Geography 2024 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Examine

Q5

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) How are geographic factors influencing the distribution of high annual rainfall in certain parts of India? (b) Indian population belongs to large number of races. Discuss the spatial distribution of major races. (c) Examine the transitional role of technology on Indian agriculture sector. (d) Describe the area-specific strategies for the development of drought-prone areas in India. (e) Examine the relationship between seaports and regional development in India.

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) भारत के कुछ हिस्सों में उच्च वार्षिक वर्षा के वितरण को भौगोलिक कारक कैसे प्रभावित कर रहे हैं? (b) भारतीय जनसंख्या बहुसंख्यक नस्लों से संबंधित है। प्रमुख नस्लों के स्थानिक वितरण की विवेचना कीजिए। (c) भारतीय कृषि क्षेत्र पर प्रौद्योगिकी की परिवर्ती भूमिका का परीक्षण कीजिए। (d) भारत में सूखा-प्रवण क्षेत्रों के विकास हेतु क्षेत्र-विशिष्ट रणनीतियों का वर्णन कीजिए। (e) भारत में बंदरगाहों और क्षेत्रीय विकास के बीच संबंध का परीक्षण कीजिए।

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Directive word: Examine

This question asks you to 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 'examine' for parts (c) and (e) requires critical analysis with cause-effect reasoning, while 'describe' for (d) demands factual enumeration with spatial precision. Allocate ~30 words each to (c), (d), and (e) (10 marks each), structuring as: (c) transition from traditional to modern tech with Green Revolution impacts; (d) zonal strategies for arid/semi-arid regions; (e) port-hinterland linkages with regional growth patterns. Use comparative frameworks and conclude with integrated policy insights.

Key points expected

  • (c) Technology transition: HYV seeds, mechanization, drip irrigation shift; Green Revolution regional disparities (Punjab vs. Bihar); precision agriculture emergence
  • (c) Critical examination: Environmental costs (water table depletion in Punjab), digital divide in adoption, smallholder exclusion
  • (d) Drought-prone area strategies: Watershed development in Deccan Plateau, dryland farming techniques in Rajasthan, livestock integration in Gujarat
  • (d) Institutional mechanisms: Drought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP), MGNREGA employment guarantee, fodder banks and tank rehabilitation
  • (e) Port-regional development: JNPT-Mumbai industrial corridor, Visakhapatnam steel-plant linkage, hinterland accessibility constraints
  • (e) Critical analysis: Port-led development asymmetry (east vs. west coast), Sagarmala project impacts, containerization effects on minor ports

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness20%10Accurately distinguishes agro-climatic zones for (d); correctly identifies Green Revolution phases and precision agriculture for (c); precisely defines port-hinterland relationships and containerization impacts for (e)Basic understanding of technology transitions and drought strategies; generic port functions without specific regional mechanisms; minor conceptual errors in agro-ecological classificationConfuses drought-prone with desert areas; misrepresents technology diffusion as uniform; treats ports merely as trade points without regional development linkages
Map / diagram20%10Includes sketch maps showing: (c) Green Revolution diffusion corridors; (d) drought-prone area zones with DPAP coverage; (e) major port-hinterland networks with commodity flowsMentions relevant regions without spatial visualization; rough mental maps implied in text; one accurate locational reference per sub-partNo spatial referencing; incorrect location of major drought areas or ports; confuses east-west coast port functions
Indian regional examples20%10For (c): Punjab-Haryana vs. eastern UP-Bihar contrasts; for (d): Rajasthan's sand dune stabilization, Maharashtra's watershed committees; for (e): JNPT, Mundra, Paradip with specific commodity linkagesGeneric references to 'western India' or 'coastal states'; standard Green Revolution states mentioned; DPAP or Sagarmala named without regional specificityNo Indian examples; uses international cases inappropriately; incorrect regional associations (e.g., locating major ports in landlocked states)
Spatial analysis20%10Analyzes: (c) technology diffusion gradients from irrigated to rainfed areas; (d) rainfall variability patterns determining strategy selection; (e) port site advantages (natural harbors, river mouths) shaping hinterland extentDescribes spatial patterns without explaining underlying geographic factors; recognizes core-periphery distinctions without analytical depthAspatial treatment; lists facts without geographic relationships; confuses spatial distribution with temporal trends
Application / policy20%10Evaluates: (c) National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology limitations; (d) watershed-plus-livelihood integration under WDC-PMKSY; (e) Sagarmala's coastal economic zones and blue economy potential with implementation challengesMentions relevant schemes (DPAP, Sagarmala, PM-KISAN) without critical evaluation; describes policy intent without ground-level assessmentNo policy references; outdated or irrelevant schemes; confuses central and state agricultural responsibilities

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