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Indian Express
6 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on generation of tsunamis by earthquakes and hazard of flash floods (Week 113)
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. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss the escalating hazard of flash floods in India due to climate change. Discuss the geological and seismic factors responsible for the generation of tsunamis by earthquakes, using the recent Kamchatka earthquake as an example. 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: 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. (Source: How flash floods are affecting India) Points to Ponder Read more about floods and government's initiatives to counter the problem of floods How do cloudbursts contribute to flash floods in hilly regions? Related Previous Year Questions Discuss the consequence of Climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (2023) The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020) QUESTION 2: Discuss the geological and seismic factors responsible for the generation of tsunamis by earthquakes, using the recent Kamchatka earthquake as an example. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. 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. The tectonic plates constantly move at a slow pace, sliding past one another and bumping into each other. As the edges of the plates are quite rough, they get stuck with one another while the rest of the plate keeps moving. — Earthquake occurs when the plate has moved far enough and the edges unstick on one of the faults. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says that 'the location below the Earth's surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the Earth is called the epicentre.' Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: How does an earthquake lead to a tsunami? — The earthquake must be a maritime occurrence that shifts the sea floor. It should also be a shallow earthquake, which carries more energy to the surface than deeper earthquakes. Deeper earthquakes spread farther as seismic waves flow radially upwards to the surface, but they lose energy as they travel longer distances. The Kamchatka quake had a magnitude of 8.8, and was one of the strongest earthquake since 1900. — An earthquake resulting in a tsunami is typically caused by 'reverse' faulting. In a reverse fault, the block of rock above the fault plane travels upward relative to the block below the fault plane. The fault motion is induced by compression forces. — 'If the earthquake is large enough and close enough to the ocean floor, the energy released can cause the ocean floor to suddenly raise (uplift) or plunge (subside). According to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research, a tsunami is primarily caused by a sudden vertical displacement of the ocean floor. — Tsunamis are mainly caused by earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.0. However, the most damaging types of tsunamis are often triggered by earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 8.0. These tsunamis can travel long distances and cause widespread destruction. Conclusion: — In the case of the Kamchatka quake, the earthquake took place 136 km east of the coastal city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia, and a shallow depth of just 19.3 km. That is one of the reasons why the earthquake was able to generate tsunami waves. The Kamchatka quake was also a result of reverse faulting. It has occurred as near the Kamchatka Peninsula is the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, a tectonic plate boundary where the Pacific Plate is being thrust beneath the Okhotsk Plate at the rate of approximately 86 mm per year. This is a relatively high speed by tectonic standards, and causes large earthquakes to happen more frequently in the region. (Source: How an earthquake can generate tsunami) Points to Ponder Read more about Tsunami and 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami Read in detail about the Earthquakes Related Previous Year Questions What is the phenomenon of 'Cloudbursts'? Explain. (2024) Why are the world's fold mountain systems located along the margins of continents? Bring out the association between the global distribution of fold mountains and the earthquakes and volcanoes. (2014) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 113) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 113) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 111) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on National Education Policy and 2036 Olympics (Week 113)
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-2 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisaged a paradigm shift in early childhood and foundational education through the 5+3+3+4 structure. Discuss the extent to which this structural reform has been translated on the ground since its approval. Compare India's diplomatic efforts of hosting the 2036 Olympics—anchored in Global South representation and 'Viksit Bharat 2047'—with Qatar's pitch centered on readiness, inclusion, and becoming the first Olympics in the Middle East. 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: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisaged a paradigm shift in early childhood and foundational education through the 5+3+3+4 structure. Discuss the extent to which this structural reform has been translated on the ground since its approval. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society, and promoting national development. — The global education development goal, expressed in Goal 4 (SDG4) of the 2030 goal for Sustainable Development, accepted by India in 2015, is to 'ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all' by 2030. — The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a watershed moment in India's drive to revitalise its higher education sector. It aims to change both the organisation and content of education. While school education reforms prioritise fundamental learning, curriculum renewal, assessment transformation, and holistic development, the higher education agenda emphasises flexible transdisciplinary learning, institutional autonomy, high-quality research, and global integration. