Q6
(a) Explain the impact of tropical cyclones and western disturbances on the climate of India. 20 (b) Examine the critical issues of groundwater resources in India. 15 (c) Describe the structure and relief features of Deccan Plateau. 15
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) भारतीय जलवायु पर उष्णकटिबंधीय चक्रवातों और पश्चिमी विच्छोभों के प्रभाव की व्याख्या कीजिए। 20 (b) भारत में भू-जल संसाधनों के महत्त्वपूर्ण मुद्दों का परीक्षण कीजिए। 15 (c) दक्कन के पठार की संरचना और उच्चावच लक्षणों का वर्णन कीजिए। 15
Directive word: Explain
This question asks you to explain. 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 'explain' demands causal reasoning and clarity on mechanisms. For part (a) [20 marks], spend ~40% of word budget explaining how tropical cyclones (Bay of Bengal vs Arabian Sea origins) and western disturbances (Mediterranean origin via westerlies) differentially impact rainfall, temperature, and agricultural seasons across India. For (b) [15 marks, 'examine'], critically analyze groundwater depletion, contamination, and inequity with ~30% allocation. For (c) [15 marks, 'describe'], detail Deccan Traps structure, Western/Eastern Ghats, and drainage with remaining ~30%. Structure: integrated introduction on India's diverse climatic-hydrological-physiographic systems; separate body sections for each part; conclusion linking climate variability, water stress, and plateau geomorphology to sustainable development.
Key points expected
- For (a): Tropical cyclones originate in Bay of Bengal (pre-monsoon, post-monsoon) and Arabian Sea (less frequent); explain their role in monsoon withdrawal, coastal rainfall distribution, and damage to eastern coastal states (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu)
- For (a): Western disturbances enter via northwest India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi) in winter months (December-February), causing unseasonal rainfall, hailstorms, and Rabi crop impacts; contrast with summer monsoon mechanism
- For (b): Critical groundwater issues include over-extraction in Punjab-Haryana-Rajasthan (dark zones), arsenic/fluoride contamination in Gangetic plains and Deccan, inequitable access (large farmers vs marginal), and falling water tables
- For (b): Policy responses: Atal Bhujal Yojana, National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM), rainwater harvesting mandates; critique implementation gaps
- For (c): Deccan Traps basaltic lava flows (Cretaceous-Eocene), step-like topography through differential erosion, horst-graben structure of Western Ghats (escarpment) vs Eastern Ghats (discontinuous, denudational)
- For (c): Major relief features: Maharashtra plateau, Karnataka plateau, Telangana plateau; Godavari-Krishna-Kaveri drainage patterns; black cotton soil (regur) distribution
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 22% | 11 | Accurately distinguishes tropical cyclone formation (Coriolis effect, warm core, eye structure) from extratropical western disturbances; correctly identifies Deccan Traps as flood basalt province with Deccan tholeiite composition; precise on groundwater terminology (specific yield, transmissivity, aquifer types) | Basic understanding of cyclone seasons and western disturbance timing; general description of Deccan plateau as 'table land'; mentions groundwater depletion without technical precision | Confuses tropical cyclones with monsoon depressions; treats western disturbances as monsoon phenomenon; describes Deccan as 'single plateau' without structural differentiation; conflates surface water with groundwater |
| Map / diagram | 18% | 9 | Includes three distinct visuals: (a) cyclone tracks map showing Bay of Bengal vs Arabian Sea frequency with pressure/wind patterns; (b) groundwater potential/stress map of India with dark zone demarcation; (c) cross-section of Deccan Traps showing lava flows, escarpment, and drainage; all properly labelled with directional arrows | One generic India map with some features marked; or textual description without visual; partial labelling of cyclone-prone areas or Deccan region | No maps or diagrams; or completely inaccurate sketches without directional indicators, scale, or legend |
| Indian regional examples | 20% | 10 | For (a): cites 1999 Odisha super cyclone, 2019 Kyarr, Amphan; for (b): specific districts like Sangrur (Punjab) for depletion, Malda (West Bengal) for arsenic, Nalgonda (Telangana) for fluoride; for (c): mentions Ajanta-Satpura ranges, Nilgiri-Anaimalai junction, specific ghats sections (Palghat, Thalghat, Bhorghat) | General regional references (east coast, northwest India, Western Ghats) without specific events or locations; mentions states but not districts or specific features | Vague or incorrect regional associations; no Indian examples; uses global comparisons without Indian context |
| Spatial analysis | 22% | 11 | Demonstrates spatial reasoning: latitudinal variation in cyclone intensity; northwest-southeast gradient of western disturbance influence; spatial correlation between basaltic terrain and groundwater potential; explains why Eastern Ghats are discontinuous using tectonic and denudational processes; integrates climate-water-relief interactions | Describes spatial patterns without explaining causation; lists regional variations without analytical linkage; some mention of directionality (north-south, east-west) | No spatial perspective; treats phenomena as uniformly distributed; fails to explain why certain regions are affected differently |
| Application / policy | 18% | 9 | Critically evaluates: NDMA cyclone mitigation (early warning, shelters), PMFBY for crop insurance against western disturbance damage; Atal Bhujal Yojana's participatory groundwater management; MGNREGA for water conservation; suggests integrated watershed management linking Deccan relief, climate variability, and aquifer recharge | Lists policies without critical evaluation; mentions some schemes (Jal Jeevan Mission, National Water Policy) without specificity to question parts; generic recommendations | No policy or application dimension; purely descriptive answer; irrelevant or outdated policy references |
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