Paper I — Q6
(a) Justify the statement that "Maintenance of sires in good condition is essentially required for the success of breeding…
(a) Justify the statement that "Maintenance of sires in good condition is essentially required for the success of breeding programmes". Discuss the important points for the management of breeding males in good condition. (10+10=20 marks) (b) Describe the methods of oestrus detection in sheep. (10 marks) (c) Enumerate different types of natural calamities which may be encountered by the livestock rearer. Draw strategies for feeding and management of livestock during natural calamities to minimize the production losses. (5+15=20 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) इस कथन की पुष्टि कीजिये, कि "प्रजनन कार्यक्रमों की सफलता के लिए अच्छी स्थिति में नर पशुओं का रखरखाव अनिवार्य रूप से आवश्यक है" । अच्छी स्थिति में नर प्रजनन के प्रबंधन के लिए महत्वपूर्ण बिन्दुओं पर चर्चा कीजिये । (10+10=20 अंक) (b) भेड़ों में मद का पता लगाने की विधियों का वर्णन कीजिये । (10 अंक) (c) विभिन्न प्रकार की प्राकृतिक आपदाओं की गणना कीजिये जिनका सामना पशुपालक को करना पड़ सकता है । उत्पादन हानि को कम करने के लिए प्राकृतिक आपदाओं के दौरान पशुधन के भोजन और प्रबंधन के लिए रणनीतियाँ बनाइये । (5+15=20 अंक)
Directive word: Justify
This question asks you to justify. 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 'justify' in part (a) requires establishing logical causation between sire condition and breeding success, supported by evidence. Structure: Introduction linking male fertility to genetic progress → Part (a): Justification (genetic, economic, biological reasons) + management points (nutrition, exercise, health, semen quality) → Part (b): Sheep oestrus detection methods (visual, teaser ram, hormonal, technological) → Part (c): Calamity types + feeding/management strategies → Conclusion integrating breeding efficiency with resilience. Allocate ~40% time/words to (a), ~20% to (b), ~40% to (c) based on marks.
Key points expected
- Part (a): Justification citing genetic contribution (sires pass 50% genes), economic multiplier effect, and biological necessity of optimal sperm production; management covering balanced nutrition (energy:protein ratio), controlled exercise (libido and semen quality), health monitoring (Brucellosis, BSE testing), and semen evaluation protocols
- Part (a): Specific management points including individual housing to prevent injury, hoof care, heat stress mitigation (scrotal temperature regulation), and breeding soundness examination (BSE) standards
- Part (b): Sheep oestrus detection methods: visual signs (vulvar swelling, mucus discharge, tail wagging), teaser ram/vasectomized ram (apron ram) use with marking harness, progesterone-based methods, and modern aids like pedometers/activity meters and electronic breeding chutes
- Part (c): Natural calamities: floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, extreme temperatures, and epidemics; feeding strategies including strategic fodder reserves, urea-molasses blocks, unconventional feed resources, and water purification
- Part (c): Management strategies: evacuation plans, elevated shelters, veterinary first aid, insurance schemes (Livestock Insurance), and integration with NDMA/SDMA protocols for livestock
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demand-directive understanding | 20% | 10 | For (a), builds causal chain showing how sire condition directly impacts conception rates, genetic gain, and economic returns; for (b), 'describe' yields comprehensive method-wise coverage with mechanism; for (c), 'enumerate' produces exhaustive calamity list and 'draw strategies' delivers actionable, phased management plans | Addresses all directives superficially; (a) lists management points without justifying their necessity; (b) mentions methods without explaining how they work; (c) lists calamities and strategies without integration | Misinterprets directives—treats (a) as mere description without justification, (b) as general reproduction knowledge without sheep-specificity, or (c) as generic disaster management without livestock focus |
| Content depth & accuracy | 20% | 10 | Demonstrates command of andrological physiology (spermatogenesis cycle, heat stress on semen quality), species-specific sheep reproductive behavior (seasonal polyestrus, silent heat incidence), and disaster management protocols (fodder depots, mobile veterinary units); cites specific parameters like sperm motility thresholds, teaser ram marking harness colors, and DM/CP requirements during scarcity | Correct but generic content; mentions 'good nutrition' and 'health' without specifics; describes 'rams for detection' without vasectomy detail; lists 'drought' and 'flood' without differentiated strategies | Scientifically inaccurate statements (e.g., sires contribute 100% genes, sheep are continuous breeders, or feeding concentrates alone during floods); confuses cattle and sheep oestrus signs |
| Structure & flow | 20% | 10 | Clear tripartite structure with visible sub-headings; (a) separates justification from management; (b) groups methods by visual/physical/technological; (c) presents calamities categorically (climatic, geological, biological) followed by integrated feeding-management matrix; smooth transitions between parts | All parts present but poorly demarcated; runs (a) justification and management together confusingly; (b) methods in random order; (c) mixes calamity enumeration with strategies haphazardly | No structural organization; missing sub-parts or severe imbalance (e.g., 80% on (a), one line on (c)); illegible handwriting or paragraph-only format without any breaks |
| Examples / case-law / data | 20% | 10 | For (a): cites ICAR-CIRB/NDRI semen quality standards, progeny testing data showing superior sire impact; for (b): references Garole sheep or Deccani sheep breeding practices, MAITRI-MoE&F pedometer trials; for (c): Kutch earthquake 2001 livestock response, Kerala floods 2018 fodder management, NDDB's emergency feed compounding, or PM-KISAN livestock component | Vague references like 'research shows' or 'in some states' without specificity; mentions 'teaser rams used in farms' without breed or location; 'government schemes exist' without naming | No examples whatsoever; or irrelevant examples (human disaster management, crop insurance instead of livestock); fabricated data or schemes |
| Conclusion & analytical edge | 20% | 10 | Synthesizes across parts: breeding male management and oestrus detection as pillars of reproductive efficiency, with disaster resilience ensuring continuity of genetic improvement; critiques gaps (poor AI infrastructure in sheep, weak livestock disaster preparedness); forward-looking suggestions (genomic selection for heat tolerance, community breeding stations, climate-smart shelters) | Summarizes each part separately without synthesis; generic concluding statement on 'importance of scientific animal husbandry'; no critical perspective or forward vision | No conclusion; or abrupt ending; or conclusion contradicts body content; purely descriptive without any analytical element |
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