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Approach – Answer: General Studies Mains Mock Test 1242 (2019)

1. Tribal art in India generally reflects the creative energy found in rural areas that acts as an
undercurrent to the craftsmanship. Explain with reference to the Worli and Gond paintings.
(150 words) 10
Approach:
 Introduce by giving a brief account on Tribal art in India.
 With reference to the Worli and Gond paintings, explain how tribal art reflects the creative energy
found in the rural areas.
 Explain in brief how it acts as an undercurrent to the craftsmanship.
 Conclude on the basis of the above points.
Answer:
Tribal art ranges through a wide range of art forms such as wall paintings, tribal dances, tribal music and
so on. Tribal art forms, especially dance and music are tied inextricably to ceremonies of various kinds:
be it weddings, births, coronations, entering a new house or town, welcoming a guest, religious
processions or harvest time.
They reflect the creative energies of rural areas, which in turn gets reflected in tribal craftsmanship. This
can be seen from the example of Warli Folk Painting as well as Gond Painting.
Warli Folk Painting
 These folk paintings of Warli tribe of Maharashtra are pretty close to pre-historic cave paintings in
execution.
 Images of human beings and animals, engaged in activities like hunting, dancing, sowing and
harvesting are depicted. These paintings also serve social and religious aspirations of the local
people.
 They are painted on an austere mud base using one color, white, with occasional dots in red and
yellow. This colour is obtained from grounding rice into white powder.
 For the Warlis, tradition is still adhered to but at the same time new ideas have been allowed to
seep in which helps them face new challenges from the market.
Gond painting
 Gond painting is one of the tribal arts of Madhya Pradesh. This painting reflects man’s close
connection with his natural surroundings.
 A majority of Gond paintings take inspiration from nature.
 Gond painting reflects the perception of life of Gond tribes, their faiths and beliefs and the
happenings of their day to day.
 These paintings were made to bring the good luck so it was mostly done on walls.
 Natural dyes obtained from natural resources available in the forest of Gondhvana region was used
for colouring.
 The painting has evolved and nowadays it also depicts abstract concepts like emotions, dreams and
imagination.
These simple yet vibrant art forms speak volumes about the country's rich artistic heritage.
The growing popularity and commercialization of these paintings holds the potentials for the upliftment
of tribal people and may also play a crucial role in integrating them with the mainstream.
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 2. Though it had its achievements, the exclusion of Indians from the system was a key feature of judicial
reforms introduced by Cornwallis. Analyze. (150 words) 10
Approach:
 Explain the key reforms introduced by Cornwallis succinctly known as the Cornwallis Code.
 Discuss the merits of the judicial reforms introduced by Cornwallis.
 Discuss the reasons why Indians were excluded from the judicial machinery.
Answer:
Cornwallis came up with some key reforms during his tenure as the Governor-General, known in short
as the Cornwallis Code. It was a set of regulations enacted in 1793 which gave a legal sanctity to the
complex measures that constituted the administrative framework in British India. It included revenue
reforms, police reforms, judicial reforms etc.
The judicial reforms brought about by him included reforms in both civil and criminal justice system.
These included:
 The judiciary was reorganized; there were district judges with magisterial powers responsible to
provincial courts in civil cases and to courts of circuit in criminal cases.
 Courts were set up in districts, state, and the provinces namely Munsif courts, Diwani Adalat,
Provincial Court of Appeal, and Sadar Diwani Adalat.
 Fauzdari Adalat was abolished and circuit courts were set up at Calcutta, Dacca, Murshidabad and
Patna.
The judicial reforms by Cornwallis had some merits such as:
 Every person in the country was placed under the jurisdiction of these courts.
 Court fees were abolished to make judiciary accessible to common man.
 Rules for lawyers to prescribe their fees.
 Ordinary people could sue Indian government servants.
 Inhuman punishments were abolished.
 Separation of revenue and judicial functions as collectors were deprived of the judicial functions.
 Establishment of principle of sovereignty of law.
Despite these achievements, Indians were excluded from being a part of the judicial machinery. For
instance, circuit courts were to be headed mandatorily by British only.
Such exclusion of Indians from the judicial system was done for the following reasons:
 The British monopolized the judiciary and administrative system because they were convinced that
an administration based on British ideas, institutions, and practices could be firmly established only
by English personnel.
 There was a usual perception about corruptibility of Indians, which however applied to a small class
of Indian officials and zamindars who exploited people.
 Exclusion of Indians was also done so as to establish and consolidate British rule in India.
Thus, due to various reasons, the exclusion of Indians from the judicial system of their own country
marked the reforms introduced by Cornwallis.

3. Outline the course of the revolutionary movement in the Indian freedom struggle during the 1920s and
1930s, paying special attention to the contributions of Bhagat Singh. (150 words) 10
Approach:
 Introduce why revolutionary movement caught popular imagination in the years of 1920s and 30s.
 Discuss the major important events during these years.
 Discuss the contributions of Bhagat Singh in furthering revolutionary movement in India.
 Conclude by highlighting the impact of revolutionary movement on Indian freedom struggle.

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 Answer:
The sudden withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 left many people disillusioned,
questioning the philosophy of national leadership. They looked for alternatives and thus the
revolutionary or extremist ideas gained momentum.
The revolutionary movement was characterized by several important events such as:
 Formation of Hindustan Republican Association/Army or HRA (1924) by Ramprasad Bismil, Jogesh
Chandra Chatterjee, and Sachin Sanyal. It was aimed to organise an armed revolution to overthrow
the colonial government.
 Kakori robbery case (1925): Raid on train was conducted to fund the activities of HRA. However,
many revolutionaries were arrested and Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh, and
Rajendra Lahiri were hanged.
 Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), 1928: After the set back from the Kakori case,
HSRA was established under the leadership of Chandra Shekhar Azad.
 Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930): In Bengal, Surya Sen along with his associates organized a raid to
occupy two armouries to seize and supply arms to the revolutionaries to destroy telephone and
telegraph lines. Surya Sen was arrested and hanged in 1934. There was large scale participation of
women under the leadership of Surya Sen such as Kalpana Dutt, Pritilata Waddedar etc.
Contributions of Bhagat Singh
 He was instrumental in establishment of HSRA and Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha for
revolutionary activities.
 Bhagat Singh believed in Marxism and and asserted that revolution meant the development and
organization of a mass movement of the exploited and suppressed sections of society by the
revolutionary intelligentsia. Thus he broadened the scope and definition of revolution. Revolution
was no longer equated with violence. Its first objective was overthrow of imperialism and then work
for a new socialist social order with no exploitation of man by man.
He, along with Batukeshwar Dutt, threw a harmless bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1929 to
let people know about changed objectives and need for mass action
 He was against racial discrimination and undertook a hunger strike with his fellow inmates to protest
against differential treatment of white and native prisoners. They also demanded to be treated as
‘political prisoners’. The entire nation rallied behind the hunger- strikers and Bhagat Singh became a
household name.
 He was consciously secular and considered communalism as big an enemy as colonialism. He
advocated freeing the people from the mental bondage of religion and superstition in his essay
article ‘Why I am an Atheist’.
Bhagat Singh was hanged along with Rajguru and Sukhdev on 23rd March 1931. But he left an everlasting
impression on the political philosophy of the Indian national movement.
Also, by the early 1930s, the revolutionary movement fizzled out; however, it made an abiding
contribution to the freedom struggle. The deep patriotism, courage and sacrifices of revolutionaries
stirred people’s spirit and helped in the spread of national consciousness.

