APPROACH – ANSWER: ABHYAAS TEST 1 - 2217 (2022)

1. With examples, discuss how the cultural traditions from various regions of India get reflected in
regional music. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Introduce with a short note on Indian regional music.
• With the help of relevant examples, establish the link between the various cultural traditions and
the corresponding regional music.
• Conclude appropriately.
Answer:
Regional music forms an indispensable component of the regional culture and people’s daily lives.
There are songs associated with various occasions like weddings, engagements, and births and also
with planting and harvesting.
Each region in India with unique cultural tradition has its own particular style of music:
• Rasiya Geet: The rich tradition of singing Rasiya Geet in the Braj region is not confined to any
particular festival, but is closely woven into the very fabric of daily life and day to day chores of its
people.
• Pankhida, Rajasthan: Performed while working in the fields, the peasants of Rajasthan sing and
speak while playing algoza and manjira.
• Sohar, Uttar Pradesh: North India has a strong tradition of singing ‘Sohar’ songs when a son is
born in a family. This has influenced the Muslim culture and a form of ‘Sohar’ song gained
popularity in the Muslim families living in some regions of Uttar Pradesh. Hence, ‘Sohar’ songs
highlight the mingling of two cultures.
• Basanti/ Basant Geet, Garhwal: Basant or spring season is welcomed in a unique manner in
Garhwal. Land is filled with different colourful flowers. On Basant Panchami floor designs are made
with the rice flour and the green oats bundles are used to put impressions with cow dung. Swings
are tied on the trees and folk songs are sung.
• Ghasiyari Geet, Garhwal: Young women of mountains have to go to far off forests to get grass for
their cattle. They go to the forest dancing and singing in groups. Emphasis is also laid on the
importance of labour in the Ghasyari Geet.
• Mando, Goa: Mando is a slow verse and refrain composition dealing with love, tragedy and both
social injustice and political resistance during Portuguese presence in Goa.
• Bhuta song, Kerala: The basis of Bhuta song is rooted in superstitions. Some communities of
Kerala do Bhuta rituals to send away the evil ghost and spirits. This ritual is accompanied with
vigorous dancing and the music has a piercing and eerie character.
• Saikuti Zai (songs of Saikuti), Mizoram: Mizo are traditionally known as a ‘singing tribe’. Saikuti,
a poetess of Mizoram composed songs in praise of warriors, brave hunters, young men aspiring to
be great warriors and hunters etc.

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 • Sukar ke Biah, Bhojpuri Song: Through this song, the story of Shukra and Brihaspat is sung even
today. The song recalls how Shukra forgets the wedding ornament and comes back to take it, where
he finds his mother drinking rice water, which is considered poor man’s food. On asking mother
about this, his mother answers that she doesn't know whether Shukra's wife will even give her rice
water or not. Shukra decides to remain unmarried.
• Ammanaivari, Tamil Nadu: Ammanaivari are songs sung in praise of the Chola monarch.
Ammanai is a wooden ball and the women folk sing appropriate songs while playing the ball.
Hence, the cultural traditions from various regions of the country get reflected in the rich diversity of
regional music of India.

2. Highlighting the emergence of the working class movement, discuss its contribution towards
India’s freedom struggle. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Give a brief introduction about the condition of the working class during the British rule.
• Highlight the emergence of the working class movement during the period.
• Discuss its contribution towards India’s freedom struggle.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
The Indian working class in pre-independence India suffered from various forms of exploitation like
low wages, long working hours, unhygienic and hazardous working conditions, prevalence of child
labour and absence of basic amenities. The workers had to face two basic antagonistic forces i.e. an
imperialist political rule and economic exploitation at the hands of both foreign and native capitalist
classes. Under these circumstances, the Indian working class movement became intertwined with the
political struggle for national emancipation.
Emergence of working class movement can be divided into two phases:
• The first phase (1850s till 1918):
o During this stage, actions of the working class were sporadic and unorganized in nature and
mostly ineffective. It was in the late 19th century in Madras and from the second decade of 20th
century in Bombay that serious attempts were made for the formation of associations that
could lead organized form of protests.
o In the last decades of the 19th century, there were strikes in places like Bombay, Kurla,
Surat, Wardha etc., which were short-lived. These actions led to development of class
solidarity and consciousness.
• The second phase (1918 till independence):
o After the 1st World war, an organized movement took form. In the 1920s, serious attempts
were made by the Congress leaders and the Communists to mobilize the working class. Thus,
the national movement incorporated the working class.
o The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed in 1920, which further helped in
mobilization of the working class. The AITUC also represented India at the International Labour
Organization (ILO). Strikes and agitation increased in the 1920s with more intensity and
prolonged nature.
o The movement of the working class entered into a decisive phase in the 1940s and this phase
coincided with the final phase of the national movement and the number of strikes reached its
peak.
Its contribution towards India’s freedom struggle:
• During the Swadeshi movement: Workers participated in wider political issues, strikes were
organized in government press, railways and the jute industry, i.e. the back of the British rule,
which hurt the economy in India.
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• During and after the 1st World War:

o The emergence of Gandhiji led to a broad-based national movement and emphasis was placed
on the mobilization of the workers.
o In the late 1920s, strong Communist influence on the movement lent a militant and
revolutionary content to it leading to industrial unrest.
o The workers participated in large numbers in 1930 during the Civil Disobedience Movement.
o During the Meerut Conspiracy Case, the trial got worldwide publicity, thus making the
nationalist movement stronger.
• During the formation of Congress Ministries (1937): The AITUC supported the Congress
candidates, which helped in giving the national leaders a true sense of self-rule.
• During and after the 2nd World War: In the period between 1945 and 1947, workers participated
actively in the post-war national upsurges. In 1946, the workers went on a strike in support of
naval ratings.
Similarly, during the last year of foreign rule, there were strikes by workers of posts, railways and
many other establishments, which was a confirmation for the British that it will not be possible for
them to rule over India any longer.

3. Do you agree with the view that Gandhian politics was, in a sense, a continuation of Tilak’s
politics? (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Briefly mention Gandhi and Tilak as important contributors to the national movement.
• Explain how Gandhian politics was continuation of Tilak's methods and ideology.
• Highlight differences in the methods used by Gandhiji and Tilak.
• Conclude appropriately.
Answer:
Gandhiji and Lokmanya Tilak were the two stalwarts of India’s national struggle for independence. The
influence of Tilak’s politics on Gandhiji gets reflected in the political philosophy and tools used
including boycott, swadeshi, national education and passive resistance.
Gandhiji’s politics as a continuation of Tilak’s politics:
• Goal of the national movement: Gandhiji considered the goal of the national movement to be
‘Swaraj’ or self-rule just like Tilak. Both were staunch supporters of anti-colonialism and preferred
self-rule over a foreign rule even if it was just and benevolent.
• Satyagraha and passive resistance: Gandhian principle of Satyagraha was drawn from the ideas
of passive resistance adopted in the extremist action plan, which was developed by Aurobindo
Ghosh, Tilak and others.
• Democratization of Indian politics: Both Tilak and Gandhiji believed in the power of masses to
achieve national freedom and were firm believers of their capacity to make great sacrifices. While
Tilak advocated the participation of masses, Gandhiji took this forward and under his leadership,
the national movement became more broad-based.
• Educating people and spreading awareness: Tilak realized that the people need to be educated
and made aware of the true nature of colonial rule and for this he established colleges and started
newspapers like Kesari and Mahratta. Carrying on this work, Gandhiji took long marches across the
country, gave speeches, and started newspapers to explain to people the meaning of satyagraha,
non-violence and readying them for movements.
• Bringing together different ideologies: Tilak realized the significance of unity and brought the
extremist and moderate groups together through the Lucknow Pact in 1916. Gandhiji was also of
the firm opinion that all sections of the Indian society including different religions and castes
should be together in their fight against the British Rule.

