the United Nations Organization was established to manage the affairs of territories detached from Japan and Italy after the Second World War or such territories not under the control of a country at that time. Which of the statements is/are correct?

IAS · 2021 · Q24 Relevance score: 3.24

With reference to WaterCredit', consider the following statements : 1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. 2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank. 3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies. Which of the statements given above are correct?

IAS · 2009 · Q107 Relevance score: 3.13

With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements : 1. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of UN consists of 24 member States. 2. It is elected by a 2/3 majority of The General Assembly for a 3-year term. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CDS-I · 2011 · Q101 Relevance score: 2.89

Consider the following statements regarding Indias advocacy for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council : 1. India is the largest democracy in the world. 2. India is among the top five largest growing economies in the world. 3. India has been the largest contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. 4. India is one of the top ten contributors of the United Nations Budget. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IAS · 2016 · Q57 Relevance score: 2.42

With reference to 'Agenda 21', sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements : 1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development. 2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?