4. The Marshall Plan was important in the recovery of the European states from the aftermath of the
Second World War. However, it also became a crucial factor in the creation of two Europes i.e. East
and West. Discuss. (150 words) 10
Approach:
 Explain Marshal Plan and it objectives.
 Discuss its importance in the recovery of the European states from the aftermath of the Second
World War.
 Discuss in brief how it became a crucial factor in the creation of two Europes i.e. East and West.
 Conclude on the basis of the above points.
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 Answer:
The Marshall plan, also known as the European Recovery Program (ERP) was a scheme sponsored by the
United States, for rebuilding the economies of European States that suffered profoundly due to World
War II. It provided aid of 12.4 billion USD to major industrial powers, such as West Germany, France and
Great Britain, etc.
The objectives of the United States were to rebuild those areas destroyed by the war, eliminate barriers
to trade, modernize European industry and make the continent prosperous again. All these objectives
were aimed at preventing the spread of communism, which had a growing influence in post-war Europe.
Significance of the Marshal Plan in the recovery of the European states from the aftermath of the
Second World War:
 It helped rebuild the economies of Western Europe, as major industries were provided with funds so
that they will repay to their own government and those repaid funds will be invested to boost other
industries.
 It helped avoid a situation similar to failure of Treaty of Versailles that had led to bitterness among
European nations after 1st World War.
 It played crucial role in stopping humanitarian disaster like poverty, hunger etc. post world war-2.
 The plan helped spur the process of European integration and laid the groundwork for the
formation of the European Union (EU).
However, it is also being criticized to have become a crucial factor in the creation of two blocs in Europe
i.e. East and West because of following reasons:
 The USSR, which was not a part of the Marshal Plan, started the Molotov Plan in response to the
Marshall plan. It was the plan created by the Soviet Union in 1947 to provide aid to rebuild the
countries in Eastern Europe that were politically and economically aligned with the Soviet Union.
 The co-existence of these plans started deepening the division of Europe into capitalist and
communist countries.
Since the Western Europe had two decades of unprecedented economic growth, it further created a
divide between western and eastern European countries. Even Germany got divided into East and
West Germany.
 Eventually, the satellite countries were forced to pick up the sides. During cold war, both the US and
USSR had policy of 'one who is not with us is against us'.
Though, it is debated that the plan along with the Truman doctrine exacerbated the Cold War tension by
being a crucial factor in the creation of two Europes, it is also considered as an example of successful
U.S. foreign policy initiative which led to recovery of global economy in the aftermath of 2nd World War.

5. Examine the causes behind the existence of bonded labour in contemporary India. Also, discuss the
steps that should be taken for its redress. (150 words) 10
Approach:
 In introduction, start with the definition of bonded or forced labour.
 Examine the different socio-economic and other causes behind the existence of bonded labour in
India.
 Discuss various steps that need to be taken to address the issue of bonded labour including
prevention, rehabilitation, institutional measures etc.
Answer:
Bonded labour, also known as debt bondage, is a specific form of forced labor in which compulsion into
servitude is derived from debt. It is characterized by a creditor-debtor relationship that a laborer often
passes on to his family members. Bonded labor is typically of an indefinite duration and involves illegal
contractual stipulations. It remains one of the most prevalent forms of modern slavery despite being
banned in international law and most domestic jurisdictions.

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 In India, bonded labor is prevalent in both rural and urban areas. The major causes behind the existence
of bonded labour in contemporary India are:
 Economic causes: Immediate triggers such as health emergencies, religious ceremonies, marriages
etc. may lead the poor, landless etc. to seek loans or advances from local moneylenders, contractors
or employers, often at unfavorable terms. The inability to repay loans may oblige the debtor, and
frequently other family members, to work for the employer or contractor for reduced wages until
the debt is repaid. Additional loans may be taken to meet essential needs and the debt mounts,
creating a perpetual cycle of over-indebtedness and exploitation
 Social causes which can be attributed for the origin and continuance of this phenomenon are caste
structure (bonded laborers majorly belong to scheduled caste), ethnicity, illiteracy, unjust social
relations etc. These all play a role in transforming an economic transaction between a lender and a
borrower into a mechanism of social control and subordination.
 Political causes: Despite passing legislations like Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976,
bonded labour has not been eliminated. There has been no government-led nationwide survey to
identify the extent of bonded labour since 1978, despite each district having been given money for
such surveys.
Apart from the above identified reasons, there are a range of practical challenges to the rescue and
reintegration of victims, such as failure to provide adequate reintegration services, a lack of human and
financial resources, limited organizational accountability, and poorly structured partnerships between
NGOs and government, among others.
The steps that should be taken for its redressal are:
 Strengthening legislative framework through legislations like ratifying and implementing the ILO
Domestic Workers Convention, 2011, passing the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and
Rehabilitation) Bill, passing the National Domestic Workers Regulation of Work and Social Security
Bill 2016, etc.
 Effective implementation of schemes such as Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded
Labourer (revamped in 2016) which talks about creating a Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund at
District level for extending immediate help to the released bonded labourers, should be focused
upon. The scheme also has other important provisions related to resettlement and rehabilitation,
conducting survey of bonded labourers, etc.
 Preventing the occurrence/recurrence of debt bondage: through access to microcredit,
implementation of land reforms, strengthening PDS, education and health support etc.
 Sensitization and orientation: A massive programme of orientation and training for the sensitization
of functionaries at all levels.
 Implementing a National Action Plan for all victims of modern slavery that recognizes the different
contexts of cross-border and localised forms of slavery.
All these steps would help in initiating progress towards eliminating this regressive system of bonded
labour.

