General Studies 2024 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

Q4

What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of tropical cyclones? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

समुद्री सतह के तापमान में वृद्धि क्या है? यह उष्णकटिबंधीय चक्रवातों के निर्माण को कैसे प्रभावित करता है? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. 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 'explain' requires clear exposition of causation and mechanism. Structure: brief definition of SST rise (30 words) → mechanism of cyclone formation linkage (60 words) → intensification factors and Indian Ocean specifics (40 words) → concluding remark on climate vulnerability (20 words).

Key points expected

Definition: SST rise as increase in ocean surface temperature driven by global warming/heat absorption, typically measured in top 1-3 meters
Threshold mechanism: SST >26.5°C as necessary condition for tropical cyclone genesis and warm core development
Thermodynamic linkage: higher SST increases latent heat flux, evaporation, and moisture availability fueling convective instability
Intensification dynamics: rapid intensification, longer duration, poleward expansion of cyclone tracks due to expanded warm pool
Indian Ocean specificity: Arabian Sea warming (0.5-0.6°C/decade) and Bay of Bengal trends linked to cyclones Amphan, Tauktae, Michaung
Feedback dimension: cyclone-induced ocean cooling vs. background warming; potential for stronger but fewer storms

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Clearly addresses both 'what' (definition with scientific precision) and 'how' (mechanistic causation) without conflating the two; demonstrates awareness that SST rise is a boundary condition, not sole determinant	Addresses both parts but treats them sequentially without integrating causation; may conflate SST rise with general warming or miss the 'how' mechanism	Misses one part entirely or provides generic climate change discussion without specific SST-cyclone linkage; confuses correlation with causation
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Precise threshold value (26.5°C), mentions latent heat release, Coriolis parameter relevance, and distinguishes genesis from intensification; scientifically accurate thermodynamic explanation	Mentions warm water and fuel for storms but lacks specific thresholds or conflates SST with sea level rise; superficial energy transfer description	Major scientific errors (e.g., SST causes cyclones directly, ignores atmospheric conditions); vague 'hot water makes storms' without mechanism
Structure & flow	20%	2	Tight 150-word adherence with clear demarcation: definition → mechanism → manifestation; logical connectors between SST rise and cyclone impacts; no redundancy	Basic structure present but uneven weighting (overlong definition, rushed impacts) or repetitive points; word count significantly off	Disorganized or bullet-point dump without integration; severe imbalance (e.g., 100 words on definition, 50 on impacts); exceeds word limit substantially
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific Indian examples: Arabian Sea cyclones (Tauktae 2021, Ockhi 2017), Bay of Bengal (Amphan 2020, Michaung 2023); or quantitative trend (0.15°C/decade Indian Ocean warming); IMD/IMD data reference	Generic mention of 'recent cyclones in India' without names; or Atlantic examples (Katrina, Harvey) without Indian relevance; no data	No examples or irrelevant examples (tsunamis, monsoons); factually wrong cyclone-ocean associations
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Forward-looking insight: uncertainty in frequency vs. intensity debate, adaptation imperatives for Indian coasts, or SST-cyclone relationship under continued warming; policy relevance (NDMA, coastal regulation)	Generic concluding statement ('this is a serious problem') without analytical progression; mere summary of points made	No conclusion or abrupt ending; contradictory final statement; shifts to unrelated topic (marine biodiversity, fishing)

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