UPSC CSE Mains Answer Writing

Introduction

India reached 50% non-fossil installed capacity in 2025, five years early, and now targets another 500 GW over the next decade.

Strengths

• Non-fossil sources form about 55% of 558.89 GW capacity.
• PLI for solar modules is building domestic manufacturing.
• PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM spread rooftop and farm solar.

Challenges

• Capacity is not generation; coal still dominates actual supply.
• Storage and transmission lag behind solar additions.
• Import dependence for cells, wafers and critical minerals.

Global leadership

• ISA (about 130 members) projects India as voice of Global South.
• USD 25 million to the Africa Solar Facility builds goodwill.
• Exporting PM-KUSUM model, starting with Mauritius.

Supporting evidence

• CEA: 558.89 GW total, ~308 GW non-fossil (55.1%)
• Panchamrit (COP26): 500 GW by 2030, net zero 2070
• National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023)

Way forward

• Scale battery and pumped storage with viability gap funding.
• Strengthen Green Energy Corridors and DISCOM finances.

• CEA: 558.89 GW total, ~308 GW non-fossil (55.1%)
• Panchamrit (COP26): 500 GW by 2030, net zero 2070
• National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023)

Introduction

Eight Next Generation Corvettes on Navy in-house designs, built by GRSE and GSL, mark a step from licensed production to indigenous design.

Progress

• Production rose from ₹46,429 crore (2014–15) to about ₹1.78 lakh crore.
• Exports reached ₹38,424 crore, to over 80 countries.
• Positive indigenisation lists and DAP 2020 favour Buy (Indian-IDDM).

Constraints

• Dependence on imported engines, sensors and electronics.
• Low R&D spending and long procurement cycles.
• Cost and time overruns in PSU shipyards.

Economic gains

• Corvettes alone create about 72 lakh shipyard person-days.
• MSME supply chains get 460 lakh person-days of work.
• Exports strengthen strategic partnerships in the IOR.

Supporting evidence

• Targets 2029: ₹3 lakh crore production, ₹50,000 crore exports
• Defence budget 2026–27: ₹7.85 lakh crore
• DAP 2020; iDEX (2018)

Way forward

• Raise defence R&D and involve private industry and start-ups (iDEX).
• Fix timelines and accountability in shipbuilding contracts.

• Targets 2029: ₹3 lakh crore production, ₹50,000 crore exports
• Defence budget 2026–27: ₹7.85 lakh crore
• DAP 2020; iDEX (2018)

Introduction

Bonded labour persists despite Article 23 and the 1976 Abolition Act, largely because release is not followed by rehabilitation.

Gaps

• Delay in release certificates denies scheme benefits.
• Vigilance committees are often inactive.
• Survivors fall back into debt without livelihood support.

Court's directions

• Uniform procedure for assistance within 7 days of release.
• Centre's SOP to be implemented within six months.
• Guidelines with NHRC; verification ordinarily within 24 hours.

Significance

• Treats identification, release and rehabilitation as one continuum.
• Strengthens Article 21 dignity with Article 23.
• Fixes accountability on district administration.

Supporting evidence

• Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India (1984)
• Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers, 2016 (₹1–3 lakh)
• ILO Conventions 29 & 105; SDG 8.7

Conclusion

• Converging rehabilitation with housing, land and skills schemes can end the cycle of bondage.

• Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India (1984)
• Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers, 2016 (₹1–3 lakh)
• ILO Conventions 29 & 105; SDG 8.7

Introduction

Only six States have Legislative Councils, created or abolished under Article 169 by Parliament on an Assembly resolution.

Arguments for

• Brings experts, teachers and graduates into law-making.
• Allows a second look at hasty legislation.
• Represents local bodies through indirect election.

Arguments against

• Can only delay Bills; it has little real power.
• Often used to accommodate defeated politicians.
• Adds cost; creation and abolition depend on ruling party.

Reform ideas

• Second ARC suggested a Council of Local Governments.
• A national policy on Councils can end ad hoc decisions.
• Make graduates' and teachers' constituencies more meaningful.

Supporting evidence

• Art. 169, 171, 197 (delay of 3+1 months)
• Abolitions: WB 1969, Punjab 1970, TN 1986
• Second ARC (2007) on Local Governance

Conclusion

• Councils add value only if reformed to deepen expertise and local-body voice.

• Art. 169, 171, 197 (delay of 3+1 months)
• Abolitions: WB 1969, Punjab 1970, TN 1986
• Second ARC (2007) on Local Governance

Introduction

In a 48-hour operation, a Navy warship, maritime patrol aircraft and MARCOS airdropped from a C-17 freed all 20 crew of the Azini.

Why piracy is back

• Naval attention diverted by Red Sea attacks.
• Weak governance and poverty in coastal Somalia.
• Illegal fishing fuels local grievances.

India's role

• Continuous anti-piracy deployments in the Gulf of Aden since 2008.
• IFC-IOR at Gurugram shares maritime information.
• MAHASAGAR vision projects India as a security partner.

Challenges

• Vast area against limited ships and aircraft.
• Legal gaps in prosecuting captured pirates.
• Coordination among multiple navies.

Supporting evidence

• Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022
• UNCLOS Article 101 (definition of piracy)
• IFC-IOR (2018), IPMDA

Way forward

• Use the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022 for prosecution.
• Expand space-based surveillance and capacity-building of littoral states.

• Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022
• UNCLOS Article 101 (definition of piracy)
• IFC-IOR (2018), IPMDA

Introduction

Murasu made landfall near Ongole with 110–120 km/h winds, showing the recurring cyclone risk on India's east coast.

