GS Paper - I Model Answers (2022) - 2 | UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Practice PDF Download

Q11: The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has heen a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.
Ans: In the early stages of its governance, the East India Company initiated the restructuring of territories within the states they had acquired. This process commenced with Bengal, Bombay, and Madras Presidency and continued as an ongoing practice.

• Phase 1 (1850s to 1947):
  Following the uprising of 1857, the British government expedited the process of political and administrative reorganization. This period witnessed the creation of new presidencies, such as the Central Province. Several independent states were incorporated into the Chief Administration provinces, including Assam and Awadh. In 1901, the North-West Frontier Province was established by carving out north-western districts from the Punjab Province. In 1905, Bengal was partitioned along religious and linguistic lines.
• Phase 2 (1947-2022):
  In 1950, the Indian Constitution introduced a four-fold classification for states within the Indian Union, categorized as Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D States based on political and administrative criteria. In 1953, the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), headed by Fazal Ali, was formed to recommend the reconfiguration of state boundaries. This led to the passage of the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, which categorized units into States and Union Territories.
• The first linguistic state, Andhra Pradesh, was created during this period. Additionally, territories acquired from the Portuguese, such as Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli, and Puducherry, were incorporated into Union Territories (with Goa eventually gaining statehood). The formation of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand involved the reorganization of regional boundaries and political territories within existing states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.
• In 2014, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 led to the creation of Telangana State, with demands for separate statehood driven by factors such as inter-regional inequalities, socio-economic disparities, inadequate industrial infrastructure, limited educational and employment opportunities, diversion of resources to other regions, and the dominance of the coastal capitalist class over Telangana.

More recently, in 2019, the state of Jammu and Kashmir underwent administrative and security-related reorganization. The Indian Constitution's Article 3 allows for the reorganization of states and union territories, making it a flexible document capable of adapting to evolving political and administrative dynamics. As such, the reorganization of states is expected to remain a continuous process.

Q12: Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.
Ans: The Golden Period in Indian history, marked by the establishment of the Gupta Dynasty in the 3rd Century AD under Chandragupta I, witnessed the emergence of significant cultural and architectural achievements. During this era, brick temples like the Dashavatara temple in Deogarh showcased the curvilinear tall rekha-deol style. Square temples, exemplified by the Vishnu and Varaha temples at Eran in Vidisha, also became prominent features.
In the southern regions of India, the Chola Dynasty, founded by Vijayalaya in the 9th century, established itself as one of the longest-reigning dynasties. The Chola rulers continued the temple construction tradition, following the Pallava architecture with unique variations, leading to the development of Dravidian architecture. Notable examples include the Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholapuram temple.
In sculpture, the Gupta Period gave rise to the Sarnath School, employing cream-colored sandstone. Buddha was depicted in various positions, and sculptures like the Goddess Ganga from Besnagar and Apsaras from Gwalior were created. The Chola Period produced remarkable pieces, including the iconic Bronze Nataraja, symbolizing creation, destruction, benediction, and the path of salvation. Additionally, sculptures like the Sembiyan Mahadevi from the 10th century and the Kalyanasundara murti from the 9th century AD represented significant cultural aspects.
In terms of cave architecture, the Gupta era featured sites like the Junagrah caves with a citadel called 'uparakot' and the Nashik Caves, primarily Hinayana Buddhist caves. The Ajanta Caves, belonging to both Hinayana and Mahayana periods, depicted events from Buddha's life through Jataka tales. Although the Gupta Dynasty had various cave developments like the Ajanta Caves, the Chola rulers did not focus significantly on cave architecture.
Paintings from the Ajanta Caves portrayed Buddha's life events without separate frames, while the Ellora Cave Paintings showcased influences from Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Additionally, the Brihadeshwara temple housed paintings depicting Hindu deities, including narrations and aspects related to Lord Shiva, such as Shiva in Kailash and Shiva as Tripurantaka.
The cultural contributions of both dynasties have profoundly shaped India's heritage. Even after 1500 years, Gupta's cave structures remain in excellent condition, and the revered Nataraja sculpture created by the Chola Dynasty continues to be worshiped in modern Indian temples.

