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General Studies 2026 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Examine

GS Paper I — Q7

"Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia." Examine this statement giving examples. (Answer in…

"Water resources are both an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia." Examine this statement giving examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

“दक्षिणी एशिया में जल संसाधन, सम्पत्ति और विवाद का स्रोत दोनों हैं।” उदाहरण देते हुए इस कथन का परीक्षण कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q7 of the 2026 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2026 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

South Asia’s river systems serve as the bedrock of regional agrarian and energy security. The Indus and Ganga-Brahmaputra basins irrigate vast swathes of fertile land, sustaining hundreds of millions, while Bhutan effectively harnesses its water resources for hydropower exports to India.

Drivers of Conflict and Depletion However, transboundary hydrology frequently sparks geopolitical friction. Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), India and Pakistan face persistent disputes over upstream projects such as Kishanganga and Ratle. In the east, water-sharing over the Teesta River remains contentious, alongside legacy tensions regarding the 1996 Farakka Barrage agreement with Bangladesh. Similarly, river management with Nepal via the Kosi and Gandak treaties faces recurring friction over flood control and benefit-sharing. Furthermore, severe groundwater depletion in Punjab, Haryana, and the wider Indo-Gangetic plain critically undermines the long-term sustainability of this asset.

Institutional Resilience Examination reveals that water acts as a flashpoint primarily due to competitive sovereignty; yet, institutions like the Permanent Indus Commission demonstrate that enduring, treaty-based cooperation can mitigate conflict even amidst political hostility. South Asia requires basin-wide, integrated management to secure its hydro-future.

What "Examine" is asking you to do

Test the proposition the question puts to you and return a finding on how far it holds. Examine stems carry a claim, or ask whether something has happened, and expect evidence weighed both ways before the extent is stated — often with remedial measures attached.

Structure that answers it

Restate the claim as the question frames it → evidence that supports it → evidence that undercuts it → the conditions under which it holds → verdict on how far it stands

Where marks are lost

Stopping at description. An examination has to reach a finding, and “examine with justification” means the extent must be stated, not implied.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS1 Geography: Physical-Human Linkage. examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Clear mechanism of conflict/asset with specific examples and map.

Key points expected

  • Explain water as a source of conflict
  • Explain water as a strategic asset
  • Provide specific examples of regional disputes
  • Provide specific examples of resource utilization

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Analyze water as an asset and a source of conflict in South Asia with examples. 10 marks · 150 words

    examine— intro → how/why with reasoning → evidence → conclusion

    Must cover

    • Explain water as a source of conflict
    • Explain water as a strategic asset
    • Provide specific examples of regional disputes
    • Provide specific examples of resource utilization

    Loses marks

    • Narrating chronology without analysis
    • Emotive words on social issues
    • Where without why

    Earns more

    • Mention specific river basins (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra)
    • Reference specific treaties (Indus Waters Treaty)
    • Link physical geography to human outcomes
    • Balanced conclusion on cooperation vs conflict

    Extra mark

    • 30-second sketch map of river basins
    • One robust statistic on water usage

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