6. State the factors that enhance the risk for initiation or continuation of abuse of drugs by the youth.
What measures can be taken to address this issue? (150 words) 10
Approach:
 State the factors that have led to initiation and continued drug usage among the youth in India
 Briefly discuss its consequences
 Mention steps that need to be taken to address the problem
Answer:
Drug abuse, particularly among the younger generation, has assumed alarming dimensions in India in
many states particularly Punjab, Manipur, Sikkim and Nagaland. A recent survey conducted by the Social
Justice and Empowerment Ministry in collaboration with AIIMS suggests that more than 3.1 crore
Indians have reported using cannabis products, and the use of sedatives.
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 The factors that enhance the risk for initiation or continuation of increased drug abuse by the youth
include:
 Geographical factors: India is the link country between the two major opium-producing regions of
the world- the “Golden Triangle” and the “Golden Crescent”. Within India, the most affected regions
are the North-Eastern states and Punjab, which lie in proximity of these regions.
 Social and cultural factors: With their bodies and minds still developing, young people are quite
vulnerable to experimenting with addictive substances, including drugs, due to peer pressure. This
coupled with other factors such as parental influence or the lack thereof, popular culture,
particularly cinema and TV make them even more susceptible to initiate and continue abusing drugs.
 Economic factors: There have been arguments that unemployment and poor economic background
play a part in the youth initiating or continuing to abuse drugs.
 Administrative factors: There is weak law enforcement and regulatory controls of laws such as
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. This leads to easy accessibility of drugs,
which is primarily responsible for drug use for the first time among the youth.
Drug abuse among the youth may increase the likelihood of occurrence of other crimes, delinquent
behaviour, juvenile crimes etc. Additionally, there is a strong link between drug use and risky sexual
practices. It has major physical and mental consequences for the youth that may pose developmental
challenges to the nation.
Measures to be taken to address the issue are:
 Drug hotspots should be identified and availability of drugs should be monitored and curbed.
 There should be de-addiction and counselling centres for the vulnerable youth.
 Positive alternatives such as taking up sports, learning music etc. should be encouraged to keep the
youth engaged in constructive avenues.
 A multi-pronged strategy such as preventive education, awareness generation, treatment and
rehabilitation of affected individuals should be adopted.
 To know about the efficacy of drug-related legislations, acts and programmes there should be
credible surveys and impact assessment studies.
 Educational institutions such as schools and colleges should regularly conduct seminars and increase
awareness among students regarding adverse consequences of drug usage with the help of local
NGOs.
 Efforts should be taken to de-stigmatize the issue so that the youth who want to quit the habit are
willing to seek help via helpline numbers, de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.
Government Schemes like the Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse, sensitization and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges are steps
in the right direction to overcome the menace of drug abuse among the youth.

7. Critically analyze the impact of globalization on culture in the context of India. (150 words) 10
Approach:
 Briefly discuss the phenomena of globalization.
 Mention how it has influenced various aspects of Indian culture.
 Briefly conclude on the basis of aforementioned points.
Answer:
Globalization refers to the increasing interaction and integration of people, companies and governments
around the world, particularly through migration, trade and financial flows. Apart from the economic
aspect, it has a significant cultural dimension as well.
India has not remained untouched by the process of cultural interaction initiated by globalization. The
impact of globalization can be discerned through three processes: homogenization, hybridization and
revival of culture, as explained below, using examples:

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  Family system in India: It has been argued by some that globalization has led to a homogenizing
trend towards nuclearization of the family system in India. The increasing number of old-age homes
are often cited as an evidence by the proponents of this view. However, others argue that the
culture of jointness persists and there has instead been a hybridization of cultures as evident from
the increasing number of supplemented nuclear families. Still others have gone ahead and cited the
increase in the number of joint families, due to multiple reasons, in urban areas of India as an
indication of the revival of culture.
 Language: The use of English language has increased manifold, especially in urban areas, of India.
However, it would be a limited exercise to cite this as a homogenizing trend without recognizing the
increasing trend towards Hinglish, instead of just Hindi or English, as an example of hybridization of
culture. Further, the stress on regional languages, as is evident from protests on language issues at
various points in time, could well be cited as an example of resistance to globalization.
 Religion: While some have argued that there has been a trend towards increasing secularization of
the society (homogenization), the persistence of religious ceremonies in such matters as marriages,
points towards a hybridization of cultures. So, while religion continues to hold importance in some
aspects of social life, its importance in other aspects may have diminished due to globalization.
However, co-existing with such homogenization and hybridization, there has also been a religious
revivalism in the society. The prominence of godmen and astrology are pointers towards the same.
 Food: While the popularity of fast food joints like McDonalds, KFC across the country point towards
a homogenizing trend, it is also true that foreign cuisines are being modified to suit the local culture
and taste buds of Indians. For instance, even McDonald sells only vegetarian and chicken products in
India and not its beef products, which are popular abroad.
Similarly, while increase in the number of live-in relationships, popularity of multiplex theatres,
Valentines’ day, Friendship day, etc. point towards homogenization, that of ‘fusion’ forms of music and
dance indicate hybridization. And at the same time, the popularity of Yoga and traditional medicines
both within the country as well as internationally are an indication of revival of culture.
So, while globalization has impacted the Indian culture in more than one ways, it is best understood
through the three processes of homogenization, hybridization and revivalism rather than a one way
homogenizing street.

8. Giving a brief account of distribution of cotton textile industry in India, identify the factors responsible
for localization of this industry in Ahmedabad–Mumbai–Pune region. (150 words) 10
Approach:
 Give a brief introduction about the cotton textile industry in India.
 Give an account of distribution of the cotton textile industry in India.
 Discuss the different factors responsible for the localization of this industry in Ahmedabad–Mumbai–
Pune region.
Answer:
Cotton textile industry has an important place in the economy of the country. Cotton textile industry
comprises of three sectors: mill sector, handloom and power loom. It is one of the most widely
distributed industries in our country and absorbs one-fifth of the total industrial labour of the country.
But majority of cotton textile mills are still located in the cotton growing areas of the Great Plains and
Peninsular India.
The distribution of cotton textile industry in India is as follows:
 Maharashtra is the leading producer of cotton textile in the country. Mumbai is the major centre of
textile mills. Sholapur, Kohlapur, Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad and Jalgaon are the other important
centres in Maharashtra.
 Gujarat ranks second in the production of cotton textiles. Ahmedabad is the major centre of the
state. Surat, Bharauch, Vadodara, Bhavnagar and Rajkot are the other centres in the state.

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  Tamil Nadu has also
emerged as an important
producer of cotton
textiles in southern
states. Coimbatore is an
important centre in the
state. Tirunelveli,
Chennai, Madurai,
Tiruchirapalli, Salem and
Thanjavour are the other
important centers here.
 In Karnataka, cotton
textile industry is mainly
concentrated at
Bangalore, Mysore,
Belgaum and Gulbarga.
 In Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur,
Etawah, Modinagar,
Varanasi, and Hathras are
the important centres.
 In Madhya Pradesh, this
industry is concentrated
at Indore and Gwalior.
 Howrah, Serampur and
Murshidabad are the
important cotton textile centres in West Bengal.
 Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh are the other states producing cotton textiles.
The following are the factors for the localization of the textile industry in Ahmedabad– Mumbai – Pune
region:
 Availability of raw material: A large amount of cotton is grown in this belt due to the availability of
black soils (black cotton soil) in some of these regions of Peninsular India.
 Availability of capital: Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune are the places where capital for investment is
easily available.
 Means of transport: This region is well connected with the rest of India by roads and railways. It,
therefore, facilitates transportation of the finished products.
 Accessibility to the market: Maharashtra and Gujarat has a large market to sell textile products
here. In present days, due to growth in infrastructure, the market has become a dominant factor in
determining the location of cotton textile industry.
 Nearness to ports: Mumbai port facilitates the import of machinery and good quality of cotton from
abroad and export of the finished products.
 Cheap labour: Cheap and skilled labour is easily available from the surrounding areas.
 Humid Climate: These areas have humid climate which is ideal for spinning and weaving. High
humidity is good for processing of cotton.
 Availability of water: Abundant supplies of soft water are available for dyeing and bleaching.
 Availability of chemicals: Chemical industries which supply required chemicals to the cotton textile
industries are well developed in Mumbai-Pune industrial belt.
 Availability of power: Cheap and sufficient power is easily available here.
With the textile industry contributing around 14% to industrial production and 4 per cent to Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), the Ahmedabad–Mumbai–Pune region based cotton textile industry can play a
major role in the Indian economy.