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• National liberation as the Karma: Tilak interpreted Gita as the philosophy of Karma Yoga, or
performance of action in the spirit of disinterestedness. Gandhiji adapted this interpretation to his
views on truth, non-violence and service of the people by giving it a moral and non-violent
dimension.
Despite sharing a common goal, that is of Swaraj, and Gandhiji carrying on the programs based on
extremist action agenda, there were significant differences in both their approaches as well.
• Meaning of ‘Swaraj’: The extremists wanted to expel the British but were in favour of keeping the
Western institutions established by them. Gandhi Ji did not have much faith in Western institutions
like parliamentary democracy.
• Personal qualities: For extremists such as Tilak, there was no place for saintly qualities in the
sphere of politics, while Gandhi gave highest priority to morality and non-violence in personal life
and public action.
• Difference with regard to the means and the end: As per Tilak, ‘Swaraj’ could not be achieved by
using pure and non-violent means and there should be no hesitation in adopting other lesser
means. However, Gandhiji believed that the means must be ethically right, pure and non-violent.
Despite these differences in approaches, there is no denying that both dreamt of an India which was
independent and stood on its own feet, although their means to achieve them were different.

4. It is said that the world's oceans are losing their 'memory' due to human-induced warming.
Comment. Also, discuss the consequences of the phenomenon. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Explain the concept of ‘ocean memory’.
• Explain how global warming is leading to the loss of ocean memory.
• State the impact of the phenomena.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
Scientists argue that the world’s oceans have a memory, referred to as the ‘Ocean Memory’ - a
phenomenon that manifests in the form of the persistence of ocean conditions. It is characterized by
thermal inertia in the ocean’s upper layers, called the upper-ocean mixed layer depth (MLD). This
means that the sea surface temperatures (SST) in this region have remained fairly inert, despite
atmospheric variations.
However, a recent study has found that most of the world's oceans are steadily losing their year-to-
year memory under global warming.
• The stability of the warmer top layer or the MLD is key to the ocean’s memory. But global warming
could cause a shoaling effect (the effect by which surface waves entering shallow water change in
wave height) to thin out this layer, thereby eroding ocean memory.
• It lowers the ocean’s capacity of thermal inertia, which can make the upper ocean more
susceptible to uncertain temperature anomalies.
• Other processes, such as changes in ocean currents and change in the energy exchange between
the atmosphere and the ocean, also contribute to changes in ocean memory.
Impact of the ocean memory loss:
• Thermal anomalies: This memory loss will induce unpredictable thermal anomalies on sea
surface, thus impacting the climate globally. Also, the prediction of occurrence of extreme events
might also be affected due to their dependence on the persistence of sea surface temperature.
• Marine heatwaves: There will be less time to make a forecast because of the reduced ocean
memory. It will create challenges to mankind’s ability to prepare for ocean change, such as marine

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heatwaves, which are known to have caused sudden and pronounced changes in ocean ecosystems
around the world.
• Rise in sea level: This would hinder our preparation for oceanic changes and its induced impact
like sea-level rise etc.
• Fisheries: In fisheries management, the biological parameters used for stock assessment are
estimated assuming a stable environment represented by the recent past. Reduced ocean memory
might render such estimation inaccurate and calls for new approaches in ecosystem-based fisheries
management to include real-time ocean monitoring and other efforts alike.
• Ecosystem loss: Ocean memory decline will also likely have an impact on the population of
biological resources and marine ecosystems.
About 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water and the oceans hold 96.5 percent of all
the Earth’s water. Any changes in its characteristics will have a severe futuristic impact on mankind and
thus it is required that mitigation efforts should be taken so that the ocean does not lose its memory.

5. What is soil amendment? Evaluate the benefits and concerns associated with it. (Answer in 150
words) 10
Approach:
• Briefly explain what you understand by soil amendment and state its importance.
• Highlight the benefits and concerns of incorporating it in agriculture.
• Conclude with a way forward.
Answer:
Soil amendment refers to the treatment of poor soils by adding organic or inorganic matter to
enhance soil suitability for plant growth by improving texture, water retention, drainage and
aeration. It makes available nutrients, sustains vegetative cover, reduces erosion, and helps reduce
runoff. A variety of techniques are practiced such as aeration, fertilization, and addition of compost,
other organic matter, or lime to the soil.
It has the following benefits:
• Improves soil structure: Adding organic compost or gypsum to heavy clay soil can improve its
structure and help eliminate drainage and compaction problems.
• Increases nutrient availability: Acidic soils can be corrected by adding limestone, which enhances
nutrient absorption capacity, prevents toxicity, and increases bacterial activity to enhance fertility.
• Increases cation exchange: The organic and inorganic substances, which are added, enhance the
capacity of the soil to hold the total number of cations, which increases cation exchange between
plant and roots.
• Improves water retention: Addition of iron sulphate or aluminium sulphate as well as elemental
sulfur to basic soil causes loosening of soil texture, which improves water retention. Similarly, use
of gypsum in sodic soils can improve water flow and reduce erosion.
• Other benefits: It decreases bioavailability of toxic pollutants, reduces cost compared to traditional
remediation techniques, can be locally produced and applied on almost any type of soil, etc.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of soil amendment, such as:
• Unscientific use of soil amendments can alter the pH of soil, increase pests and acidification,
which result in decrease of organic matter load, humus load and useful organisms; stunting of plant
growth; and emission of greenhouse gases.
• If applied in excess, it may become harmful for human health and the environment. Also, there
are potential health impacts from pathogens and viruses.
• Adding animal manure in quantities exceeding plant uptake of phosphorus results in leaching of
phosphorus to groundwater thereby causing eutrophication. Also, soil with soluble compounds
such as nitrate leach into the groundwater and contaminate it.
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• Increased availability of land-applied metals exhibits toxic effects towards soil biota by affecting
key microbial processes and decreasing the number and activity of soil microorganisms. Further,
heavy metals may reduce crop yields and affect livestock performance.
Therefore, use of soil amendments should be based on proper scientific study of soil properties. Also,
appropriate application rates of amendments depend on the specific soil concern to be addressed.
Further, there is a need to maintain comparative data on soil amendment and mineral fertilizers’
characteristics and use.

