Q5
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Discuss the impact of Forest Rights Act, 2006 on the local forest communities in India. 10 (b) Can the Panchayat Raj institutions play a role in grassroot level planning in India ? If yes, discuss how. 10 (c) Discuss the significance of new ports on the Western Coast of India on the external trade of the country. 10 (d) How would decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) below the replacement level, in many states of India affect the future population structure of the country ? 10 (e) Kalapani dispute has opened a new front on the India-Nepal international border. Explain. 10
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : 10×5=50 (a) भारत में स्थानीय वन-जीवी समुदायों पर वन अधिकार अधिनियम, 2006 के प्रभाव की विवेचना कीजिए । 10 (b) क्या पंचायत राज संस्थान भारत में आधारभूत स्तर पर नियोजन में एक भूमिका निभा सकते हैं ? यदि हाँ तो कैसे, विवेचना कीजिए । 10 (c) देश के बाह्य व्यापार में भारत के पश्चिमी तट पर स्थित नवीन बंदरगाहों के महत्व की विवेचना कीजिए । 10 (d) भारत के अनेक राज्यों में प्रतिस्थापन स्तर से नीचे के कुल प्रजनन दर (TFR) में पतन भविष्य में कैसे देश की जनसंख्या संरचना को प्रभावित कर सकता है ? 10 (e) कालापानी विवाद से भारत-नेपाल की अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सीमा पर एक नया मोर्चा खुल गया है । स्पष्ट कीजिए । 10
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 presenting multiple perspectives with balanced analysis across all five sub-parts. Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 words total), spending roughly equal time on each since all carry 10 marks. Structure each sub-part with a brief context, 2-3 analytical points, and a concluding observation. For (a) cover empowerment and challenges; (b) examine constitutional provisions and 73rd Amendment; (c) analyze port-led development and hinterland connectivity; (d) discuss demographic transition and ageing; (e) explain strategic and hydrological dimensions.
Key points expected
- (a) FRA 2006: Recognition of individual and community forest rights; empowerment of Scheduled Tribes and OTFDs; challenges in implementation, rejection of claims, and conflict with conservation goals
- (b) PRIs in planning: Constitutional mandate under 73rd Amendment; role in PESA areas; participatory planning through Gram Sabha; integration with District Planning Committees and SDGs
- (c) Western Coast ports: Vadhavan, Vizhinjam, Enayam significance; reducing congestion on JNPT/Mundra; enhancing container capacity; improving trade with West Asia, Africa, and Europe via shorter sea routes
- (d) TFR below replacement: Demographic dividend window narrowing; ageing population in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab; future dependency ratio reversal; implications for pension and healthcare systems
- (e) Kalapani dispute: Strategic location at Kali River origin; Lipulekh Pass and trade route to Kailash-Mansarovar; Nepal's claim based on 1816 Sugauli Treaty; implications for India-Nepal relations and Chinese influence
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 20% | 10 | Precise definitions across all parts: FRA provisions (Section 3 & 4), 73rd Amendment Schedule XI, replacement level TFR (2.1), and Sugauli Treaty boundaries; no factual errors on constitutional articles or demographic concepts | Generally correct concepts with minor inaccuracies; vague on specific FRA sections or conflates TFR with birth rate; basic understanding of Panchayat Raj without constitutional specifics | Major conceptual errors: misidentifying FRA as 1988 Act, confusing TFR with crude birth rate, or placing Kalapani in Sikkim instead of Uttarakhand-Pithoragarh |
| Map / diagram | 15% | 7.5 | Sketch for (c) showing Western Coast ports from Gujarat to Kerala with hinterland connectivity; or (e) map showing Kalapani-Lipulekh-Dharchula triangle with Kali River course and trijunction | Mentions locations without visual representation; lists ports or describes Kalapani area textually without spatial orientation | No spatial representation; completely misses geographic context for port locations or border dispute |
| Indian regional examples | 25% | 12.5 | Specific regional evidence: (a) Niyamgiri (Odisha) or Mendha-Lekha (Maharashtra) community rights; (b) Kerala's People's Plan Campaign or Madhya Pradesh's district planning; (c) Vizhinjam (Kerala), Vadhavan (Maharashtra), Mundra (Gujarat); (d) Kerala (1.8), Tamil Nadu (1.7) TFR; (e) Pithoragarh district, Kumaon division | Generic examples without specificity; mentions 'southern states' for low TFR or 'western ports' without naming; broad references to tribal areas for FRA | No concrete Indian examples; uses hypothetical cases or foreign illustrations; confuses regions (e.g., Kalapani in Arunachal) |
| Spatial analysis | 20% | 10 | Analyzes spatial dimensions: (a) forest fragmentation and corridor connectivity; (b) scale integration from village to district; (c) port-hinterland linkages, agglomeration economies, and transshipment hub potential; (d) regional demographic divergence North-South; (e) strategic chokepoint geography and watershed boundaries | Basic spatial awareness without analytical depth; mentions location without explaining spatial relationships or regional variations | Aspatial treatment; treats all topics as non-geographic policy issues without territorial or regional dimension |
| Application / policy | 20% | 10 | Critical policy evaluation: (a) FRA implementation gaps and MoTA guidelines; (b) 14th Finance Commission recommendations for PRI funding; (c) Sagarmala programme and coastal economic zones; (d) National Population Policy 2000 revision needs, elderly care infrastructure; (e) Track-II diplomacy and boundary commission mechanisms | Descriptive policy mention without evaluation; lists schemes without connecting to outcomes or challenges | No policy context; purely theoretical treatment without contemporary relevance or governance implications |
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