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General Studies 2026 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper III — Q7

Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive…

Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

उपयुक्त उदाहरणों सहित चर्चा कीजिए कि भारत के पारिस्थितिक रूप से संवेदनशील क्षेत्रों में 'द्रुत अवसंरचना विकास' और 'आपदा-जोखिम में कमी' के बीच के विरोधाभास का प्रबंधन किस प्रकार किया जा सकता है। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q7 of the 2026 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, 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.

Rapid infrastructure expansion in ecologically fragile zones often exacerbates disaster vulnerabilities. In the fragile Himalayas, the Char Dham all-weather road project has triggered slope destabilisation and landslides due to unscientific hill-cutting. Similarly, the 2023 Joshimath land subsidence highlighted how unplanned construction and hydropower tunnelling compromise geologically vulnerable, seismically active terrains. In peninsular India, unchecked infrastructure growth in the Western Ghats—as underscored by the Madhav Gadgil and K. Kasturirangan Committee reports—demonstrates the conflict surrounding Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) demarcation and disaster vulnerability.

Managing the Contradiction To harmonize development with disaster-risk reduction:

  • Impact Assessments: Mandate comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) along with cumulative impact assessments to respect regional carrying capacities before project approvals.
  • Risk-Informed Planning: Mainstream National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and NIDM guidelines on climate-resilient infrastructure, integrating high-resolution multi-hazard zonation mapping.

Adopting nature-based engineering and strict zoning regulations is essential to ensure infrastructure strengthens, rather than undermines, ecological and community resilience.

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: GS3 Environment: threat, causes, impact, mitigation. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Clear contradiction, specific examples, implementable measures, strong risk-reduction focus

Key points expected

  • Identify the core contradiction between development and risk reduction
  • Provide at least one specific example of an ecologically-sensitive area
  • Suggest implementable measures for managing the contradiction
  • Link measures to disaster-risk reduction specifically

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Explain management of contradiction between rapid infrastructure development and disaster-risk reduction in ecologically-sensitive areas. 10 marks · 150 words

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

    Must cover

    • Identify the core contradiction between development and risk reduction
    • Provide at least one specific example of an ecologically-sensitive area
    • Suggest implementable measures for managing the contradiction
    • Link measures to disaster-risk reduction specifically

    Loses marks

    • Generic discussion without specific examples
    • Focusing only on development without addressing risk reduction
    • Aspirational solutions without implementation details

    Earns more

    • Mentions specific legislation like Environment Impact Assessment Act
    • References specific projects like dams or highways in sensitive zones
    • Discusses institutional mechanisms for balancing development and safety
    • Mentions specific disaster types relevant to the area

    Extra mark

    • Cites specific committee recommendations or policy documents
    • Provides specific data on disaster losses in sensitive areas

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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