Economics 2022 Paper I 50 marks Evaluate

Q8

(a) State the functions of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Do you think that UNCTAD has been successful in extending economic cooperation among the developing countries ? Justify your answer. (20 marks) (b) Why do developing countries rely on specifying a permissible level of pollution and impose it uniformly across all polluting units of the same kind ? What are the problems associated with such a control method ? (15 marks) (c) What are the major achievements and failures of COP (Conference of Parties) 26 ? (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) व्यापार और विकास पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र सम्मेलन (अंकटाड) के कार्यों को लिखिए । क्या आप समझते हैं कि विकासशील देशों के बीच आर्थिक सहयोग को बढ़ाने में अंकटाड सफल रहा है ? अपने उत्तर के औचित्य को स्थापित कीजिए । (20) (b) विकासशील देश क्यों प्रदूषण की एक अनुमेय सीमा एक प्रकार की सभी प्रदूषणकारी इकाइयों के लिए निर्दिष्ट करते हैं और उसे एकसमान रूप से लागू करते हैं ? इस तरह की नियंत्रण विधि से संबंधित क्या-क्या समस्याएँ हैं ? (15) (c) COP (कॉन्फ्रेंस ऑफ पार्टीज़) 26 की मुख्य सफलताएँ और असफलताएँ क्या हैं ? (15)

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Directive word: Evaluate

This question asks you to evaluate. 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 'evaluate' in part (a) and the analytical nature of parts (b) and (c) require a critical, evidence-based approach. Allocate approximately 40% of time and words to part (a) given its 20 marks, with 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure: brief introduction on international economic governance and environmental regulation; for (a) enumerate UNCTAD functions then critically assess its success with specific developing country outcomes; for (b) explain the rationale for uniform pollution standards then analyse implementation problems; for (c) balance achievements (Glasgow Climate Pact, coal phase-down) with failures (climate finance shortfalls, loss and damage); conclude with integrated insights on North-South divides in trade and climate governance.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): UNCTAD's core functions—trade negotiations, GSP schemes, technical cooperation, debt management, investment policy framework, and least developed country (LDC) support mechanisms
  • Part (a): Critical evaluation of UNCTAD's success—achievements in GSP utilization, Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance, but limitations in binding dispute resolution compared to WTO, and marginalization in global trade architecture
  • Part (b): Rationale for uniform pollution standards—administrative simplicity, limited regulatory capacity in developing countries, information asymmetries, and political economy of standard-setting
  • Part (b): Problems with uniform standards—ignores heterogeneity in abatement costs (violates equimarginal principle), creates inefficiency, may force exit of smaller firms, monitoring challenges, and static nature missing technological progress
  • Part (c): COP26 achievements—Glasgow Climate Pact with explicit coal phase-down language, completion of Paris Rulebook (Article 6), methane pledge, deforestation commitment, and enhanced NDCs
  • Part (c): COP26 failures—$100 billion climate finance commitment unfulfilled, weak loss and damage mechanism (only Santiago Network established), carbon market loopholes in Article 6.4, and inadequate ambition for 1.5°C pathway

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Demonstrates precise understanding of UNCTAD's mandate versus WTO/IMF roles; correctly applies environmental economics concepts (command-and-control regulation, equimarginal principle, pollution haven hypothesis); accurately distinguishes between COP26 mechanisms (Article 6.2 vs 6.4, Santiago Network vs Warsaw International Mechanism)Identifies basic UNCTAD functions and COP26 outcomes but conflates institutional roles (e.g., UNCTAD with UNIDO) or misstates environmental regulatory concepts; describes rather than analyses the economic logicConfuses UNCTAD with UNCTC or WTO; fundamentally misunderstands why uniform standards are adopted (e.g., claims they are economically efficient); misidentifies COP26 outcomes (e.g., claims binding emissions targets were set)
Diagram / model15%7.5For part (b), constructs and labels a diagram comparing uniform standard vs. market-based instrument (tax/tradable permit) showing deadweight loss from heterogeneity; or illustrates marginal abatement cost curves for heterogeneous firms; for part (a), may use institutional framework diagram showing UNCTAD in global economic governance architectureIncludes basic diagram without proper labels or economic interpretation; or describes diagrammatic logic in words without actual figure; diagrams present but not integrated into argumentNo diagrams where appropriate; or incorrect diagrams (e.g., supply-demand for pollution permits without proper axes); diagrams contradict the textual analysis
Quantitative reasoning15%7.5Cites specific quantitative evidence: UNCTAD's $2.5 billion technical assistance portfolio, 46 LDCs covered; COP26's $130 trillion Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero commitment vs. actual $100 billion annual shortfall; India's 2070 net-zero target with 1 billion tonne reduction; pollution standard compliance costs as percentage of GDP for Indian SMEsMentions approximate figures without precision (e.g., 'around $100 billion' without noting it was not delivered); or provides quantitative claims without sources; mixes up absolute and percentage changesNo quantitative evidence; or factually incorrect numbers (e.g., claims UNCTAD has 200 member states, or COP26 achieved 50% global emissions reduction); quantitative claims contradict established data
Indian / empirical examples25%12.5For (a): India's GSP utilization under UNCTAD's ASYCUDA, or India's role in G-77 coordination at UNCTAD XIII/XIV; for (b): CPCB's uniform emission standards for thermal power plants (2015) and subsequent Supreme Court challenges, or BSI norms for small-scale industries; for (c): India's Panchamrit at COP26, 500 GW renewable target, or India's resistance to coal phase-out language (changed to 'phase-down')Generic developing country references without Indian specificity; or mentions India but with outdated/inaccurate examples; examples present but not analytically deployedNo Indian examples where highly relevant; or inappropriate examples (e.g., cites US Clean Air Act for part b); examples factually wrong (e.g., claims India committed to net-zero by 2030 at COP26)
Policy implication20%10Derives forward-looking policy insights: for (a), recommendations on UNCTAD's role in e-commerce/digital trade governance and investment facilitation for developing countries; for (b), transition from uniform standards to differentiated regulation with technological upgrading support or phased compliance for MSMEs; for (c), implications for COP27/COP28 on loss and damage fund operationalization and India's climate actionRestates existing policies without critical forward-looking assessment; or provides generic recommendations ('strengthen institutions', 'improve monitoring') without specificity to the question's contextNo policy implications; or implications contradict the analysis (e.g., recommends expanding uniform standards after identifying their inefficiency); purely descriptive conclusion without evaluative thrust

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