NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

1. Examine the limitations of the continental drift theory. How does the theory of plate tectonics overcome it? (250 words)

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Begin by write about plate tectonics and the movement of continents and various theories put forward to explain them.

Write in brief about the continental drift theory and explains it briefly – forces it considers for the movement, supporting evidences it considers, critique of theory regarding the movement of the continents and its acceptance among scientists etc.

In the next part, write about plate tectonic theory, the mechanism of it and how it successfully explained the movement of continents. Use small and neat diagrams for better representation.

Mention about general importance of the two theories and conclude your answer.

Continental drift describes one of the earliest ways geologists thought continents moved over time. It was a theory that explained how continents shift position on Earth’s surface due to various forces existing on the earth. The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth’s solid outer crust, the lithosphere, is separated into plates that move over the asthenosphere, the molten upper portion of the mantle. Oceanic and continental plates come together, spread apart, and interact at boundaries all over the planet. Today, the theory of continental drift has been replaced by the science of plate tectonics.

Various theories have been proposed to substantiate the present locations of the continents and oceans.

Limitations of Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics

How  plate tectonics is an improvement over continental drift theory:

It took nearly 60 years for the idea of continental drift to be scientifically confirmed in the form of plate tectonic theory. Ultimately it added new dimension in the understanding of the global distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes and identification of disaster-prone areas.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

2. Aeolian processes create a number of distinct features, through both erosion and deposition of sediment. Elaborate. (250 words)

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write in detail about the Aeolian landforms with suitable examples.

Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Aeolian landforms refer to the Landforms that are formed by the winds. There are two types of the Aeolian Landforms viz. Erosional and Depositional.

Such questions are best explained with various landforms that are a result of such elements.

Explain both erosional and depositional landforms caused by the wind action.

Take examples – Zeugen or Rock Mushrooms, Yardangs, Blow Outs, Inselbergs, Desert pavement, Erg  or Sand Sea, Ripples, Barchan, Longitudinal dunes, Transverse Dunes, Star Dunes etc.

Use suitable diagrams and explain the effect of wind on them.

The landforms which are created by erosional and depositional activities of wind are called as Aeolian Landforms.  The wind or Aeolian erosion takes place in the following ways, viz. deflation, abrasion, and attrition. This process is not unique to the Earth, and it has been observed and studied on other planets, including Mars.

The wind is the main geomorphic agent in the hot deserts. Winds in hot deserts have greater speed which causes erosional and depositional activities in the desert.

Erosional Landforms due to Wind:

Depositional Landforms due to Wind:

Thus, wind and water act as major erosional factors leading to formation of various landforms.

Topic: poverty and developmental issues

3. As India becomes increasingly urbanised and families break up into smaller units, the care of elderly people is need to be managed by a set of professionals specialised interested in geriatric services. Discuss. (250 words).

Reference: Indian Express ,  Insights on India

The UN World Population Ageing Report notes that India’s ageing population (those aged 60 and above) is projected to increase to nearly 20% by 2050 from about 8% now. By 2050, the percentage of elderly people will increase by 326%, with those aged 80 years and above set to increase by 700%, making them the fastest-growing age group in India.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the need for the elderly carer in the fast ageing elderly population.

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

In brief highlight the status of elderly population in the Indian society.

In the first part, Due to the tendency to ape western culture, there is a need for a societal and attitudinal change in the way we treat our elderly. These needs going back to the Indian family system, values, culture and traditions which comprise respect for parents, teacher and nature ingrained in Indian philosophy.

Next, write about how India is ageing fast and it can be seen where by 2050 almost 20% of Indian population will be more than 60 years old becoming the country with

Next, write about the measures that are needed to improve geriatric services.

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Currently, India’s population is among the youngest in an ageing world, however, a major proportion of India’s population will be aged by 2050. The population share of the youth is starting to taper off as the share of the elderly is expected to steadily surge during 2021-2036. This calls for more forward-looking policies incorporating population dynamics, education and skills, healthcare, gender sensitivity and most importantly geriatric care.

Status of elderly in India:

Issues associated with elderly population in India

Roadmap for elderly care with passage of time

Social security is the concurrent responsibility of the central and state governments as, mandated under Indian constitution i.e., Well-being of senior citizens – Article 41 in particular and 46 in general of Indian constitution. In this regard, National Policy on Senior Citizen, 2011 was framed.

For the welfare and care for the older persons, we must focus on the protection of already existing social support systems/traditional social institutions such as family and kinship, neighbourhood bonding, community bonding and community participation must be revived and kins should show sensitivity towards elderly citizens.

Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

4. The special economic zones (SEZ) scheme in India has shown tremendous growth in infrastructure investment, employment and exports since its introduction. SEZs suffer from their fair share of challenges and the SEZ policy needs to be revamped to bring in certain enablers and relaxations leading to large-scale investments and export promotion. Analyse. (250 words)

Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India

The Centre proposes to rebrand Indian SEZs as ‘development hubs’ under the Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs (DESH) bill.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the growth of SEZ, current issues in it and changes needed.

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Begin by giving context of growth of SEZs.

In the first part, write about the how SEZs have shaped industrial development in India.