6. It has been suggested that the next decade may see a boom in hybrid power plants. Stating the
advantages that such power plants offer, discuss the associated challenges. (Answer in 150 words)
10
Approach:
• Write about hybrid power plants in the introduction.
• Enlist the potential benefits of such power plants.
• Mention the challenges associated with hybrid power plants.
• Conclude by giving a suitable way forward.
Answer:
Hybrid power plants are those power plants, which comprise of two or more energy sources, combined
in such a way so as to provide an efficient system. They combine energy sources with appropriate
energy conversion technology connected together to feed power to the local load or grid.
Thus, a combination of different but complementary energy generation systems based on renewable,
non- renewable or mixed sources, is known as a hybrid power system. Recently in India, a hybrid
power plant with a combination of wind and solar energy, the first-of-its-kind hybrid power
generation plant, was started in Jaisalmer.
The potential advantages of hybrid power plants include:
• Enhanced and flatter power output: A hybrid power plant can combine wind energy or solar
energy with an additional resource of generation or storage producing 24x7 clean energy in
response to varying levels of demand through the day. Further, it makes power generation profile
flatter over time by eliminating rapid voltage and power fluctuations in the electrical grid, making
power dispatch more schedulable.
• Efficient use of land: Due to common use of land for different energy resources in hybrid energy
parks, an improvement in land use efficiency is witnessed.
• Reduced losses: Hybrid power plants are beneficial in terms of reduced line and transformer
losses, increased system reliability, improved power quality and increased overall efficiency.
• Reduced environmental impacts: Hybrid power plants can play a key role in accelerating the
decarbonization of power generation and lowering the cost of electricity. Thus, lowering
emissions as compared to traditional fossil-fuelled technologies.
The challenges associated with the hybrid power plants are:
• Grid security and stability: These systems can be connected to a utility grid and often there arises
a frequency mismatch between both systems leading to instability of the overall system.
• Resource location: Hybrid renewable energy plants require large areas of space, hence availability
and acquisition of such large-scale land may delay the installation of parks.
• Weather conditions: Energy generation from solar or wind parks is dependent on associated local
weather, and if favourable weather conditions are not available, the operating capacity of such
parks becomes inefficient and unfeasible.
• No one best combination: The efficiency of a hybrid plant is determined, in part, by the
configuration of the equipment. For example, the size of the battery relative to a solar power system

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can determine how late into the evening the plant can deliver power. But, the fluctuation in the
demand of night-time power negatively impacts the efficiency of the overall power system.
• Other issues: Hybrid power plants also face impediments related to availability of land,
transmission and connectivity and availability of spare parts like wind turbines.
It is important to ensure proper research and development (R&D) for hybrid power systems,
specifically on technologies, market designs and regulations, so that the output can be used effectively.
Also, it should be noted that India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released a solar-wind
hybrid policy in 2018. It will provide a framework to promote grid-connected hybrid energy through
set-ups that would use land and transmission infrastructure optimally and also manage the variability
of renewable resources to some extent.

7. What are Van Allen Radiation Belts? Explaining their formation, discuss why there has been a
growing focus on their study. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Introduce by giving the definition of the Van Allen Radiation Belts.
• Highlight the formation of the Van Allen Radiation Belts.
• Discuss why there has been focus on their study.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
Van Allen radiation belt is a zone of energetic charged particles, most of which originate from the solar
wind, that is captured by and held around a planet by that planet's magnetic field. They were

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Figure: Van Allen Radiation Belts.

Formation of Van Allen Radiation Belts:
• Formation of inner Van Allen Belt:
o Inner Van Allen belt consists largely of highly energetic protons, with energy exceeding
30,000,000 electron volts.

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o It is believed that the protons of the inner belt originate from the decay of neutrons
produced when high-energy cosmic rays from outside the solar system collide with atoms and
molecules of Earth’s atmosphere.
o Some of the neutrons are ejected back from the atmosphere; as they travel through the region
of the belt, a small percentage of them decay into protons and electrons.
o These particles move in spiral paths along the Earth’s magnetic field. As the particles approach
either of the magnetic poles, the increase in the strength of the field causes them to be reflected.
o Because of this magnetic mirror effect, the particles bounce back and forth between the
magnetic poles. Over time, they collide with atoms in the thin atmosphere, resulting in their
removal from the belt.
• Formation of Outer Van Allen belt:
o The Outer Van Allen belt contains charged particles of both atmospheric and solar origin,
the latter consisting largely of helium ions from the solar wind.
o The protons of the outer belt have much lower energies than those of the inner belt, and their
fluxes are much higher.
o The most energetic particles of the outer belt are electrons; whose energies reach up to
several hundred million electron volts.
Growing focus on study of Van Allen Radiation belts:
• Recent studies on igneous and volcanic rocks from the islands of Saint Helena, which lies in the
South Atlantic, show that there has been Anomaly in Earth’s magnetic field over this region.
• This Anomaly indicates a weak spot in Earth's magnetic field, which protects the planet from high
doses of solar wind and cosmic radiation. It exists because the Earth's inner Van Allen radiation
belt comes closest to the planet’s surface, causing an increased flux of energetic particles.
• In turn, this anomaly also causes technical disturbances in mapping and navigation systems
and in satellites and spacecraft orbiting Earth.
• However, these studies also reveal that the anomaly in the magnetic field in the South Atlantic is not
a one-off, similar anomalies existed eight to 11 million years ago.
Studies show that intense solar activity may sometimes diminish the outer region and produce a third
fleeting zone of charged particles between the outer and inner regions. Intense solar activity also
causes other disruptions of the Van Allen belts, which in turn are linked with such phenomena as
auroras and magnetic storms.

8. Discuss whether marital rape should be criminalised in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Briefly write about the issue of marital rape in India.
• Discuss the need to criminalise marital rape.
• State arguments against criminalising marital rape.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
India is one of the countries that does not treat non-consensual sex within marriage as rape. Section
375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) provides an exception that “sexual intercourse by a man with his
own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape”. This limit of 15 years was increased in
the Independent Thought case (2017) which held that forced intercourse by a husband, i.e. marital
rape, where the wife's age is more than 18 years is exempted.
Arguments in favour of criminalising marital rape:
• Right to equality: The marital exemption to rape violates Article 14 of the Constitution, as it
arbitrarily discriminates between married and unmarried women without any reasonable
classification.
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• Right to life and personal freedom: The IPC exception assumes that a woman consents to all
sexual activities at the time of marriage, and therefore, impinges on her sexual autonomy and
individual liberty. Refusal to punish a serious infringement of bodily rights is argued to violate a
wife’s personal freedom guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Archaic conception: The IPC exemption is based on the Victorian concept of morality according to
which a woman is the property of her husband.
• Empirical evidence: The NFHS-5 data shows that married women face sexual violence in large
numbers. Further, they are 17 times more likely to face sexual violence from their husbands rather
than from outsiders.
• International obligation: It constitutes a violation of India’s obligations under The Convention on
the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Arguments for not criminalising marital rape in India:
• Sanctity of marriage: As is with the case of Section 498A of the IPC and the Protection of Women
from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, it is being argued that the removal of the exemption amounts to
excessive interference in the institution of marriage.
• Difficulty in establishing consent: It is argued that marriage, amongst other factors, also stemmed
from the need to regulate human sexual behaviour and hence, carries with it a “legitimate
expectation of sex”. Furthermore, its private nature and lack of witnesses would make it a battle of
‘her word’ against ‘his’. Therefore, the mental element necessary to constitute the crime becomes
difficult to establish.
• Potential for misuse: It is argued that men would be crucified by their wives trying to monetise
penal laws in their favour.
• Contradictory to family law: Marriage is a unique relationship that may justify differential
treatment. Denial of sex without reason could amount to cruelty under family law.
• Hale’s Doctrine and the Doctrine of Coverture: These doctrines proclaim the husband and wife
to be one person after marriage, thereby incorporating and consolidating the legal existence of a
woman into that of her husband.
Marriage is a relationship of equals. Some argue that denying women, the right to say ‘no’ is rife with
paternalism and it ‘others’ certain categories of persons whose voice and choice are considered
insignificant. A few also argue that the exception under IPC is antiquated and must therefore be
brought in tune with constitutional morality. A division bench of the Delhi High Court has recently
given a split verdict on criminalising marital rape. The need of the hour is to bring reforms spearheaded
by the Legislature, taking into account the concerns, in this regard.

