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

GS Paper I — 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)

Q4 of the 2024 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2024 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2024 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.

Sea surface temperature (SST) rise refers to the warming of the ocean’s upper 1–3 metres, driven by anthropogenic global warming as oceans absorb over 90% of excess planetary heat.

Causal Mechanism on Cyclone Formation

Thermodynamic Trigger: Cyclogenesis requires a critical threshold SST exceeding 26.5°C. Higher SST enhances moisture evaporation and latent heat flux, fueling deep convective instability that powers the system's low-pressure warm core.

Rapid Intensification: Expanded marine heat content accelerates rapid intensification (RI), prolongs cyclone lifespan, and shifts genesis tracks poleward as tropical warm pools expand.

Indian Ocean Specifics: Accelerated warming in the Arabian Sea (0.5–0.6°C per decade) and Bay of Bengal has triggered severe, fast-intensifying events like Cyclones Amphan, Tauktae, and Michaung.

Feedback Dynamics: While cyclone-driven ocean upwelling traditionally cools surface waters, elevated background SST overrides this negative feedback, causing a climate trend toward fewer total storms but significantly more destructive, high-intensity Category 4 and 5 cyclones. Strengthened early warning systems remain vital for coastal climate resilience.

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: GS1 Geography: Mechanism and Linkage. explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Clear definition followed by a precise explanation of the latent heat mechanism and intensity link.

Key points expected

  • Define SST rise as warming of ocean surface
  • Identify SST as the primary energy source
  • Explain latent heat release driving convection
  • Link higher SST to increased cyclone intensity

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Define SST rise and explain the physical mechanism linking it to tropical cyclone formation. 10 marks · 150 words

    explain— definition/context → points in order → small example → short close

    Must cover

    • Define SST rise as warming of ocean surface
    • Identify SST as the primary energy source
    • Explain latent heat release driving convection
    • Link higher SST to increased cyclone intensity

    Loses marks

    • Confusing SST with air temperature
    • Focusing on land-based weather effects
    • Vague statements without physical mechanism

    Earns more

    • Mention 26.5°C threshold for formation
    • Reference 'fuel' analogy for storms
    • Mention increased moisture content in air
    • Link to global warming/climate change

    Extra mark

    • Cite specific data on SST increase (e.g., 0.13°C/decade)
    • Mention specific region (e.g., Bay of Bengal)

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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