General Studies 2024 GS Paper III 15 marks 250 words Compulsory What

Q16

What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe? (Answer in 250 words) 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

शुद्रग्रह क्या हैं? इनसे जीवन के विलुप्त होने का खतरा कितना वास्तविक है? ऐसे विध्वंस को रोकने के लिए क्या रणनीतियाँ विकसित की गई हैं? (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: What

This question asks you to what. 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 'what' demands factual exposition with definitional clarity. Structure as: brief definition of asteroids (1 sentence), threat assessment with scientific basis (2-3 sentences), prevention strategies with ISRO/NASA initiatives (3-4 sentences), and forward-looking conclusion on global cooperation. Maintain 250-word discipline with equal weight to all three sub-questions.

Key points expected

  • Definition: Rocky remnants from solar system formation, primarily located in asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter; distinction from comets and meteoroids
  • Threat assessment: K-T extinction event (66 MYA), Torino Scale/Palermo Scale for impact hazard, frequency of near-Earth objects (NEOs) and Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs)
  • Scientific basis: Chicxulub crater evidence, Tunguska (1908) and Chelyabinsk (2013) events as modern precedents, statistical probability of extinction-level events
  • Detection strategies: Spaceguard Survey, Pan-STARRS, ATLAS, ISRO's SSA Control Centre in Bengaluru for tracking NEOs
  • Mitigation strategies: Kinetic impactor (DART mission 2022), gravity tractor, nuclear deflection, laser ablation; mention India's role in planetary defence
  • Global frameworks: UN Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG), IAWN, need for international treaty on planetary defence

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Demand-directive understanding20%3Addresses all three sub-questions (definition, threat reality, prevention) with precise scientific terminology; distinguishes between asteroids, NEOs, PHAs, and extinction-level events without conflationCovers all three parts but with vague definitions or muddled distinction between threat levels; misses one sub-question partiallyMisses one or more sub-questions entirely; confuses asteroids with comets/meteors; treats question as generic space essay without directive compliance
Content depth & accuracy20%3Scientifically accurate: mentions carbonaceous/silicate/metallic classifications, Chicxulub crater, Torino Scale, DART mission specifics, and ISRO's SSA capabilities with correct technical detailsGenerally accurate but lacks specificity—mentions 'big rocks in space' without classification, vague on detection methods, generic on prevention without mission namesScientific errors: claims asteroids are comets, misstates DART results, invents ISRO missions, or presents science fiction (Armageddon-style nuclear solutions) as actual strategy
Structure & flow20%3Tripartite structure mirrors question exactly; smooth transitions between definition→threat→prevention; word economy allows all parts in 250 words; logical progression from past extinction to future preventionAll parts present but uneven weightage (overlong definition, rushed prevention); acceptable flow but some abrupt transitions; slightly over/under word limitDisorganized narrative mixing all elements; severe imbalance (e.g., 150 words on definition, 50 on prevention); no paragraph breaks; fails word constraint significantly
Examples / case-law / data20%3Specific data: 66 million years ago (K-Pg), 10 km+ diameter for extinction events, DART's 2022 Dimorphos impact, ISRO's 2022 SSA Control Centre inauguration, 30,000+ NEOs catalogued; mentions Indian context explicitlyMentions Chicxulub and DART without dates; vague 'NASA missions' without specifics; no Indian examples or ISRO references; no quantitative dataNo concrete examples; fictional references (Deep Impact movie); incorrect dates; omits all Indian dimension despite ISRO's relevant programmes
Conclusion & analytical edge20%3Forward-looking synthesis: emphasizes planetary defence as global public good, India's emerging role in G20 space economy, need for binding international protocols beyond current voluntary frameworks; avoids alarmism while maintaining urgencyGeneric conclusion on 'need for more research'; restates prevention strategies without synthesis; no global governance insight; weak or missing Indian angleNo conclusion; ends abruptly with last strategy; alarmist tone ('we will all die'); or irrelevant digression on Mars colonization as 'solution'

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