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

Q6

What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways? What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazards? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

राजमार्गों पर इलेक्ट्रॉनिक पथ-कर संग्रह करने के लिए कौन-सी प्रौद्योगिकी अपनाई जा रही है? उसके क्या-क्या लाभ और क्या-क्या सीमाएँ हैं? वे कौन-से परिवर्तन प्रस्तावित हैं जो इस प्रक्रिया को निर्बाध बना देंगे? क्या यह परिवर्तन कोई संभावित खतरे लेकर आएगा? (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 a clear exposition of RFID-based FASTag technology, followed by systematic coverage of advantages, limitations, proposed GPS-based satellite tolling, and associated hazards. Structure as: brief tech definition → advantages → limitations → proposed GPS transition → hazards → balanced conclusion.

Key points expected

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology in FASTag with NHAI's NETC program
Advantages: reduced congestion, fuel savings, digital payment integration, reduced revenue leakage
Limitations: tag malfunction, double charging, interoperability gaps, infrastructure costs, exclusion of non-tag users
Proposed GPS/GNSS-based satellite tolling replacing physical toll plazas (Union Budget 2024-25 announcement)
Potential hazards: privacy concerns, surveillance risks, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, digital divide exclusion, implementation costs

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Covers all four sub-questions (technology, advantages, limitations, proposed changes, hazards) in balanced proportion; recognizes 'explain' requires technical clarity not just listing	Addresses 3-4 sub-questions; treats technology superficially or over-emphasizes one aspect; some misalignment with directive	Misses 2+ sub-questions or conflates them; fails to explain technology mechanism; ignores proposed changes or hazards entirely
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately describes RFID/NFC working, mentions NETC, distinguishes GPS-based tolling from FASTag, identifies specific hazards like data privacy and cyber risks	Basic RFID mention without technical detail; generic advantages/limitations; vague reference to 'new system' without GPS specifics	Confuses technology (mentions barcodes/QR instead of RFID); factually wrong about proposed system; irrelevant or outdated information
Structure & flow	20%	2	Logical progression: definition → current system pros/cons → transition rationale → future hazards → conclusion; smooth transitions; 150-word discipline	Adequate sequencing but abrupt shifts; some imbalance in word allocation; minor structural confusion between limitations and hazards	Disorganized or fragmented; no clear paragraph breaks; severe imbalance (e.g., 80 words on technology, 10 on hazards); exceeds word limit significantly
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Cites NHAI, NETC (National Electronic Toll Collection), Union Budget 2024-25 GPS announcement, or specific figures (e.g., 98%+ FASTag penetration, fuel savings data)	Generic reference to 'government initiative' or 'recent budget'; no specific data points; missing Indian context	No examples; uses foreign systems (E-ZPass) without Indian adaptation; irrelevant or fabricated statistics
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Balanced verdict weighing efficiency gains against privacy/surveillance risks; mentions need for robust data protection framework; forward-looking on inclusive implementation	Neutral summary without synthesis; or one-sided conclusion; no policy insight	Missing conclusion; abrupt end; or conclusion contradicts body; no analytical engagement with tension between seamless travel and civil liberties

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