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: Structural reforms — The 10+2 system has been replaced with a new structure — foundational (pre-primary to class 2), preparatory (classes 3-5), middle (6-8), and secondary (9-12). In 2023, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) laid out the learning outcomes and competencies for each stage. — The NEP aims to make pre-primary learning universal by 2030. NCERT's Jaadui Pitara learning kits are already in use, and the Women and Child Development Ministry has issued a national ECCE curriculum. — NIPUN Bharat, which was introduced in 2021, aims to ensure that every kid can read and do basic maths by the end of grade 3. According to a recent government poll, average language and maths results were 64% and 60%, respectively, which is a start but far from universal proficiency. — The NEP recommended the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). This, along with the National Credit Framework (NCrF), has been established. UGC guidelines announced in 2021 enabled students to earn and keep credits digitally, even across schools, allowing them to switch courses or exit and re-enter. The system allows students to obtain a certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, or a four-year multidisciplinary degree. — The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), which was launched in 2022, is currently a primary pathway to undergraduate admissions. NEP 2020 proposed that different college entrance examinations be replaced with a single national test. — IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIM Ahmedabad have established foreign campuses in Zanzibar, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, respectively. The University of Southampton just opened in India, after two other foreign universities in GIFT City, Gujarat. Challenges — NEP proposes three languages in school, at least two of them Indian. But Tamil Nadu, which follows a Tamil-English model, sees this as an attempt to impose Hindi. — The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, due in 2021, is yet to be released. — Some states have pushed back against key NEP provisions. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have refused to sign MoUs with the Centre to set up PM-SHRI schools, citing clauses that require full adoption of NEP. Conclusion: — NEP 2020 aspires to attain a GER of 50% by 2035. To do this, the government is focussing on establishing additional higher education institutions, assisting underprivileged students, making standalone institutions multidisciplinary, and encouraging distant and online learning. — The PM VidyaLakshmi Scheme, which to be started in November 2024, promises to increase access to higher education by providing collateral-free loans to students enrolled at India's top 860 institutions. With a budget of ₹3,600 crore from FY 2024-25 to 2030-31, it aims to benefit approximately 22 lakh students annually and support an additional 7 lakh students, with an emphasis on inclusivity. (Source: Five years of National Education Policy: Taking stock of the transition, Points to Ponder Read more about NEP Read more about schemes related to education sector Related Previous Year Questions Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (2023) The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children's education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. (2022) QUESTION 2: Compare India's diplomatic efforts of hosting the 2036 Olympics—anchored in Global South representation and 'Viksit Bharat 2047'—with Qatar's pitch centered on readiness, inclusion, and becoming the first Olympics in the Middle East. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — India, which has been working on its bid for nearly two years, has competition from Turkey, Indonesia, Hungary, and Germany, all of whom want to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Olympics. — While Qatar maintains their interest corresponds with the 'National Vision 2030', India has stated that the 2036 Olympics are in accordance with the country's 'Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision'. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: Comparison based on: 1. Venue — Qatar implies that they can host the Olympics now if it comes to that. Readiness, bolstered by the controversial yet successful 2022 FIFA World Cup, is their big bid plank. — On the infrastructure front, Qatar has claimed that '95 per cent of Olympic venues are already in place and tested at the highest level'. — In India, the pace of infrastructure building — being done from scratch — has increased rapidly in the last few months as the authorities begin work to construct the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Enclave, which is likely to be the major hub. — India has bid — or is in the process of bidding — multiple international tournaments over the next few years to gain hosting experience. This includes the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which is almost certain to be held in Ahmedabad, the 2027 women's volleyball world championship and the 2028 World U20 Athletics Championships, among others. 2. Regional play — Qatar has also reaffirmed that if it were to be awarded the 2036 Games, 'it would mark the first Olympic and Paralympic Games ever held in the Middle East and North Africa'. — India, meanwhile, has said hosting the Olympics would speak of the 'aspirations of the Global South' and, in the letter of intent to the IOC, spoke about the 'transformative economic, social and cultural impact in wider SAARC nations in South Asia'. 3. Economy and diplomacy — Qatar is banking on its growing reputation of being a global diplomacy hub. In their pitch, the Gulf nation has said 'this bid is a natural extension of our diplomatic legacy, inviting the world to connect in an environment of peace and mutual respect.' — India, on the other hand, has impressed upon the IOC that it is the 'only major economy yet to host the Games.' 'And while we recognise that is not the sole reason to award a Games, it is a stark reflection of our region's need for the types of sport and social benefits that only the Olympic Games can provide,' the letter of intent stated. (Source: India, Qatar battle for hosting 2036 Olympics: Promise vs readiness, major economy vs diplomatic hub) Points to Ponder Read more about Olympics Read about India-Qatar relationship Related Previous Year Question Critically analyse India's evolving diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs), highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics. (2024) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 113) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 111) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on Axiom-4 mission and PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (Week 113)
