Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on flue‑gas desulphurization and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (Week 112)
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Highlight the health and environmental consequences of delaying or exempting anti‑pollution equipment in ageing coal power plants. How do these consequences compare with the economic burden of installing flue‑gas desulphurization (FGDs)?
Discuss the significance of commissioning INS Nistar and the impending INS Nipun for India's deep-sea operational preparedness and maritime security posture in the Indian Ocean Region.
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: Highlight the health and environmental consequences of delaying or exempting anti‑pollution equipment in ageing coal power plants. How do these consequences compare with the economic burden of installing flue‑gas desulphurization (FGDs)?
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— The Environment Ministry has exempted the majority of India's coal-fired thermal plants from installing equipment to remove sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, which are a major contributor to air pollution. Those remaining plants in Delhi-NCR must meet a December 2027 deadline, while the others will be requested to fit the devices on an individual basis. Originally, these plants were required to install FGD devices by 2017. However, over the years, they have received various extensions to comply.
— Flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) devices remove SO2 from flue gas, a thermal plant byproduct.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— When SO2 is discharged into the atmosphere, it normally reacts with ammonia (NH3) to form ammonium sulphate, which is responsible for about one-third of India's fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, according to recent research by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. PM2.5 is harmful to human health since it can cause chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart attacks, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues.
— Direct exposure to high levels of SO2 can cause irritation in the eyes, throat, and lungs. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and early mortality.
— SO2 also has an impact on the environment by causing acid rain, which can harm ecosystems.
— The power sector, particularly coal-fired thermal plants, is one of India's largest producers of SO2 emissions. According to CREA research, SO2 levels were greater in 2023 than in 2019, with a significant increase in places dominated by coal-based thermal plants. According to the study, this showed 'the influence of power plant emissions on air quality'.
— In 2015, the Environment Ministry issued the first emission standards for reducing SO2 and other hazardous chemicals from coal-fired thermal facilities. They were needed to install FGD devices by December of 2017.
— However, this did not occur, as the deadline was extended four times at the request of thermal plants. They said that installing FGD devices was expensive and may result in a number of concerns, including power outages due to installation shutdowns and an increase in electricity rates.
Conclusion:
— The studies have argued against installing FGD devices, claiming that SO2 levels near the plants are well within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. They have also advised that the government should focus on reducing not only SO2 emissions, but also overall particulate matter pollution around plants.
— This claim was also questioned in a 2021 analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). According to the report, emissions from power plants travel over 300 km before being transformed to secondary pollutants. The research also revealed that SO2's atmospheric lifespan was around 10 days.
(Source: Why govt has exempted 78% of coal-based thermal plants from installing anti-pollution devices)
Points to Ponder
Read more about FGD devices
Read about other pollutants
Related Previous Year Questions
The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (2023)
What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the government of India? (2020)
QUESTION 2: Discuss the significance of commissioning INS Nistar and the impending INS Nipun for India's deep-sea operational preparedness and maritime security posture in the Indian Ocean Region.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar at Visakhapatnam's Naval Dockyard.
— Nistar is the first of two dive support vessels (DSVs) ordered by the Navy in 2018. Its sister ship, Nipun, was launched in 2022 and is anticipated to be commissioned soon.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— These DSVs, designed to enable deep-sea diving and submarine rescue missions, would improve India's undersea operational preparedness while also reinforcing the country's strategic maritime position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
— The original INS Nistar was a submarine rescue vessel bought by the Indian Navy from the former Soviet Union in 1969 and commissioned in 1971. It remained in service until 1989, when it was the focal point of the Navy's diving and submarine rescue operations.
— The new Nistar will continue this legacy. But, unlike its predecessor, it contains more than 80% indigenous content, with over 120 MSMEs involved in its creation. Nistar is India's first diving support and submarine rescue vehicle that was created and built by its own people.
— With a displacement of almost 10,500 tonnes, a length of nearly 120 metres, a beam of more than 20 metres, and an endurance of more than 60 days at sea, the new Nistar is likewise larger and more capable than its 800-tonne predecessor.