9. What is care economy? Highlight the challenges associated with it and mention the steps taken to
address them in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Introduce with the concept of care economy.
• Bring out the major challenges associated with it.
• Mention the major steps taken by India to address these challenges.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
Care economy consists of activities and relations involved in meeting the physical, psychological and
emotional needs of adults and children, old and young, frail and able-bodied. It also encompasses a
range of sectors such as education, health, and social work involving teachers, nurses, community
health workers, social workers, and domestic workers. The care economy is a huge employer especially
for the female workforce. Moreover, paid care work has always been a major source of remittances for
India.

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Challenges in India’s care economy:

• Marginalization: Historically, not a lot of focus has been given to care work despite its importance.
This is evident as there is no mechanism for proper identification of care economy workers in India.
Also, as compared to other countries, public expenditure on the care economy is extremely low
(less than 1% of the GDP) in India.
• Inadequate implementation of policies: The Maternity Act, 2017 mandates that employers must
provide crèche facilities within a prescribed distance. Yet, in practice, implementation remains
shallow. Surveys conducted in 2019 show only 49 per cent of employers had crèche facilities in
place.
• Inadequate payment to care workers: The country’s 2.5 million women Anganwadi workers
(AWWs), auxiliary nurse-midwives (ANMs) and accredited social health activists (ASHAs) are not
recognised as workers or paid fixed monthly salaries in many States. There is also a
disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women as they perform a significantly larger
portion of domestic work than men.
• Gaps: Persistent and significant gaps in care service and policies have left millions of workers with
family responsibilities without adequate protection and support.
There is an increasing demand for care work as demography is changing towards a higher proportion
of elderly at the expense of the working age population. Urbanisation has also changed the structure of
family, thus creating more demand for the formal care economy. In this context, India has taken steps:
• Maternity leave: India offers 26 weeks of maternity leave, against the ILO’s standard mandate of
14 weeks that exists in 120 countries.
• Paternity leave: In India, central government employees get 15 days of paternity leave. However,
there is no formal policy in place for employees in the private sector even though some companies
provide it.
• All India Survey on Domestic Workers: The survey conducted by the Labour Bureau is aimed to
estimate the number and proportion of domestic workers at National and State level, percentage
distribution of domestic workers with respect to Live-in/Live-out, formal/ Informal Employment,
etc.
• National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): It was launched by the Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare during 2010-11 to address various health related problems of elderly
people.
Going forward, there is a need to create an identification mechanism and formalization of
definition for care workers is required. Also, there is a need for enhanced investment in care
infrastructure and services through public private partnerships as well as a national policy to plug
the gap in wages.

10. Post-pandemic India is staring at the challenge of “learning poverty”. Analyse its implications and
discuss a way ahead. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Approach:
• Briefly explain the concept of learning poverty.
• Discuss how the pandemic has impacted the learning outcomes and analyse its implications on
India.
• Highlight some remedies to address learning poverty.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
The World Bank defines learning poverty as the percentage of 10-year-olds who are unable to read
and understand a simple text. Learning poverty is mainly found in developing countries, including
India.

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An increase in learning poverty post-pandemic could have the following implications for India:
• Further decline in the learning outcomes: As per the latest report of the World Bank, 55% of
children in India at late primary age in 2019, were not able to read correctly, however, there was an
exacerbated rise of 20% in this data by 2021 because of the COVID pandemic impact.
• Disproportionate effect on the weaker sections: The weaker sections of the society such as
females, tribals, Scheduled Castes, etc. will be disproportionately affected due to the learning
poverty created by the existing digital divide.
o Unequal access to education during the pandemic due to inequality regarding access to the
digital medium and illiteracy of parents could further increase inter-generational inequality.
• Impact on the implementation of schemes: In India, many crucial services of the government are
delivered through the network in schools. The implementation of such schemes, for example, the
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (for nutrition security), vaccination drives, etc. will be adversely affected.
• Future economic losses: The children facing learning poverty will potentially face lower
productivity and lower economic participation in the future, leading to overall economic loss for the
nation.
Learning poverty will have an impact on the overall development of children. In this context, the
following measures could be taken to mitigate the adverse impact of raising learning poverty:
• Ensure re-enrolment: There is a need for aggressive enrolment campaigns, and communication
campaigns at the national, state and community levels to ensure that the drop-out students,
especially from the weaker sections of society, are re-enrolled in the schools.
• Strengthen the system of government-run schools: According to the ASER 2021 report, the
enrolment of students in government-run schools has increased from 64.3% in 2018 to 70.3% in
2021, due to the closure of small private schools and parents’ inability to afford private schools.
Thus, capacity building of teachers and improving infrastructure in government schools are
imperative.
• Build resilient systems: With rising threats of climate change, antimicrobial resistance, etc., there
is an urgent need to build resilient systems, such as education through television and radio, which
could be used during any crisis in the future.
• Facilitate catch-up learning: For overcoming the losses to education during the pandemic, there is
a need to increase catch-up learning, especially for those students who lacked access to education
through the digital medium.
Learning poverty not only impedes reading ability but also impedes the ability of students to succeed in
school and beyond. Thus, there is an immediate need to accelerate the process of learning recovery to
realise the target of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 i.e. “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality
education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

11. Bring out the evolution of mural traditions in South India. Also, elaborate on their significant
characteristics. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Give a brief introduction about evolution of murals in India.
• Bring out the evolution of mural traditions in South India.
• Describe their significant characteristics.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
There are more than 20 known locations in India containing murals, mainly natural caves and rock-cut
chambers; with the oldest known Indian murals dating to around 2nd century BC. The most well-
known are Ajanta caves, Sittanavasal cave, Armamalai cave, Ravan Chhaya rock shelter, Kailasa
temple in Ellora caves etc.

