Q. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Sustainable development should take place without damaging the environment and development in the present time should not compromise with the needs of the future generations.
Reason (R): Agenda 21 was signed by world leaders in 1995.
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
a) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
b) (A) is false, but (R) is true
c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Correct Answer: c) (A) is true, but (R) is false
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2025
Explanation:
Assertion (A) is true. It reflects the widely accepted Brundtland Commission (1987) definition of sustainable development: meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, and doing so without degrading the environment.
Reason (R) is false. Agenda 21 was adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, not 1995. It is a non-binding action plan endorsed by 178 countries.
Therefore, (A) is true but (R) is false.
