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

Q19

"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years? (Answer in 250 words) 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

"ऊर्जा सुरक्षा भारत की विदेश नीति का मुख्य स्तंभ है, और यह मध्य पूर्वी देशों में भारत के व्यापक प्रभाव से जुड़ा हुआ है।" आप आने वाले वर्षों में भारत की विदेश नीति की दिशा के साथ ऊर्जा सुरक्षा को कैसे एकीकृत करेंगे? (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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

Directive word: Analyse

This question asks you to analyse. 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 'How would you integrate' requires analytical integration of energy security with foreign policy trajectories, not mere description. Structure: Introduction acknowledging the premise but contextualising diversification beyond Middle East; Body analysing current dependencies, emerging partnerships (US LNG, Russia Far East, Central Asia, IOR), climate diplomacy linkages, and strategic autonomy implications; Conclusion projecting balanced, multi-aligned energy diplomacy.

Key points expected

Acknowledges historical Middle East centrality (Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE as top suppliers) while recognising strategic vulnerability of this dependence
Analyses diversification trajectory: US LNG imports, Russia's Far East crude (Vladivostok-Chennai corridor), TAPI pipeline, Central Asian connectivity via INSTC
Integrates renewable energy diplomacy: International Solar Alliance, green hydrogen partnerships with EU/Japan, critical mineral agreements with Australia/Argentina
Links energy security to strategic autonomy: avoiding sanctions entanglement (Iran oil, Russia purchases), currency diversification, maritime security in IOR
Projects future trajectory: balancing traditional suppliers with Indo-Pacific energy architecture, climate-linked trade negotiations, and technology partnerships

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	3	Correctly interprets 'integrate' as requiring synthesis of energy security with evolving foreign policy directions, not just listing dependencies; addresses the Middle East premise critically while expanding to multi-polar energy diplomacy	Partially addresses integration but remains descriptive of current dependencies; treats Middle East linkage as static rather than evolving	Misreads directive as asking only about Middle East relations; provides historical narrative without forward-looking integration
Content depth & accuracy	20%	3	Demonstrates precise knowledge of import diversification (US LNG 11% share, Russia crude post-2022), strategic petroleum reserves, INSTC, energy diplomacy institutional mechanisms (CEA, OPEC+ engagement)	General awareness of diversification but with factual gaps or outdated figures; mentions key regions without specific policy mechanisms	Superficial treatment with errors (e.g., claiming Iran as major current supplier); conflates energy security with generic economic relations
Structure & flow	20%	3	Logical progression from acknowledging premise → analysing diversification pillars → projecting integrated trajectory; smooth transitions between hydrocarbon and renewable dimensions; thematic rather than country-wise organisation	Adequate structure but either too descriptive or poorly sequenced; some thematic mixing between traditional and renewable energy	Disorganised listing without analytical architecture; abrupt jumps between unrelated points; no clear trajectory from present to future
Examples / case-law / data	20%	3	Deploys specific data points: India's 85% oil import dependence, Iraq/Saudi/UAE share percentages, US LNG terminal agreements (Tellurian, ADNOC), Sakhalin-1, ISA membership numbers, critical mineral MOUs with Australia/Argentina	Mentions some agreements or regions but without precise data; examples are generic (e.g., 'West Asia' without country specificity)	No concrete examples or data; vague references to 'foreign countries' or 'oil imports' without specificity
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	3	Synthesises into coherent projection: energy security as enabling strategic autonomy through diversified partnerships, climate diplomacy leverage, and reduced vulnerability to supply shocks; acknowledges tensions (Russia-West balancing, Iran constraints)	Summarises points without synthesis; generic conclusion about 'cooperation' or 'sustainable future' without analytical edge	No conclusion or abrupt ending; purely aspirational without analytical grounding; contradicts body of answer

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 →