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

GS Paper I — 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)

Q6 of the 2022 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2022 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.

The Deccan Trap, formed by Cretaceous basaltic lava flows dated 65 million years ago, underlies much of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Its fine-grained basalt weathers into fertile black cotton (regur) soil in Vidarbha, Marathwada and Saurashtra, supporting cotton and sugarcane. Mineral potential includes iron ore, manganese, limestone, bauxite (Amarkantak, MP; Panchpatmali, Odisha, outside the trap, shows associated laterite wealth) and basalt building stone. Vesicular, amygdaloidal basalt hosts groundwater aquifers, though hard-rock over-exploitation is a concern. The trap also offers geothermal energy prospects and, through Deccan-Syrian trap analogy, hydrocarbon exploration leads. Its geoheritage value is high: Ajanta-Ellora caves, Lonar crater (National Geo-Monument/Ramsar) and geological monuments can sustain eco-tourism. Sustainable management, including soil conservation, aquifer recharge, regulated mining and geoheritage protection, is essential to balance livelihoods, agriculture and environmental security. Thus, the Trap is a multi-resource landscape where agriculture, minerals, water and geoheritage must be planned together for long-term sustainable development.

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: Geography: explain the mechanism, then location follows. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Links basaltic geology to specific soil/mineral/energy potentials with examples.

Key points expected

  • Basaltic soil fertility and black cotton (regur) potential
  • Mineral wealth: Manganese, Bauxite, and Iron ore deposits
  • Groundwater potential via porous basalt aquifers
  • Energy potential: Geothermal or Solar (due to aridity)

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Analytical overview of Deccan Trap's resource base (soil, minerals, water, energy). 10 marks · 150 words

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

    Must cover

    • Basaltic soil fertility and black cotton (regur) potential
    • Mineral wealth: Manganese, Bauxite, and Iron ore deposits
    • Groundwater potential via porous basalt aquifers
    • Energy potential: Geothermal or Solar (due to aridity)

    Loses marks

    • Narrating geological history instead of resources
    • Listing resources without explaining their potential
    • Ignoring the 'Trap' (basalt) specific characteristics

    Earns more

    • Mention of specific states (Maharashtra, MP, Karnataka)
    • Linkage of soil type to specific crops (cotton)
    • Reference to specific mineral belts (e.g., Singhbhum or Satpura)
    • Mention of water scarcity as a limiting factor

    Extra mark

    • 30-second sketch map of Deccan Trap extent
    • One robust statistic on mineral reserves or soil depth

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