General Studies 2025 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

Q4

How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations ? Discuss with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

जलवायु परिवर्तन और समुद्र स्तर में वृद्धि कई द्वीप देशों के अस्तित्व को कैसे प्रभावित कर रही है ? उदाहरणों के साथ चर्चा कीजिए । (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) 10

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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 examination of multiple dimensions—physical threats, socio-economic impacts, and existential risks—rather than mere description. Structure: brief introduction linking climate change to sea level rise → body covering submergence risk, salinization, extreme weather, and displacement with specific island examples → conclusion on urgency and global responsibility. Keep within 150 words through tight integration of points.

Key points expected

Submergence threat: low-lying atolls like Maldives (average elevation 1.5m) and Tuvalu face complete inundation by 2100 under high emission scenarios
Freshwater salinization: sea level rise contaminates groundwater aquifers in Kiribati and Marshall Islands, rendering habitation impossible before physical submergence
Extreme weather intensification: cyclones (Cyclone Pam 2015 in Vanuatu) and storm surges cause irreversible damage to limited land area
Economic collapse: tourism-dependent economies (Seychelles, Maldives) and fisheries disruption threaten GDP and employment
Climate-induced displacement: 'sinking' nations losing territorial sovereignty, with Tuvalu-Australia migration agreement as precedent
Existential sovereignty crisis: potential for 'deterritorialized states' under international law if territory becomes uninhabitable

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Recognizes 'discuss' requires multi-dimensional treatment (physical, economic, political, legal) of existential threat; avoids narrow focus on only environmental aspects	Addresses multiple impacts but treats them descriptively without integrating into 'existence' framework; misses sovereignty or legal dimensions	Misinterprets as 'describe' or 'explain'—provides only causes of sea level rise or generic climate impacts without addressing nation-state survival
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Precise scientific data (IPCC projections, elevation statistics) combined with accurate socio-political analysis; distinguishes between uninhabitability and submergence timelines	Generally accurate but vague on specifics ('some islands may sink'); conflates sea level rise with general climate impacts	Factual errors (wrong elevations, incorrect timelines) or irrelevant content (general global warming effects not specific to island nations)
Structure & flow	20%	2	Tight 150-word architecture with logical progression from physical → economic → political existential threats; seamless transitions despite compression	Coherent but uneven weightage—over-expands on one aspect (e.g., cyclones) leaving others underdeveloped; abrupt shifts	Disorganized listing without thematic grouping; exceeds word limit or severely underwrites; no discernible introduction-conclusion
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific, diverse examples: Pacific (Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands), Indian Ocean (Maldives, Seychelles), with data points (elevation, population, timeline); references climate litigation or bilateral agreements	Mentions Maldives and one Pacific nation generically; no supporting data or dates; examples illustrative but not precisely deployed	No named island nations, or incorrect examples (Sri Lanka, Indonesia—large nations not facing existential threat); purely hypothetical illustrations
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Forward-looking synthesis on statehood continuity, climate justice, or India's SAGAR/ISA relevance; recognizes precedent-setting nature for international law	Generic call for global action or emission cuts; restates problem without analytical advancement; no India or policy connection	Missing conclusion; or abrupt ending with example; purely emotional appeal without analytical substance

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