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General Studies 2025 GS Paper II 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper II — Q15

What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for…

What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

पर्यावरण दबाव समूह क्या हैं? भारत में जागरूकता बढ़ाने, नीतियों को प्रभावित करने और पर्यावरण संरक्षण की वकालत करने में उनकी भूमिका का विवेचन कीजिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q15 of the 2025 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper II, as printed
The question as printed in the 2025 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Environmental pressure groups are organized non-state actors—including non-governmental organizations, grassroot movements, and civil society bodies—that operate outside formal political structures to influence ecological decision-making and environmental outcomes.

Raising Environmental Awareness: These groups foster ecological consciousness through grassroots mobilization, media campaigns, and environmental education. Movements like the Chipko Movement and Narmada Bachao Andolan successfully democratized environmental issues, mobilizing local populations for community-based resource monitoring and forest conservation.

Influencing Policies and Governance: Environmental groups actively shape the legislative and policy landscape. By utilizing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) under Article 32 and Article 226, they have expanded environmental jurisprudence, leading to the enforcement of the polluter pays principle. They participate in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) public consultations, lobby for statutory updates such as amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and provide inputs that align domestic policies with international commitments like the Paris Agreement.

Advocacy and Accountability: Groups champion climate justice by representing marginalized and forest-dwelling communities whose livelihoods depend directly on natural ecosystems. Research-driven bodies like the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) hold corporations accountable, spearheading advocacy that led to stricter vehicular emission norms and aggressive air pollution control measures.

Limitations and Challenges: Despite their contributions, environmental groups often face criticism regarding urban bias, elite capture of conservation agendas, and funding dependencies that can skew priorities. Occasional "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) resistance can also generate friction with essential national infrastructure and developmental priorities.

Moving forward, institutionalizing constructive, transparent stakeholder consultations between the state, industry, and credible environmental groups will ensure that ecological protection reinforces, rather than impedes, sustainable and inclusive economic development.

What "Discuss" is asking you to do

Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.

Structure that answers it

Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies

Where marks are lost

Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 Environmental Governance & Civil Society. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Clear definition, detailed analysis of all three roles with Indian examples, balanced conclusion.

Key points expected

  • Define environmental pressure groups (NGOs, social movements)
  • Role in raising public awareness (campaigns, education)
  • Role in influencing policies (lobbying, litigation, public interest litigation)
  • Role in advocating for environmental protection (grassroots, monitoring)

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Define environmental pressure groups and analyze their role in awareness, policy, and advocacy in India. 15 marks · 250 words

    discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close

    Must cover

    • Define environmental pressure groups (NGOs, social movements)
    • Role in raising public awareness (campaigns, education)
    • Role in influencing policies (lobbying, litigation, public interest litigation)
    • Role in advocating for environmental protection (grassroots, monitoring)

    Loses marks

    • Reciting definitions without discussing roles
    • Ignoring the 'India' context (generic global answer)
    • No mention of policy influence or advocacy

    Earns more

    • Mention specific groups (e.g., Chipko, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Greenpeace)
    • Reference to Environmental Protection Act or Forest Conservation Act
    • Mention of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) role
    • Balanced view on challenges (e.g., funding, political interference)

    Extra mark

    • Cite a specific Supreme Court judgment (e.g., Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum)
    • Reference to National Green Tribunal (NGT) role

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

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