AIR 20 · CSE 2022 · GS3 · 52 pages

Anoushka Sharma: GS3 answer copy

20 answers by Anoushka Sharma, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1Despite a vast coast line and a number of waterways, why has India not been able to achieve its potential in bringing a significant modal shift from rail and road to waterways?10 marks
  2. Q2The move to establish a National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development, to reverse the drag on India's growth potential will have its own set of challenges. Discuss.10 marks
  3. Q3Highlighting the issues related to the current fertilizer subsidy regime in India, discuss the need for reforms in this context.10 marks
  4. Q4Identifying the need for a climate resilient agriculture in India, discuss how it can be achieved.10 marks
  5. Q5Mega Food Parks (MFPs) were considered to be a gamechanger for the food processing sector in India, but their progress remains stunted. Discuss.10 marks
  6. Q6Give an account of the challenges associated with rapidly increasing biomedical waste in India. Also, state the key features of the Bio-medical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018.10 marks
  7. Q7What do you understand by impact based forecasting in disaster management? How can such forecasting strengthen the disaster management preparedness?10 marks
  8. Q8Low Earth Orbit is becoming increasingly crowded as countries race to launch satellites into space. Highlighting the associated issues, discuss international efforts taken in this regard.10 marks
  9. Q9Enumerating the existing measures to counter bio-terrorism in India, highlight the need for a bio-terrorism law.10 marks
  10. Q10Discuss the potential of "Integrated Law Enforcement Centres" and "Smart Walls" on India's border areas to address the prevailing security challenges.10 marks
  11. Q11Farm loan waivers are neither adequate nor recommended for promoting sustained agricultural growth. Analyse.15 marks
  12. Q12A number of initiatives in recent years have focussed on the MSME sector. Why is there a need to focus on this sector? Also, identify the measures taken by the government and further scope of action.15 marks
  13. Q13Skilling the Indian population faces a 3E challenge - Education, Employment and Employability. Discuss. Also suggest interventions required to effectively manage this challenge.15 marks
  14. Q14Despite its importance, agricultural marketing faces various institutional and infrastructural related issues in India. Elaborate. Also, enlist the measures that have been taken in this context.15 marks
  15. Q15Marine litter is not just an environmental issue but poses a socio-economic challenge as well. Discuss. Also, enumerate the initiatives taken by the global community to reduce marine litter.15 marks
  16. Q16Assess India's vulnerability to flash floods and suggest measures for better resilience to flash floods. In this context, also briefly highlight the significance of recently launched Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) operated by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).15 marks
  17. Q17Hydrogen based energy production can play a key role in a clean, secure and affordable energy future. In this context, identify the potential and opportunities for utilising hydrogen based technologies. What are the challenges that need to be addressed to fullfill the potential?15 marks
  18. Q18Despite the huge promise of satellite-based internet connectivity, it hasn't gained traction on a significant commercial scale, especially in India. Discuss.15 marks
  19. Q19India's attempts at strengthening its intelligence infrastructure and capabilities have historically been reactive and incremental, rather than holistic and sustainable. Discuss. Also, provide a concrete framework in transforming the country's intelligence capabilities.15 marks
  20. Q20In light of the prominent instances of drone attacks by both state and non state actors, assess the challenges and capabilities of India in dealing with such security threats.15 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 165 words written

Despite a vast coast line and a number of waterways, why has India not been able to achieve its potential in bringing a significant modal shift from rail and road to waterways?

Opening · a figure

India has a coastline of ~ 4000kms with eastern and western coast panning the peninsula. It has various waterways such as NW1-Ganga, NW-2 Brahmaputra, etc.

[Diagram showing a sketch map of India with pointers for:

Body · points and prose

  • NW1 on Ganga
  • NW-2 on Brahmaputra
  • NW-Godavari-Krishna
  • NW3-Cauvery]

But despite waterways having various advantages such as cheaper, low maintenance and low infrastructure development required, India has not developed the waterways.

  • REASONS FOR NOT ACHIEVING POTENTIAL

  1. Biased towards land transportation as evident from higher representation in NIP.

  2. Barriers to travel such as dams, non perennial rivers, etc.

  3. Already developed infrastructure of roads, ports & railways leads to low need of investment in new modes.

  4. Lack of independence as a mode of travel as for long distance travel, reliance on other modes of transport is required.

Close · a way forward

Therefore, waterways have not developed in India. For development of inland waterways, schemes on similar lines of Sagarmala Pariyojna and viability gap funding is required.