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Even after Ajanta caves, murals evolved in many places in South India in the medieval period. Its
evolution in South India can be traced through the following findings:
• Badami caves: Badami was the capital of western Chalukyan dynasty. Paintings in this cave depict
palace scenes. One shows Kirtvarman, the son of Pulakesin-I watching a dance with his feudatories.
o Characteristics: It represents an extension of the tradition of mural painting from Ajanta to
Badami in South India. The sinuously drawn lines, fluid forms and compact compositions
exemplify the proficiency and maturity of the artists.
• Murals under the Pallavas: The Pallavas succeeded the Chalukyas in parts of South India.
Mahendravarmana-I who ruled in the 7th century built temples at Panamali, Mandagapattu and
Kanchipuram. The paintings in these temples too were done at his initiatives. Paintings at
Kanchipuram temple were patronized by the Pallava king, Rajsimha.
○ Characteristics: Faces are round and large. Lines are rhythmic with increased ornamentation
when compared with the paintings of an earlier period.
• Murals under the Pandyas: When the Pandyas rose to power, they too patronized art.
Thirumalapuram caves and Jaina caves at Sittanavasal are surviving examples.
○ Characteristics: The contours of figures are firmly drawn and painted in vermilion red on a
lighter background. The body is rendered in yellow with subtle modelling. Supple limbs,
expression on the faces of dancers, rhythm in their swaying movement, all speak of the artists’
skill.
• Murals under the Cholas: The tradition of building temples and embellishing them with carvings
and paintings continued during the reign of the Chola kings who ruled over the region from the 9th
to 13th centuries. Though Chola paintings are seen in Nartamalai, the most important are those in
Brihadeeswara temple.
○ Characteristics: The paintings were executed on the walls of the narrow passage surrounding
the shrine. They show narrations and aspects related to Lord Shiva.
• Vijayanagara murals: The paintings at Thiruparankundram done in the 14th century represent the
early phase of the Vijayanagara style.
○ Characteristics: Vijayanagara painters evolved a pictorial language wherein the faces are
shown in profile and figures and objects two-dimensionally. Lines become still but fluid,
compositions appear in rectilinear compartments. These stylistic conventions of the preceding
centuries were adopted by artists in various centres in South India.
• Nayaka murals: Paintings of the Nayaka dynasty in the 17th and 18th centuries are seen in
Thiruparakunram, Sreerangam and Thiruvarur.
o Characteristics: Nayaka paintings were more or less an extension of the Vijayanagara style
with minor regional modifications and incorporations. The figures, mostly in profile, are set
against a flat background. Male figures are shown slim waisted but with less heavy abdomen as
compared to those in Vijayanagara.
• Kerala murals: During the period from the 16th to 18th centuries, painters in Kerala evolved a
pictorial language and technique of their own while discriminately adopting certain stylistic
elements from the Nayaka and Vijayanagara schools.
○ Characteristics: The painters evolved a language taking cues from contemporary traditions,
like Kathakali and kalam ezhuthu (ritual floor painting of Kerala), using vibrant and luminous
colours, representing human figures in three-dimensionality.
Mural paintings are inherently different from all other forms of pictorial art in that it is originally
connected with architecture. The use of colour, design and thematic treatment can radically alter the
sensation of spatial proportions of the buildings.

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12. Indian nationalism that confronted British imperialism in the 19th century was a product of
colonial modernity. Do you agree? (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Give a brief introduction about colonial modernity.
• Discuss how Indian nationalism was a product of colonial modernity.
• Present counter viewpoints in this context.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
The term colonial modernity generally refers to the modern ideas, ideologies and knowledge systems
introduced during the colonial rule. It is argued by some that Indian nationalism, in the modern sense
of a political nation, did not exist prior to the establishment of the British rule in India. The idea of
national unity developed due to the introduction of western ideals and in opposition to a common
enemy i.e. the imperial rulers.
Indian nationalism as a product of colonial modernity:
• The concepts of elected representatives, free choice of people, individual rights and liberty,
etc. realised with the introduction of various Charter Acts during the British rule helped bring in
forefront the common issues of Indians under the British rule. This, in turn, helped in the
development of nationalism.
• Before the British rule, India was fragmented into different regional kingships. Though Indians
were aware of a pre-existing sense of territoriality, the idea of a nation-state was new to them.
The vigorous consolidation of Indian territories by the East India Company and later by the British
government and introduction of harsh land revenue systems and other laws, helped in the
formation of nationalist ideas among the masses including peasants and tribals who suffered due to
these changes.
• For the first time, the British subjects in India were treated under a single codified law, as the
British codified both the Hindu and Muslim laws for their administrative convenience. This gave
Indians a feeling of unity, especially when they struggled against the injustice of British rule
through legal means.
• Due to exposure to modern education, a new status group i.e. the Western educated elite-
emerged. This group drew its membership from the existing privileged indigenous collectives such
as Bhradaloks in Bengal. These nationalists were at the forefront of neo-nationalism.
However, the sentiment of nationalism was not altogether absent in India. Historians point out to the
fact that a nation/nationhood always lay embedded in the Indian civilization. This can be discerned
from the following:
• Some rulers like Ashoka in the past also led to territorial unification of a large part of the
subcontinent during different periods in Indian history. Even though political division existed in
India, it remained united from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through religious, cultural and economic
links.
• The realisation of obstacles that stood in the way of forming national unity was not highlighted by
Western philosophers but rather by Indian reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy etc. who took
inspiration from the glorious past of India to induce a feeling of confidence and pride.
• It was argued that the sense of nationhood and the subsequent anti-colonial struggle was just
delayed because of the existence of class, caste and religious divisions. Thereby, when the
colonizers took on the self-professed mission to elevate Indians from the present state of decadence
to progress and modernity, the nationalists made an assertion that Indians were capable of uniting
and ruling themselves within the structural framework of the State.
In this context, Jawaharlal Nehru has rightly emphasized that India is not a mere emulation of the West,
it has evolved critically by analysing western modernity. The Indian principles of ethical conduct with a
scientific approach guided the new nation. Thus, it can be concluded that social and cultural ethos of
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nationhood was always present in the subcontinent, and the territorial sense of nationalism in Indians
germinated after the arrival of the British.

13. Environmentalism surfaced in the form of many organised movements in post independence India.
Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Give a background of ecological conflicts and environmentalism in India post-independence.
• Discuss the various organised environment movements that emerged during the period.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
Environmental movements in India emerged in the 1970s and 1980s in the form of people’s response
to threats to their survival and to conserve vital natural resources like soil, water and vegetation
systems.
The evolution of environmentalism was shaped by various factors as it took prominence in form of
organised movements in post independent India, as explained below:
• Unlike in the West, where modern environmentalism was conceptualized by scientists, in India, it
began through the protests of rural communities.
• The modern Indian environmental movement was born with the Chipko Movement in 1973 when
a group of women peasants in a remote Himalayan village in Uttarakhand stopped a group of
loggers from felling a patch of trees. Though not unique in its form, it arose out of the imperative
of human survival. This was a environmental movement by the poor due to the concerns of social
justice on the one hand and sustainability on the other.
• Following the Chipko Movement, tribals in the Chotanagpur Plateau launched their own struggle
in defence of local rights in the forest. Also, in Gandhamardan in Odisha, tribals resisted the
damage to their lifestyle and to the local ecology by bauxite mining by launching the Anti-BALCO
movement.
• In the backdrop of the debate on development versus preserving the environment during the
1980’s, Narmada Bachao Andolan demanded a proper cost-benefit analysis of major
developmental projects in the country along with social cost to be calculated with respect to such
projects.
• Environmentalism in India also strengthened due to the contribution of Indian scientists and rise
in public consciousness which led to meaningful discussions on sustainable development.
For instance, the works of late A.K.N. Reddy on sustainable energy strategies, Madhav Gadgil and
Ashish Kothari on biodiversity conservation etc.
• Article 48A of the Constitution was added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 making
environmental concerns a directive principle for the government. Various legislations like The
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, The Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 etc. were enacted.
• The above-stated measures led to institutionalisation in the form of a full-fledged Ministry of
Environment and Forests. State governments followed by setting up Environment Ministries of
their own.
• In the recent times, the growing global concern with climate change combined with concerns
like decline in forests, drying rivers, polluted cities, rising burden of untreated wastes,
dipping aquifers etc. has brought the question of sustainable development back into the centre
stage.
• The contribution of the Judiciary in adopting principles like “polluter pays”, declaring certain
rivers legal persons etc. and various judgements of the National Green Tribunal banning several
ill-conceived projects, imposing exemplary costs on violators of environmental laws etc. show the
maturity of the Indian environmental movement.

