General Studies 2025 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Elaborate

Q9

India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारत-अफ्रीका डिजिटल साझेदारी आपसी सम्मान, सह-विकास और दीर्घकालिक संस्थागत साझेदारी प्राप्त कर रही है। विस्तार से बताइए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Elaborate

This question asks you to elaborate. 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 'elaborate' requires expanding on the three given pillars—mutual respect, co-development, and long-term institutional partnerships—with specific details, mechanisms, and outcomes. Structure as: brief introduction defining the digital partnership context; body paragraphs addressing each pillar with concrete initiatives; conclusion on strategic significance for Global South leadership.

Key points expected

Mutual respect: India treats Africa as equal partner, not donor-recipient; demand-driven approach respecting African digital sovereignty and priorities
Co-development: Joint R&D, technology transfer, capacity building through CIIE, Pan-African e-Network, and telecom infrastructure projects
Long-term institutional partnerships: IAFS platforms, EXIM Bank LOC, CII Africa office, institutionalized training programs
Specific digital initiatives: e-VBAB, tele-education, tele-medicine, solar-powered rural connectivity, payment systems
Strategic significance: countering digital colonialism, South-South cooperation, UN reforms support, shared democratic values in digital governance

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Expands all three pillars (mutual respect, co-development, institutional partnerships) with clear linkages to digital domain; avoids generic foreign policy description	Mentions three pillars but treats them superficially or conflates with general India-Africa relations without digital specificity	Misinterprets 'elaborate' as mere listing; ignores one or more pillars; discusses only trade/aid without digital focus
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Accurately covers Pan-African e-Network Phase-II, CIIE, IAFS commitments, digital public infrastructure sharing; distinguishes bilateral from continental initiatives	Basic coverage of tele-medicine/education but confuses timelines or omits Phase-II; mixes digital with non-digital cooperation	Factual errors (e.g., calling it a commercial venture); outdated information; irrelevant content on terrorism or UN peacekeeping
Structure & flow	20%	2	Clear tripartite structure matching the three pillars; smooth transitions between mutual respect → co-development → institutions; 150-word discipline maintained	Loose structure with overlapping treatment of pillars; word count slightly off; some logical gaps between paragraphs	Disorganized narrative; no clear pillar separation; significantly over/under word limit; abrupt ending
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Specific examples: e-VBAB launch (2019), 55 African nations covered, EXIM Bank $10 billion commitment, CIIE 2022, specific countries (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana) for digital projects	Generic mention of 'tele-medicine' or 'training' without specifics; no dates or institutional names; vague 'many African countries'	No examples at all; invented data; irrelevant examples from China or other partners
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Links digital partnership to Global South solidarity, alternative to China's debt-heavy model, India's G20 presidency outcomes, future potential in AI governance	Standard closing on 'bright future' or 'win-win' without analytical depth; mere summary of points made	No conclusion; abrupt end; or irrelevant conclusion on bilateral trade figures unrelated to digital cooperation

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