UPSC_CS MAINS 2017 Paper I

Points to Remember: High agricultural productivity Predictability (to an extent) Water resource management Vulnerability to extremes (droughts and floods) Socio-economic adaptations Introduction: Monsoon Asia, encompassing a vast region including India, Southeast Asia, and parts of China, supports over half the world’s population. This remarkable feat is largely attributed to the monsoon climate, a weather system … Read more

Points to Remember: Coal’s role as a primary energy source. Environmental consequences of coal mining (air, water, land). Alternatives to coal and their feasibility. Economic implications of transitioning away from coal. Policy measures for mitigating environmental damage. Sustainable development goals and energy transition. Introduction: The statement “Inspite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still … Read more

Points to Remember: High nutritional value of pulses. Role in food security and poverty reduction. Environmental benefits of pulse cultivation. Contribution to sustainable agriculture. Economic benefits for farmers. Introduction: The United Nations declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP) to raise awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulse cultivation. Pulses, which include … Read more

Points to Remember: Geographical factors influencing refinery location. Economic factors influencing refinery location. Political and social factors influencing refinery location. Implications for developing countries. Potential solutions and policy recommendations. Introduction: The location of petroleum refineries is a complex decision influenced by a multitude of factors beyond simple proximity to crude oil sources. While one might … Read more

Keywords: Floods, sustainable irrigation, all-weather inland navigation, India. Required Approach: Analytical, with elements of factual information and policy recommendations. Points to Remember: Harnessing floodwaters for irrigation requires efficient water storage and distribution systems. Inland navigation necessitates dredging, channel improvement, and infrastructure development. Sustainability involves minimizing environmental impact and ensuring equitable water access. India’s diverse geography … Read more

Points to Remember: Juno’s primary focus is Jupiter, not Earth. However, understanding Jupiter’s formation and evolution provides crucial insights into the early solar system, which directly impacts our understanding of Earth’s origin and evolution. Juno’s data helps constrain models of planetary formation and migration. Comparisons between Jupiter’s composition and that of the Sun can reveal … Read more

Points to Remember: Cryosphere’s role in albedo effect Cryosphere’s influence on ocean currents Cryosphere’s impact on sea level Feedback loops within the cryosphere-climate system Importance of cryosphere monitoring for climate prediction Introduction: The cryosphere encompasses all frozen water on Earth, including snow, ice, permafrost, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, and sea ice. It plays a … Read more

Keywords: Oceanic salinity, variations, multi-dimensional effects. Required Approach: Primarily factual and analytical, with some elements of descriptive explanation. Points to Remember: Salinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. Salinity variations are influenced by several factors. Changes in salinity have significant ecological, economic, and climatic consequences. Introduction: Oceanic salinity, measured … Read more

Points to Remember: India’s diversity is multifaceted, encompassing linguistic, religious, ethnic, and geographical variations. States are administrative units, while cultural units are defined by shared practices, beliefs, and identities. Overlapping and intersecting cultural units exist across state boundaries. The administrative boundaries of states often do not align with the boundaries of cultural units. Introduction: India’s … Read more

Points to Remember: The 19th-century social reform movement in India significantly addressed women’s issues. Key issues included widow remarriage, sati, child marriage, and women’s education. Debates arose regarding the approach to reform – gradual vs. radical, Western influence vs. indigenous solutions. Different social reformers held varying perspectives on these issues. Introduction: The rise of the … Read more