Q6
(a) Describe the causes of the phenomenon of 'urban heat island'. What are the effective measures to deal with this phenomenon in India ? 20 (b) With reference to the transport and communication network of India, critically discuss the Sagarmala project. 15 (c) What are the key features of sex-ratio of population in India ? Evaluate the impacts of child sex-ratio on general sex-ratio in the country. 15
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) 'नगरीय उष्मा द्वीप' की परिघटना के कारणों का वर्णन कीजिए । भारत में इस परिघटना से निपटने के लिए प्रभावी उपाय क्या हैं ? 20 (b) भारत की परिवहन और संचार संपर्क प्रणाली के संदर्भ में सागरमाला परियोजना की समालोचनात्मक चर्चा कीजिए । 15 (c) भारत में जनसंख्या के लिंग-अनुपात की प्रमुख विशेषताएं क्या हैं ? देश में सामान्य लिंग अनुपात पर बाल-लिंग अनुपात के प्रभावों का मूल्यांकन कीजिए । 15
Directive word: Describe
This question asks you to describe. 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 'describe' for part (a) requires detailed factual narration with characteristics and features, while parts (b) and (c) demand critical discussion and evaluation respectively. Allocate approximately 40% of word budget and time to part (a) given its 20 marks, with roughly 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief composite introduction, three distinct sections for each sub-part with clear sub-headings, and a consolidated conclusion linking urban sustainability, coastal development, and demographic balance.
Key points expected
- Part (a): Causes of UHI including surface albedo reduction, thermal properties of concrete/asphalt, anthropogenic heat release, reduced evapotranspiration, and urban canyon geometry trapping radiation
- Part (a): Mitigation measures specific to Indian context—cool roofs (Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan), urban greening (Miyawaki forests), permeable pavements, building codes for ventilation, and metro cool island effects
- Part (b): Sagarmala's port-led development components—modernization, connectivity enhancement, port-linked industrialization, coastal community development; critical analysis of implementation gaps, environmental concerns (Mundra, Vizag), and hinterland connectivity deficits
- Part (c): Key features—regional variations (South vs North/Northwest), rural-urban differences, improving adult sex-ratio since 2011, persistent child sex-ratio decline; evaluation of how prenatal sex selection and daughter deficit in 0-6 age group depresses overall sex-ratio
- Part (c): Link between child sex-ratio (declining from 945 in 1991 to 918 in 2011) and general sex-ratio, with demographic dividend implications and policy interventions like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PC-PNDT Act effectiveness
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 20% | 10 | Precisely defines UHI intensity (ΔT urban-rural), distinguishes surface vs canopy vs boundary layer UHI; accurately describes Sagarmala's four pillars and institutional framework; correctly interprets sex-ratio metrics (CSR, ASR, JSR) and demographic transition theory application to India | Basic definition of UHI as urban-rural temperature difference; general description of Sagarmala as port development; knows sex-ratio formula but confuses CSR with overall sex-ratio trends | Confuses UHI with global warming; describes Sagarmala only as 'ports project' without components; fundamental errors in sex-ratio calculation or states inverse trends |
| Map / diagram | 15% | 7.5 | Draws annotated cross-section of UHI showing thermal dome, wind circulation, and cool island effect; OR sketches India's coastal economic zones under Sagarmala with identified port locations; OR presents population pyramid/sex-ratio pyramid showing deficit in 0-6 and young adult bulge | Simple schematic of UHI temperature profile or lists Sagarmala ports without spatial representation; basic table of state-wise sex-ratio without visual interpretation | No diagrams or maps; or irrelevant sketches with no labeling; messy uninterpretable figures |
| Indian regional examples | 20% | 10 | For UHI: cites Delhi (7-8°C intensity), Hyderabad, Chennai thermal anomalies; for Sagarmala: specific cases like Vizhinjam transshipment hub, Dholera SIR, Mundra controversy; for sex-ratio: Kerala-Tamil Nadu vs Haryana-Punjab-Delhi contrast, tribal belts with better CSR | Mentions Delhi as hot city; lists Mumbai/JNPT as major ports; knows Punjab-Haryana have low sex-ratio without explaining regional determinants | Generic examples without Indian specificity; or incorrect regional attribution (e.g., citing Bangalore for highest UHI when Delhi/Phoenix cities rank higher) |
| Spatial analysis | 20% | 10 | Analyzes UHI spatial variation with core-periphery gradient, nocturnal intensification, and seasonal patterns; evaluates Sagarmala's coastal concentration vs inland connectivity corridors; explains spatial clustering of low CSR in northwestern plains and prosperous districts | Notes cities are hotter than villages; describes coastal location of ports; observes north-south divide in sex-ratio without analytical depth | No spatial perspective; treats all urban areas or all regions as homogeneous; confuses spatial patterns with temporal trends |
| Application / policy | 25% | 12.5 | Critically evaluates Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan's mortality reduction, National Cooling Action Policy; assesses Sagarmala against Blue Economy policy, critiques environmental clearance and fishing community displacement; evaluates Beti Bachao Beti Padhao's district-level targeting, PC-PNDT enforcement gaps, and recommends conditional cash transfer refinements | Lists mitigation measures without evaluation; describes Sagarmala benefits without criticism; mentions government schemes for girl child without assessing implementation | No policy content; or purely descriptive without critical stance; irrelevant policy suggestions (e.g., suggesting UHI solutions for rural areas) |
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