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-3 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss the implications of the Axiom-4 mission, especially with India's participation, for ISRO's Gaganyaan program and India's future spaceflight goals. How will the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana focus exclusively on agriculture and allied activities? Discuss its governance and institutional framework. 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: Discuss the implications of the Axiom-4 mission, especially with India's participation, for ISRO's Gaganyaan program and India's future spaceflight goals. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Axiom-4 mission, which took Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), symbolises the start of a new era in Indian space. — The Axiom-4 mission is tightly linked to our own space goals and will provide key inputs to the Gaganyaan mission and future missions. Body: Implications of the Axiom-4 mission — Human spaceflight missions are incredibly difficult, especially when undertaking it for the first time. Because of the safety precautions that must be implemented, they are potentially several orders of magnitude more complex than uncrewed missions. This is the problem that ISRO faces with its Gaganyaan mission. And any additional information that reduces risk and improves mission safety is really valuable. — Although much of the spaceship is automated, it still requires human involvement. It is not a direct route. To approach the International Space Station, which is a moving target in space, the spaceship must follow a convoluted orbit. Throughout the trip to the destination, the pilot will be required to make a number of decisions and initiate many processes. — This type of experience would be crucial for the other Indian astronauts who will be flying on the Gaganyaan mission. Real-life experience is vastly different from training and simulation. — Countries with a human spaceflight program benefit greatly from astronauts passing on their expertise and experience to the next generation. — The experiments that ISRO has designed for the Axiom-4 mission are very interesting. And again, they directly feed into ISRO's own future needs and projects. This is the first opportunity for ISRO to carry out such customised experiments in space. Many are biology-related, and a few are technology experiments. — Zero-gravity conditions in space provide a unique setting for experiments that are extremely difficult to do on Earth. For example, one of ISRO's experiments is on muscular behaviour. Muscle deterioration can occur due to natural factors, but it can also be influenced by a person's weight. Gravity makes it impossible to separate these two factors on Earth. The zero-gravity environment in space eliminates the weight element and enables for the study of muscle changes caused only by natural processes, which can lead to advancements in our understanding of human health. Conclusion: — Space is an expensive effort, and the sector can greatly benefit from private-sector participation. It will also boost the sector's vibrancy, promote innovation, accelerate technological progress, and attract fresh, youthful people. It can also stimulate economic growth. — The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed a number of significant missions, putting India in a very tiny group of nations possessing cutting-edge space capabilities. The Moon landing by ISRO with the Chandrayaan-3 was the pinnacle of these efforts. (Source: Why Axiom-4 matters) Points to Ponder Read more about Axiom-4 mission Read about Gaganyaan Mission Related Previous Year Questions What is the main task of India's third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the Virtual Launch Control Centre' at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (2023) India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically. (2017) QUESTION 2: How will the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana focus exclusively on agriculture and allied activities? Discuss its governance and institutional framework. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Union Cabinet approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a scheme to develop 100 agricultural districts through the convergence of 36 schemes of 11 ministries. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 24,000 crore per year, and will be implemented for six years beginning with the current financial year, 2025-26. — A master plan for the implementation of PMDDKY, which will include agriculture and allied activities. This District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan will be prepared by the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti headed by the Collector, and will have progressive farmers as members. Body: — According to the government, the program has five objectives: (i) Enhancing agricultural productivity; (ii) Adopting crop diversification and sustainable agriculture practices; (iii) Augmenting post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block level; (iv) Improving irrigation facilities; (v) Facilitating availability of long-term and short-term credit. — The District Plans will be connected with national goals such as crop diversification, water and soil health conservation, self-sufficiency in agriculture and related industries, and the expansion of natural and organic farming. — The plans will be based on thorough consultations and an understanding of cropping patterns and related activities under agro-climatic conditions. Committees will be formed at the district, state, and national levels to ensure proper implementation. Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) will be appointed to conduct field visits, reviews, and monitoring. Each district will have technical knowledge partners from central and state agriculture universities. — PMDDKY is designed on the lines of the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP). The ADP is based on the 3 Cs, Convergence (of central and state schemes), Collaboration (of central and state level nodal officers and District Collectors), and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking based on incremental progress in 49 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under five broad socio-economic themes: Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development, and Infrastructure. — The NITI Aayog, which is responsible for the ADP's implementation and monitoring, would also give 'overall guidance and capacity building' support to PMDDKY. — PMDDKY districts will be ranked based on their performance. The scheme's progress in each Dhan-Dhaanya district will be monitored monthly using 117 Key Performance Indicators, according to the announcement. A portal/dashboard will be created for this purpose. Conclusion: — The scheme will result in higher productivity, value addition in agriculture and allied sector, local livelihood creation and hence increase domestic production and achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). (Source: Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, the new scheme to develop 100 agri districts across the country) Points to Ponder Read about other agriculture-related schemes Read about ADP and NITI Aayog Related Previous Year Questions How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (2023) What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies. (2023) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 111) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Indian Express
25-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on hydropower development on Yarlung Tsangpo and Monsoon in Indian tradition (Week 112)
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. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss the geomorphological features of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. Why is it significant in the context of global hydropower development? Discuss the significance of the monsoon season in classical Indian art traditions. 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: Discuss the geomorphological features of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. Why is it significant in the context of global hydropower development? Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Yarlung Tsangpo is the largest river on the Tibetan plateau, originating from a glacier near Mount Kailash. 'Tsangpo' means river in Tibetan. According to academic Costanza Rampini in the Political Economy of Hydropower in Southwest China and Beyond (2021), the basin spreads over more than 500,000 sq km of land in China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, 'though 80% of it lies in China and India.' It runs 2,057 km in Tibet before flowing into India. One fascinating feature of the river is the sharp 'U' turn that it takes, known as the Great Bend, at the proximity of Mount Namcha Barwa near the Indian border. — In India, the Yarlung Tsangpo enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang. The Siang then gathers more streams and flows down towards Assam where it is joined by the Lohit and Dibang rivers. Further downstream, it is known as the Brahmaputra, which in turn flows through Assam before entering Bangladesh. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — China has constructed several dams along tributaries of the Yarlung Tsangpo, such as the Pangduo and Zhikong dams on the Lhasa River. In 2014, it completed the Zangmu Dam along the main stem of the Yarlung Tsangpo. The Indian government, too, has expedited the clearance of big dams along the YTB and its tributaries. — The river crosses one of the disputed boundaries between India and China — the McMahon Line, which separates the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet. The McMahon Line was negotiated in 1914 by representatives of the new Republic of China, the Tibetan government, and the British government. — As the YTB descends from the Himalayan mountains to the plains of Assam, it crosses steep slopes and gathers strong energy, which gets scattered in the form of intense summer floods, especially in India and Bangladesh. 'The energy that the YTB gains throughout its course also puts the river at the centre of China's and India's recent renewable energy development strategies,' says Rampini. For long, both countries have been mobilising their engineering capacities to dam their respective stretches of the river and harness optimal hydropower. — India and the international community continue to recognise it as the legal border between North-east India and the current-day Tibet Autonomous Region of China. However, since gaining control over Tibet in the mid-20th century, China has contested the border, arguing that Tibet was not an independent state at the time of the treaty, making it invalid. Conclusion: — The Brahmaputra, or Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, is counted among the world's ten major rivers; there is also no major international water treaty governing the YTB. Bangladesh, as the lowest riparian country in the basin, feels the most threatened, experts say. — The melting of Himalayan snow and ice has a significant impact on the YTB's flows and flood intensity. As human activities raise surface temperatures, the Himalayas may experience glacier mass losses ranging from 15% to 78% by 2100. As glaciers disappear, glacier-fed rivers like the YTB will see an increase in runoff as more glacial melt fills their flows. — The YTB river system connects the destiny of China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Scholars fear that unregulated dam-building initiatives along the Yarlung Tsangpo, as well as the current mega project, could result in a 'water war' between the nations. (Source: As Beijing prepares to build world's biggest hydropower dam, a look at the Yarlung Tsangpo River) Points to Ponder Read more about Brahmaputra River and its course of flow Read about hydropower electricity generation Related Previous Year Questions The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020) How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (2020) QUESTION 2: Discuss the significance of the monsoon season in classical Indian art traditions. