Chat with us
General Studies 2023 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper III — Q6

Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

उन विभिन्न तरीकों पर चर्चा कीजिए जिनसे सूक्ष्मजीव इस समय हो रही ईंधन की कमी से पार पाने में मदद कर सकते हैं। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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.

Microbial biotechnology offers sustainable pathways to mitigate fuel shortages by transforming biological waste into versatile renewable energy streams.

Bioethanol and Biobutanol: Microbial fermentation of lignocellulosic agricultural residues using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and engineered bacteria yields 2G biofuels, reducing fossil fuel import dependency.

Biogas Generation: Methanogenic archaea drive the anaerobic digestion of animal and urban organic wastes to produce methane-rich biogas, deployed widely through India's GOBARdhan and SATAT initiatives.

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs): Exoelectrogenic bacteria, such as Geobacter and Shewanella, break down organic matter in wastewater to generate electricity directly.

Biohydrogen Production: Photobiological water-splitting and dark fermentation by cyanobacteria and fermentative bacteria yield biohydrogen as a clean, zero-emission fuel alternative.

Algal Biodiesel: Third-generation biofuels utilize high-lipid microalgae cultivated on non-arable land, a focus of research across IITs and global initiatives like the OMEGA programme.

Scaling these microbial pathways fosters a waste-to-wealth circular bioeconomy, strengthening decentralized energy security and advancing India’s Net-Zero 2070 targets.

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: Situation > Analysis > Measures: legal, institutional, developmental > Assessment. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Detailed mechanisms with specific microbes and schemes

Key points expected

  • Mention bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass
  • Explain biogas generation via anaerobic digestion
  • Discuss microbial production of hydrogen or methane
  • Provide one specific example of a microorganism

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close 10 marks · 150 words

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

    Must cover

    • Mention bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass
    • Explain biogas generation via anaerobic digestion
    • Discuss microbial production of hydrogen or methane
    • Provide one specific example of a microorganism

    Loses marks

    • Vague generalities without specific microbial mechanisms
    • Ignoring the 'microorganism' aspect and focusing only on fuel
    • Listing fuels without explaining the microbial role

    Earns more

    • Mention specific enzymes like cellulase
    • Reference specific government schemes (e.g., National Biofuel Policy)
    • Mention specific microorganisms (e.g., Clostridium, Methanogens)
    • Briefly mention environmental benefits (carbon neutrality)

    Extra mark

    • Mention specific yield statistics (e.g., liters per ton)
    • Mention specific industrial applications (e.g., aviation fuel)

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.

Evaluate my answer →

More from General Studies 2023 GS Paper III