UPSC_CS MAINS 2015 Paper I

Points to Remember: India’s geographical diversity and rainfall patterns. Unequal distribution of water resources. Water mismanagement and overuse. Pollution and contamination of water sources. Lack of adequate infrastructure and technology. Climate change impacts. Socio-economic factors contributing to water scarcity. Policy and governance challenges. Introduction: India possesses significant freshwater resources, ranking fourth globally in terms of … Read more

Points to Remember: Ecological Carrying Capacity: The maximum population size of a species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment. This applies to human populations and their activities, including tourism. Environmental Degradation: The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources like water, air … Read more

Points to Remember: Indian Monsoon’s Variability: The Indian monsoon is inherently variable, with natural fluctuations occurring over various timescales. Anthropogenic Influence: Human activities, particularly land-use changes, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions, are altering the climate system, potentially impacting monsoon behaviour. Attribution Challenges: Attributing specific monsoon changes solely to human activities is complex due to the … Read more

Points to Remember: Driving forces of ocean currents: Wind, temperature differences, salinity differences, Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect). Types of ocean currents: Surface currents, deep ocean currents (thermohaline circulation). Influence on climate: Moderation of temperatures, precipitation patterns, distribution of marine life. Influence on fishing: Nutrient upwelling, fish migration patterns. Influence on navigation: Shipping routes, travel times. … Read more

Points to Remember: Rural-urban integration Smart city infrastructure & services Sustainable development Economic disparities Digital divide Skill development Inclusive growth Introduction: The statement “Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages” highlights the crucial interdependence between urban and rural development. A truly smart city, characterized by efficient infrastructure, technological advancements, and improved quality of … Read more

Points to Remember: Economic potential of Arctic oil reserves. Environmental vulnerabilities of the Arctic ecosystem. Technological challenges and costs of Arctic oil extraction. International legal and political complexities. Potential for conflict and cooperation. Sustainability and climate change implications. Introduction: The Arctic Sea holds significant untapped oil and gas reserves, attracting considerable international interest. The discovery … Read more

Points to Remember: Air Pollution Sources: Identify the primary sources of air pollution in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Meteorological Factors: Analyze the role of weather patterns and geography in exacerbating air pollution in Delhi. Population Density & Vehicular Emission: Compare population density and vehicular emissions across the three cities. Industrial Activity: Assess the contribution of … Read more

Points to Remember: Internal migration patterns within India (rural-urban, inter-state). External migration patterns from India (destination countries, skill levels). Factors driving migration (economic, social, political). Impact of migration on source and destination areas (economic development, social integration). Government policies and initiatives related to migration. Introduction: Labour migration, the movement of people from one place to … Read more

Points to Remember: Globalization’s impact on Indian women is multifaceted, encompassing economic opportunities, social changes, and challenges to traditional structures. Positive effects include increased employment opportunities, access to education and healthcare, and enhanced social mobility. Negative effects include exploitation in the workforce, increased vulnerability to trafficking and violence, and the erosion of traditional support systems. … Read more

Points to Remember: Dalit identity assertion: Focus on contemporary movements and their strategies. Annihilation of caste: Examine whether these movements aim for complete eradication of the caste system or a transformation of its effects. Ambivalence of impact: Acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of these movements’ impact on caste dynamics. Methods of assertion: Analyze … Read more