General Studies 2022 GS Paper I 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Describe

Q14

What are the forces that influence ocean currents ? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world. (Answer in 250 words) 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

समुद्री धाराओं को प्रभावित करने वाली शक्तियाँ कौन सी हैं ? विश्व के मत्स्य-उद्योग में इनके योगदान का वर्णन करें । (250 शब्दों में उत्तर दें)

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Directive word: Describe

This question asks you to describe. 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 'describe' requires a systematic portrayal of forces generating ocean currents followed by their functional relationship with global fishing patterns. Structure as: brief introduction defining ocean currents → two distinct body sections (first: primary/secondary forces with mechanisms; second: fishing industry linkages through nutrient upwelling, temperature regulation, and fishing ground formation) → conclusion highlighting climate change implications for fisheries.

Key points expected

Primary forces: planetary winds (trade winds, westerlies), Coriolis force, and thermohaline circulation (temperature-salinity density gradients)
Secondary/modifying forces: continental configuration, seabed topography, and friction effects on current deflection
Upwelling zones (cold currents): Peru/Humboldt, Benguela, California, Canary currents bringing nutrient-rich waters supporting dense phytoplankton and fish populations
Convergence zones and continental shelf fishing grounds: Grand Banks, North Sea, Dogger Bank, and India's Malabar Coast, Gujarat coast influenced by Laccadive and West Australian currents
Warm current fisheries: Kuroshio and Gulf Stream supporting tuna, mackerel, and migratory fish routes; mixing zones creating productive fishing grounds
Indian Ocean specifics: Somali upwelling (SW monsoon), impact of Indian Ocean Dipole on fishery productivity along Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	3	Clearly distinguishes between 'forces influencing' (causal mechanisms) and 'role in fishing' (functional outcomes); maintains descriptive balance without drifting into explanation-only or evaluation-heavy content; addresses both parts proportionally within word limit	Covers both parts but conflates forces with effects or gives uneven treatment; some drift into generic oceanography without fishing linkage	Misinterprets 'describe' as 'explain' with excessive causal analysis, or omits fishing industry entirely; treats as single-part question
Content depth & accuracy	20%	3	Precise scientific accuracy: Coriolis direction by hemisphere, Ekman transport, thermohaline conveyor; correctly identifies why upwelling zones (not just any current) are most productive; accurate naming of specific fishing grounds and their current associations	Generally correct but minor errors in Coriolis direction, confuses warm/cold current effects, or lists fishing grounds without current linkage; superficial thermohaline mention	Fundamental errors: states tides as primary current force, reverses upwelling/downwelling productivity logic, or invents non-existent current-fishing relationships
Structure & flow	20%	3	Clear bipartite structure with explicit transition; forces section organized by primary→secondary→tertiary hierarchy; fishing section organized by mechanism (upwelling, mixing, migration routes) or by ocean basin; effective signposting within 250-word constraint	Both parts present but poorly demarcated; some logical gaps between forces and their fishing consequences; readable but requires examiner effort to follow	Chronologically or randomly organized; forces and fishing intermixed without coherence; abrupt ending without conclusion; paragraphing errors
Examples / case-law / data	20%	3	Minimum 3-4 specific, accurate examples spanning both sections: Peru/Humboldt anchovy fishery, Grand Banks cod (historical), Somali upwelling sardine fishery, Kuroshio tuna grounds; includes Indian examples (Gujarat hilsa, Kerala oil sardine) with current specificity	2-3 generic examples (Gulf Stream, one upwelling zone) without specific fish species or productivity data; limited or no Indian examples	No named currents, fishing grounds, or species; vague references like 'Pacific Ocean fishing' or 'cold water areas'; examples factually mismatched to currents
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	3	Forward-looking synthesis: climate change altering current patterns (ENSO intensification, Indian Ocean warming) and fisheries displacement; or sustainable fishing management in relation to current-dependent stock vulnerability; brief but substantive	Generic summary restating points; or abrupt ending; no climate change or management insight	No conclusion; or completely irrelevant closing; factual errors in concluding statement

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