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

Q9

Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. (Answer in 150 words)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

चर्चा कीजिए कि किस प्रकार उभरती प्रौद्योगिकियां और वैश्वीकरण मनी लॉन्ड्रिंग में योगदान करते हैं। राष्ट्रीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय दोनों स्तरों पर मनी लॉन्ड्रिंग की समस्या से निपटने के लिए किए जाने वाले उपायों को विस्तार से समझाइए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. 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 'discuss' requires a balanced examination of how emerging technologies and globalisation facilitate money laundering, followed by elaboration of countermeasures. Structure: brief introduction defining money laundering → body paragraph on technology/globalisation drivers → body paragraph on national and international measures → concise conclusion on challenges ahead.

Key points expected

Cryptocurrencies, blockchain anonymity, AI-driven transaction layering, and dark web marketplaces as technology enablers
Cross-border capital flows, tax havens, shell companies, and trade-based money laundering (TBML) under globalisation
National measures: PMLA 2002, ED enforcement, FIU-IND, RBI/SEBI regulations, and proposed Digital India safeguards
International measures: FATF recommendations, UN Convention against Corruption, Egmont Group, and mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs)
Specific Indian context: Vijay Mallya/Nirav Modi cases, rise of hawala-crypto nexus, and India's FATF grey-list exit in 2021
Balanced critique: regulatory lag vs. tech innovation, need for global coordination beyond national boundaries

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Covers both parts of the directive—technology/globalisation drivers AND national/international measures—with equal weightage; no conflation of 'discuss' with mere description	Addresses both parts but disproportionately; or treats 'elaborate' as repetition rather than detailed expansion	Misses one part entirely; confuses 'discuss' with 'define' or lists points without analytical linkage
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Precise reference to PMLA provisions, FATF 40 Recommendations, specific tech tools (mixers, DeFi platforms); accurate distinction between national and international mechanisms	Generic mention of 'strict laws' and 'international cooperation' without naming PMLA, FATF, or specific regulatory bodies	Factual errors (e.g., confusing FIU with ED, misstating FATF as UN body); superficial treatment with buzzwords
Structure & flow	20%	2	Clear demarcation: problem drivers (tech + globalisation) → solutions (national → international); smooth transitions within 150-word constraint; no structural imbalance	Recognisable structure but uneven weightage; or abrupt shift between causes and remedies without bridging	Disorganised listing; no paragraph breaks; word limit violated significantly (>180 or <100 words)
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	At least two specific illustrations: Indian cases (PNB scam, AgustaWestland) or global (Panama Papers, 1MDB); or data on scale (UNODC estimates, India's PMLA convictions)	One vague reference (e.g., 'recent scams') without naming; or only generic mention of 'cryptocurrency'	No examples; or fabricated/irrelevant cases; purely theoretical response
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Forward-looking insight: regulatory sandboxes, AI-powered transaction monitoring, or India's G20 presidency leverage; acknowledges limitation of unilateral action	Standard closing statement ('cooperation needed') without specific insight; mere summary of points	No conclusion; or abrupt ending; or utopian statement without grounding in institutional reality

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