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• Greater participation of the public, environmentalists, NGOs has shown continued environmental
activism through the support of the Centre for Science Education (research and advocacy) and
other organisations.
The issues raised by the environmental movements such as protection of people’s right to access
natural resources, prevention of land degradation, preventing environmental pollution, rehabilitation
of displaced people, etc. affect all sections of the society in varying degrees and have raised the level of
people’s consciousness.

14. Do you agree with the view that continental blockade was an ill-conceived strategy by Napoleon to
conquer Britain through economic means? (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Briefly explain the continental blockade strategy of Napolean in the introduction.
• Mention its effects on Britain.
• Explain why it was an ill-conceived strategy by Napolean.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
The continental blockade was an economic warfare measure adopted by Napoleon Bonaparte between
1806 and 1812. Under this, embargo on trade with Britain was imposed on the European nations
(conquered nations as well as allies) under his control to weaken the British economy. It was
Bonaparte's plan to develop the economy of continental Europe, with France to be the main beneficiary.
The policy of Continental Blockade caused few hardships in Britain:
• It impacted the English industries and helped spur the Luddite protest movement against
unemployment in England.
• It reduced demand for manufactured products due to reduced access to market of Europe. It
further led to decrease in wages of the workers, as the industries didn’t run at their optimum
capacity.
• British exports to Europe fell between 25% to 55% compared to pre-1806 level.
• Things got worsened due to the three bad harvests in a row, i.e., 1809, 1810, and 1811. Continental
blockade further supplemented the hardships for the people of Britain.
However, the continental blockade is argued to be an ill-conceived strategy, as is evident from
following points:
• Economic impact: Economically, the move damaged those areas of France and its allies, which
relied on trade with Britain. For example, shipbuilding, and its trades such as rope-making,
declined, as did many other industries that relied on overseas markets, such as the linen industries.
o Due to continental blockade, French custom revenue fell and European nations were starved
of British colonial goods, for instance, coffee, sugar, tobacco, cocoa, and cotton textiles.
o Imported goods were addictive luxuries and people resented the French regime for
depriving them of these commodities. Replacement items such as sugar beet and linen were not
tolerated.
• Rise of nationalism: The British blockade of European ports and the scarcity of goods led to a rise
in European nationalism. This gave Britain the opportunity to fight France on land.
• Increased instances of conflict and war: British allies, including Sweden and Portugal, refused to
comply, which resulted in damaging wars. Russia’s withdrawal from the system in 1810 was a
motivating factor behind Napoleon’s decision to invade Russia in 1812, which proved the turning
point of the war and ultimately led to Napoleon’s fall.
• Role of Britain Navy: The British responded with the Orders in Council of 1807 that forbade trade
with France, its allies, or neutrals and instructed the Royal Navy to blockade French and allied
ports.
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• Smuggling by British merchants: British merchants engaged in smuggling with continental

Europe. Napoleon’s exclusively land-based customs enforcers could not stop British smugglers.
It is often argued that Britain would have been harmed by a Continental System if it was properly and
fully implemented. However, it harmed Napoleon far more than it harmed his enemy. Napoleon never
formally ended the Continental System, but inauguration of the license system in 1809 and adoption of
the Trianon tariff rates in 1810 marked its virtual abandonment. The defection of Russia in 1810
proved the single greatest blow to the Continental System, one that made further enforcement efforts
ludicrous.

15. What do you understand by the Arctic Paradox? Highlight the spatial distribution of mineral and
energy resources in the Arctic region. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Introduce by explaining the meaning of the term ‘Arctic Paradox’.
• Mention the spatial distribution of minerals and energy resources in the Arctic region.
• Conclude appropriately.
Answer:
As the Arctic region witnesses an unprecedented rate of ice-melt because of global warming, new
routes are being opened, and non-renewable resources previously inaccessible will pave the way for
untapped hydrocarbon and mineral resources to be exploited. These activities, in turn, will further
contribute to global warming. This whole conundrum is often referred to as the ‘Arctic Paradox’.
The major mineral and energy resource belts of the region can be spatially divided into the Russian
Arctic, North American Arctic, Canadian Arctic, Alaskan mines and Greenland regions.
Spatial distribution of mineral resources in the region:
• The Russian Arctic holds abundant deposits of nickel, copper, coal, gold, uranium, tungsten, and
diamonds. One of the biggest nickel-mining and producing centers in the region is the Norilsk
Nickel plant.
• The North American Arctic contains pockets of uranium, copper, nickel, iron, natural gas, and oil.
• Alaska's industrial-scale mining comprises coal mine and open-pit lead-zinc mine among which is
the Red Dog mine, one of the world's leading sources of zinc and a significant producer of lead.
Many minor gold mines are also operational in sub-Arctic Alaska.
• In the Greenland Arctic region, minerals like cryolite, coal, marble, zinc, lead, and silver are
produced.
• Arctic Norway is a leading producer of some industrial minerals such as olivine, which accounts
for around 66% of world production.
The Arctic region contains a wealth of petroleum resources. Currently, the region produces about one-
tenth of the world's oil and a quarter of its natural gas. Recent appraisals suggest that a
considerable amount of undiscovered petroleum reserves lie within the Arctic.
Spatial distribution of energy resources in the region:
• The Russian Arctic is the source of about 80 percent of oil found in the region and virtually all of
the natural gas. Arctic Canada, Alaska, and Arctic Norway are the other leading producers.
o The major oil and gas area in Russia, and one of the largest oil regions in the world is the
Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Region (KMAR).
o The biggest gas fields are in the coastal areas of Alaska and Siberia.
• There is adequate availability of wind power in the Arctic, with high potential in the coastal areas.
• Hydropower accounts for the energy source with the highest generation of electricity after diesel,
accounting for around 40% of electricity generation in the Arctic.

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Today, when the Arctic is growing both in environmental and geopolitical relevance, it would be unwise
for India to ignore the importance of the region. However, before increasing its involvement in the
Arctic, necessary treaties and mechanisms must be put in place for sustainable development of the
region and for fair and equitable sharing of resources.