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 9. How do increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impact coastal and marine ecosystems? Highlight
various measures that can be taken for protection and restoration of such vulnerable ecosystems.
(150 words) 10
Approach:
 Give a brief introduction about causes for Green House Gas emission.
 Discuss its impact on coastal and marine ecosystem.
 Highlight various measures required to prevent damage to these ecosystems.
Answer:
Increasing greenhouse gas levels in the Earth's atmosphere, mainly due to anthropogenic activities such
as burning of fossil fuels, industrial emissions, deforestation, livestock rearing etc. is causing changes in
the Earth's climate. Critical coastal ecosystems such as wetlands, estuaries, and coral reefs are
particularly vulnerable to this climate change with warming now being observed at depth of 1000 m.
Release of GHGs such as CO2 and Methane contributes to global warming and is impacting the coastal
and marine eco-system in following manner:
 Physical and chemical properties of ocean waters: GHG induced global warming results in increased
sea surface temperature, ocean acidification and de-oxygenation, ultimately leading to changes
in oceanic circulation and chemistry, rise in sea levels and increase in storm intensity.
 Marine Life: The changes in physical and chemical properties of ocean waters negatively impact
diversity and abundance of marine species. Ocean acidification reduces the ability of corals, plankton
and shellfish to build their shells and skeletal structures.
 Human Settlements: Rising sea levels results in coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, habitat
destruction and damage to the coastal human settlements.
 Security: The effects of global warming can threaten the physical, economic and food security of
coastal communities (which constitute around 40% of the world population).
 Threat to island nations: Small Island Developing States such as Tuvalu, Mauritius, Maldives, etc.
face imminent danger of submergence.
The coastal and marine ecosystems provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon storage, oxygen
generation, food and income generation. Given the magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need
to take preventive and restorative measures to prevent further degradation of marine and coastal
ecosystem.
Measures required:
 Establishing Marine Protected Areas: At the IUCN World Congress Conservation, IUCN’s members
approved a resolution calling for the protection of 30% of the planets ocean by 2030. It will help
in protecting ecologically and biologically significant marine habitats. Also, human activities can be
regulated to prevent the environmental degradation.
 Policies to prevent the diversion or conversion of these ecosystems to other land uses. For instance,
India has notified Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines in this regard.
 International collaborations between countries to implement sustainable practices in all industries
that impact the ocean and coasts, including fisheries and the tourism industry. For example,
Mangroves for Future is multi-nation partnership that promotes investment in coastal ecosystem
conservation for sustainable development.
 Scientific research for appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Collaborative engagement
of IUCN and IPCC can make important contributions in this regard.
The sustainable management, conservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems are vital
to support the continued provision of ecosystem services on which people depend. A low carbon
emissions growth trajectory is indispensable to preserve the health of these vulnerable ecosystems.

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 https://t.me/visionpt3652019
10. Explain the phenomenon of a Polar Vortex. Also, comment on the reasons as to why tropical areas as
south as Florida have been witnessing sub-zero temperatures in recent years. (150 words) 10
Approach:
 Introduce and explain the concept of Polar Vortex.
 Identifying the Polar vortex event as cause of sub-zero temperature in tropical areas, briefly explain
concept of polar vortex event.
 In short, talk about different reasons for this polar vortex events.
Answer:
Polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s North and South Pole.
The term vortex refers to the counterclockwise and clockwise flow of air in the Northern and Southern
hemisphere respectively, that keeps the colder air locked close to the poles.
The boundary of the polar vortex is actually the boundary between the cold polar air to the north, and
the warmer sub-tropical air (considering Northern Hemisphere). It is defined by the polar front jet
stream- a narrow band of fast-moving air, moving from west to east.
The boundary, defined by polar front jet stream, shifts all the time. It shrinks in summer, pole-
ward while in winter, the polar vortex sometimes becomes less stable and expands, sending
cold air southward with the jet stream. This ‘breaking off’ of a part of the vortex as the polar jet
stream weakens is termed as ‘polar vortex event’.
This disruption and weakening of the polar vortex is caused due to wave energy propagating
upward from the lower atmosphere. This causes sharp warming of the stratosphere in an event
known as sudden stratospheric warming, in just a few days, miles above the Earth’s surface.
his polar vortex event
affects temperatures in
tropical areas as south as
Florida. This explains why
sub-zero temperatures
are observed in certain
tropical areas. Also, there
is observational
evidence that such weak
polar vortex conditions
are happening more
frequently. It may be attributed to various reasons such as:
 Green House gas emissions that amplify arctic warming leading to melting of ice and snow, thereby
exposing darker ocean and land surfaces resulting in increased absorption of sun’s heat.
 Due to rapid arctic warming, the north-south temperature differences have diminished, reducing
pressure differences between the Arctic and mid-latitudes, weakening jet stream winds which tend to
meander.

11. The most powerful trend of medieval Indian literature is devotional poetry which dominates almost all
the major languages of the country. Elucidate. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 Give a brief introduction about the nature of Indian literature during medieval period.
 Bring out with examples how major languages of India were dominated by devotional poetry like
Bhakti, Sufi.
 Conclude by briefly mentioning other poetic forms of the time.

