AIR 281 · CSE 2024 · GS3 · 52 pages

Wasim Ur Rahman: GS3 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1Explain the concept of volcanic winter giving examples.10 marks
  2. Q2Bring out the importance of community-based disaster management in India.10 marks
  3. Q3The concept of ecological footprint is a useful indicator for assessing progress on the sustainable use of resources in a country. Explain.10 marks
  4. Q4The CRZ Notification, 2018 aims to maintain a balance between economic growth and conservation principles of coastal regions. Discuss.10 marks
  5. Q5Fertilizers have been one of the key inputs in the agricultural sector since Green Revolution in India. In this context, give an account of distribution of fertilizer industry in India.10 marks
  6. Q6Giving example, explain how continental rupture ultimately results in the formation of a new ocean basin.10 marks
  7. Q7COVID-19 has exposed gaps in India's domestic laws to deal effectively with outbreaks of infectious diseases, especially pandemics. Discuss.10 marks
  8. Q8Give an account of the increasing frequency of cyclonic activity in the Arabian Sea region.10 marks
  9. Q9Explain the phenomena of Sudden Stratospheric warming witnessed in recent years. How does it affect the ozone hole formation over Antarctica?10 marks
  10. Q10Write a brief note on Earth's magnetism and its role in protecting the Earth from solar winds.10 marks
  11. Q11How does climate change affect the process of desertification?15 marks
  12. Q12Discuss the increasing need of 'disaster resilient infrastructure' in India. Mention the steps taken in this direction with specific reference to the Global Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure.15 marks
  13. Q13Identify the important mineral belts of India. Highlighting some of the issues plaguing the mining sector in India, discuss how the National Mineral Policy 2019 aims to address these issues.15 marks
  14. Q14Not only is the spatial and temporal distribution of freshwater in India very skewed, but also its usage inefficient and wasteful. Discuss in context of the current water crisis.15 marks
  15. Q15Examine how resource efficiency can bring about multiple benefits along the three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - in India.15 marks
  16. Q16Highlighting the significance of unconventional hydrocarbons for India, discuss the issues faced in their exploration and extraction.15 marks
  17. Q17What is Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)? Identify various factors affecting SOC levels. Also, highlight the beneficial impacts of SOC on soil health and functionality.15 marks
  18. Q18Ocean deoxygenation is one of the most detrimental, yet under-reported side-effects of human-induced climate change. Identify the causes behind it. Also, mention its socio-economic and environmental implications for the world.15 marks
  19. Q19Approach to flood control in India should evolve from piecemeal measures to an integrated basin management. Comment.15 marks
  20. Q20Programmes for cleaning polluted rivers in India have been implemented for a long time, however, the results of these programmes are not very encouraging. Identify the reasons for the same and possible steps to rectify the situation.15 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 108 words written

Explain the concept of volcanic winter giving examples.

Opening · a definition

Volcanic winter is the substantial reduction in the average temperature of the earth brought by some massive volcanic eruption.

Body · points and prose

Mechanism

Massive volcanic eruption ↓ Release of large amount of SO2, Ash particles in the atmosphere ↓ SO2, Ash particles reflect back sun rays and prevent them from reaching earth surface ↓ Overall decrease in temperature ↓ volcanic winter.

Diagram
Sun | / | \ / | \ SO2 Ash . . . . . . . . . . . . . ----------------- earth surface ^^ Volcanic eruption

Instances of volcanic winter

  • Mount Toba eruption: Around 74,000 years ago caused volcanic winter and a small scale extinction period happened.
  • Mount Tambora eruption (1815) also caused volcanic winter.

Close · a summary

Thus volcanic eruption help in bringing down average temperature of our atmosphere but it may not be always beneficial.