Geography 2025 Paper II 50 marks Compare

Q3

(a) Why is the pattern of population distribution of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes different in India ? Compare their socio-economic problems with examples. 20 (b) Highlight the characteristics of land utilisation in Eastern Ghats region of India. What are the recent threats to land utilisation method in the region ? 15 (c) What are the challenges of dairy sector in India ? Describe the contribution of bovine population. 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) भारत में अनुसूचित जातियों व अनुसूचित जनजातियों के जनसंख्या वितरण का प्रारूप भिन्न क्यों है ? इनके सामाजिक-आर्थिक समस्याओं की तुलना उदाहरण सहित कीजिए । 20 (b) भारत के पूर्वी घाट क्षेत्र में भू-उपयोग की विशेषताओं को रेखांकित कीजिए । क्षेत्र में भू-उपयोग पद्धति के लिए तात्कालिक खतरे क्या हैं ? 15 (c) भारत में डेयरी क्षेत्र की चुनौतियाँ क्या हैं ? गोजातीय जनसंख्या के योगदान का वर्णन कीजिए । 15

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Directive word: Compare

This question asks you to compare. 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 'compare' in part (a) demands systematic juxtaposition of SC/ST distribution patterns and socio-economic issues, while 'highlight' in (b) and 'describe' in (c) require focused elaboration. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, with ~30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure as: brief introduction on demographic diversity; body addressing each sub-part sequentially with clear sub-headings; conclusion synthesizing regional development challenges across all three themes.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): SC concentration in Indo-Gangetic plains due to historical agrarian caste system vs ST concentration in forested hills, NE states, and central tribal belt due to isolation and colonial forest policies
  • Part (a): Comparative socio-economic problems—SCs face untouchability, manual scavenging, landlessness in rural areas vs STs face displacement, shifting cultivation restrictions, poor connectivity in remote areas
  • Part (b): Eastern Ghats land use characteristics—shifting cultivation (podu), monoculture plantations (coffee, rubber), mining corridors, degraded forest patches, and sparse settled agriculture in valleys
  • Part (b): Recent threats—bauxite/iron ore mining in Odisha-Andhra sector, wind energy projects in Tamil Nadu Ghats, urban sprawl from Chennai-Bengaluru corridor, and climate-induced rainfall variability
  • Part (c): Dairy sector challenges—low productivity of indigenous breeds, fodder deficit, artificial insemination infrastructure gaps, price volatility, and cooperative sector regional imbalances
  • Part (c): Bovine contribution—rural livelihood security, organic manure for sustainable agriculture, draught power in eastern and peninsular India, and foreign exchange through dairy exports

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness22%11Demonstrates precise understanding of demographic theories (Tribes as 'backward' vs 'isolated' debate), land use classification (FAO categories applied to Eastern Ghats), and dairy economics (Operation Flood phases, NDDB role); correctly distinguishes SC concentration patterns (Punjab, UP, Bihar) from ST clusters (Mizoram, Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha)Shows basic familiarity with SC/ST distribution and land use types but conflates Eastern Ghats with Western Ghats characteristics; mentions dairy challenges without linking to specific schemes or breed geographyConfuses SC/ST categories, misidentifies Eastern Ghats location, or makes factual errors about bovine statistics; treats all three sub-parts superficially without conceptual depth
Map / diagram16%8Includes at least two relevant maps/diagrams: one showing SC/ST distribution patterns across India with concentration zones marked, and another sketching Eastern Ghats land use zonation (coastal plains to hill tops); or a flow diagram on dairy value chain; maps are properly titled, labelled, and integrated into the narrativeProvides one generic map of India with rough regional marking but lacks precision in boundaries; or includes a table instead of spatial representation; diagrams exist but are not effectively utilizedNo maps or diagrams provided despite clear geographical content; or includes irrelevant sketches that do not address any sub-part's spatial requirements
Indian regional examples22%11For (a): cites specific examples—SC concentration in Doaba region (Punjab), Malwa (Madhya Pradesh); ST concentration in Dandakaranya, Bastar plateau, Nilgiri-Wayanad corridor; for (b): references Similipal (Odisha), Kolli Hills (Tamil Nadu), Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh); for (c): mentions Gir (Gujarat), Sahiwal (Punjab), Red Sindhi, impact of Amul model vs Bihar's low cooperative penetrationProvides some state-level examples but lacks district or micro-regional specificity; examples are accurate but not well-distributed across all three sub-partsExamples are generic, inaccurate, or missing entirely; confuses Eastern Ghats locations with Western Ghats; cites irrelevant or outdated examples that do not support the argument
Spatial analysis22%11Explains spatial logic: for (a) correlates SC distribution with alluvial plains and jajmani system, ST with forest cover and scheduled areas; for (b) analyzes altitudinal zonation in Eastern Ghats and fragmentation effects; for (c) maps dairy productivity gradients from Punjab-Haryana to eastern deficit zones; uses geographical terminology (physiographic, climatic, anthropogenic factors) consistentlyMentions spatial patterns descriptively but without causal explanation; some correlation attempted between physical and human geography but lacks systematic spatial frameworkTreats topics as non-geographical; no spatial perspective offered; fails to connect distribution patterns with underlying geographical determinants
Application / policy18%9Critically engages with policy: for (a) evaluates SC/ST Sub-Plan, Forest Rights Act 2006 impact on ST land security; for (b) discusses PESA implementation in Eastern Ghats scheduled areas, mining clearance controversies (Niyamgiri, Vedanta case); for (c) analyzes Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Dairy Plan, and breed improvement strategies; suggests integrated approaches linking all three themesMentions relevant schemes (FRA, NDP, PESA) but without critical evaluation or specific regional application; policy discussion remains descriptiveNo policy content or outdated/scheme-misaligned suggestions; fails to recognize contemporary governance challenges in any sub-part

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