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 Answer:
India’s middle ages brought about a very rich tradition of devotional literature of remarkable merit.
Bhakti literature, the most important development of the medieval period, is love poetry which is
depicted as love between husband and wife, or between lovers, or between servant and master, or
between parents and child. Bhakti was a poetic approach to religion and an ascetic approach to poetry.
The rise of Bhakti poetry gave rise to regional languages i.e. Bhasa. The conception of Bhakti did away
with the elite tradition of Sanskrit and adopted the most acceptable language of the common man.
Bhakti poetry was first written in the 6th to 7th centuries AD in Tamil and gradually it spread to other
parts dominating almost all the major languages of the country during the medieval period such as:
 Pampa’s court epics in Kannada in 10th century. Devotional literature in Kannada known as the
Vachanas of various saints are also well known.
 Devotional abhangas (a literary form) of Gyaneshwar, Eknath and Tukaram in Marathi had cast a
spell all over Maharashtra.
 Gujarati poets in the 12th century like Narsi Mehta and Premananda occupy a prominent place in
the galaxy of Vaishnava poets.
 Chandidas, a Bengali poet, is acclaimed as a great genius for the lucidity and sweetness of his
poems. Sri Chaitanya, a great Bengali saint, helped Vaishnavism to turn into a religious and literary
movement and was a source of never-ending inspiration to a host of Bengali poets.
 Vidyapati in Maithili created a new poetic language.
 Lal Ded, a Kashmiri Muslim poetess, gave a new dimension to mystical bhakti in the form of Vakhs in
Kashmiri language.
 Jagannath Das, a legendary devotional poet in Oriya, wrote Bhagavat (the story of Krishna), which
has spiritually united all the people of Orissa and created a living consciousness.
 Sankardev, an Assamese devotional poet used Ankiya Nat and Kirtan to propagate Vaishnavism.
 Kabir, Surdas, Tulsidas and Meera Bai used Hindi. Hindi literature attracted Namdev (Marathi) and
Guru Nanak (Punjabi) as well to write in Hindi due its vast geographical area.
 Urdu also came into being as a language during this period. Amir Khusro a great Sufi saint gave
genesis to Urdu.
Apart from devotional poetry, there were other trends in the medieval literature as well such as love
ballads (e.g. Heer-Ranjha by Warris Shah) and heroic poetry in Punjabi (known as kissa). In Hindi,
between 1700 and 1800 A.D., many poets like Bihari Lal and Keshav Das created secular poetry of
Sringara (erotic sentiment), and a large number of other poets, wrote academic accounts of the entire
range of poetry, in verse form. However, the most powerful trend of medieval Indian literature between
1000 and 1800 A.D. is devotional (bhakti) poetry.

12. Discuss the major changes introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919 and its significance as a
historical landmark in the Indian freedom struggle. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 Briefly discuss the circumstances and situation under which the Government of India Act, 1919 was
enacted in India.
 Discuss the key features and the major changes introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919.
 With examples show how it was a historical landmark in the freedom struggle of India.
 Conclude on the basis of the above points.
Answer:
The Government of India Act, 1919 based on Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was enacted in the
aftermath of World War I. There was pressure on the British government for further constitutional
reforms due to Indian participation in the war as well Home rule movement and Revolutionary
movements during the war.

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 Major changes introduced by the Act were as follows:
 Dyarchy: Dual scheme of governance was introduced at the Provincial Level. It divided the provincial
subjects into two parts—transferred subjects to be administered by elected and responsible
provincial government and reserved subjects to be administered by the governor and his executive
council.
 Introduction of responsible government: It aimed to emancipate the local governments and
legislatures from central control and paving the way for a responsible government in the provinces.
 Bicameralism and Direct Elections: A bicameral arrangement with Central Legislative Assembly and
Council of States was introduced. The act also introduced direct elections for the first time.
 Limited Franchise: It granted franchise to a limited number of people on the basis of property, tax or
education.
 Representation of Indians: It required that the three of the six members of the Viceroy’s executive
Council (other than the commander-in-chief) were to be Indian.
 Consolidation of communal electorate: It extended the principle of communal representation by
providing separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
 It separated, for the first time, provincial budgets from the Central budget and authorized the
provincial legislatures to enact their budgets.
 The secretary of the state for India was to be paid out of the British exchequer.
Despite various reforms, the Act suffered from major limitations, such as:
 Dyarchy was too complicated to be smoothly worked and further the governor-general and the
governors had a lot of power to undermine the legislature at the center and the provinces
respectively.
 Franchise rights were limited and did not extend to the common man.
 The financial powers of the central legislature were also quite limited.
The act had its limitations and couldn’t fulfill the aspirations of Indians. However, it can be considered as
a historical landmark in Indian freedom struggle due to the following reasons:
 British government policy of carrot and stick continued with the GoI, 1919 act as carrot and Rowlatt
Act as stick. The opposition to Rowlatt Act led to Rowlatt Satyagraha by Gandhiji.
 The ill conceived scheme of dyarchy failed to satisfy the rising demand of Indians for self-
government. The discontentment with the act along with Jallianwala Bagh massacre and subsequent
report by Hunter committee paved the way for the historic Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921.
 The communal award announced in 1932 was a further extension of communal electorate to Sikhs,
Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans under the GoI Act, 1919.
 To review the constitutional progress under GoI Act, 1919, British government appointed the Simon
Commission, which paved the way for further reforms.
 The act went on to become the basis for the Government of India Act, 1935, and, ultimately, the
Constitution. The key principles of responsible government, self-governance and federal structure
grew out of these reforms.
This year marks the 100th year of the Government of India Act, 1919 which stands out for proposing
some of the most radical administrative changes and for giving provincial legislatures the mantle of self-
governance but at the same time remained short of fulfilling aspirations of Indians.

13. Multiple factors allowed the British to gain control over India. In this context, highlighting the main
developments, trace the course of British conquest of India from 1757 to 1856. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 Briefly discuss the significance of the year 1757 in the Indian history in terms of British conquest.
 Discuss various factors that helped British to gain control over India. Also, include various
developments during the given period while discussing the factors that helped in annexation of
different states during the course of time.
 Give a brief conclusion on how in 1857 the policy of annexation was suspended after the revolt.

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 Answer:
The year of 1757 was a watershed year for British conquest of India as it marks the beginning of British
political control over India. They were able to establish themselves as the dominant power in India in the
next hundred years by eliminating rival European powers as well as annexing the Indian Princely states
one by one.
Factors which helped the British in gaining control over India:
 Control over revenue of one of the most prosperous province, that is, Bengal through Battle of
Plassey in 1757 and Battle of Buxar in 1764. It enabled the British to organize a strong army and
defeat the formidable French rivals in the final Battle of Wandiwash in 1760.
 Lack of unity:
o The Indian subcontinent was divided among several authorities such as Mughals, Marathas,
Sikhs, Mysore etc. Their lack of unity was exploited by British in various wars. For instance, they
used Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad against Mysore in first Anglo-Mysore war (1766-1769).
o The infighting among Maratha rulers of different confederacy meant that they couldn’t unite
against the common English enemy leading to their dissolution through signing of Poona Pact in
1817 after the 3rd Anglo-Maratha war.
 Lack of Effective leadership: Punjab remained the last strong kingdom to challenge the might of
British Empire. However, after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, no ruler could consolidate the
empire. Punjab was eventually annexed in 1849 after second Anglo-Sikh war.
 Aggressive territorial expansion through strategically designed doctrines:
o The policy of subsidiary alliance by Lord Wellesley led to their indirect control over some Indian
states by holding control over their defence and external diplomatic affairs.
o Further, various states such as Satara, Udaipur, Jhansi etc. were directly annexed under Doctrine
of Lapse of Lord Dalhousie during 1848-1854.
Apart from the factors given above, superior military capabilities of the British due to organization of
regular army, strong naval capabilities and better quality of leadership coupled with British policies that
resulted in a weak Indian trade and economy helped the British acquire the vast empire of India.
Further, administrative machinery was designed and developed to serve, administer and maintain these
vast territories. However, the 1857 revolt marked the culmination of the policy of expansion pursued by
the British government, in order to prevent another violent rebellion by the Indian states.

