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

Q9

Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

समझाइए कि नारको-आतंकवाद सम्पूर्ण देश में किस प्रकार एक गंभीर खतरे के रूप में उभरकर आया है। नारको-आतंकवाद से निपटने के लिए समुचित उपायों पर सुझाव दीजिए। (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 causal analysis of how narco-terrorism emerged as a threat, followed by 'suggest' demanding actionable countermeasures. Structure: brief introduction defining narco-terrorism → 2-3 causal factors for its emergence → 3-4 concrete countermeasures → forward-looking conclusion.

Key points expected

Definition linking drug trafficking with terror financing (e.g., nexus between drug cartels and militant groups)
Geographical spread: Golden Crescent (Afghanistan-Pakistan) and Golden Triangle (Myanmar-Thailand-Laos) impact on India
Mechanism: drug money funds weapons, recruitment, and operations of terror outfits (LeT, JeM, ULFA, Maoists)
Social impact: youth addiction, porous borders (Punjab, Northeast, J&K), darknet/crypto-enabled trafficking
Countermeasures: Narcotics Control Bureau strengthening, NDPS Act amendments, border fencing/tech surveillance, international cooperation (SAARC, BIMSTEC, UNODC)
Holistic approach: de-addiction centres, alternative livelihoods for border communities, financial tracking (FEMA, PMLA)

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Clearly distinguishes between explaining emergence (causal chain: geography→funding→operations) and suggesting measures (preventive, punitive, rehabilitative); no conflation of the two demands	Addresses both parts but treats them descriptively without causal explanation; some overlap between threat analysis and countermeasures	Misreads directive—either only describes narco-terrorism without explaining emergence, or lists generic anti-drug steps without terror link; ignores 'suggest' entirely
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Precise mention of specific terror-drug linkages (e.g., Taliban-heroin, Manipur-Myanmar meth, Punjab synthetic drugs); accurate institutional mechanisms (NDPS Act 1985, NCB, State Narcotics Bureaus)	Broadly correct on threat dimensions but vague on mechanisms; mentions 'border areas' without specificity; generic countermeasures like 'strict laws' without naming NDPS/PMLA	Factual errors (confuses narco-terrorism with drug abuse); irrelevant content (Naxalism without drug angle); suggests impossible measures (complete border sealing)
Structure & flow	20%	2	Tight 150-word structure: 40 words on emergence (2 linked factors), 80 words on measures (short-term enforcement + long-term structural), 30-word conclusion; seamless transitions between threat and response	Recognizable parts but uneven weightage (100 words on threat, 50 on measures); paragraph breaks unclear; some repetition between emergence and countermeasures	No discernible structure; random bullet points without coherence; exceeds word limit significantly or underwrites (<120 words); abrupt ending without conclusion
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific references: Operation Samudra (Coast Guard drug seizures), Punjab's 2022 drug abuse statistics, recent NCB 'Darkathon' for darknet trafficking, India-Myanmar-Thailand joint patrols; or cites NDPS (Amendment) Act 2021 provisions	General references to 'Punjab drug problem' or 'Northeast insurgency' without specifics; mentions UNODC or SAARC convention without elaboration	No Indian examples; uses international cases (Colombia, Mexico) without India relevance; invented data or outdated references (pre-2010 seizures cited as current)
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Forward-looking synthesis: emphasizes 'whole-of-government' approach integrating MHA, MEA, Finance (FEMA), Health (de-addiction); or flags emerging threats (cryptocurrency, drone trafficking); ends with actionable priority, not summary	Generic conclusion restating measures; no integration of threat-response nexus; standard 'coordinated effort needed' closing	No conclusion; abrupt end with last measure; or moralistic closing ('youth should avoid drugs'); contradicts earlier analysis

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