Q13: Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.
Ans: Throughout human history, animals have been integral companions on Earth. Evidence of the human-animal relationship dates back to the upper Paleolithic period, approximately 12,000 years ago. Two notable animals, the lion and the bull, have played significant roles in human life from the Stone Age to Modern India.
In mythology, the lion serves as the vehicle of Goddess Durga, symbolizing her power, while the Nandi bull is the sacred companion of the Hindu god Shiva, representing joy and delight. In art, the lion is depicted in the National Emblem of India, derived from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka, symbolizing enlightenment. The bull is portrayed in the Indus Valley Bronze Bull, highlighting the presence of bronze in the ancient civilization, and in Tamil Nadu Rockart, depicting prehistoric attempts to capture and tame bulls.
In architecture, the Mauryan Pillar features figures of the bull, lion, and elephant, representing the power of a universal emperor dedicated to upholding dharma. Additionally, the Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh showcases rock engravings of lions with wings and bulls on its torana, exemplifying their significance in ancient Indian art and culture.
From ancient India to the national symbolism of the country, lions and bulls have witnessed the various phases of India's development and transformation.

Q14: What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.
Ans: Ocean currents can be likened to flowing rivers within the oceans, representing a consistent movement of water along defined paths and directions.
These currents are influenced by two primary forces:
Primary Forces:

• Heating by Solar Energy: Solar energy causes water to expand, leading it to move from hot to cold regions.
• Wind: The blowing wind on the ocean surface pushes the water, directing its movement.
• Gravity: Gravity pulls water down and creates variations in gradients.
• Coriolis Force: This force causes water to move to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

Secondary Forces:

• Landmass: Interaction with landmass alters the direction of ocean currents, illustrated by phenomena like the Brazil Ocean Current.
• Salinity: Water with higher salinity is denser and tends to sink, influencing the variation in ocean currents. Less salty water rises.

Ocean currents significantly impact the fishing industry in several ways:

• Creation of Fishing Zones: Cold and warm ocean currents meeting create distinct fishing zones, such as the North East Pacific Zone, Newfoundland (Labrador & Gulf Stream), and North West Pacific Zone along Japan (Kuroshio and Oyashio Current).
• Upwelling: This process, driven by winds and Earth's rotation, brings nutrient-rich, cold water to the ocean's surface. It supports plankton growth, forming the basis of the marine food chain and attracting fish populations to specific areas.
• Movement of Planktons: Ocean currents transport plankton, acting as the foundation of the marine food chain. Fish are attracted to these zones, leading to the concentration of fish populations.
• Long Shelf Life: Fish in cold ocean currents have a longer shelf life compared to those in warm currents, resulting in non-perishable fish products.
• Ecological Balance: Ocean currents help maintain ecological balance by transferring water to areas with fewer currents and lower fish populations. Examples include the Sargasso Sea and Dead Zones. These transfers regulate oxygen levels and fish populations in deficit areas.

While ocean currents primarily create fishing zones, technology can further be utilized to develop fishing industries in other potential zones.

Q15: Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.
Ans: Here is a rephrased version of the data:

• Natural rubber is a polymer derived from isoprene, an organic compound, and it is sourced from various origins, with the most prevalent being the Pará rubber tree, scientifically known as Hevea brasiliensis.
• The distribution of rubber-producing nations in 2020 reveals that Thailand took the lead by contributing 35% of the world's natural rubber, followed by Indonesia.
• Rubber trees flourish in tropical climates, particularly in regions with deep soil that can withstand flooding and receive an annual rainfall ranging from 60 to 78 inches.
• Despite its origins in the Amazon basin, a surprising 90% of the global natural rubber supply is cultivated in Asia. This bulk production primarily hails from Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Additionally, there are several other countries, such as Ivory Coast, Brazil, Mexico, Gabon, Guinea, Ecuador, and Sri Lanka, participating in rubber production.

Environmental concerns associated with rubber cultivation as a plantation crop have arisen. This agricultural practice has a protracted gestation period before yielding economic benefits. Unfortunately, it is often associated with detrimental side effects:

• Malaysia and Indonesia, in particular, have experienced significant deforestation due to rubber cultivation.
• The expansion of rubber plantations has led to the decline of biodiversity and threatened iconic species, such as orangutans.
• The preference for rubber plantations over food crops can hinder progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The repetitive planting of rubber can deplete soil rejuvenation capacity, and the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers can lead to various health issues in society.
• The extended gestation period (7-8 years) of rubber plantations makes them vulnerable to pests and climate-induced diseases, negatively impacting small-scale crop holders' livelihoods.
• Rubber plantations contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, with open burning of rubber tree stumps in Malaysia and the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane during natural rubber degradation.
• The rubber industry's emissions are linked to various health problems and adverse effects on human health.
• The rubber industry is a major contributor to water pollution, exacerbating water scarcity issues in rubber-producing countries.