14. Give a brief account of the circumstances under which Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord was signed in 1987.
Mentioning its important provisions, provide a critical assessment of this accord. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 Discuss briefly about Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord and the situation which led to this accord
 Highlight its important provisions.
 Discuss the issues which led to the failure of the Accord.
 Give its positive outcomes for Sri Lanka as well as India.
Answer:
The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord was signed in Colombo in 1987, between then Indian Prime Minister
Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene. The accord was expected to resolve the Sri
Lankan Civil War by enabling the thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, which is related
to the establishment of provincial councils in view of greater devolution of powers to provinces.
The Sri Lankan conflict began when thousands of Tamils from Sri Lanka fled to Tamil Nadu in India in
1983. It was due to heavy repression by the Sri Lankan government on Jaffna, the base of the Liberation
Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE), an insurgent group fighting for Tamil autonomy and later,
independence from Sri Lanka. Public opinion in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, whose people spoke the
same language as the refugees, was strongly in favour of India doing something to help the Sri Lankan
Tamils. Passions were further aroused when Sri Lanka imposed a blockade on Jaffna, preventing daily
necessities from reaching people.
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 The problem of Tamil insurgency kept continuing and the Sri Lankan government realized that no
country other than India could help. President Jayewardene approached the then Indian PM and the
negotiations led to an accord in July 1987. Under this accord:
 The northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka where Tamils were the majority were to be merged
into a single province with substantial devolution of powers.
 The LTTE were to be dissolved and arms surrendered in a very short time.
 The Sri Lankan troops were to be withdrawn to their barracks in the north and the Indian army
would come to the aid of the Sri Lankan government if requested by Sri Lanka.
Assessment of the accord
Initially, the accord was seen as a positive development for the region-
 For Sri Lanka: It enabled Sri Lankan Tamils to gain recognition for some of their demands in Sri
Lankan politics and in the Sri Lankan Constitution.
 For India: India's military intervention demonstrated the country's readiness to fulfill its
commitments to its neighbours. This was 1st military intervention of India in a neighboring country
after creation of Bangladesh, which paved the way for India’s importance in Indian Ocean region as
evident from India’s intervention in Maldives in 1988 to suppress a coup.
 For the region: The focus of the Accord was undoubtedly strategic as it aimed to keep Americans
from gaining a foothold in Sri Lanka. It sent a strong message to its neighbours and global powers.
However, the accord had certain limitations as well:
 Exclusion of LTTE: The LTTE had given only a reluctant consent, was not a signatory, did not trust the
Sri Lankan government and refused to surrender. Since it was the LTTE that was standing in the way,
the Indian army got involved in an increasingly messy fight with the Tamil guerrillas, who had an
edge since they knew the terrain and had local support.
 Resentment on both sides due to Indian army’s involvement: The Indian army was in an unenviable
position with Tamils resenting it because it was disarming the LTTE, and Sri Lankans resenting it for
being a foreign army. The 32-month presence of the IPKF in Sri Lanka resulted in the deaths of 1200
Indian soldiers and over 5000 Sri Lankans.
 Too ambitious: It was perhaps too ambitious in its scope as it sought to collectively address all the
contentious issues between India and Sri Lanka. Its success depended on sustained political support
from both the countries. So, the Accord got sidelined when political leaders who were unhappy with
the Accord came to power in both countries almost at the same time.
It certainly brought home certain lessons for India regarding necessity of changes required at home in
terms of absence of structure at the top to coordinate political and security decision-making process.

15. With India becoming increasingly urban and the urban poor increasing in number, it is imperative that
the challenges they face be addressed urgently. Discuss. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 Briefly, discuss the trend of increasing urbanization and growing number of urban poor.
 Highlight the challenges faced by the urban poor.
 Provide arguments to bring out the necessity to address the challenges urgently.
Answer:
Urban population in India has rapidly increased from 25 million (1991) to 377 million (2011), constituting
31.2% of the total population. It is estimated that by 2030, another 250 million people would be added
to India’s urban population. However, increased urbanization in India is accompanied by urbanization of
poverty with over 14% of urban population living on incomes below poverty line in 2011-12.
With prospect of economic growth and development, a large number of people migrate to urban areas
forcing the urban poor in particular to live with many deprivations and face challenges on many fronts:

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  Residential: They face lack of access to durable and affordable housing, safe drinking water and
toilets. In India, as per 2011 census, 65 million people live in slums. Further, they also face
demolitions and forced evictions when public land is cleared for developmental projects.
 Occupational: They have limited access to employment opportunities and income due to less skill,
less education and less capital with them.
 Social: They have limited access to adequate health and education opportunities. Also, due to
strained urban infrastructure and the ecology, they face violent and unhealthy environments with
no or very little social protection mechanisms.
Further, it is also important to take note of the gender aspect of urban poverty. This is important
because men and women experience and respond to poverty in different ways. Access to income and
assets, housing, transport and basic services is influenced by gender-based constraints and
opportunities. Women generally perform the lowest paid activities such as home-based domestic
services. Further, the impact of media, alcohol, drugs etc. tend to exacerbate harassment and physical
abuse within the households, the community and from employers.
Moreover, these challenges are exacerbated by poor implementation of legislative measures like
minimum wages act, RTE Act, Food security Act etc. and need to be addressed urgently for the following
reasons:
 Inefficient and unsustainable utilization of available limited natural resources can cause crisis
situation in cities such as water crisis, increasing air pollution, unsustainable rise of house rents,
open defecation etc.
 Inadequate utilization of human resources available in urban areas may lead to demographic
disaster. It would be a burden on the government pocket and may exacerbate crime rates.
 Denial of basic rights would increase the income inequality in urban areas which would disturb the
trust and social harmony in society.
 Poor and unhygienic habitation would lead to increased government expenditure on public health
as well as increased out-of-pocket expenditure leading to a vicious cycle of poverty.
 It also strains local governments to carry out infrastructural expansion projects in proportion to the
rising population due to paucity of land owing to land encroachments.
 Delay in rehabilitation schemes for urban poor involves deeper socio-economic complexities
especially during resettlement of slums.
The government has taken various initiatives like Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, Swacch Bharat, Housing
for all to provide basic services to the urban poor as well as Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana to provide
them with enhanced sustainable livelihood opportunities through skill development.
However, new developmental paradigms need to be developed for the urban poor by the government
and other developmental agencies using innovative models. For example, the Mumbai Metropolitan
Region Development Authority successfully engaged private sector through an innovative land-use
model, where part of the land was used for commercial purposes and the rest for affordable housing
projects.
Further, progressive steps like rolling out code on social security, measures for adaptation to climate
change and recognizing the critical role of civil society and local government in meeting the needs of
urban poor is the need of the hour to address the challenges being faced by urban poor.

16. Violations of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights are often deeply engrained in societal
values and traditions. Comment. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 Make use of data to highlight violation of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights.
 Establish a link between societal values and traditions and violation of these rights, with the help of
suitable examples.
 In light of the aforementioned arguments, conclude the answer appropriately.

