UPSC_CS MAINS 2023 Paper III

What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?

Points to Remember: Definition and sources of oil pollution. Impacts of oil pollution on marine ecosystems (flora, fauna, and habitats). Specific vulnerabilities of India to oil pollution. Economic, social, and environmental consequences for India. Mitigation and remediation strategies. Introduction: Oil pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies, primarily oceans and seas, by petroleum hydrocarbons. … Read more

Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyse the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.

Points to Remember: Dam failures are catastrophic events with devastating consequences. Multiple factors contribute to dam failures, often interacting in complex ways. Prevention requires rigorous design, construction, maintenance, and monitoring. Examples of past failures highlight the importance of learning from mistakes. Introduction: Dam failures are undeniably catastrophic events, resulting in immense loss of life and … Read more

What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?

Points to Remember: Definition and sources of oil pollution. Impacts of oil pollution on marine ecosystems (flora, fauna, and habitats). Specific vulnerabilities of India to oil pollution. Mitigation strategies and policy recommendations. Introduction: Oil pollution refers to the release of petroleum hydrocarbons into the marine environment. This can stem from various sources, including oil spills … Read more

The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles?

Points to Remember: Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption and its impact on carbon emissions. Comparison of EVs with traditional combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Benefits and drawbacks of EV adoption. Policy recommendations for promoting EV adoption. Introduction: The global transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, driven by concerns about climate change, air pollution, and energy security. … Read more

Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few Indiaâs wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.

Points to Remember: National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) aims and objectives. Significance of wetlands for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Ramsar Convention and its relevance to India. Examples of Indian Ramsar Sites. Challenges faced by NWCP and potential improvements. Introduction: Wetlands, crucial ecosystems providing vital ecological services, are facing significant threats globally. Recognizing their importance, the … Read more

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region?

Points to Remember: Sea Level Rise (SLR): The IPCC’s prediction of a one-meter SLR by 2100. Impact on India: Coastal erosion, inundation, saltwater intrusion, displacement, economic losses. Impact on Indian Ocean Region: Similar impacts across the region, varying in severity based on geography and development levels. Mitigation and Adaptation: Strategies needed to reduce emissions and … Read more

Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMPT Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022.

Points to Remember: Major sources of terror funding in India (internal and external). Counter-terrorism financing efforts by Indian government and agencies. Aims and objectives of the No Money for Terror (NMPT) Conference 2022. Introduction: Terrorism poses a significant threat to India’s national security and stability. Funding is the lifeblood of terrorist organizations, enabling them to … Read more

What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.

Points to Remember: Internal security threats in India are multifaceted, encompassing terrorism, insurgency, communal violence, cybercrime, and left-wing extremism. Central intelligence and investigative agencies play a crucial role in gathering intelligence, conducting investigations, and coordinating counter-terrorism efforts. Effective counter-terrorism strategies require a multi-pronged approach involving intelligence gathering, law enforcement, and addressing the root causes of … Read more

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.

Points to Remember: The increasing use of UAVs for illicit activities. Vulnerabilities exploited by adversaries. Current counter-UAV measures. Technological advancements needed. International cooperation and legal frameworks. Introduction: The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, by hostile actors to smuggle arms, ammunition, drugs, and other contraband across international borders poses a significant … Read more

Winning of âHearts and Mindsâ in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.

Points to Remember: Winning hearts and minds (WHM) is crucial for counter-terrorism and conflict resolution. Trust-building is paramount in restoring normalcy in terrorism-affected areas. Government measures in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) should be analyzed for their effectiveness. A balanced perspective considering both successes and failures is necessary. Introduction: The phrase “winning hearts and minds” (WHM) … Read more