IAS VIKRANT

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Explanation 👉🏻Several large mutual fund houses have suspended fresh subscriptions into their gold exchange-traded funds (ETEs) and fund of funds (EoEs) as the ongoing conflict in West Asia continues to swell the country's imports bill and put pressure on foreign exchange reserves. What is FoF? - A Fund of Fund (FoF) invests in other funds. Investment in these funds help investors spread their risks across various markets and assets class while benefiting from professional fund management. Benefits of FoFs: - Diversification: FoFs offer diversification by investing in several funds across various sectors, locations, or asset classes. Hence, statement 1 is correct. - Accessibility: They give small investors access to high-performing funds that would otherwise require a big amount of capital. Hence, statement 2 is correct. - Expert Management: FoFs are overseen by professionals. It lowers the burden on individual investors. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. - Risk Reduction: Spreading investments over multiple funds helps to reduce risk. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Q) Which of the following is/are the benefits of the Fund of Fund (FoF)? 1. It provides diversification by investing in multiple funds. 2. It allows small investors to access high-performing funds. 3. It is managed by the SEBI, which reduces the burden on individual investors. 4. It helps in risk reduction.

Explanation: 👉​Statement 1 is incorrect: While the BIS is a statutory body (established under the BIS Act 2016), it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, not the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 👉​Statement 2 is correct: Epichlorohydrin is an organic compound mainly used to manufacture glycerol and unmodified epoxy resins, though its water-soluble and toxic nature poses risks when used in food-contact materials like tea bags. 👉​Statement 3 is correct: BIS is the national standards body that represents India in international standardisation forums like the ISO and IEC.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and consumer safety regulations: 1. ​The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a statutory body operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 2. ​Epichlorohydrin, a chemical recently regulated in tea bags by the BIS, is primarily used in the manufacture of unmodified epoxy resins and glycerol. 3. ​BIS serves as the nodal agency representing India at both the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Model Answer (150 Words) ​The 1972 Stockholm Conference was a watershed moment that institutionalized global environmental governance and led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). ​As the leading global environmental authority, UNEP plays a critical role in addressing contemporary planetary crises, specifically ecosystem degradation: ​Science-Policy Interface: UNEP bridges data and action through flagship reports like the Global Environment Outlook and by co-founding panels like the IPCC, providing the scientific foundation to combat degradation. ​Global Advocacy & Leadership: By co-leading the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), UNEP drives global targets to restore 350 million hectares of degraded landscapes. ​Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs): It serves as the secretariat for vital conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, enforcing targets to protect 30% of lands and oceans by 2030. ​However, UNEP's impact is frequently constrained by a lack of enforcement power, reliance on voluntary funding, and a fragmented institutional architecture. To effectively counter accelerating ecosystem collapse, UNEP must be empowered with binding regulatory teeth and robust, predictable financing.

Mains Practice Question

(General Studies Paper III - Environment) 🌍📜 Question "The legacy of the 1972 Stockholm Conference laid the foundational architecture for global environmental governance." In light of this statement, evaluate the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in addressing contemporary crises like ecosystem degradation 🌱🏭. (10 Marks, 150 Words) ✍️📝

Explanation: 👉 All three pairs are correctly matched based on the official 2026 event details, where Azerbaijan serves as the host nation reviving the historic "Only One Earth" theme to emphasize interconnected planetary crises.

Q) Consider the following pairs regarding World Environment Day 2026: Feature Details 1. Host Country - Azerbaijan 2. Core Focus - Climate change and ecosystem degradation 3. 2026 Theme - Only One Earth

Explanation: 👉 Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the UNEP was established in the exact same year (1972) as the Stockholm Conference.