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General Studies 2023 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper I — Q4

Discuss the consequences of climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

उष्णकटिबंधीय देशों में खाद्य सुरक्षा पर जलवायु परिवर्तन के परिणामों की विवेचना कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q4 of the 2023 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2023 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2023 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.

Climate change threatens food security in tropical countries by weakening availability, access, utilization and stability. Erratic monsoons and heat stress reduce yields of rice, wheat and maize, especially across the Indian subcontinent, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, with distinct agro-ecological zones and rain-fed smallholders. Glacial melt in the Himalayas alters Ganga and Indus flows, while erratic rainfall depletes groundwater, intensifying irrigation stress. CO2-enriched air lowers micronutrient density in cereals, including zinc and iron, deepening hidden hunger; protein availability may fall. Climate shocks erode farmer incomes, trigger migration and raise price volatility in import-dependent nations. In India, PM-KISAN and PMFBY can cushion income shocks, while ICAR-led climate-resilient varieties protect yields. Pests, diseases and humidity-driven post-harvest losses create feedback loops; early warning systems, better storage and market linkages are essential for households. Thus adaptation, including drought-tolerant varieties, efficient irrigation, social protection and climate-resilient food systems, is urgent to safeguard tropical food security.

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/Society: Mechanism > Human Outcome. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Links specific tropical mechanisms (heat/rain) to food outcomes with data.

Key points expected

  • Link physical mechanism (temp/rain) to crop yield
  • Address tropical-specific vulnerabilities (heat stress)
  • Discuss impact on food availability/access
  • Mention specific crops or regions (e.g., rice, SA)

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Analytical discussion of climate change impacts on food security in tropical regions. 10 marks · 150 words

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

    Must cover

    • Link physical mechanism (temp/rain) to crop yield
    • Address tropical-specific vulnerabilities (heat stress)
    • Discuss impact on food availability/access
    • Mention specific crops or regions (e.g., rice, SA)

    Loses marks

    • Generic climate change points not specific to food
    • Ignoring the 'tropical' context
    • Narrating events without explaining the mechanism

    Earns more

    • Mention extreme weather events (floods/droughts)
    • Reference pests/disease spread
    • Note impact on livestock/fisheries
    • Mention economic impact on small farmers

    Extra mark

    • Specific statistic on yield loss (e.g., 10-25%)
    • Reference to specific country (e.g., India, Brazil)

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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