General Studies 2025 GS Paper I 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Illustrate

Q18

How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society ? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience. (Answer in 250 words) 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

आधुनिक समाज में स्वास्थ्य संबंधी चिंताएं बढ़ने के बावजूद, फास्ट फूड उद्योग बढ़ रहे हैं – आप इसको कैसे देखते हैं ? भारतीय अनुभव से अपने उत्तर को उदाहरण देकर स्पष्ट कीजिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए) 15

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2025 General Studies questions

Directive word: Illustrate

This question asks you to illustrate. 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 'illustrate' requires explaining the paradox of fast food growth alongside health concerns, using concrete Indian examples as evidence. Structure: brief introduction acknowledging the paradox → body analysing economic, social, cultural and market factors with Indian illustrations → conclusion with balanced assessment and way forward.

Key points expected

Acknowledge the apparent contradiction: rising obesity/diabetes (India has 101 million diabetics per ICMR 2023) yet fast food market growing at 18-20% CAGR
Economic factors: rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, nuclear families, working women (participation ~37% in urban areas)
Socio-cultural shifts: westernisation, youth demographics (50% below 25 years), convenience culture, 'aspirational' consumption
Industry strategies: localisation (McAloo Tikki, Paneer Wraps), aggressive pricing (₹99 combos), digital delivery (Swiggy/Zomato penetration)
Health response counter-trends: emergence of 'healthy fast food' (Subway, Salad Days), FSSAI regulations on trans fats, consumer awareness campaigns
Balanced conclusion: market segmentation, need for regulatory-public health nexus, not absolute decline but transformation

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	3	Explicitly addresses the 'how do you account for' paradox and uses 'illustrate' directive throughout with rich Indian examples woven into analysis, not appended as afterthought	Mentions the paradox superficially; examples listed separately from analysis; treats 'illustrate' as optional add-on rather than integral method	Ignores the paradox entirely or misunderstands 'illustrate' as merely describing fast food industry; no Indian context
Content depth & accuracy	20%	3	Covers multiple dimensions (economic, demographic, cultural, technological, regulatory) with accurate data (FSSAI regulations, market size ~$20 billion, urban consumption patterns)	Two-three dimensions covered with general statements; some data but possibly outdated or approximate; conflates fast food with packaged food	Single-factor explanation (only urbanisation or only youth); factually incorrect claims; confuses cause-effect relationships
Structure & flow	20%	3	Logical progression: paradox statement → factor-wise analysis with interlinkages → synthesis; smooth transitions; 250-word discipline evident	Identifiable introduction and conclusion but body as disconnected points; some repetition; word count slightly off	No clear structure; random points; abrupt ending; significantly over/under word limit
Examples / case-law / data	20%	3	Specific Indian illustrations: QSR chains' localisation strategies, FSSAI's 2021 trans fat limits, NFHS-5 obesity data, Swiggy/Zomato market penetration, successful Indian QSRs (Haldiram's, Jumboking)	Generic mention of 'McDonald's in India' or 'food delivery apps' without specifics; international examples dominating; no data	No Indian examples; only western cases (US obesity crisis); or examples irrelevant to fast food (pharma sector)
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	3	Synthesises factors into coherent explanation of paradox; offers nuanced view (coexistence of health-conscious and indulgence segments); suggests policy/behavioural way forward	Summary restatement without synthesis; simplistic 'health awareness will reduce consumption' prediction; no forward-looking element	No conclusion; abrupt end; moralistic condemnation without analysis; or unrelated conclusion on agriculture/Nutrition Mission

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 →