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General Studies 2022 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper I — Q5

Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department. (Answer in…

Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारतीय मौसम विज्ञान विभाग द्वारा चक्रवात प्रवण क्षेत्रों के लिए मौसम-संबंधी चेतावनियों के लिए निर्धारित रंग-संकेत के अर्थ की चर्चा करें। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दें)

Q5 of the 2022 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2022 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2022 General Studies questions

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.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) utilizes a four-tier colour-coded warning system to translate complex meteorological risks into actionable, graded alerts for cyclone-prone coastal states such as Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.

Green (No Warning): Denotes calm, stable weather conditions where no adverse event is expected and no administrative action is required.

Yellow (Watch / Be Updated): Signals the possibility of severe weather, such as isolated heavy downpours, warranting regular monitoring by administrations and the public, though severe damage is unlikely.

Orange (Alert / Be Prepared): Warns of a high probability of severe weather capable of disrupting transport, power, and communication infrastructure. It prompts authorities to initiate preparatory steps and readiness measures.

Red (Warning / Take Action): Signifies imminent, extremely severe weather with high potential for widespread destruction, mandating emergency operations, mass evacuations, and disaster mitigation measures.

This system enables the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to activate Standard Operating Procedures, pre-position response forces, and mobilize relief. Coupling these alerts with hyper-local, impact-based forecasting and robust last-mile dissemination is crucial to realizing a zero-casualty disaster management framework.

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: GS1 Geography/Environment. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Clearly defines Yellow, Orange, Red with specific wind speeds and timeframes.

Key points expected

  • Define Yellow, Orange, and Red alert meanings
  • Specify wind speed or intensity for each color
  • Mention the time horizon (e.g., 24-48 hours)
  • Link colors to specific preparedness actions

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Explain the specific meaning of each color code in IMD's cyclone warning system. 10 marks · 150 words

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

    Must cover

    • Define Yellow, Orange, and Red alert meanings
    • Specify wind speed or intensity for each color
    • Mention the time horizon (e.g., 24-48 hours)
    • Link colors to specific preparedness actions

    Loses marks

    • Confusing weather warnings with flood warnings
    • Listing colors without defining their specific meaning
    • Vague generalities about 'bad weather' without specifics

    Earns more

    • Mention 'Special Cyclone Warning' or 'Severe' categories
    • Reference IMD's specific warning bulletin structure
    • Mention the role of District Administration in response

    Extra mark

    • Mention the 2017 IMD warning system revision
    • Reference a specific cyclone (e.g., Fani, Yaas) as an example

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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