— According to the Navy, Nistar's specialised onboard diving complex includes both air and saturation diving equipment, as well as underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and side scan sonars. Furthermore, Nistar will serve as the mothership for an improved deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV).
— Nistar can also transport a 15-tonne subsea crane and support helicopter operations. Nistar has an operating theatre, an intensive care unit, and an eight-bed hospital with hyperbaric medical facilities, all of which are vital to the vessel's operational tasks, according to the Navy.
Conclusion:
— The induction of Nistar into the Navy following the successful integration of the two DSRVs marks a significant milestone in India's deep-sea capabilities.
— The vessel's dynamic positioning and diving support features allow it to operate autonomously on the high seas. Nistar, based in Visakhapatnam, will be the DSRV mothership on the Eastern Seaboard, while Nipun, based in Mumbai, will cover the Western Seaboard, completing the Navy's dual-coast operational posture.
(Source: How newly commissioned INS Nistar will help save lives in deep sea)
Points to Ponder
Read more about the Indian Ocean Region
Read more about the Indian Navy
Related Previous Year Questions
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat. (2023)
What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. (2022)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 110)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 111)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 110)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 111)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 110)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 111)
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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: Discuss the escalating hazard of flash floods in India due to climate change. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — India is highly vulnerable to floods. Floods are a recurrent phenomenon, which cause huge loss of lives and damage to livelihood systems, property, infrastructure and public utilities. — According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), 'a flash flood is a flood of short duration with a relatively high peak discharge in which the time interval between the observable causative event and the flood is less than four to six hours'. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: Factors driving flash floods — According to the study, only 25% of the flash floods that occur in India are directly caused by extreme precipitation. The rest of them are a result of a combination of extreme rainfall and the condition of the soil before precipitation. — In the most vulnerable areas, various variables contribute to flash flood disasters. For example, in the west coast and Central India, flash floods are caused by the high flashiness of sub-basins (parts of larger river basins). This means that their water levels rise quickly following a significant rainfall event. Prevailing soil conditions have a significant impact on how quickly water infiltrates a subbasin. — Geomorphological characteristics in the Himalayas, such as steep slopes and high relief (a landscape with a substantial difference between high and low points), contribute to flash floods. Role of climate change — According to a new study published in the journal Nature Hazards by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)- Gandhinagar, 'Drivers of flash floods in the Indian sub-continental river basins', flash floods are primarily concentrated in the Himalayas, the west coast, and Central India. — With rising global temperatures, extreme weather events such as flash floods are becoming more frequent and intense around the world. This is because every 1 degree Celsius increase in average temperature allows the atmosphere to hold around 7% more moisture, resulting in more intense precipitation and increasing the risk of flash floods. — Between 1981 and 2020, the pre-monsoon season in India saw a doubling of the annual frequency of extreme precipitation occurrences. Extreme rainfall during the monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter seasons has increased by 56%, 40%, and 12.5%, respectively, according to the study. Conclusion: — The number of flash flood events increased between 2020 and 2022 from 132 to 184, according to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti's written reply in the Lok Sabha in 2023. — Despite the increasing threat posed by flash floods, there has been insufficient research to identify areas that are most vulnerable to this extreme weather event. This has posed a challenge in implementing adaptation strategies such as early warning systems. 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Introduction: — Recently, a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 16 feet, which had started to American shores along Hawaii's islands and off the coast of northern California. Tsunami alerts of varied levels have also been issued for countries such as Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, Colombia, and Japan. — An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground caused by movement under the Earth's surface. It happens when two blocks of the Earth suddenly slip past one another. This releases stored-up 'elastic strain' energy in the form of seismic waves, which spread through the Earth and cause the shaking of the ground. — The Earth's outermost surface, crust, is fragmented into tectonic plates. The edges of the plates are called plate boundaries, which are made up of faults — zones of fractures between two blocks of rock. 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