Geography 2022 Paper II 50 marks Discuss

Q4

(a) India is bestowed with rich mineral resources due to its geological structure. Correlate the above statement with large mineral belts of India. 20 (b) Discuss the importance of 'Dry-land' farming in the drought-prone regions of India. 15 (c) Incidence of extreme rainfall events and flash floods in recent times have led to devastating consequences for people living in low-lying areas and flood plains of the country. Discuss. 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) भारत की भूगर्भिक संरचना समृद्ध खनिज संसाधन प्रदान करती है । उपर्युक्त कथन को भारत के बृहद् खनिज क्षेत्रों से सहसंबद्धित कीजिए । 20 (b) भारत के सूखा-प्रवण क्षेत्रों में 'शुष्क-भूमि' कृषि के महत्व की विवेचना कीजिए । 15 (c) हाल के समय में चरम अतिवृष्टि तथा आकस्मिक बाढ़ की घटनाएँ देश के निचले क्षेत्रों तथा बाढ़ मैदान में रहने वाले लोगों के लिए विनाशकारी परिणाम प्रस्तुत करती हैं । विवेचना कीजिए । 15

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. 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 'discuss' requires a balanced, analytical treatment across all three parts. Allocate approximately 40% word/time to part (a) given its 20 marks, and roughly 30% each to parts (b) and (c) with 15 marks each. Structure with a brief composite introduction, then dedicated sections for each sub-part with geological correlation for (a), significance and techniques for (b), and causes-impacts-solutions for (c), ending with an integrated conclusion on sustainable resource management.

Key points expected

Part (a): Correlation between Archaean, Dharwar, Cuddapah, Vindhyan and Gondwana geological formations with specific mineral belts (iron ore, coal, manganese, mica, bauxite)
Part (a): Explanation of how plate tectonics, cratonic stability and sedimentary basins concentrated mineral wealth in the Peninsular shield and extra-Peninsular regions
Part (b): Significance of dryland farming in drought-prone Deccan plateau, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka for food security and livelihood
Part (b): Specific techniques: watershed management, drip irrigation, drought-resistant varieties (HYVs), agroforestry, and soil moisture conservation
Part (c): Link between climate change, Western Disturbances intensification, monsoon variability and increased extreme rainfall events (Uttarakhand 2013, Kerala 2018, Chennai 2015)
Part (c): Devastating consequences: flash flood dynamics, urban flooding in low-lying areas, encroachment on flood plains, loss of life and infrastructure
Part (c): Policy responses: NDMA guidelines, flood forecasting, early warning systems, river basin management and climate adaptation strategies

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Concept correctness	20%	10	Demonstrates precise geological knowledge: correctly identifies Archaean-Dharwar crystalline rocks with iron-manganese belts, Gondwana sediments with coal, Cenozoic formations with petroleum; accurately defines dryland farming as rainfed agriculture <750mm rainfall; correctly explains meteorological causes of flash floods including orographic lifting, cloudbursts and climate change linkages	Shows basic geological period identification but weak correlation with specific minerals; generic definition of dryland farming without rainfall thresholds; lists flood causes without explaining extreme rainfall mechanisms or conflates riverine and flash flooding	Confuses geological formations (e.g., places coal in Dharwar); mistakes dryland farming for merely 'farming without water'; describes floods only as 'heavy rain' without distinguishing flash flood dynamics from normal flooding
Map / diagram	20%	10	Includes at least two relevant maps/diagrams: one sketch map showing six mineral belts with key locations (Singhbhum, Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur, Odisha-Jharkhand belt, etc.); and either a watershed management diagram for dryland farming or a flash flood hydrograph showing lag time and peak discharge; both properly labelled with directional arrows and legends	One rough map showing mineral belts without precise locations or a generic watershed diagram lacking specific technique labels; maps present but missing key annotations like mineral symbols or drainage patterns	No maps or diagrams; or purely decorative sketches without geographical information; incorrect placement of mineral belts or confused drainage patterns
Indian regional examples	20%	10	Rich place-specific evidence: for (a) names Singhbhum copper-iron belt, Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh mica belt, Korba-Chhattisgarh coal; for (b) cites Rajasthan's bajra-fallow system, Maharashtra's Phule Prakash varieties, Karnataka's tank irrigation; for (c) references specific events—Kedarnath 2013, Malin landslide-flood 2014, Hyderabad 2020—with precise damage figures	Mentions general regions (e.g., 'Chhota Nagpur plateau' for minerals, 'Rajasthan' for dryland farming, 'Kerala floods') without specific belt names, district-level examples or event dates; examples accurate but lacking precision	Vague or incorrect examples (e.g., 'Himalayas' without specificity, 'south India' for dryland farming); or examples from outside India; conflates locations (e.g., places mica in Odisha instead of Jharkhand-Bihar belt)
Spatial analysis	20%	10	Demonstrates sophisticated spatial reasoning: explains NNE-SSW alignment of mineral belts matching Dharwar schistosity; analyzes rain-shadow effect creating drought-prone leeward Deccan; interprets flash flood vulnerability through terrain analysis (steep slopes + impermeable rocks + narrow valleys), urban heat island intensification of rainfall, and flood plain encroachment patterns in Indo-Gangetic and peninsular river basins	Describes spatial patterns without explaining underlying processes; notes mineral belt distribution or drought-prone areas without linking to geological structure or orography; mentions 'hilly areas' for floods without slope-runoff analysis	No spatial analysis; treats all regions as uniform; fails to connect geological structure to mineral location, topography to drought proneness, or terrain to flood dynamics; purely descriptive without spatial interpretation
Application / policy	20%	10	Integrates contemporary policy across all parts: for (a) mentions National Mineral Policy 2019, District Mineral Foundations, sustainable mining; for (b) discusses PM-KISAN, Soil Health Card, watershed development under NABARD, millets promotion for dryland resilience; for (c) analyzes Sendai Framework implementation, NDMA's flood guidelines, National Action Plan on Climate Change, nature-based solutions (wetland restoration, riparian buffers) and flood-plain zoning enforcement challenges	Mentions some schemes (MGNREGA watersheds, flood forecasting) but without integration across parts; generic policy references without specific programme names or critical evaluation of implementation gaps	No policy content; or outdated/irrelevant policies; purely academic treatment without connecting to governance, management or sustainable development; misses all contemporary initiatives

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