To address the rising demand for rubber driven by industrial expansion, sustainable rubber cultivation is imperative. Achieving this goal necessitates the synthesis of local and global knowledge coupled with modern technology to benefit all stakeholders involved in the industry.

Q16: Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade.
Ans: A strait serves as a narrow water passage connecting two seas or large water bodies, enabling ships to navigate between them. Examples include the Malacca Strait and Gibraltar Strait. An isthmus, on the other hand, is a slender land strip linking two larger landmasses and dividing bodies of water, such as the Isthmus of Suez connecting Africa and Asia.
The significance of straits and isthmuses in international trade is profound. They effectively shorten distances between regions, fostering increased trade activities. For instance, the Suez Canal on the Isthmus of Suez prevents ships from having to circumvent Africa, facilitating trade between Asia and Europe. Moreover, these natural formations offer excellent harbors and ports, crucial for international trade. Singapore port, situated on the Malacca Strait, exemplifies this, serving as a major trade hub.
These geographical features establish connections between vast land areas and water bodies. The Panama Canal, located on the Isthmus of Panama, connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, revolutionizing the shipping industry by enhancing transportation efficiency. Additionally, they act as bridges between supply and demand, facilitating commodities trade. For instance, Japan procures iron ore from India through the Malacca Strait.
Furthermore, these routes promote eco-friendly shipping. Deepening the Palk Strait allowed Indian ships to bypass Sri Lanka, reducing fuel consumption during transportation from Vizag to Kochin. They also play a significant role in tourism services, offering recreational opportunities along their coasts and supporting international trade in tourism.
These waterways provide fertile grounds for fishing and aquaculture, promoting the international trade of marine products. Moreover, their strategic locations enable the establishment of defense structures, ensuring security against piracy and safeguarding international trade routes.

Q17: Troposphere is a very significant atmosphere layer that determines weather processes. How?
Ans: The troposphere, the Earth's lowest atmospheric layer, serves as the primary layer in the Earth's atmosphere. It contains the majority of the atmosphere's mass, accounting for approximately 75-80% of the total, and is where most weather events take place.
Weather pertains to transient conditions involving temperature, wind, and precipitation that differ from one location to another.
Components of Weather Phenomena: These include cloud cover, rain, snow, varying temperatures (both low and high), storms, and wind.
Atmospheric Layers Altitude (in kilometers)

• Exosphere Above 400 km
• Thermosphere 80-400 km
• Mesosphere 50-80 km
• Stratosphere 10-50 km
• Troposphere 0-10 km

The Importance of the Troposphere in Influencing Weather Phenomena:

• As altitude increases within the troposphere, temperatures decline, preventing water from exiting this atmospheric layer.
• This is why the troposphere contains 99% of the total mass of water vapor and aerosols in the atmosphere, making it the primary source of the clouds responsible for weather events.
• In the stratosphere, ozone absorbs sunlight, elevating air temperatures. Consequently, temperatures in the stratosphere generally increase with altitude, which is the opposite of what occurs in the troposphere.
• The stratosphere acts as a barrier that restricts vertical wind motion, leading to weather phenomena primarily observable in the troposphere.
• Within the troposphere, water evaporates from the Earth's surface and is transported by the wind to other regions.
• The ascent, expansion, and cooling of air result in water vapor condensing into clouds, creating an unstable atmosphere that leads to precipitation.
• Global winds and fronts are located in the troposphere, giving rise to weather events such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards.

Temperatures and weather patterns are undergoing changes due to climate change, resulting in abnormal weather events within the troposphere, such as heatwaves (recently observed in Europe and India). Therefore, there is an urgent need to take action to address climate change and its consequences (Sustainable Development Goal 13).

Q18: Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.
Ans: Sects and cults represent smaller faith-based groups either rooted in traditional religions or having foundations in different belief systems.
Sects are subdivisions within established faiths like Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism, or religious groups that have branched off from established religions, following distinct rules.
In contrast, cults are social groups adhering to unconventional religious or philosophical beliefs, aiming for shared interests or life goals.

• The relevance of sects concerning Caste:
  Sects promote unity, equality, and shared objectives, often emerging during societal transformations. In India, rising socio-economic status among sub-castes like Gujjjar, Jats, and Patidhar has led to their influence in politics and society. Despite improvements, cultural homogeneity persists, hindering complete modernization.
• The relevance of sects concerning Region:
  Geography also gives rise to sects; for instance, nomadic hill tribes like Gaddis and the Sheikh Muslim community in North India. Maharashtra witnessed sect formations due to religious inequality, Muslim invasions, and political dominance by Muslim rulers over Hindu society.
• The relevance of sects concerning Religion:
  Hinduism is categorized into Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Smartism, and Shaktism, differing in the worshipped deity and accompanying traditions. Muslims are divided into Sunni and Shia sects based on interpretations of Islamic law and history. Buddhism split into Mahayana and Hinayana sects, and Christians into Catholics and Protestants, differing mainly in Church authority beliefs.