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 Answer:
Access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights is a basic human right. However,
data suggests that women and girls are denied access to sexual and reproductive health and rights
across the globe. 214 million women worldwide lack access to contraception; more than 800 women die
daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Violation of these rights is often
deeply engrained in abstract sentiments and cultural standards set and traditionally followed by society
as can be seen below:
 In patriarchal societies, women are valued depending upon their ability to reproduce. This subjects
them to early marriage and pregnancy, or repeated pregnancies spaced too closely together, often
in effort to produce male off-springs.
 Glorified motherhood makes post-natal care of women secondary to that of child's needs.
 Menstrual health is also an issue characterized by cultural taboos and superstitions compounded by
a lack of awareness of menstrual hygiene and associated healthcare practices; the unavailability of
material to safely manage periods; and a lack of access to toilets.
 Gender discrimination leads to dowry practice which creates biasedness against girl child, leading to
forced and unsafe abortions.
 Women also have to face burden of using intra uterine devices and undergoing sterilization/
hysterectomy, subjecting them to urinary tract infections and other complexities.
 Due to stereotypes of women’s sexuality and unequal power relations, women are often unable to
refuse sex or negotiate safe sex exposing them to STDs including HIV/AIDS.
 The codes of chastity (often sanctioned by religion) create unnecessary interventions, such as female
genital mutilation, forced virginity examinations and hymen repair. Family planning, abortions and
use of contraceptives are considered taboos in several societies.
 Lack of access to education ensures that women remain unaware of their sexual and reproductive
health rights.
Politico-economic conditions such as budgetary constraints on reproductive health, family planning etc.
reinforce societal values and norms to determine the availability of sexual and reproductive health rights
to women.
Recognizing this, the Government of India has also taken certain steps some of which include:
 Adoption of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child plus Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) approach,
which has been developed to provide an understanding of ‘continuum of care’ to ensure equal focus
on various life stages.
 National Health Policy 2017 has talked about Women’s Health & Gender Mainstreaming where
there will be enhanced provisions for reproductive morbidities and health needs of women beyond
the reproductive age group (40+).
 Schemes such as Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram of which sexual reproductive health is one
of the focus areas.
 Launching affordable biodegradable sanitary napkins.
In line with the declaration of fourth World Conference on Women at Beijing, women's sexual and
reproductive health as well as education need to be enhanced to advance the goals of equality,
development and peace for all women. Universalisation of primary and secondary healthcare,
standardization of pre & post natal care for women and offsprings and attitudinal changes would go a
long way in ensuring a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being when it comes to
reproductive and sexual health of women.

17. What do you understand by the term Land Degradation Neutrality? Highlight its significance and the
steps required to achieve it. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 In the introduction, define Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).
 Elaborate its principles.
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  Point out the significance of LDN.
 Mention the steps needed to achieve it.
Answer:
According to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Land Degradation
Neutrality (LDN) is a state whereby the amount and quality of land resources, necessary to support
ecosystem services and enhance food security, remains stable or increases within specified temporal
and spatial scales. The concept of LDN has already been adopted as part of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and is enshrined in SDGs highlighting its global nature.
Principles for LDN:

LDN represents a paradigm shift in land management policies and practices. It is a unique approach
that counterbalances the expected loss of productive land with the recovery of degraded areas.
Significance of Land Degradation Neutrality
 Saving economic costs: The economic costs of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought
(DLDD) globally are estimated at USD 490 billion per year. For India, it costs about 2.54% of its GDP
i.e. $47 billion in 2014-15.
 Mitigation and adaptation to climate change: Halting and reversing land degradation can transform
land from being a source of greenhouse gas emissions to a carbon sink.
 Strengthening the resilience of rural communities: 40% of the world’s degraded lands are found in
areas with the highest incidence of poverty, which remains overwhelmingly rural. LDN would
enhance their resilience by improving the provision of vital ecosystem services by preventing soil
erosion, desertification, loss of biodiversity etc.
 Meeting increased demands: By 2030, the demand for food, energy, and water is expected to
increase by at least 50%, 45% and 30% respectively. These needs will not be met sustainably unless
we conserve and restore the productivity of our land.
Steps required for achieving it
 Multifunctional landscape approach: Taking into account different stakeholders, in land-use
planning must be done at landscape level that best meet the demands of people towards
safeguarding biodiversity.
 Farming for multiple benefits: The agricultural practices should be shifted in a ecologically
sustainable way to support a wider array of social, environmental, and economic benefits.
 Managing the rural-urban interface: Designing sustainable cities keeping in mind the peripheral
regions can reduce environmental costs of transport, food, water, and energy.
 No net loss of healthy and productive land: This can be done by providing incentives for the
sustainable consumption and production of natural resources. For e.g., incentivizing reduction in the
current levels of food wastage.

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  Creating an enabling environment: Local successes should be scaled into large-scale ones through
stakeholder engagement, land tenure system, and the availability of sustained investment and
infrastructure.
 Creating an evidence base: It would help in tracking the LDN goal progress, monitoring unwanted
externalities and assessing the impact of actions during restoration.
For achieving Land Degradation Neutrality, programmes at international level (Land for Life Programme
by UNCCD) and national level (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
etc.) need to be integrated for mitigating the concerns over desertification, land degradation and
drought problems from a long-term perspective.

18. State the geographical and economic importance of Hindukush-Himalayan region. How are the critical
geographical features of this region changing and what possible consequences will it have?
(250 words) 15
Approach:
 Give a brief overview of the Hindukush-Himalaya region.
 Mention the geographical and economic importance of the region.
 Discuss the changing geographical features of the region.
 Mention its consequences.
 Conclude with brief suggestions.
Answer:
The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region extends about 3,500 square km over eight countries- India,
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is a part of the ‘Third
Pole’ due to its extensive permanent snow cover.
Geographical and economic importance of the region:
 The region is the source of ten large Asian river systems – the Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges,
Brahmaputra, etc. which provides water, sustain critical ecosystem services, and serves as the basis
of livelihood for 240 million people living in the mountains and hills.It acts as a heat source in
summer and a heat sink in winter. Further, the Tibetan Plateau in the region influences the Indian
summer monsoon.
 Countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India etc. in the region have commercially feasible
hydropower potential, which still remains untapped.
 The region provides habitat to a diverse group flora and fauna such as tigers, elephants, musk deer,
red panda, snow leopard, rhododendrons, orchids, rare medicinal plants etc. having ecological as
well as economic significance.
 The region has some of the highest mountain peaks in the world such as Mt Everest, K2,
Kangchenjunga, Makalu etc. providing avenues for adventure tourism.
However, the HKH region is geologically fragile, with young and rising mountains that are vulnerable to
erosion and landslides. The region is undergoing rapid change, driven by forces such as climate change,
disasters, infrastructure development, land use change, urbanization etc. A recent report “The Hindu
Kush Himalaya Assessment” by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development reveals
that even if global warming is limited to 1.5˚C, warming will likely be at least 0.3˚C higher in the HKH.
Currently, the region is experiencing following changes in critical geographical features:
 Glacier melting: Since the 1970s, about 15 per cent of the ice in the HKH region has disappeared as
temperatures have risen.
 Glacier fragmentation: The number of glaciers in the Himalaya is reported to have increased over
the past five decades due to splitting of big ones into smaller ones.
 Glacier mass changes: Glaciers in the extended HKH show mass loss at a predominant rate since last
two decades.

