UPSC Prelims 2022 Q74: India Sanitation Coalition and NIUA — Explained
Consider the following statements:
1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization.
2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Statement-wise explanation
- 1: incorrect — The India Sanitation Coalition (ISC) was launched on 25 June 2015 at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi, and FICCI hosts its secretariat. It is a multi-stakeholder platform. Corporates, civil society, government bodies, financial institutions, donors, multilateral agencies, media and experts work through it to promote safe and sustainable sanitation. The 'platform to promote sustainable sanitation' part is true. The coalition's published profiles do not show it as funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization, and that claim makes the statement wrong.
- 2: correct — The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has worked since 1976 as the premier urban research, training and think-tank institution under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It supports the ministry with research, capacity building and policy work. Examples include the Climate Centre for Cities, which supports the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework, and the National Urban Digital Mission, which NIUA houses. This matches the description 'apex body of MoHUA providing innovative solutions for urban India'.
How to eliminate
This question mostly tests whether you know the two bodies, but some reasoning helps. Statement 1 joins a true-sounding purpose to a very specific claim: joint funding by the Government of India and WHO. Examiners often make a statement wrong by adding a precise funding or partner detail like this. The word 'Coalition' suggests a voluntary, multi-stakeholder platform rather than a government- and WHO-funded programme. Statement 2 is the kind of general, descriptive line UPSC usually keeps true: a well-known institute described as serving its parent ministry. The facts to remember: ISC was launched at FICCI in 2015 with FICCI as its secretariat; NIUA has been MoHUA's urban think tank since 1976.
Know more
Two institutions in India's urban and sanitation space
| Feature | India Sanitation Coalition (ISC) | National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Multi-stakeholder platform | Premier urban think tank, research and training institute |
| Set up | 25 June 2015, at FICCI, New Delhi | 1976 |
| Anchor | FICCI hosts the secretariat | Works under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs |
| Members | Over 100 organisations: corporates, NGOs, government, financiers, donors, media, experts | Not a membership body |
| Focus | Safe and sustainable sanitation, in line with Swachh Bharat Mission | Urban policy, planning, municipal finance, climate, digital governance |
How the ISC works. The coalition runs through member task forces. These cover advocacy and communication, best practices, engagement with central and state governments, and partnerships and membership. It was launched by the then Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Birendra Singh. Government is a partner of the coalition, not its funder.
What the NIUA does.
- It contributed to the National Commission on Urbanisation (1988), helped draft the 74th Constitutional Amendment (1992) and helped frame the Model Municipal Law.
- Its Climate Centre for Cities supports the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework. Version 2.0 was launched in September 2020 with 28 indicators across five sectors.
- It houses the National Urban Digital Mission, launched in February 2021 by MoHUA and MeitY.
- It runs programmes with partners such as the National Mission for Clean Ganga (Urban River Management Plans) and the World Economic Forum (Sustainable Cities India programme).
Exam tip. For any 'platform', 'coalition' or 'alliance', check three things: who hosts it, who funds it, and which ministry it is linked to. UPSC often changes one of these details.
In the news
NIUA was in the news through 2021–22. It celebrated its 45th year in 2021, became home to the National Urban Digital Mission, and signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum in February 2022 for a Sustainable Cities India programme. Sanitation platforms such as the ISC stayed relevant as Swachh Bharat Mission moved toward ODF-plus goals.