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

Q8

What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारत में प्रमुख परियोजनाओं के लिए पर्यावरणीय प्रभाव आकलन (ई० आई० ए०) परिणामों को प्रभावित करने में पर्यावरणीय गैर-सरकारी संगठन और कार्यकर्ता क्या भूमिका निभाते हैं? सभी महत्त्वपूर्ण विवरणों सहित चार उदाहरण दीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2024 General Studies questions

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 clarifying how NGOs influence EIA outcomes through specific mechanisms. Structure: brief introduction on EIA process and NGO entry points → body explaining four distinct roles with concrete examples → conclusion on balancing development with environmental justice.

Key points expected

NGOs act as watchdogs ensuring compliance with EIA Notification 2006 and its amendments
Public hearing participation: NGOs mobilize local communities, submit technical objections, and demand transparency
Judicial interventions: PILs and NGT petitions challenging flawed EIAs (e.g., Stay on projects)
Independent scientific assessment: Counter-expertise exposing gaps in official EIA reports
Policy advocacy: Influencing EIA 2020 draft amendments through campaigns and parliamentary committees

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Clearly identifies multiple pathways of NGO influence (legal, participatory, technical, judicial) rather than vague 'creating awareness'; distinguishes between pre-EIA, during EIA, and post-EIA stages	Mentions general role of NGOs in environment protection without specifically linking to EIA process stages or mechanisms	Confuses EIA with other environmental regulations or describes generic activism without EIA-specific context
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately describes specific EIA provisions (public hearing under Section 5, scoping, appraisal) and how NGOs leverage them; mentions recent amendments like EIA 2020	Basic description of EIA process with some accurate details but misses critical legal provisions or recent developments	Factually incorrect about EIA procedure (e.g., claiming NGOs approve EIAs) or outdated information
Structure & flow	20%	2	Logical progression: introduction with EIA context → 4 distinct mechanisms of NGO influence (each with example) → balanced conclusion; tight word economy within 150 words	Readable structure but examples mixed with mechanisms or conclusion missing; slightly over/under word limit	Disorganized jumping between points; no clear separation between roles and examples; significantly exceeds word limit or far too short
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Four distinct, well-detailed examples: e.g., (1) Narmada Bachao Andolan & Sardar Sarovar EIA, (2) Goa Foundation vs. MPT (NGT), (3) Sterlite Copper Thoothukudi protests & EIA violations, (4) Save Mollem campaign vs. railway/road EIAs; includes project name, year, specific outcome	Four examples mentioned but lacking crucial details (year, specific project, outcome) or examples are repetitive in nature	Fewer than four examples, or examples are generic (just naming NGOs without project linkage), or factually wrong cases
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Balanced assessment: acknowledges constructive tension between NGO activism and ease of doing business; mentions need for credible EIA institutions vs. adversarial litigation; or suggests way forward (independent EIA authority)	Simple summary of NGO importance without critical perspective; or one-sided praise/criticism without nuance	No conclusion, or abrupt ending; or ideological rant against NGOs/projects without analytical merit

Practice this exact question

Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.

Evaluate my answer →