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

Q6

Discuss the natural resource potentials of 'Deccan Trap'. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

'दक्कन ट्रैप' की प्राकृतिक संसाधन-संभावनाओं की चर्चा कीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दें)

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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 comprehensive yet concise examination of Deccan Trap's natural resource potentials across multiple dimensions. Structure as: brief introduction defining Deccan Trap (basaltic lava flows, ~65 million years ago); body covering mineral, water, soil, and energy resources with specific examples; conclusion highlighting sustainable exploitation challenges or comparative significance.

Key points expected

Basaltic composition yielding black cotton soil (regur) fertility for cotton, sugarcane cultivation in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
Mineral wealth: bauxite (Panchpatmali, Odisha; Amarkantak, MP), iron ore, manganese, limestone, building stones (basalt for construction)
Groundwater potential: vesicular and amygdaloidal basalt aquifers, though over-exploitation concerns in hard rock terrain
Geothermal and hydrocarbon prospects: potential for geothermal energy, Deccan-Syrian trap analogy for oil-gas exploration
Tourism/geoheritage: Ajanta-Ellora caves, Lonar crater, geological monuments

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Demonstrates 'discuss' by covering multiple resource categories (soil, minerals, water, energy) with interlinkages, not listing; shows awareness of both potential and constraints	Covers 2-3 resource types superficially; treats as enumerate rather than discuss; misses interconnections between geology and resource formation	Misinterprets as describe/define; only covers geological formation without resource focus; or confuses Deccan Trap with other geological features
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately links basaltic petrology to specific resources; mentions Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, areal extent (~1.5 million sq km); distinguishes between trap types and their resource implications	Basic correct information but generic; mentions black soil and minerals without geological causation; minor factual errors in location or formation age	Significant errors: confuses with sedimentary formations, wrong states, incorrect mineral associations; or extremely shallow content
Structure & flow	20%	2	Logical progression: definition → soil-agriculture → minerals → water/energy → conclusion; smooth transitions; maintains 150-word discipline without abrupt jumps	Identifiable sections but uneven weightage; either over-detailed on geology or resources; some disjointedness between paragraphs	No clear structure; random listing; exceeds word limit significantly or severely underwrites; confusing organization
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific locations: Panchpatmali bauxite, Amarkantak, Lonar crater, Maharashtra/Gujarat cotton belts; quantitative hint (area, percentage of India); Ajanta-Ellora as geoheritage	Generic state names without specific sites; or only 1-2 examples; misses data opportunities entirely	No Indian examples; irrelevant international comparisons; or incorrect examples (e.g., citing coal from Gondwana as Deccan Trap resource)
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Forward-looking: sustainable mining challenges, groundwater depletion in basalt terrain, or geoheritage conservation; links to climate-smart agriculture on black soils; balanced view of potential vs. exploitation	Generic conclusion restating points; no analytical value-add; or abrupt ending without synthesis	No conclusion; or completely tangential closing; negative conclusion undermining the 'potential' aspect of question

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