Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science 2022 Paper I 50 marks Describe
Paper I — Q4
(a) Describe the behavioural adjustments of animals during hot weather. (20 marks) (b) Describe the different bases of selection…
(a) Describe the behavioural adjustments of animals during hot weather. (20 marks) (b) Describe the different bases of selection of animals. (15 marks) (c) Describe the various methods to educate farmers under rural conditions. (15 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) गर्म मौसम में पशुओं के व्यवहारिक समायोजन का वर्णन कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) पशुओं के चयन के विभिन्न आधारों का वर्णन कीजिए। (15 अंक) (c) ग्रामीण परिवेश के अंतर्गत किसानों को शिक्षित करने की विभिन्न विधियों का वर्णन कीजिए। (15 अंक)
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 directive 'describe' requires systematic, detailed exposition of phenomena, processes and methods across all three sub-parts. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, and roughly 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief composite introduction linking the three themes (behaviour, selection, extension), followed by clearly demarcated sections for each sub-part, and a concluding synthesis on how these elements integrate in sustainable livestock production.
Key points expected
- Part (a): Thermoregulatory behaviours including shade-seeking, wallowing, reduced activity, panting, postural changes (e.g., wing spreading in poultry), and altered feeding patterns; distinction between behavioural and physiological adjustments
- Part (a): Species-specific variations (cattle vs. buffaloes vs. small ruminants vs. poultry) and the concept of thermoneutral zone with relevance to Indian tropical conditions
- Part (b): Bases of selection—natural vs. artificial; within artificial: mass selection, pedigree/lineage selection, family selection, progeny testing, and contemporary methods (genomic selection, marker-assisted selection)
- Part (b): Selection criteria: production traits (milk yield, growth rate), functional traits (longevity, fertility, disease resistance), and their relative economic weights in Indian breeding programmes like progeny testing schemes for Murrah buffaloes
- Part (c): Extension methods: individual contact methods (farm visits, demonstrations), group methods (farmer field schools, group discussions, training camps), mass media (KVK radio/TV programmes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Kisan Call Centres)
- Part (c): Participatory approaches: Farmer Participatory Research (FPR), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), and ICT-based innovations (mKisan, WhatsApp groups) suited to low-literacy rural contexts
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demand-directive understanding | 20% | 10 | Demonstrates precise grasp of 'describe' across all sub-parts: for (a) provides vivid, mechanistic behavioural descriptions rather than vague statements; for (b) systematically catalogues selection bases with clear hierarchical organisation; for (c) differentiates methods by scale and intensity of contact, not merely listing them | Provides adequate descriptions but with uneven depth—strong on (a) but superficial on (c), or conflates selection bases with selection methods in (b); meets directive minimally without elaboration | Misinterprets directive as 'discuss' or 'evaluate', providing arguments without descriptive detail; or treats all sub-parts identically without adjusting to mark allocation; significant omissions in one or more parts |
| Content depth & accuracy | 20% | 10 | For (a): cites specific behaviours with physiological correlates (e.g., reduced rumination, peripheral vasodilation); for (b): distinguishes heritability estimates and selection indices; for (c): references NARS/ICAR extension frameworks and adult learning principles; no factual errors | Covers main content areas with acceptable accuracy but lacks specificity—mentions 'heat stress' without behavioural mechanisms, lists selection types without genetic basis, describes extension methods without contextual adaptation to rural constraints | Major content gaps (e.g., omits progeny testing or confuses it with pedigree selection; misses group extension methods entirely); significant scientific inaccuracies (e.g., attributing wallowing to drinking behaviour); outdated or irrelevant information |
| Structure & flow | 20% | 10 | Clear tripartite structure with explicit transitions; each sub-part internally organised logically—(a) by species or behaviour type, (b) by selection category, (c) by contact intensity; effective signposting allows examiner to navigate effortlessly; proportional to marks | Recognisable structure but uneven—strong on (a) with weak organisation in (b) and (c); or uses bullet points excessively without integrative prose; transitions between sub-parts abrupt or missing | Disorganised or stream-of-consciousness response; no clear demarcation between sub-parts; disproportionate allocation (e.g., 60% on (a), 10% each on others); repetitive or circular presentation within sections |
| Examples / case-law / data | 20% | 10 | Rich, contextualised Indian examples: for (a)—Tharparkar cattle in Rajasthan, buffaloes in hot-humid zones; for (b)—NDRI progeny testing programme, Sahiwal and Gir breeding schemes; for (c)—KVK network statistics, success metrics from ATMA or NAIP projects; specific data points (e.g., heritability values, adoption rates) | Some relevant examples but generic or international (e.g., Holstein-Friesian without Indian context); mentions KVKs or NDRI without specificity; no quantitative data; examples not explicitly linked to descriptive points | No Indian examples; relies entirely on textbook generalities; inappropriate examples (e.g., temperate breed responses for (a)); or examples factually incorrect (wrong institution names, non-existent programmes) |
| Conclusion & analytical edge | 20% | 10 | Synthesises the three domains into coherent insight: how behavioural understanding informs selection for heat tolerance, and how extension bridges knowledge gaps; identifies emerging challenges (climate change, genomic revolution) and policy implications; demonstrates forward-looking veterinary perspective | Brief summary restating main points without synthesis; or strong conclusion for (a) only with weak closure for composite question; no analytical progression beyond description | No conclusion or abrupt ending; conclusion merely repeats question; or introduces entirely new unsubstantiated claims; fails to recognise interconnections between animal behaviour, genetic improvement and farmer education |
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