General Studies 2021 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q6

Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (Answer in 150 words)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

नवम्बर, 2021 में ग्लासगो में विश्व के नेताओं के शिखर सम्मेलन में सी.ओ.पी. 26 संयुक्त राष्ट्र जलवायु परिवर्तन सम्मेलन में, आरम्भ की गई हरित ग्रिड पहल का प्रयोजन स्पष्ट कीजिए । अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सौर गठबंधन (आई.एस.ए.) में यह विचार पहली बार कब दिया गया था ? (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. 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 'explain' requires clear exposition of the Green Grid Initiative's purpose and its ISA origins. Structure: brief intro identifying COP26 context → body covering initiative objectives (interconnected grids, solar power transmission) → specific mention of ISA's 2018 World Solar Technology Summit as origin → concise conclusion on significance for India's energy diplomacy.

Key points expected

  • Green Grid Initiative aims to create interconnected transnational grids for seamless solar power transmission across regions
  • Launched jointly by India and UK at COP26 World Leaders Summit, Glasgow (November 2021)
  • First proposed by PM Modi at International Solar Alliance's World Solar Technology Summit on 8 September 2020
  • Complements India's One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) vision and ISA's mandate
  • Addresses challenge of solar intermittency through grid interconnection and power sharing
  • Significance: facilitates renewable energy trade, enhances energy security, supports developing nations' clean energy access

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Demand-directive understanding20%2Clearly addresses BOTH parts—explains purpose comprehensively AND correctly identifies September 2020 as ISA origin; no conflation with OSOWOG or other initiativesAddresses both parts but conflates Green Grid with OSOWOG or gives vague ISA timeline; purpose explanation superficialMisses one part entirely, confuses with different initiatives (e.g., ISA itself founded 2015), or treats as single-answer question
Content depth & accuracy20%2Precise technical details: interconnected grids, solar transmission, UK-India joint launch, 2020 World Solar Technology Summit; no factual errors on dates or institutional mechanismsCorrect basic facts but lacks specificity on grid interconnection mechanics or vague on ISA summit details; minor date inaccuraciesMajor factual errors: wrong COP year, incorrect ISA origin date, confuses with Green Climate Fund or other COP26 initiatives
Structure & flow20%2Logical progression: context → purpose (with components) → ISA origin → significance; smooth transitions; maintains 150-word discipline without abrupt jumpsAdequate structure but uneven weightage (over-detailed on ISA history, skimpy on purpose) or slightly disjointed flow between two question partsDisorganised: no clear separation between purpose and origin, repetitive, or exceeds word limit significantly due to poor compression
Examples / case-law / data20%2Cites specific institutional anchors: ISA's 2018/2020 summits, UK's co-leadership, potential regional application (e.g., South Asian grid, African interconnection); mentions OSOWOG as complementary frameworkGeneric mention of international cooperation without specific regional examples or institutional mechanisms; no linkage to existing grid projectsNo examples or irrelevant examples (e.g., discussing ISA founding members or Paris Agreement instead of grid-specific initiatives)
Conclusion & analytical edge20%2Sharp concluding insight: links to India's global climate leadership, energy diplomacy, or critique of implementation challenges (geopolitical, technical); forward-looking on renewable energy tradeDescriptive conclusion restating purpose without analytical depth; or abrupt ending without synthesisNo conclusion, or purely celebratory without critical/analytical element; contradicts earlier content

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