Evolution

• Accurate IMD track forecasts with Doppler radars and satellites.
• Mass evacuation has cut deaths sharply since the 1999 Odisha super cyclone.
• NDMA guidelines and the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.

Gaps

• Economic losses to crops, fisheries and power lines remain high.
• Rapid intensification due to warm seas is hard to forecast.
• Weak urban drainage worsens flash floods.

Community role

• Multipurpose cyclone shelters and village task forces.
• Last-mile alerts via Cell Broadcast and the Common Alerting Protocol.
• Mangroves act as natural bio-shields.

Supporting evidence

• Disaster Management Act, 2005; NDMA, NDRF
• 1999 Odisha super cyclone vs. Phailin (2013) evacuation success
• Sendai Framework 2015–2030

Way forward

• Shift from zero-casualty to zero-loss with resilient infrastructure and insurance.
• Restore mangroves and enforce coastal zoning.

• Disaster Management Act, 2005; NDMA, NDRF
• 1999 Odisha super cyclone vs. Phailin (2013) evacuation success
• Sendai Framework 2015–2030

Introduction

Biosphere reserves, under UNESCO's MAB Programme (1971), combine a protected core with buffer and transition zones for sustainable use.

Indian experience

• 18 reserves, 13 in UNESCO's network; Cold Desert added in 2025.
• Nilgiri communities turn invasive Lantana into crafts.
• Five-year Integrated Management Plans piloted in four reserves.

Challenges

• Limited funding under a Centrally Sponsored sub-scheme.
• Conflicts over resource use in buffer zones.
• Invasive species and climate change.

Significance

• Learning sites for sustainable development.
• Link to Kunming–Montreal GBF targets.
• Recognise community knowledge and rights.

Supporting evidence

• MAB Programme 1971; Seville Strategy 1995
• Kunming–Montreal GBF Target 6 (invasives)
• Funding 60:40 (90:10 for NE/Himalayan States)

Way forward

• Give reserves legal backing and dedicated funds.
• Promote eco-tourism and green value chains for locals.

• MAB Programme 1971; Seville Strategy 1995
• Kunming–Montreal GBF Target 6 (invasives)
• Funding 60:40 (90:10 for NE/Himalayan States)

Introduction

Rules under the VB-G RAM G Act, which replaced MGNREGA, require any complaint on scheme implementation to be resolved within 15 days.

Positive features

• Multiple channels: in person, post, digital platform, helplines.
• No refusal on technical grounds like format or language.
• Time-bound resolution builds trust.

Concerns

• Mandatory FIR for financial irregularities dropped from draft.
• Action-taken reports no longer placed before local bodies.
• Digital channels may exclude poor workers.

Role of social audit

• Gram Sabha scrutiny exposes ghost workers and fake bills.
• Meghalaya's 2017 law shows how to institutionalise it.
• Complements grievance systems with community oversight.

Supporting evidence

• MGNREGA 2005, Sections 17 & 19
• CPGRAMS (DARPG)
• MP Right to Public Services Act, 2010

Conclusion

• Grievance rules work best when backed by independent social audit units and public disclosure.

• MGNREGA 2005, Sections 17 & 19
• CPGRAMS (DARPG)
• MP Right to Public Services Act, 2010

Introduction

India's COP31 agenda centres on a Climate Finance Work Programme and developed countries' Article 9.1 obligations.

Why finance divides

• The USD 100 billion goal was met late and partly through loans.
• Developing countries need trillions for adaptation and transition.
• CBDR-RC principle places primary duty on historic emitters.

Other view

• Developed nations want a wider contributor base, including China.
• They stress private finance and carbon markets.
• Fiscal stress limits public budgets.

India's approach

• Voluntary GGA indicators to protect policy space.
• Leadership through ISA and land restoration (26 million ha).
• Supports voluntary, not mandatory, carbon markets.

Supporting evidence

• Paris Agreement Art. 9.1; NCQG agreed at COP29 (Baku)
• CBDR-RC (UNFCCC 1992)
• India's NDC (2022): 45% emission-intensity cut by 2030

Way forward

• Clear definitions of climate finance and grant-based adaptation funding.
• Reform MDBs to lend more and cheaper for climate.

• Paris Agreement Art. 9.1; NCQG agreed at COP29 (Baku)
• CBDR-RC (UNFCCC 1992)
• India's NDC (2022): 45% emission-intensity cut by 2030

Introduction

Using VELC on Aditya-L1, IIA scientists showed a coronal mass ejection expanding asymmetrically, improving models of solar eruptions.

Space weather

• CMEs cause geomagnetic storms on Earth.
• They disrupt satellites, GPS and HF radio.
• Strong storms can damage power grids.

Significance for India

• Protects over 50 Indian satellites, including NavIC.
• Builds indigenous science capacity in IIA, PRL and IUCAA.
• Gives India data to share with the world.

Challenges

• Low spending on basic research.
• Need for more ground stations and data scientists.
• Converting data into operational forecasts.

Supporting evidence

• Aditya-L1: PSLV-C57, 2 Sept 2023; seven payloads
• Indian Space Policy 2023; IN-SPACe
• XPoSat (2024), AstroSat (2015)

Way forward

• Set up a national space-weather forecasting service.
• Link missions like AstroSat, XPoSat and Aditya-L1 to universities.

• Aditya-L1: PSLV-C57, 2 Sept 2023; seven payloads
• Indian Space Policy 2023; IN-SPACe
• XPoSat (2024), AstroSat (2015)