Geography 2022 Paper II 50 marks Critically examine

Q2

(a) Critically examine the factors affecting the unpredictability of South-West Monsoon system in India. 20 (b) The peninsular location of India provides scope for harnessing non-conventional energy resources. Discuss with examples. 15 (c) Groundwater contamination in the fast expanding urban landscape of India appears to have become a major public health issue. Discuss. 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) भारत में दक्षिण-पश्चिमी मानसून प्रणाली की अनिश्चितता को प्रभावित करने वाले कारकों का समालोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए । 20 (b) भारत की प्रायद्वीपीय स्थिति गैर-पारंपरिक ऊर्जा संसाधनों के दोहन के लिए अवसर प्रदान करती है । उदाहरण सहित विवेचना कीजिए । 15 (c) भारत के तीव्र विस्तारित नगरीय परिदृश्य में भूजल-संदूषण एक प्रमुख जन-स्वास्थ्य समस्या बनता प्रतीत होता है । विवेचना कीजिए । 15

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Directive word: Critically examine

This question asks you to critically examine. 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 'critically examine' for part (a) demands balanced analysis with evidence, while 'discuss' for parts (b) and (c) requires comprehensive coverage with examples. Allocate approximately 40% word/time to part (a) given its 20 marks, and roughly 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief integrated introduction, three distinct sections addressing each sub-part with internal sub-headings, and a conclusion synthesizing India's geographical challenges and opportunities. Ensure smooth transitions between the climatological, energy, and hydro-geological themes.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): El Niño-La Niña (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and their differential impacts on monsoon onset, distribution and withdrawal; role of Tibetan heating, jet streams, and land-sea thermal contrast
  • Part (a): Anthropogenic factors including aerosol loading, land-use changes, and urban heat islands affecting monsoon predictability; limitations of dynamical and statistical models
  • Part (b): Peninsular India's 7,500+ km coastline enabling offshore/onshore wind energy (Tamil Nadu, Gujarat), tidal and wave energy potential; geothermal prospects in Damodar-Son valley and western ghats
  • Part (b): Solar potential in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Ladakh; biomass energy from agricultural residues in peninsular states; decentralised energy solutions for rural electrification
  • Part (c): Urban groundwater contamination sources—septic tank leakage, industrial effluents, landfill leachate, and nitrate/phosphate loading; arsenic/fluoride geogenic contamination in specific urban corridors
  • Part (c): Public health linkages—blue baby syndrome, skeletal fluorosis, arsenicosis; policy responses including AMRUT, Jal Jeevan Mission, and aquifer mapping programmes

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness22%11Demonstrates precise understanding of monsoon dynamics (Tibetan anticyclone, Somali jet, ITCZ shifts), distinguishes between conventional and non-conventional energy with accurate classification, and correctly identifies chemical/biological contamination pathways and health impacts across all three partsCovers basic monsoon mechanisms and lists energy sources and contaminants but confuses concepts (e.g., conflating El Niño with La Niña, or mixing surface water with groundwater pollution) with minor factual errorsFundamental misconceptions about monsoon causation, misclassifies energy types, or conflates contamination sources; vague or incorrect technical terminology throughout
Map / diagram18%9Includes at least two relevant diagrams: one showing monsoon mechanism/ENSO-IOD linkages or rainfall variability maps for (a), and either a peninsular energy potential map or urban groundwater contamination schematic for (b)/(c); properly labelled with directional flow, pressure systems, or contamination plumesOne generic diagram present (e.g., simple monsoon wind diagram) with basic labelling; or attempts maps without clear spatial referencing; diagrams support but do not substantially enhance the answerNo diagrams or maps, or entirely irrelevant sketches; poor or missing labels that demonstrate inability to visualise spatial relationships
Indian regional examples20%10Rich regional specificity: for (a) cites 2015 Chennai floods, 2009 monsoon failure, or Kerala 2018; for (b) names Muppandal wind farm, Bhadla solar park, or Puga geothermal; for (c) references arsenic in West Bengal urban pockets, fluoride in Nalgonda, or nitrate in Punjab-Haryana townsMentions some regional examples but lacks specificity (e.g., 'wind farms in Tamil Nadu' without naming locations, or 'cities in north India' for contamination) or mixes regions inaccuratelyNo Indian examples, or only generic references ('India has wind energy', 'cities are polluted'); examples factually misplaced or irrelevant to the specific sub-part
Spatial analysis20%10Analyses spatial patterns explicitly: for (a) discusses zonal rainfall distribution and regional variability indices; for (b) explains why peninsular location creates specific energy corridors; for (c) examines urban sprawl-aquifer relationships and contamination diffusion patternsAcknowledges spatial dimensions but treats descriptively rather than analytically; lists regional variations without explaining underlying spatial processes or interconnectionsAbsence of spatial thinking; treats all regions as homogeneous; no recognition of how geographical location influences monsoon behaviour, energy potential, or groundwater vulnerability
Application / policy20%10Critically evaluates policy responses: for (a) assesses monsoon mission, district-level forecasting, and climate adaptation; for (b) analyses renewable energy targets, grid integration challenges, and decentralised models; for (c) evaluates regulatory frameworks (CGWB, CPCB), JJM implementation gaps, and community-based aquifer managementMentions relevant policies but descriptively; limited critical assessment of effectiveness, implementation challenges, or gaps; suggestions are generic rather than context-specificNo policy discussion, or irrelevant/outdated schemes; fails to connect geographical analysis to governance, public health action, or sustainable development outcomes

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