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The rain element has always been dominant in Indian cultural works. It has inspired poets and artists alike, as well as Vedic hymns sung to appease the rain gods and bring in timely rains. — At first glance, depictions of monsoons in South Asian art appear to be dominated by a certain collection of motifs and symbolic structures—passionate lovers in the rain, young women braving clouds and lightning to meet their loved one, peacocks, lush foliage, and joyful animals. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — In their book, Monsoon Feelings: A History of Emotions in Rain (2018), historians Imke Rajamani, Margrit Pernau, and Katherine Butler Schofield write that although these recurring themes and symbols in Indian art would lead one to assume that the monsoons elicited the same kind of emotions across time and region, that, in fact, was not true. 'Monsoon feelings have a history, which encompasses both continuity and change,' they write. They also point to the rise and decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation, which they write is attributed to changing patterns of monsoons. — Take, for instance, the kingdom of Bikaner, which has historically been one of the driest states of India. However, as noted by art historian Molly Emma Aitken in her article, 'Dark, Overwhelming, yet Joyful: The Monsoon in Rajput Painting', 'the ceilings and walls of its Junagadh Fort burst with monsoon clouds and driving lines of rain, with white cranes flying across wall panels of monsoon black.' Here, monsoon was celebrated for being auspicious and bearing the promise of fertility. — An example is a 16th century folio from the Harivamsa showing Lord Krishna holding up Mount Govardhan to shelter the villagers of Braj. — Abhisarika Nayika, one of ancient Indian aesthetics' eight sorts of heroines, is a popular figure in monsoon art. In art, Abhisarika Nayika is portrayed as a bold woman walking into the stormy night to see her beloved. She is depicted as a pale person in a dark, wet, demon-infested night, unaware of the impediments in her path, including vipers entwined around her legs. The rain and lightning in these paintings represent a hurdle to love, as well as the heroine's bravery and devotion. — The classical Sanskrit poem, Meghaduta, by Kalidasa has lent itself as a theme to artists painting the monsoon. The poem tells the story of a yaksha who longs for his wife and uses a cloud as a messenger. In Kalidasa's poetic description, the beauty of the Himalayan landscape comes to life in the rainy season, with rivers flowing gracefully and elephants playing in the forests. — The monsoons continued to have a significantly more pervasive presence in 17th-century paintings of musical modes known as Ragamala paintings. This type of painting, which started in 17th-century Rajasthan, depicts variants of Indian musical modes or ragas. As a result, in these paintings, each raga is represented by a hue and a mood, as well as the season of the year or time of day when the raga is supposed to be sung. (Source: Painting the rain: How Indian art obsesses with the monsoons) Points to Ponder Read more about Indian Paintings Read more about Monsoon Related Previous Year Questions Why is the South-West Monsoon called 'Purvaiya' (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultured ethos of the region? (2023) What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia? (2017) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 111) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 112) 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) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. 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Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on Vice‑President's office and BRICS grouping (Week 112)
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-2 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss how the BRICS grouping challenges the Western-led liberal international order through efforts such as de‑dollarisation and the establishment of parallel financial and developmental institutions. When the Vice‑President's office is vacant, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the Upper House. Discuss how this provision safeguards legislative continuity and the balance of power within Parliament. 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: Discuss how the BRICS grouping challenges the Western-led liberal international order through efforts such as de‑dollarisation and the establishment of parallel financial and developmental institutions. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The BRICS originated as a group dedicated to contesting the norms that drive multilateral economic institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. BRICS provided another avenue for India's aspirations for global leadership, as it, along with Brazil, China, and Russia, negotiated a larger share of quotas and votes in these institutions. — In recent years, as BRICS membership has grown, it has undoubtedly given India with another platform to strengthen ties with countries in the Global South. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The BRICS are quietly altering some of the rules of international politics. From de-dollarization to alternative development models, it is rapidly posing a challenge to the Western-led liberal international order. — Following World War II, this system gave way to the Western-led liberal international order. The United States, along with its allies, established a network of institutions that represented its beliefs and interests, including the IMF, World Bank, and WTO. This order was based on free markets, democracy, and, most importantly, the US dollar's dominance in global finance. — One of the most prominent messages from the BRICS summit in Brazil was about de-dollarisation. It may sound technical, but it is extremely political. This concept has been gaining traction for several years, but recent developments, particularly the weaponization of financial systems through sanctions, have pushed it to the forefront. — The difficulty is that the majority of global trade and finance is based on the US dollar. When India buys oil from Russia, it usually pays in dollars. Brazil typically takes out loans in dollars. When China invests abroad, the transactions are often routed through dollar-based networks such as SWIFT. This offers the US not only financial but also political clout. — At the Brazil summit, governments revived the notion of a BRICS currency, but as a symbol of intent rather than an imminent undertaking. In the meantime, they encourage trade in local currencies. Russia and China already transact more than 80% of their trade in roubles and yuan. India has started using rupees in some transactions with Iran and Sri Lanka. India and the UAE have begun to settle some oil transactions in rupees and dirhams. — To avoid dollar exposure, the BRICS-created New Development Bank now issues loans in local currencies. This isn't only about lowering transaction costs. It is about breaking out from a system that many in the Global South regard as biased against them. Conclusion: — BRICS promises to provide a platform for countries who did not have a seat at the table when the postwar international order was created. The group positions itself as a voice for the Global South. — This initiative to create new platforms and organisations reflects a common frustration that the rules of the global system are frequently established by people who do not confront the same issues as those in the Global South. Together, the BRICS are attempting to shift not only policy but also the narrative about what kind of development is legitimate and who should lead. (Source: How BRICS is chipping away at the Western order) ints to Ponder Read more aboutBRICS members Read about New Development Bank Related Previous Year Questions 'Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO' In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. (2023) How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India's position in global politics? (2022) QUESTION 2: When the Vice‑President's office is vacant, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the Upper House. Discuss how this provision safeguards legislative continuity and the balance of power within Parliament. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college made up of members from both Houses of Parliament — Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — including nominated members. — Voting is held in Parliament House by secret ballot, using the system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote. Each MP casts a vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. All votes carry equal value. — To be declared elected, a candidate must reach a required minimum number of votes — called the quota. This is calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes by two and adding one (fractions, if any, are ignored). If no candidate crosses the quota in the first round, the one with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on second preferences. The process continues until one candidate crosses the quota. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The Constitution does not provide for an acting Vice President. However, because the Vice-President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Chairman shall preside over the House in his absence. — In the case of the President, the Constitution requires that vacancies be filled within six months. However, there is no specified timeframe for a Vice-Presidential vacancy. The only prerequisite is that the election take place 'as soon as possible' after the office becomes vacant. — The poll is held under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act of 1952. According to protocol, the Secretary General of either House of Parliament serves as the Returning Officer in rotation. — The Presiding Officers of Rajya Sabha have the responsibility to conduct the proceedings of the House. The Vice-President of India is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha also chooses from amongst its members, a Deputy Chairman. There is also a Panel of Vice-Chairmen in Rajya Sabha, who are nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha from the amongst the members of Rajya Sabha. In the absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, a member from the Panel of Vice-Chairmen presides over the proceedings of the House. Conclusion: — A person contesting for the post of Vice-President must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, qualified to be elected to the Rajya Sabha, and registered as an elector in any parliamentary constituency. They must not hold any office of profit under the central or state governments, except positions like President, Governor, or Minister. (Source: What happens when the Vice-President resigns mid-term, Points to Ponder Read more about Vice-President of India – Functions and Powers Read about Chairman and Panel of Vice-Chairmen in Rajya Sabha Related Previous Year Question Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (2022) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112) 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) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. 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