General Studies 2022 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Enumerate

Q5

The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

देश में आयु संभाविता में आई वृद्धि से समाज में नई स्वास्थ्य चुनौतियाँ खड़ी हो गई हैं। यह नई चुनौतियाँ कौन-कौन सी हैं और उनके समाधान हेतु क्या-क्या कदम उठाए जाने आवश्यक हैं? (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

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Directive word: Enumerate

This question asks you to enumerate. 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 'enumerate' demands a systematic listing of health challenges followed by corresponding solutions. Structure as: brief context on India's aging demographic (intro) → bullet/paragraph-wise enumeration of 4-5 challenges (NCDs, mental health, disability, healthcare access) → matching policy interventions (body) → forward-looking conclusion on healthy aging.

Key points expected

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, dementia/Alzheimer's as leading causes of morbidity
Mental health challenges: depression, loneliness, elder abuse, and suicide among senior citizens
Physical disability and functional limitations: mobility issues, falls, osteoporosis, vision/hearing impairment
Healthcare system gaps: inadequate geriatric care infrastructure, out-of-pocket expenditure, shortage of trained professionals
Policy responses: National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE), Ayushman Bharat, pension schemes, community-based care, silver economy initiatives
Social determinants: intergenerational support breakdown, urbanization impact, gendered dimensions of elderly care

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Correctly interprets 'enumerate' by presenting distinct, numbered or clearly separated challenges followed by matched solutions; maintains parallel structure between problems and responses without mixing categories	Lists challenges and steps but treats them as separate disconnected sections or conflates problems with solutions; partial grasp of enumeration technique	Misreads directive as 'discuss' or 'explain' leading to narrative prose without systematic listing; fails to distinguish between challenges and remedial steps
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Covers 4-5 specific health challenges (NCDs, mental health, disability, access barriers) with accurate corresponding policy measures; mentions India's demographic context (60+ population ~10 crore, rising life expectancy ~70 years)	Mentions 2-3 generic challenges (old age diseases, lack of hospitals) with vague solutions; some factual inaccuracies or outdated scheme references	Superficial content limited to 'old people get sick' and 'build more hospitals'; significant factual errors or irrelevant information on general health instead of aging-specific issues
Structure & flow	20%	2	Compact 150-word structure with clear visual separation: 1-line context → 60-70 words on challenges (bullet/semicolon separated) → 60-70 words on steps → 1-line conclusion; logical progression from problem to solution	Paragraph format without clear demarcation; some organization but challenges and solutions intermixed; word count slightly off but readable	Disorganized stream of consciousness; no clear introduction or conclusion; severe word management issues (under 100 or over 180 words)
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Cites specific schemes (NPHCE, Ayushman Bharat, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme), data points (LASI report findings, 8.5% elderly population by 2030 projection), or institutional examples (AIIMS geriatric units, palliative care Kerala model)	Generic reference to 'government schemes' or 'health insurance' without naming; no data but mentions 'increasing elderly population' without figures	No examples, data, or scheme names; or uses irrelevant examples (child health schemes, COVID-19 data) that do not address aging-specific challenges
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Concludes with forward-looking insight on 'healthy aging' as demographic dividend preservation, intergenerational solidarity, or shift from 'care of elderly' to 'active aging' paradigm; recognizes challenge as opportunity for silver economy	Standard concluding sentence summarizing points without fresh insight; or abrupt ending without conclusion	No conclusion; or repetitive summary of points already made; or concludes with unrelated generic statement on health for all

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