General Studies 2024 GS Paper II 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Evaluate

Q19

'Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security.' Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council's Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level. (Answer in 250 words) 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

'आतंकवाद वैश्विक शान्ति और सुरक्षा के लिए एक बड़ा खतरा बन गया है।' अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर इस खतरे को सम्बोधित करने और कम करने में संयुक्त राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद की आतंकवाद निरोधी समिति (सी.टी.सी.) और इससे सम्बन्धित निकायों की प्रभावशीलता का मूल्यांकन कीजिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में लिखिए)

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Directive word: Evaluate

This question asks you to evaluate. 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 'evaluate' requires a balanced judgment of CTC effectiveness, not mere description. Structure: brief context on terrorism evolution → assessment of CTC mechanisms (1267 Committee, CTED, 1373 implementation) with successes and failures → critical analysis of geopolitical constraints → forward-looking conclusion with reform suggestions.

Key points expected

Mandate and evolution of CTC established under UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001) and subsequent resolutions 1624, 2178, 2396
Assessment of 1267 Al-Qaeda/Taliban sanctions regime and its limitations regarding listing/delisting procedures
Role of CTED (Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate) in technical assistance and capacity building
Critical analysis of selective implementation, P-5 politicization, and lack of universal definition of terrorism
India-specific concerns: cross-border terrorism, Pakistan-based entities, and CTC's response to Mumbai 2008, Pathankot 2016
Reform proposals: Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, strengthening CTED independence, addressing state-sponsored terrorism

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	3	Demonstrates clear grasp that 'evaluate' requires judgmental assessment with both positive and negative dimensions; explicitly weighs effectiveness rather than merely describing CTC structure; maintains analytical balance without descending into pure criticism or praise.	Recognizes evaluative nature but treatment remains largely descriptive; some attempt at judgment but unevenly developed; may conflate evaluation with explanation of functions.	Misreads directive as 'describe' or 'explain'; purely informational account of CTC without effectiveness judgment; or unbalanced polemic without analytical rigor.
Content depth & accuracy	20%	3	Precise knowledge of Resolution 1373 pillars, CTED mandate, 1267/1989/2253 sanctions regimes; accurate distinction between CTC and CTED; correct reference to evolving threats (foreign terrorist fighters, cyberterrorism); substantive engagement with legal and operational constraints.	Basic familiarity with CTC establishment and general functions; some confusion between CTC, CTED, and 1267 Committee; superficial treatment of implementation challenges; minor factual errors on resolutions or timelines.	Confuses CTC with other UN bodies (UNODC, GA Sixth Committee); significant factual errors on mandate or resolution numbers; irrelevant content on national counter-terrorism efforts without UN linkage.
Structure & flow	20%	3	Logical progression from mandate → mechanisms → effectiveness assessment → constraints → reform; smooth transitions between CTC's preventive and coercive functions; integrated treatment of associated bodies (CTED, 1267 Committee) rather than fragmented listing.	Recognizable introduction-body-conclusion structure but uneven weighting; some disjunction between description and evaluation sections; associated bodies treated as afterthought rather than integrated analysis.	Poorly organized with repetitive or missing sections; abrupt shifts without connective logic; conclusion merely restates points without synthesis; word limit mismanagement with disproportionate sections.
Examples / case-law / data	20%	3	Specific instances: Masood Azhar listing delays (China's technical holds), 26/11 Mumbai attacks and CTC response, Islamic State foreign fighter phenomenon and Resolution 2178, FATF-CTED cooperation; quantitative reference where relevant (sanctions listings, states reporting under 1373).	Generic reference to 'Mumbai attacks' or 'ISIS' without specific CTC linkage; passing mention of India-Pakistan terrorism dynamic without concrete UNSC action; no data or dated references.	No specific examples; or irrelevant national examples (NIA investigations, UAPA provisions) without UN dimension; fabricated or clearly erroneous case references.
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	3	Synthesizes evaluation into nuanced judgment: CTC effective in norm-setting and capacity-building but constrained by structural power politics; proposes concrete reforms (CCIT adoption, delisting procedure reform, CTED resource enhancement); connects to India's stake in rules-based counter-terrorism order.	Summary conclusion restating main points without synthesis; generic reform suggestions (more cooperation, better coordination) without specificity; weak or missing forward-looking element.	Abrupt ending without conclusion; or purely rhetorical conclusion ('terrorism must be fought unitedly'); contradictory final position undermining earlier evaluation; no reform or future-oriented element.

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