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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on inclusive education and influence of La Niña on global weather systems (Week 105)
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 May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Examine the influence of La Niña on global weather systems and its implications for climate forecasting. Why do global climate models sometimes struggle to accurately predict La Niña events? India's evolving digital infrastructure has played a key role in promoting inclusive education. Critically discuss the opportunities and challenges this transformation presents. 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: Examine the influence of La Niña on global weather systems and its implications for climate forecasting. Why do global climate models sometimes struggle to accurately predict La Niña events? Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — La Niña means 'Little Girl' in Spanish. La Niña is sometimes known as El Viejo, anti-El Niño, or 'a cold event.' La Niña has the opposite effect of El Niño. During La Niña, trade winds are stronger than usual, bringing warmer water to Asia. Upwelling occurs off the West Coast of the Americas, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface. – The chilly waters of the Pacific force the jet stream north. This often causes drought in the southern United States and heavy rains and flooding in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. During a La Niña, winter temperatures are lower in the north and warmer in the south. La Niña might lead to a more severe hurricane season. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that equatorial sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean were close to or below average last year. During the 'watch' phase of La Niña in November and early December, ENSO conditions were neutral. — The Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) in the Nino 3.4 zone, one of four key regions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean used to identify the ENSO phase, was -0.3°C. — Temperature variations from the equatorial Pacific's three-monthly average sea surface temperature are used to calculate the ONI. A La Niña begins when the ONI in this region is -0.5 degrees or lower. — If ONI readings exceed the threshold, temperatures will swiftly return to normal, resulting in a short and mild La Niña episode. Experts estimate that the weak La Niña will become ENSO-neutral from March to May 2025. This indicates that La Niña will have minimal impact on the Indian winter this year. Conclusion: — Weather models perform better when sea surface temperatures shift significantly, such as during a major El Niño or La Niña event. — This is unlikely to be the case this time, which has likely resulted in weather models failing to accurately predict conditions because they are unable to account for minute temperature differences in their inputs. (Source: Where is La Niña? And why did global models err in their predictions? by Anjali Marar, Points to Ponder What is the Indian Ocean Dipole? How it can limit El Nino effects Read about El Nino and La Nina Related Previous Year Questions Most of the unusual climatic happenings are explained as an outcome of the El-Nino effect. Do you agree? (2014) What is a twister? Why are the majority of twisters observed in areas around the Gulf of Mexico? (2024) QUESTION 2: India's evolving digital infrastructure has played a key role in promoting inclusive education. Critically discuss the opportunities and challenges this transformation presents. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Pioneering digital public infrastructure (DPI) trials have enabled India's digital landscape to undergo such a spectacular transition. — These DPIs are digital channels that allow for the smooth delivery of important services, which benefits society. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The Indian DPI ecosystem, known as the 'India Stack,' has played a critical role in harnessing the power of identities, payments, and data interchange to drive economic growth and build a more equitable digital economy. — The Right to Education statute applies until the age of 14 or Std VIII, which is the conclusion of the elementary school stage. — The number of AI-based tutoring systems is expanding. — Indian DPIs have the potential to close wealth gaps and build a resilient and effective digital economy that benefits individuals and organisations, beginning with empowering small businesses to improve access to healthcare and promoting financial and digital inclusion for citizens from less affluent socioeconomic backgrounds. — The recently released Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, which surveyed 14-18-year-olds across the country, discovered that nearly 89 per cent of those polled had a smartphone at home. An even higher percentage, 92 per cent, said they could use a smartphone. Conclusion: — Although the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and ASER use different metrics and methods for assessing learning, both point to the fact that basic learning levels of elementary school children need significant improvement. — India has achieved universal elementary education enrollment, and we are on track to attain universal secondary and higher secondary enrollment. (Source: ASER 2023: Male youth in rural India dominate smartphone ownership, girls lag in digital skills, How smartphones can make education inclusive by Madhav Chavan, ASER 2023 report: On education, let's listen to the teenagers by Rukmini Banerji) Points to Ponder National Achievement Survey (NAS) National Education Policy, 2020 Related Previous Year Questions Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge systems when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems. (2021) Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (2021) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 104) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 105) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 104) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 105) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 104) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 103) 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.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
100-year-old tortoise gives birth to critically endangered hatchlings at Philly Zoo
(WPHL) — For the first time in over 150 years, the Philadelphia Zoo has new additions to the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise family. The zoo announced the hatching of four critically endangered hatchlings born to the zoo's oldest residents: Female Mommy and male Abrazzo, both of whom are estimated to be around 100 years old. According to the zoo, Mommy is also the oldest first-time mom of her species. The first baby tortoise hatched on Feb. 27, and the animal care team is still monitoring eggs that could hatch in the coming weeks, said the Zoo. The hatchlings are set to make their public debut on April 23, which is the 93rd anniversary of Mommy's arrival at the Zoo. 'This is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo, and we couldn't be more excited to share this news with our city, region, and the world,' said Philadelphia Zoo President and CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman. 'Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her. Philadelphia Zoo's vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now.' 'Emotional support' tigers seized from Nevada home 'At one point, each of the Galapagos Islands had its own unique subspecies of tortoise, but sadly, several of them are now extinct. These hatchlings not only protect the species from extinction but serve as important ambassadors to inspire guests to save wildlife and wild places,' said Philadelphia Zoo Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz. 'This is a monumental achievement for our animal care team that worked diligently to provide the right conditions for Mommy to lay her eggs and for the eggs to incubate and successfully hatch,' said Philadelphia Zoo Director of Herpetology and Birds Lauren Augustine. 'This feat is even more incredible considering that Mommy is the oldest first-time-producing female of her species in any U.S. zoo. Prior to the hatchlings, there were only 44 individual Western Santa Cruz Giant tortoises in all U.S. zoos combined, so these newest additions represent a new genetic lineage and some much-needed help to the species' population. We are excited to learn more about how we can replicate this success at other accredited zoos since the team in Philly has accomplished something that was seemingly impossible.' said Galapagos Tortoise SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper Ashley Ortega at Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. Galapagos tortoises come from the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. As the largest living species of tortoise, males can grow to be 500 pounds, while females average around 250 pounds. They are estimated to live from 100 to 200 years old. The Philadelphia Zoo is home to three adult Galapagos tortoises, Abrazzo, Mommy, Little Girl, and four hatchlings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