Indian society reflects a historical journey from the Indus civilization to the globalized present. Throughout this evolution, external influences and internal reform movements have shaped Indian society. Remarkably, it has embraced diverse elements while preserving its heritage.

Q19: Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? Justify your answer.
Ans: In India, a unique form of secularism is practiced, differing from the negative secularism observed in Western nations where the state remains separate from religion. In India, positive secularism is embraced, indicating equal respect for all religions. Citizens have the freedom to openly display their religious symbols, and there is no official state religion.
This secular ethos is ingrained in the Indian Constitution, reflecting the country's historical values of tolerance, assimilation, and pluralism. Tolerance is a cornerstone of Indian secularism, signifying mutual respect among people of diverse religions and sects. India's religious landscape, shaped by Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Islam, has fostered an atmosphere of coexistence and acceptance. Noteworthy figures such as Guru Nanak Dev Ji emphasized international brotherhood, while historical rulers like Akbar and Ashoka championed religious tolerance.
Assimilation, another vital aspect of Indian secularism, refers to the incorporation of diverse ethnic and religious groups into the dominant culture. Over centuries, India has seen the amalgamation of various artistic, architectural, and cultural elements from different religious communities. The Mughal period, for example, witnessed a fusion of Persian Islamic architecture and native Indian design, giving rise to a distinctive style that influenced various art forms.
Pluralism, the third key element of Indian secularism, emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of people from different religions, sects, and cultures. India's rich tapestry of religious diversity includes major faiths such as Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Sikhism, each with its own subgroups. This pluralistic ethos has been prevalent in India since ancient times, with various religions finding a home and flourishing in the country.
Throughout history, Indian rulers refrained from interfering in their subjects' religious practices, instead providing support and resources for diverse faiths. This long-standing tradition of secularism has deeply influenced Indian society and culture, making tolerance, assimilation, and pluralism integral to the nation's identity.

Q20: Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India.
Ans: Globalization refers to the increasing interdependence and integration of world economies, societies, and cultures due to cross-border trade, exchange of goods, services, technology, and investment, as well as the movement of people. In the realm of human society, 'resources' encompass anything that fulfills our needs and desires. Some nations possess abundant resources that are scarce in others, fostering cooperation between them.
The relationship between globalization and new technology in the context of scarce resources has various dimensions, bringing both advantages and disadvantages.
Positive Aspects:

• Efficient Resource Utilization: Globalization fosters cooperation for efficient resource utilization. For instance, India's International Solar Alliance (ISA) addresses fossil fuel scarcity by promoting solar energy.
• Infrastructure Development: Organizations like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) facilitate global contributions, combining technical expertise and sustainability for infrastructure development.
• Defense Cooperation: Collaborations with global partners such as Israel, the Philippines, and Russia enhance security capabilities, managing challenges through initiatives like missile development.
• Space Exploration: International partnerships with countries like Russia, France, and the US optimize the use of costly resources in space exploration and satellite technology.
• Transport and Communication: Collaborations with countries like Japan and the EU in projects like the Bullet train and 5G networks enhance global connectivity and transportation.

Negative Aspects:

• Brain Drain: Skilled Indian youth often migrate to developed nations for further development, leading to a loss of talent and expertise in the country.
• Technological Monopoly: Large tech companies, under the guise of data privacy and freedom of speech, exercise neo-tech-colonization, controlling resources and limiting freedom.
• Diversion of Resources: Scarce resources are diverted towards technology adaptation, such as high-speed trains, reducing funds available for essential humanitarian development.
• Decreased Technological Research: Reliance on imported cutting-edge technologies reduces foreign exchange and hampers domestic technological research and innovation. India lacks successful indigenous handsets in its market.
• Security Compromises: Dependence on strategic technologies from monopolistic sources compromises Indian security, as seen in incidents like the Red Echo attack on Mumbai's power supply involving Chinese equipment.

Considering the advantages and disadvantages of India's engagement with the global world amidst scarce resources, achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar) is crucial. This can be attained through strategic global collaborations, empowering India to enhance its capabilities effectively.