16. Cryosphere changes have a tendency to bring about a devastating impact on the ecosystem and its
people. Discuss. Also, enlist measures to tackle this threat. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Give a brief introduction about cryosphere changes.
• Elaborate on the impact of these changes on the people and the ecosystem.
• Suggest measures to tackle this threat.
• Give a brief conclusion.
Answer:
Cryosphere refers to the frozen components of the Earth system that are at or below the land and
ocean surface. These include snow, glaciers, ice sheets, ice shelves, icebergs, sea ice, lake ice, river
ice, permafrost and seasonally frozen ground. Over the last decades, global warming has led to
widespread shrinking of the cryosphere, leading to increased glacier collapse, glacial lake outbursts and
paraglacial readjustments.
Impact of cryosphere changes:
• Impact on the ecosystem:
○ River runoff: Following a period of increased runoff due to increased melting of ice, a turning
point known as “peak water” would occur, after which runoff will decline.
○ Destabilizing mountain slopes: Retreating glaciers and thawing permafrost have already
destabilized mountain slopes and there has been an increase in “wet snow” avalanches (water
saturated snow).
○ Diminished water quality: Glaciers hold a significant store of toxic human-derived chemicals
including DDT, heavy metals and black carbon, all of which could diminish drinking water
quality in surrounding areas when they are released from the melting ice.
○ Negative effect on the Arctic species: For instance, population of polar cod would get affected
due to shortened ice-covered season, increased predatory pressure, reduced prey availability,
and impaired growth and reproductive success.
○ Climate change: Snow cover change will have significant effects on atmospheric circulation, air
pressure system, and jet stream, thus having long-term impacts on the climate of regions and
even altering them. This can, in turn, lead to devastating effects on the ecosystem of regions.
• Impact on the people:
○ Sea level rise: As per the fourth IPCC Assessment Report, 30-60 per cent of sea rise (from 1993
to 2003) was contributed by changes in the cryosphere. The ongoing rise in sea level is
impacting billions of people living in coastal regions across the globe.
○ Habitability: Threats to habitability will likely increase in the decades to come, limiting
adaptation for mountain communities as temperatures continue to rise.
○ Food insecurity: Risks are on the rise due to declining lake ice affecting fishing, changes to
snow conditions making travel more difficult and dangerous and limiting access to hunting
grounds, and reduced reliability of permafrost for natural refrigeration.
○ Increased shipping activity: It will rise across the Arctic as northern routes become
increasingly accessible. This will have significant socio-economic and political implications
related to safety (marine accidents, local accidents, ice as a hazard), security (trafficking,
terrorism), etc.
○ Energy: Hydropower, which contributes almost 100% of electricity generation in some
mountainous nations, is also at risk due to changes in runoff from glaciers and snow cover.

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Measures to tackle this threat:

• Reducing global warming (mitigation) provides the best possibility to limit the speed and extent
of cryosphere change and gives more options for effective adaptation and sustainable development.
• Integrated water management approaches across multiple scales can be effective at addressing
impacts and leveraging opportunities from cryosphere changes in the high mountainous areas.
• Regional cooperation, including treaties and conventions, can support adaptation action.
• Communities need to be made aware about the risks posed by cryosphere changes and
mobilized as per the Sendai Framework to moderate the vulnerabilities that shape people’s risk to
cryosphere change.
The scale and cross-boundary dimension of changes in the cryosphere will challenge the adaptability of
communities, culture and nations and profound economic and institutional transformations are needed
to tackle it. Thus, adequate measures should be taken in this regard.

17. The frequent instances of urban flooding pose a severe risk to the urban ecosystem in India.
Discuss with special emphasis on its impact on the critical infrastructure. (Answer in 250 words)
15
Approach:
• Introduce by defining urban flooding.
• Highlight the impact of urban flooding on urban ecosystems in India, with a special emphasis on the
critical infrastructure.
• Provide a way forward and conclude accordingly.
Answer:
Urban flooding is the inundation of property in a built environment, particularly in densely populated
urban areas, caused by intense rainfall (on impermeable surfaces), which overwhelms the capacity of
drainage systems. There has been an increasing trend of urban flood disasters in India over the
past few years whereby major cities have been severely affected.
Impact of urban flooding on the urban ecosystem:
• Transportation system: Urban floods result in stagnation of water on roads, railway tracks and
even at airports (in a few cases) because of inadequate storm water drainage capacity. This results
in traffic jams and traffic diversions resulting in loss of man-hours.
• Communication system: The telecommunication system gets disturbed and maintenance of
supply of essential commodities becomes challenging. Further, when communication is disrupted,
industrial production gets hampered and prices of essential commodities shoot up.
• Urban infrastructure: There is damage of goods in warehouses and buildings due to flooding by
storm and sewage water. Perishable articles add to economic loss in such a situation. Additionally,
accidents and fires due to short circuits are common. Disruption in supply of essential commodities
including power supply can also result in unrest.
• Diseases: Stagnation of water, pollution of potable water and accumulation of waste in dustbins
and on the open road, result in epidemics. Waste disposal also gets hampered due to traffic
disruption.
Critical infrastructure (CI) i.e. facilities, systems or functions whose incapacitation or destruction will
have debilitating impacts on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation,
is often located in urban areas. Urban flooding may have the following impacts on it:
• Impact on complex interconnected networks: Any delay, distortion or disruption in the
functioning of one Critical Infrastructure (such as communication system) has the potential to
quickly cascade across others due to their interconnected nature and has the potential to
cause political, economic, social or national instability.

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• Impact on energy infrastructure: Modern societies are highly dependent upon energy
infrastructure such as power grids, petrol pumps, LPG lines, etc. Their disruption due to urban
flooding has the potential to create chaos.
• Impact on the urban economy: Resilient and secure infrastructure is vital for effective operation
of businesses and services and long-term confidence and planning in a region. This, in turn, affects
investment in a region. Disruptions to Critical Infrastructure can also impact the global supply
chain.
In this context, various measures can be taken to mitigate the instances of urban flooding, including:
• Integrated approach should be adopted for sustainable urban planning by empowering and
educating the Urban Local Bodies in decision-making and planning of flood mitigation
infrastructure.
• There should be focus on improving the resilience of communities and adaptive capacity of
infrastructure.
• Urban design and planning should be water-sensitive and should take into consideration the
topography, types of surfaces (pervious or impervious), natural drainage etc.
• Vulnerability analyses and risk assessments should form a part and parcel of city master plans.
• There should be control of encroachment in sensitive zones through robust anti-encroachment
laws.
With increasing risk posed by climate change, a framework for safeguarding critical infrastructure and
mitigating its cascading effects needs to be designed, keeping in mind the increasing pressure of rapid
urbanization.

18. Sand is not only critical for economic development but also provides crucial ecosystem services.
Elaborate. In this context, discuss the importance of sustainable sand mining in India. (Answer in
250 words) 15
Approach:
• Give a brief introduction about the importance of sand.
• Briefly describe its role in economic development.
• Mention the ecosystem services provided by it.
• Discuss the importance of sustainable sand mining.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
Sand plays a strategic role in delivering ecosystem services, providing vital infrastructure for economic
development, providing livelihoods within communities and maintaining biodiversity.
Role of sand in economic development:
• Coastal use: Sand protects shorelines and is used for land reclamation, beach nourishment and to
build harbour infrastructure.
• Urban infrastructure: Sand is used in concrete to build roads, bridges, hospitals, industrial
infrastructure, and housing.
• Industrial use: Sand is used in the production of glass and windows. Also, silica sand is used for
electronic chips, rare earth, and aeronautics.
• Energy: Concrete is used to build hydropower dams and wind turbines. Additionally, silica sand is
used to produce solar panels and in gas fracking.
Various ecosystem services provided by sand include:
• Marine habitat: Sands are habitats for microorganisms and cyanobacteria, which form the basis of
marine food webs, as well as benthic species. Marine plants act as an important carbon sink, many
of which require a sandy subsoil for their reproduction.
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• Beaches: Beaches are an important barrier in the face of sea level rise and extreme weather events,
like storm surges. Coastal dunes provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna, support soil formation
and nutrient cycling and offer protection against the salinization of coastal aquifers.
• River system: Sand delivers nutrients to surrounding ecosystems, protects water sources, reduces
riverbank erosion and controls river flows. In channel ecosystems, fish and invertebrates breed in
riverbed and riverbank material. Vegetation on sand bars has also been shown to aid processes of
water filtration and denitrification.
• Subsurface: Underground layers of sand and gravel are often aquifers that hold significant volumes
of water, one of the main sources of potable water around the world.
However, sand, gravel, crushed stone and aggregates are the second most exploited natural
resource in the world driven by urbanization, population growth and economic growth. In this context,
sustainable sand mining can have the following impact:
• It will help replenish riparian habitats that control erosion, provide nutrient inputs into the
stream and prevent intrusion of pollutants in the stream through runoff.
• It shall help prevent meandering and channel shifting that causes loss of properties and
degradation of landscape and undermining of bridge support, pipe lines or other structures.
• It can help check degradation of the morphology of the river bed, thereby improving the quality
of aquatic habitat.
• It can help check depletion of groundwater, which leads to scarcity of irrigation and drinking
water.
• By decreasing bed elevations and flood heights, flooding can be controlled thereby reducing
hazard for human occupancy of floodplains.
• It can help prevent groundwater pollution caused by reducing the thickness of the filter material.
• Unsustainable mining activities that lead to increased concentration of suspended sediment and
siltation of water resources projects can be dealt with.
• It can help mitigate severe health hazards like air quality degradation and dust fog caused by
unscientific and unregulated sand and gravel mining.
Sustainable extraction of sand, especially where it plays an active role, can secure the lives and
livelihood of many. Therefore, satisfying a growing sand demand without transgressing planetary
boundaries must be recognised as an important sustainability frontier.

