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General Studies 2021 GS Paper III 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Describe

GS Paper III — Q18

Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk…

Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy. (Answer in 250 words)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भू-स्खलन के विभिन्न कारणों और प्रभावों का वर्णन कीजिए । राष्ट्रीय भू-स्खलन जोखिम प्रबंधन रणनीति के महत्वपूर्ण घटकों का उल्लेख कीजिए । (250 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

Q18 of the 2021 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, as printed
The question as printed in the 2021 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2021 General Studies questions

Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Landslides are downslope movements of rock, soil and debris under gravity, especially in mountainous and hilly regions, when slope stability is reduced. About 12.6% of India’s land area, excluding snow-covered areas, is landslide-prone. The Himalayan region, Western Ghats and Northeast India are high vulnerability zones, as seen in the 2021 Chamoli rockslide and recurring monsoon slides in Uttarakhand, Himachal, Western Ghats and Northeast.

Causes. Natural causes include weak rock strata, fault zones, steep topography, heavy rainfall, snowmelt and seismic shaking from earthquakes. Anthropogenic causes are deforestation, unplanned construction, mining, road cutting, blasting and dam construction, which increase pore pressure, undercut slopes and remove root reinforcement.

Effects. Immediate effects include loss of life and property, damage to roads, railways and dams, river damming and flash floods. Long-term effects include agricultural land degradation, displacement and rehabilitation costs, and ecological damage to forests, soils and biodiversity.

National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019). The strategy, with the Geological Survey of India as nodal agency, emphasises generation of landslide hazard maps, monitoring and early warning systems, capacity building and training, awareness programmes, regulation and enforcement, and research and development. It is supported by the Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme and aligned with the Sendai Framework and SDGs. It aims to reduce risk through prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Implementation remains difficult because of data gaps, fragmented coordination, enforcement constraints and climate change. A sustained, region-specific approach is needed to reduce vulnerability, strengthen overall institutional coordination and improve post-disaster recovery in the Himalaya, Western Ghats and Northeast.

What "Describe" is asking you to do

Give a full, ordered account of the thing named — its parts, stages or mechanism — in the sequence in which it actually exists or occurs. Most describe questions come from the science optionals, where the marks sit in correct technical detail and, where the stem says so, a labelled diagram.

Structure that answers it

One-line identification of the subject → the parts or stages in their real order, each with its defining detail → labelled diagram where the subject is structural → closing line on function or significance

Where marks are lost

Loose general prose where the examiner is ticking named parts, correct terminology and their sequence; and in the General Studies papers, turning to evaluation before the description is finished.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Environment: threat, causes, impact, mitigation. describe: define > structure or process in order > labelled diagram > significance Full marks: Comprehensive coverage of causes/effects and specific strategy components.

Key points expected

  • Define landslide as mass movement of rock/soil.
  • List natural causes (rain, seismic, slope) and anthropogenic (mining, roads).
  • Describe effects (infrastructure damage, loss of life, ecological).
  • Mention components of National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (e.g., mapping, early warning).

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Define landslides, list causes/effects, and detail National Landslide Risk Management Strategy components.  · 250 words

    describe— define → structure or process in order → labelled diagram → significance

    Must cover

    • Define landslide as mass movement of rock/soil.
    • List natural causes (rain, seismic, slope) and anthropogenic (mining, roads).
    • Describe effects (infrastructure damage, loss of life, ecological).
    • Mention components of National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (e.g., mapping, early warning).

    Loses marks

    • Confusing landslides with floods or earthquakes.
    • Listing causes without explaining the mechanism.
    • Ignoring the specific 'National Strategy' component of the question.

    Earns more

    • Mention specific vulnerable regions (e.g., Himalayas, Western Ghats).
    • Reference specific mitigation measures (e.g., retaining walls, drainage).

    Extra mark

    • Cite specific data on landslide losses in India.
    • Mention specific institutional bodies (e.g., NDRF, Geological Survey of India).

Practice this exact question

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