Agriculture 2022 Paper II 50 marks Describe

Q6

(a) Describe the vicious cycle of poverty and enlist the existing policy instruments for combating malnutrition. 20 (b) Enlist and explain 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' in pesticides' usage with reference to purchase, handling, application and disposal of pesticides. 20 (c) Define biotic stress in plants. Explain the role of salicylic acid in a plant's response to biotic stress. 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(क) गरीबी के दुष्चक्र का वर्णन कीजिए और कुपोषण से निपटने के लिए वर्तमान नीति-उपकरणों की सूची बनाइए। 20 (ख) कीटनाशकों के क्रय, रख-रखाव, इस्तेमाल और निस्तारण के संदर्भ में, कीटनाशकों के प्रयोग में 'क्या करें' और 'क्या ना करें' की सूची बनाइए और उनका विवरण दीजिए। 20 (ग) पौधों में जैविक प्रतिबल (स्ट्रेस) को परिभाषित कीजिए। जैविक प्रतिबल के प्रति पौधों की अनुक्रिया में सैलिसिलिक अम्ल की भूमिका की व्याख्या कीजिए। 10

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Directive word: Describe

This question asks you to describe. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The question demands descriptive treatment across three distinct domains: poverty-malnutrition linkages, pesticide safety protocols, and plant stress physiology. Allocate approximately 40% of word budget to part (a) given its 20 marks and policy complexity, 40% to part (b) for its operational detail, and 20% to part (c) for its focused scientific explanation. Structure with clear sub-headings for each part, begin with definitions where asked, and conclude each section with forward-looking remarks or integration points.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Clear exposition of the poverty-malnutrition vicious cycle showing bidirectional causality (low income → poor diet → reduced productivity → persistent poverty)
  • Part (a): Comprehensive listing of policy instruments: ICDS, MDM, NFSA, PM POSHAN, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, and POSHAN Abhiyaan with their specific targets
  • Part (b): Systematic coverage of pesticide Dos and Don'ts across all four stages—purchase (check labels, buy from licensed dealers), handling (protective gear, storage), application (dose calibration, weather conditions), and disposal (triple rinsing, burial pits)
  • Part (b): Reference to the Insecticides Act 1968, FAO Code of Conduct, and WHO classification of pesticides by hazard
  • Part (c): Precise definition of biotic stress as damage caused by living organisms (pathogens, pests, weeds) distinguishing from abiotic stress
  • Part (c): Explanation of salicylic acid as systemic acquired resistance (SAR) signal molecule, its role in NPR1 pathway activation, and PR gene expression
  • Integration: Linkage between pesticide safety (b) and farmer poverty (a) through cost of pesticide poisoning and healthcare burden
  • Integration: Connection between biotic stress management (c) and malnutrition (a) through crop loss and food security

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Accurately defines biotic stress distinguishing it from abiotic stress; correctly identifies salicylic acid as phenolic phytohormone triggering SAR via NPR1-TGA pathway; precisely describes poverty-malnutrition bidirectional causality with Amartya Sen's entitlement approach; correctly classifies pesticides by chemical group and toxicityDefines biotic stress broadly without distinction from abiotic factors; mentions salicylic acid in defense but confuses mechanism with jasmonic acid or ethylene; describes poverty-malnutrition as one-way causation; lists pesticide categories without hazard classificationConfuses biotic with abiotic stress; describes salicylic acid only as pain reliever for humans; presents poverty and malnutrition as separate problems without causal link; conflates pesticides with fertilizers or describes only one usage stage
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Cites NFHS-5 data on stunting (35.5%), wasting (19.3%), anemia prevalence; references WHO Class Ia/Ib/II pesticide toxicity categories with LD50 values; mentions economic losses from biotic stress (15-25% crop loss globally); uses FAO statistics on pesticide poisoning (3 million cases, 220,000 deaths annually)Mentions general prevalence figures without source attribution; refers to pesticide toxicity classes without LD50 ranges; states crop loss percentages without distinguishing biotic from abiotic factorsNo quantitative data or uses fabricated statistics; confuses units or orders of magnitude; presents irrelevant economic data without connection to question parts
Indian context examples20%10For (a): cites India's Global Hunger Index ranking, POSHAN Abhiyaan 2018-2022, Saksham Anganwadi; for (b): references CIBRC registration, Kerala Endosulfan tragedy, Punjab pesticide poisoning cases; for (c): mentions Indian crop biotic stresses (yellow rust in wheat, BPH in rice), ICAR research on SA analogs like acibenzolar-S-methylMentions generic government schemes without specificity; names Indian states for pesticide problems without incident details; cites common Indian crop diseases without linking to SA researchNo Indian examples or uses irrelevant foreign case studies exclusively; misidentifies Indian policies (e.g., confuses MDM with MNREGA); describes biotic stresses not relevant to Indian agriculture
Diagram / process20%10Draws poverty-malnutrition cycle as circular flow diagram with feedback loops; presents pesticide handling protocol as stepwise flowchart with decision nodes; illustrates SA signaling pathway from pathogen recognition to PR protein synthesis with key molecular components (NPR1, TGA, WRKY)Describes cycles and processes in linear text form without visual representation; attempts simple list-based diagrams without showing relationships; mentions SA pathway components without showing sequenceNo attempt at diagrammatic representation where clearly beneficial; presents tables as substitutes for process illustrations; diagrams are incorrect or mislabeled (e.g., showing abiotic stress pathway for biotic stress)
Policy / extension angle20%10For (a): evaluates policy gaps (coverage vs. quality, last mile delivery); for (b): integrates IPM, organic farming promotion, and farmer producer organization training under ATMA; for (c): connects SA research to variety development (NPR1 overexpression) and biocontrol integration; suggests convergence of nutrition security with sustainable agricultureLists policies without critical evaluation; mentions extension services generically without ATMA or KVK specificity; describes SA research without application to breeding or field managementNo policy evaluation or extension perspective; treats all parts as purely academic descriptions; suggests irrelevant or outdated policy instruments (e.g., Targeted PDS without mentioning NFSA transformation)

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