Next, write about the various issues that are affecting the performance of SEZs in India.

Next, mention the how Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs (DESH) bill has the potential to rectify it and measures needed in this regard.

Conclude by writing a way forward.

An SEZ is a territory within a country that is typically duty-free (Fiscal Concession) and has different business and commercial laws chiefly to encourage investment and create employment. SEZs are created also to better administer these areas, thereby increasing the ease of doing business.

About Special Economic Zones India

SEZ and their success in export growth

Measures to revamp SEZ in India

Promotion of MSME investments in SEZs by linking with MSME schemes and allowing alternate sectors to invest in sector-specific SEZs is among the recommendations by the Baba Kalyani Committee on SEZs.

It had also batted for additional enablers and procedural relaxations as well as granting SEZs infrastructure status to improve their access to finance and enable long-term borrowings.

5. In order to reap the maximum benefits, it becomes pertinent to increase private participation and nudge India towards a scientific pursuit of space exploration driven by economic aims. Discuss. (250 words)

Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood stated earlier this month that the government would soon come up with a new space policy that could initiate the rise of India’s own “SpaceX-like ventures”.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the challenges and limitations being faced by private sector in space exploration in India and methods to overcome them.

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Begin by giving extent of private participation in Indian space sector.

In the first part, explain that there has not been much emphasis on enhancing commercial activities in the Indian space sector, and as a result, the participation of the private sector in the Indian space industry has been minimal in space activities. However, there is huge scope for the commercialization of the ground operations like mission support, satellite broadband gateways and 5G backhauling.

Next, write about the recent developments in boosting private participation in the space and further measures that are required to improve it.

Conclude by writing a way forward.

India is lagging in harnessing the power of private innovation in the space domain. This not only limits the exploitation of space for economic development, but has serious national security implications.

Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood stated earlier this month that the government would soon come up with a new space policy that could initiate the rise of India’s own “SpaceX-like ventures”.

Potential of private sector in the space sector

Challenges for private space entities in India:

The private sector already supplies majority of the sub-systems in satellite manufacturing. This can be further scaled up into other activities with proper regulation and partnership of the ISRO and private sector. The country must deregulate the space sector to encourage private enterprise if we are to compete in the new space economy.

Indian Space Association or ISpA is a premier industry association of space and satellite companies. In line with the recent measures taken to expand the role of private players in the space sector, the Indian Space Association aims to serve as a body that brings public and private entities together so that they can work in tandem for the expansion of the Indian space programme. 

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

6. What are the various challenges with solid waste management in India? Evaluate the various measures that are aimed at tackling it. (250 words)

Urban India alone generates nearly 0.15 million tonnes per day of MSW, with per capita generation ranging between 0.30 kg per day to 0.45 kg per day. The volume of waste is projected to reach 165 million tonnes by 2031 and 436 million tonnes by 2050, if existing policies, programmes and management strategies are not adequately addressed.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the need for Solid waste management and successes and limitations of the various measures aimed towards it.

Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence.  You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.

Begin by defining solid waste management.

First, write about the need for solid waste management in the country.

Next, write about the various issues in the solid waste management – funds crunch, low sectoral development & lack of know-how.

Next, write about the various measures to tackle it – Solid waste management rules, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0 etc. Write their and successes and limitations.

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Solid waste management (SWM) refers to the process of collecting and treating solid wastes. It also offers solutions for recycling items that do not belong to garbage or trash.  In a nascent effort to look beyond toilets and kick off its ODF+ phase — that is, Open Defecation Free Plus — focussing on solid and liquid waste management, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) has included the prevalence of plastic litter and water-logging in villages as indicators of cleanliness in its 2019 rural survey.

Current Situation of SWM in India:

Some of the major issues concerning solid waste management are:

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is one of the major environmental problems of Indian cities. The need of the hour is scientific, sustainable and environment friendly management of wastes.

Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker- sections.

7. Non-partisanship in public administration is an essential precondition for ensuring that regardless of their political orientation, citizens are treated fairly and in an equitable manner. Discuss. (150 Words)

Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.

Key Demand of the question:

trace the link between non-partisanship in public administration and equality amongst citizens.

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Begin by highlighting the importance of neutrality and non-partisanship in public administration.

Begin by talking about values which are important to the level of justice and continuity in public administration with suitable examples.

Mention about how public servants must be accountable to the government for the effective delivery of its programs.

Then finally talk about responsiveness of the administration to the government of the day within the law and the how constitution is key to the effective implementation of government policies in an equitable manner.

Complete the answer by suggesting ways for neutrality in public administration in an increasingly polarizing world.

Non-partisanship is not being specifically owned or affiliated with any group, party or cause. Non-partisanship can be called as political neutrality. Non-partisanship implies that the administrator is to do his/her task without any fear of or favour to any political party.

A bureaucrat is needed to be politically neutral:

Impartiality and Non-partisanship which determine the foundation of a non-partisan public service. These are:

Impartiality and Non-partisanship both form essential foundational values for civil services. While impartiality ensures equality without any bias and prejudices in the general, non-partisanship ensures a neutral approach in politics and a solid commitment to the government

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