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General Studies 2023 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

GS Paper II — Q9

'Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO' In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in…

'Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO' In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

'संघर्ष का विषाणु एस.सी.ओ. के कामकाज को प्रभावित कर रहा है' उपरोक्त कथन के आलोक में समस्याओं को कम करने में भारत की भूमिका बताइये। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर) 10 marks

Q9 of the 2023 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper II, 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.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) faces internal friction driven by the India-China border standoff, persistent India-Pakistan disputes, and the geopolitical fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war. India plays a constructive role in mitigating these disruptions through targeted mechanisms.

Diplomatic and Institutional Balancing India mitigates polarization by sustaining high-level multilateral engagements, including hosting the 2023 SCO Summit despite bilateral discords. It balances historical ties with Russia while advocating respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Institutionally, India strengthens the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to combat cross-border terrorism and delivers critical humanitarian assistance across Eurasia.

Economic Cooperation and Multi-Alignment India fosters consensus by institutionalising depoliticized initiatives like the SCO Startup Forum and Traditional Medicine Working Group. To counter unilateral models, India promotes transparent connectivity via the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as alternatives to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Limitations and Way Forward Though challenges persist—evident in India’s refusal to endorse the BRI and selective participation in military exercises—India leverages multi-alignment to balance Eurasian stability with Quad partnerships, preventing the SCO from devolving into an anti-Western bloc while securing its strategic autonomy.

What "Explain" is asking you to do

Make the working of something clear — what sets it off, what follows from what, and what it produces. Explain is the Commission's mechanism word: it dominates the technical papers and the “explain why” stems, where the marks sit in the causal chain and not in the label.

Structure that answers it

State what it is → the initiating condition → the chain of cause, step by step → an instance where it plays out → what the chain produces

Where marks are lost

Describing what something looks like instead of why it works that way. Naming the stages without linking them reads as description too.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 International Relations. highlight: name the salient points > one line of substance each > close Full marks: Precisely identifies the conflict and maps specific Indian diplomatic/economic actions to mitigate it.

Key points expected

  • Identify the 'virus of conflict' (e.g., India-China border dispute).
  • Mention India's role in promoting 'connectivity' and 'peace'.
  • Cite India's stance on 'non-interference' vs 'multilateralism'.
  • Reference India's specific initiatives (e.g., SCO Bank, connectivity projects).

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Identify specific actions by India to resolve SCO internal conflicts. 10 marks · 150 words

    highlight— name the salient points → one line of substance each → close

    Must cover

    • Identify the 'virus of conflict' (e.g., India-China border dispute).
    • Mention India's role in promoting 'connectivity' and 'peace'.
    • Cite India's stance on 'non-interference' vs 'multilateralism'.
    • Reference India's specific initiatives (e.g., SCO Bank, connectivity projects).

    Loses marks

    • Generic statements about India's foreign policy without SCO context.
    • Ignoring the 'conflict' aspect and only listing SCO benefits.
    • Failing to link India's actions to 'mitigating' the specific problem.

    Earns more

    • Mentioning the 'Shanghai Spirit' as a guiding principle.
    • Referencing India's role in the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
    • Discussing India's 'Act East' policy alignment with SCO goals.
    • Mentioning the SCO's focus on counter-terrorism and extremism.

    Extra mark

    • Citing a specific India-China diplomatic engagement within SCO context.
    • Referencing the SCO's 'Astana Declaration' or similar recent summits.

Practice this exact question

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