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

GS Paper III — Q8

Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major…

Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. (Answer in 150 words)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भूकंप संबंधित संकटों के लिए भारत की भेद्यता की विवेचना कीजिए। पिछले तीन दशकों में, भारत के विभिन्न भागों में भूकंप द्वारा उत्पन्न बड़ी आपदाओं के उदाहरण प्रमुख विशेषताओं के साथ दीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

Q8 of the 2021 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, as printed
The question as printed in the 2021 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

India’s seismic vulnerability stems from its tectonic setting and human exposure. About 59% of the landmass lies in Seismic Zones III–V, including the Zone V Himalayan belt and Zone IV peninsular regions. High population density in seismic zones, unregulated construction, weak enforcement of building codes and geological instability amplify risk. Over the last three decades, the 1993 Latur earthquake (M6.4, intraplate, shallow focus) killed about 10,000 people, largely due to non-engineered masonry collapse. The 2001 Bhuj earthquake (M7.7) caused around 20,000 deaths, widespread building failure, liquefaction and heavy economic losses. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake (M7.6, India-Pakistan border) exposed rescue difficulties in rugged terrain and school-building collapses. The 2011 Sikkim earthquake (M6.9) triggered landslides and highlighted remote-area response challenges, while the 2015 Nepal earthquake affected Bihar and Sikkim. These disasters show that vulnerability is not only seismicity but poor preparedness; stricter code compliance, retrofitting and disaster-risk governance are essential.

What "Discuss" is asking you to do

Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.

Structure that answers it

Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies

Where marks are lost

Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS3 Environment: threat, causes, impact, mitigation. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Precise seismic zones and 3+ specific disasters with features and impact.

Key points expected

  • Identify India's seismic zones (e.g., Zone V)
  • Cite 2-3 specific major earthquakes (e.g., 2001 Bhuj, 2015 Nepal)
  • Describe salient features of the cited disasters
  • Link vulnerability to tectonic or structural factors

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Analyze India's seismic vulnerability and detail major disasters from the last 30 years.  · 150 words

    discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close

    Must cover

    • Identify India's seismic zones (e.g., Zone V)
    • Cite 2-3 specific major earthquakes (e.g., 2001 Bhuj, 2015 Nepal)
    • Describe salient features of the cited disasters
    • Link vulnerability to tectonic or structural factors

    Loses marks

    • Listing earthquakes without describing their features
    • Ignoring the 'last three decades' time constraint
    • Vague generalities without specific regional examples

    Earns more

    • Mention specific death tolls or economic losses
    • Reference the National Seismic Hazard Map
    • Note the role of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

    Extra mark

    • Mention the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines
    • Reference the 2001 Kutch earthquake magnitude (7.6)

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

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