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

Q7

Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government's initiatives in this regard. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारत में नदी के जल का औद्योगिक प्रदूषण एक महत्त्वपूर्ण पर्यावरणीय मुद्दा है। इस समस्या से निपटने के लिए विभिन्न शमन उपायों और इस संबंध में सरकारी पहल की भी चर्चा कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. 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 'discuss' requires a balanced treatment of both mitigation measures and government initiatives, not merely listing but examining their interplay. Structure: brief context-setting introduction → body with two parallel sections (technological/institutional mitigation measures; central and state government schemes) → conclusion with forward-looking synthesis or gap analysis.

Key points expected

  • Technological mitigation: CETPs, ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge), tertiary treatment, real-time monitoring systems
  • Regulatory measures: SPCB enforcement, polluter pays principle, environmental compensation, categorization of industries (red/orange/green)
  • Government initiatives: Namami Gange Programme, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Industrial Pollution Abatement Project (IPAP), revised effluent standards (2015)
  • Specific schemes: STP-ETP infrastructure, Ganga Action Plan phases, penalties under EP Act 1986 and Water Act 1974
  • Challenges/gaps: implementation deficit, financial viability of CETPs, informal sector pollution, inter-state coordination
  • Way forward: circular economy principles, green financing, public-private partnerships, community monitoring

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Demand-directive understanding20%2Clearly addresses BOTH components demanded—mitigation measures AND government initiatives—with explicit linkage between them; avoids conflating the two or omitting eitherCovers both components but treats them as separate lists without integration; minor imbalance in weightageMisses one component entirely or conflates mitigation measures with government initiatives; treats as single undifferentiated narrative
Content depth & accuracy20%2Precise technical terms (CETP, ZLD, NMCG, specific Acts); accurate categorization of industries; correct chronology of schemes; no factual errorsGenerally accurate but uses vague terms like 'treatment plants' without specificity; minor chronological errors; mixes up central/state responsibilitiesSignificant factual errors (wrong scheme names, incorrect legal provisions); confuses river-specific with general pollution control; outdated information
Structure & flow20%2Logical progression: context → mitigation measures (technological + regulatory) → government initiatives → challenges → conclusion; smooth transitions; 150-word discipline maintainedRecognizable structure but uneven section lengths; abrupt shifts; minor word limit violation (±20 words)Disorganized or haphazard arrangement; no paragraph breaks; severe under/over-length; repetitive or circular argumentation
Examples / case-law / data20%2Specific references: Kanpur tanneries case, Tirupur dyeing industry, Ganga basin states data, recent CPCB reports, or SC directives on Ganga cleaningGeneric mention of 'Ganga' or 'tanneries' without specificity; no data points; missing case referencesNo Indian examples; irrelevant international cases; fabricated data; examples from unrelated sectors (air/soil pollution)
Conclusion & analytical edge20%2Synthesizes measures and initiatives into coherent assessment; identifies critical gaps (enforcement, informal sector); offers specific actionable insight (green bonds, river basin authorities)Generic summary restating points; vague 'need for strict implementation'; no original insightMissing conclusion; abrupt ending; purely descriptive close; unrealistic or irrelevant recommendations

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