19. The challenge of unbridled and unbalanced growth of urban spaces in India necessitates reforms
in urban planning and capacity. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Give a brief account of the rising urban population in India.
• Discuss the reasons behind unbridled and unbalanced growth of urban spaces in India.
• Mention various reforms to augment urban planning and capacity.
• Conclude accordingly.
Answer:
India is the second largest urban system in the world with almost 11% of the total global urban
population living in the Indian cities. Urban growth is expected to contribute to 73% of the total
population increase by 2036. This will further lead to unbridled and unbalanced growth of urban
spaces.
The reasons behind unplanned and unbalanced growth of urban spaces include:
• There is unacknowledged urbanization, as almost half of the ‘urban’ settlements are census
towns and continue to be governed as ‘rural’ entities.
• There is inadequate planning, as 65% of the urban settlements do not have any master plan.

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• The transfer of the urban planning functions from States/UTs to elected urban local
governments has not happened as was envisaged by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992.
• There is an under-developed ecosystem of the private sector in urban planning.
• The existing urban planning and governance framework is complex, which often leads to
ambiguity and lack of accountability.
• Lack of human resources and poor coordination has emerged as a major bottleneck in the state
machinery responsible for urban planning and design.
In order to address the issues in the growth of urban spaces, NITI Aayog in its report ‘Reforms in
Urban Capacity 2021’ has made several recommendations. These include the following:
• Planning of healthy cities: Every city must aspire to become a ‘Healthy City for All’ by 2030. The
report recommends a Central Sector Scheme ‘500 Healthy Cities Programme’, for a period of 5
years, wherein priority cities and towns would be selected jointly by the states and local bodies.
o All the cities and towns under the proposed programme will strengthen development control
regulations based on scientific evidence to maximize the efficiency of urban land (or planning
area).
• Ramping up of human resources: To combat the shortage of urban planners in the public sector,
there is a need to expedite the filling up of vacant positions of town planners as lateral entry
positions for a minimum period of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years to meet the gaps.
• Re-engineering of urban governance: There is a need to bring in more institutional clarity and
also multi-disciplinary expertise to solve urban challenges. The report recommends the
constitution of a high-powered committee to re-engineer the present urban-planning governance
structure.
• Revision of Town and Country Planning Acts: Most States need to review and upgrade their
existing Town and Country Planning Acts. The formation of an apex committee at the state level is
recommended to undertake a regular review of planning legislation.
• Demystifying planning and involving citizens: A ‘Citizen Outreach Campaign’ should be carried
out for demystifying urban planning for enabling citizens’ participation at relevant stages.
• Steps for enhancing the role of the private sector: The adoption of fair processes for procuring
technical consultancy services, strengthening project structuring and management skills in the
public sector, and empanelment of private sector consultancies can be considered.
With urban India poised to power the growth of the Indian economy, there is a compelling need to plug
the gaps in urban planning capacity in the country, which provides a huge opportunity for rapid,
sustainable, and equitable growth. Equitable and sustainable cities are the solution to balancing the
need for economic growth with the needs of people and the environment.

20. Feminist movements in India have historically lacked inclusivity, often growing within a limited
Western upper-class psyche. Critically discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Approach:
• Give a brief overview of the feminist movements in India.
• Mention the issues and achievements pertaining to various phases of the feminist movements in
India.
• Conclude with a way forward.
Answer:
A feminist movement refers to a series of social, economic, and political movements concerned with
gender inequalities and gaining equal rights for women. In the Indian context, the rise of feminism and
the women’s movement has been observed in the two distinct time periods - the pre-independence era
and the post-independence era, and in three phases.

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First phase (1850-1915): During this phase, feminism began as a social reform movement. The
Western idea of liberty, equality, and fraternity were imbibed by the educated elites through the study
of English and contact with the West. However, the following issues emerged:
• These reformers wanted a modern society, yet rooted in Indian tradition.
• They picked up for reform only those issues which the Britishers were pointing out as evidence
of degeneration in the Indian society, such as polygamy, sati, child marriage, and illiteracy.
• Even women’s institutions and organizations that sprang up during this period did not have an
independent ideology but only took off from what the men were stating, because it was
primarily the wives and sisters of the reformers who had initiated the establishment of these
organizations.
Hence, during this phase, women were just passive recipients of a more humanitarian treatment to
be given by the Western-educated elite males. There were no attempts to alter the power
structure and the relation between men and women in the society.
Second phase (1915-1947): Many prominent women’s organisations were formed during this phase
due to the Gandhian movements. However, they only had supporting roles. The male leadership
during this period did not encourage a second line of leadership and women assumed leadership
mostly when the men were in prison.
• For many women, this struggle was two-pronged i.e., they were fighting not only against the British
overlords but also against patriarchy in their homes. It was primarily due to the effort of women
and their role in the freedom struggle that women got the right to vote and equality in the
Constitution of India.
Third phase (1947 to present):
• 1947-1960s: The government adopted a patronising role towards women after independence and
brought legislative measures such as the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Hindu Succession Act,
1956, the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, etc. Hence, women
participated during this phase for their emancipation, but they did not have to struggle for
basic rights as did the women in the West.
• 1975 to present: It was only after the ‘Towards Equality Report, 1974’ which highlighted the
alarming facts regarding employment, political participation, and health status of women, that the
New Women’s movement in the 1970s got a kickstart. Broader issues of atrocities against women
and a need for a Uniform Civil Code were intensely debated.
o The Chipko movement during the 1970s became a key movement in the history of Indian
feminism because it brought the Dalit and marginalised women to the front.
o Several women-led organisations also sprang up such as Self-Employed Women’s Association
(SEWA), National Commission for Women (NCW), KALI, etc., which helped in bringing
important legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, etc.
o The expanse and speed of this phase was aided by the technological revolution and the rise
in social media e.g., the #MeToo movement.
Thus, it can be said that the women's movement in India abandoned the Western upper-class psyche
and began to look inward to resolve social issues and create a systematic development plan for women
soon after independence. With improvement in literacy level and free movement, Indian women are
beginning to determine their place in society and develop identity-consciousness.

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