Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on air pollution control and weather balloons (Week 102)

Indian Express

16-05-2025

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress.
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India has achieved gains in a variety of sectors through initiatives such as 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. However, in terms of air pollution control, the country continues to rely largely on foreign data, technologies, and cooperation. Critically analyse.
Weather balloons have proved useful in gathering upper-atmosphere data required for precise weather forecasting. With technological developments and recent funding constraints resulting in fewer launches, critically analyse the function of weather balloons in modern meteorology.
Introduction
— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.
— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.
Body
— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.
— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.
— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.
— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.
— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.
Way forward/ conclusion
— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.
— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.
Self Evaluation
— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.
QUESTION 1: India has achieved gains in a variety of sectors through initiatives such as 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. However, in terms of air pollution control, the country continues to rely largely on foreign data, technologies, and cooperation. Critically analyse.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— The Make in India drive has bolstered the spirit of the country's youth. From space technology and the Moon Mission to Covid-19 vaccines to Vande Bharat trains, the country has demonstrated its capabilities. However, when it comes to improving air quality and minimising the health effects of pollution, we fall behind.
— Air pollution is one of India's most critical issues, yet we have not completely comprehended its intricacies.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— India has a long history of air quality improvements. In 1984, the country pioneered the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme. Another watershed moment in Indian history was the capital's fast switch to a CNG-powered public transport fleet. An important scientific milestone occurred in 2010, when India established its first domestic air quality forecasting system, SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), despite opposition from foreign institutions.
— Some Indian states are taking admirable efforts, such as accelerating the switch to electric vehicles. India also boasts world-class agencies, such as the Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) and the India Meteorological Department. A closer partnership between ESSO-IMD and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) could establish a global standard for air quality management and forecasting.
— Despite programs such as Make in India, unspent cash, an abundance of talent, a young workforce, and openness to corporate sponsorship, why is India still struggling to attain true 'atmanirbharta'?
— The main difficulty is the lack of an integrated air quality resource framework. A single platform is required to support a science-based information system and knowledge centre. This would enable decision-makers and the private sector to make informed choices.
— The National Institute of Advanced Studies has conducted research into a novel approach to airshed management, which incorporates finely gridded source emissions. This effort intends to speed pollution management techniques, which could help achieve the net-zero target. This led to the development of the concept of NARFI, a resource framework intended to serve as a catalyst for inter-organisational collaboration, multidisciplinary research, and evidence-based decision making.
Conclusion:
— It is important to reconsider air quality measures by objectively including broader airshed concerns rather than taking city-centric approaches. India must prioritise health-related measures and food security.
(Source: India's air pollution strategy needs atmanirbharta)
Points to Ponder
Read more about air pollution and green house gases
Read about recent initiatives of India to combat air pollution
Related Previous Year Questions
Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (2015)
QUESTION 2: Weather balloons have proved useful in gathering upper-atmosphere data required for precise weather forecasting. With technological developments and recent funding constraints resulting in fewer launches, critically analyse the function of weather balloons in modern meteorology.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— The practice of making upper-air observations dates back to the 18th century. It all started in 1749, when two students from Glasgow, Scotland, used kites to record temperature at great altitudes. Meteorologists began to launch kites into the upper atmosphere carrying aloft sensors known as meteorographs, which measured pressure, temperature, and relative humidity.
— The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA has reduced its weather balloon launches around the United States after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) decreased the agency's funding by 25%. This resulted in hundreds of layoffs or voluntary resignations, and fewer balloon launches by NOAA.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— Weather balloons are used by weather agencies all around the world to collect upper air measurements, which are critical for forecasting. Upper air refers to the Earth's atmosphere above 5,000 feet, from which the globe receives rain and drought, wind and stillness, heat and cold at its surface. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also uses weather balloons to assess meteorological variables.
— French meteorologist Leon Teisserenc de Bort was one of the first to employ weather balloons. He is reported to have launched hundreds of these balloons as early as 1896, revealing the tropopause and stratosphere.
— This enabled meteorologists to make observations from hitherto inaccessible heights. When the weather balloon holding the meteorograph reached a specific altitude, it would burst, allowing the device to gently drop to Earth and preserve the data until it could be collected.
— However, there were some obstacles. For example, meteorological data would not be readily available for weather forecasting. There was also the possibility of losing the data if the meteorograph was not found.
— These concerns were addressed with the advent of radiosondes, or radio-meteorographs, in the early 1930s. The equipment, which was smaller than a coffee cup, was capable of measuring meteorological variables in the atmosphere as well as transmitting the data back to a ground station.
Significance of weather balloons
— Weather balloons continue to be important in an age of satellites for a variety of reasons. For example, while satellites are good at providing a broad image and ground measurements, weather balloons help provide information on the critical middle piece of the forecasting puzzle – the atmosphere, which is where most weather occurrences occur.
— These balloons receive 'the detailed lower atmospheric level of temperature and humidity.'
Conclusion:
— Currently, over 900 weather stations worldwide launch weather balloons twice a day as part of a coordinated international program to measure upper-atmosphere conditions. The balloons are launched simultaneously so that meteorologists may obtain a complete picture of atmospheric conditions, which is required for reliable weather forecasting.
(Source: NOAA slashes its weather balloon launches: Why is this significant?)
Points to Ponder
Read more about weather balloons
Read science behind the hot air balloons
Read the principle of thermodynamics
Why is Helium used in balloons?
Related Previous Year Questions
Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department. (2022)
Troposphere is a very significant atmosphere layer that determines weather processes. How? (2022)
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