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Consider the following statements : Statement I : At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the 'Declaration on Climate and Health'. Statement II : The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a binding declaration; and if signed, it becomes mandatory to decarbonize health sector. Statement III : If India's health sector is decarbonized, the resilience of its health-care system may be compromised. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Statement I is correct: At COP28, India chose not to sign the UAE Declaration on Climate and Health.
Statement II is incorrect: The Declaration is a voluntary, non-binding political commitment. Signing it does not legally mandate any country to decarbonize its health sector.
Statement III is correct: India's primary reason for abstaining was the concern that rapid decarbonization of the health sector—especially curbing greenhouse gases for critical cooling applications—could hinder medical services. In a developing country, affordable and reliable cooling is essential for hospitals, patient care, and vaccine storage. Consequently, forced decarbonization without adequate alternatives may compromise the resilience and operational capacity of the health-care system.
Conclusion: Only Statement III is correct, and it provides the logical rationale for why India refrained from signing the declaration (Statement I). Thus, Option C is correct.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question tests the 'India as a Dissenter' archetype in climate diplomacy. It is not enough to know India attended COP28; you must track what we *rejected*. The key is distinguishing between broad consensus (Paris Agreement) and sectoral 'side-deals' (Health, Methane) which India often avoids due to developmental constraints.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"India has refused to sign the [COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health](https://www.livemint.com/news/india/meeting-friends-is-pm-modi-responds-as-melodi-selfie-with-italys-giorgia-meloni-goes-viral-11701514205693.html), reports PTI."
Why this source?
- Directly states that India refused to sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.
- Notes India's stated reason (cites lack of practicality), supporting that India refrained from signing.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"The declaration is now supported by 143 countries (to date)."
Why this source?
- Provides context that the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health was widely supported (143 countries).
- This contrast highlights the significance of any notable non-signatories such as India (as reported in passage 2).
- Directly states that India refused to sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.
- Notes India's stated reason (cites lack of practicality), supporting that India refrained from signing.
- Provides context that the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health was widely supported (143 countries).
- This contrast highlights the significance of any notable non-signatories such as India (as reported in passage 2).
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > 1994 > p. 321
Strength: 4/5
“The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. Countries that sign the treaty are known as 'Parties'. With t96.
All Rights Reserved. No part ofthis material may be reproduced in any form or by any means, rvithout permission in lvriting. ffi”
Why relevant
Defines that countries that sign UNFCCC-related treaties are called 'Parties' and frames COP processes as treaty/party-based events.
How to extend
A student could use this to check whether the COP28 Health declaration was presented to Parties and then look up which Parties (e.g., India) formally endorsed it.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Kunming,Declaration > p. 396
Strength: 5/5
“The Kunming Declaration was adopted by over 100 countries on October X, 2020, at the first part of the virtual COP15 meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD). • This declaration asks the parties to prioritize biodiversity protection in terms of decision-making and recognizing the importance of conservation in protecting human health. The adoption of this declaration aims to create momentum for a new global biodiversity pact.”
Why relevant
Provides an example (Kunming Declaration) of a COP-era declaration adopted by many countries, illustrating that such non-binding declarations are commonly issued at COPs and have signatory lists.
How to extend
Use the pattern that COP declarations publish participants/signatories and then consult the COP28 declaration signatory list to see if India is listed.
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > India's Stand on Environmental Issues > p. 88
Strength: 4/5
“India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002. India, China and other developing countries were exempt from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol because their contribution to the”
Why relevant
Records that India signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol (a major climate treaty), showing India does sign international climate agreements.
How to extend
Combine this with current-events checking: since India has precedent for signing climate instruments, verify whether it followed that precedent at COP28 by consulting the COP28 declaration signatories.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > India's Revised INDC Targets > p. 309
Strength: 4/5
“India, at UNFCCC COP 26, has made a new set of promises to take forward its climate action. The revised targets are:
• India is now committing itself to at least 450/o reduction in emissions intensity of GDP (emissions per unit of GDP). The existing target was a 33o/o * 35olo reduction. • India is promising to ensure that at least 5o0/o of installed electricity generation capacity in zo3o would be based on non-fossil fuel-based sources. This is an increase from the existing 4o0lo target. • Increase non-fossil energy capacity to 5oo GW (gigawatts) by ao3o.”
Why relevant
Notes India made new climate commitments at COP26, indicating active participation in recent COP processes and willingness to make public commitments at COP meetings.
How to extend
A student could infer India’s engagement level at COPs and then check participant statements or the official COP28 declaration record to confirm whether India signed the health declaration.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.5.INDC > p. 307
Strength: 3/5
“India declared a voluntary goal of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 25% over 2005 levels by 2025, despite having no binding mitigation obligations as per the Convention. A slew of policy measures to promote low carbon strategies and Renewable Energy have resulted in the decline All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without permission.”
Why relevant
Shows India issues voluntary climate targets (INDC) rather than always accepting binding obligations, indicating India distinguishes between types of commitments.
How to extend
Use this rule to hypothesize that India might selectively sign non-binding declarations based on content; then check the COP28 declaration text/signatory list to see if India withheld endorsement.
Defines that countries that sign UNFCCC-related treaties are called 'Parties' and frames COP processes as treaty/party-based events.
A student could use this to check whether the COP28 Health declaration was presented to Parties and then look up which Parties (e.g., India) formally endorsed it.
Provides an example (Kunming Declaration) of a COP-era declaration adopted by many countries, illustrating that such non-binding declarations are commonly issued at COPs and have signatory lists.
Use the pattern that COP declarations publish participants/signatories and then consult the COP28 declaration signatory list to see if India is listed.
Records that India signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol (a major climate treaty), showing India does sign international climate agreements.
Combine this with current-events checking: since India has precedent for signing climate instruments, verify whether it followed that precedent at COP28 by consulting the COP28 declaration signatories.
Notes India made new climate commitments at COP26, indicating active participation in recent COP processes and willingness to make public commitments at COP meetings.
A student could infer India’s engagement level at COPs and then check participant statements or the official COP28 declaration record to confirm whether India signed the health declaration.
Shows India issues voluntary climate targets (INDC) rather than always accepting binding obligations, indicating India distinguishes between types of commitments.
Use this rule to hypothesize that India might selectively sign non-binding declarations based on content; then check the COP28 declaration text/signatory list to see if India withheld endorsement.
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