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  Increased river stream flow: Due to faster retreating glaciers, water flows in rivers have increased.
For instance, in Tibetan Plateau region, river run off has increased by 5.5 per cent.
The consequences of unprecedented melting of glaciers in the region include:
 Faster snow and glacier melting will lead to increased occurrences of glacial lake outburst floods,
which can cause huge casualties and loss to local infrastructures.
 As ice sheets put huge amounts of weight on the landmasses they cover, melting of glaciers may
lead to isostatic rebound i.e. rising of land upward due to unloading of weight.
 As per a NITI Aayog report, 30% of springs in the Indian Himalaya have dried up due to reasons
including receding glaciers which would put additional pressure on available water resources.
 The region is crucial as it influences the Indian monsoon system. Shifting monsoon patterns may
lead to intense precipitation in some regions, which would increase the risk of floods, landslides and
soil erosion.
 70-80% of the region’s original habitat has been lost and that may increase to 80-87% by 2100,
resulting into severe biodiversity loss.
 It may also cause sea level rise due to increased stream flow having its own consequences.
The HKH region is sensitive to climate change and variability. More than 35% of the glaciers in the region
could retreat by 2100, even if the global temperature rise is capped at 1.5º C.
Thus, international level cooperation is needed for adapting to short-term and long-term climate-related
problems to collectively prevent rapid melting of glaciers in the region. Such cooperation must go
alongside meeting the Paris Climate Change Pact’s goals.

19. What is the most accepted reasoning behind occurrence of earth's magnetism? Discuss the factors
behind its variation temporally and spatially. (250 words) 15
Approach:
 Introduce by giving a brief account on earth’s magnetism.
 Highlight the various explanations around the sources of Earth’s Magnetism.
 Discuss the most accepted theory around the same.
 List the factors responsible for the spatial and temporal variations of the Earth’s magnetic field.
Answer:
The Earth acts like a large spherical magnet, surrounded by a magnetic field that changes with time and
location. The field seems to
generate by a dipole magnet
located at the center of the
Earth. The axis of the dipole is
offset from the axis of the
Earth's rotation by
approximately 11 degrees.
This magnetic field saves the
earth from the solar winds
that could cause the ozone
layer of the earth to strip
away.
Theories behind Earth’s Magnetism:
There are multiple explanations around earth’s magnetism viz Dynamo Effect Theory, Ionisation theory,
etc. However, all of them are associated with the rotation of the earth. The most accepted theory
behind Earth’s magnetism is called the ‘Dynamo Effect’ Theory.
The Dynamo Effect links the magnetism with motion of metallic fluids in earth’s outer core. In case of
the earth, the outer core has molten iron and other heavy elements in liquid form, while the inner core
solidifies under the influence of gravity. The motion of metallic fluids in the outer core of the earth
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 through convection, causes an electric current leading to the formation of what can be called a "geo-
dynamo", akin to an electric generator. Thus, the earth gets its own magnetic field.
Factors behind variations in Earth’s Magnetic Field:
The magnetic field shows both temporal as well as spatial variations. The Earth's magnetic field is
constantly changing, and the way which it changes also changes. While some variations occur slowly
over a course of time, there are some variations caused by the presence of conducive conditions either
on the earth’s crust or in the earth-space environment:
 Sunspot Cycle: The magnetic activity of the earth is influenced when the earth faces the sunspot, a
region of the strong magnetic field, once in every eleven years.
 Solar activity: When the solar activity of the sun is more active, the radiations from the sun ionize
the atmosphere of the earth. This causes current when the earth revolves around its own axis,
resulting in the magnetic field.
 UV rays: The daily and annual variations in ultraviolet rays from the sun ionize the earth’s
atmosphere, leading to generation of current that further produces some magnetic field.
 Magnetic Rocks: Spatial variations in the geomagnetic field are caused by the distribution of
magnetic rocks in the Earth's crust, for instance magnetite. However, this component of the
geomagnetic field cannot change quickly.
 Volcanism: The endogenic processes such as large basaltic effusions are also accompanied by
changes in the strength of the geomagnetic field.
There are also changes in Earth's magnetic field on a time scale that range from years to millennia,
commonly referred to as secular variation. Magnetic declination is observed to vary by tens of degrees
over hundreds of years. The intensity of the dipole also changes over time. Further, there are occasional
dramatic events where the North and South geomagnetic poles swap places, referred to as geomagnetic
reversals.

20. Explain Walker Circulation. Discuss how it influences Indian Monsoon.

(250 words) 15
Approach:
 Briefly explain the Walker Circulation. You can also use a diagram to depict the flows.
 Explaining relationship between Walker Circulation and ENSO in brief, discuss how changes in the
Walker Circulation influence the Indian monsoon.
Answer:
The Walker circulation, also known as the Walker cell, is a conceptual model of the air flow in the tropics
in the lower atmosphere (troposphere). It refers to an east-west circulation of the atmosphere above
the tropical Pacific Ocean.

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 The lower part of the loop (as seen in the diagram) flows east to west across the tropics near the surface
while the upper part flows west to east at higher altitudes. Rising air in the west and sinking air in the
east connect the flow in one big, continuous loop. The Walker Circulation also represents the
fundamental link between the changes in sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific and the
variability of the Indian monsoon.
The mechanisms that are responsible for the interactions between the monsoon and ENSO (El Niño
Southern Oscillation) have been attributed, in part, to the changes in the Walker Circulation.
During El Niño, Walker Circulation is weakened and shifted eastward owing to reduced east– west sea
surface temperature gradient across the Pacific Ocean. Trade winds weaken or may even reverse,
allowing the area of warmer than normal water to move into the central and eastern tropical Pacific
Ocean. This suppresses broad-scale convection over the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean and
leads to weaker Indian monsoon.

During a La Niña, the Walker Circulation intensifies with greater convection over the western Pacific and
stronger trade winds. As the trade winds strengthen, the pool of warmer water is confined to the far
western tropical Pacific, resulting in warmer than usual sea surface temperatures in the region north of
Australia. Sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean become cooler
than usual and the thermocline moves closer to the surface – cool waters from the deep ocean are
drawn to the surface as upwelling strengthens. Convection and hence cloudiness over the region north
of Australia increases as stronger winds provide more moisture to the overlying atmosphere and the
Walker Circulation intensifies.
Also, it has also been suggested that Walker Circulation may have connections with Indian Ocean Dipole
as well. Therefore, we see that modifications in Walker Circulation influences Indian Monsoon in both
positive and negative manner. More research and studies should be conducted to further understand
the relationship between the two.

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