Geography 2025 Paper II 50 marks Discuss

Q8

(a) While defining the green architecture, discuss its principles and challenges in response to climate change in India. 20 (b) With reference to typical examples, assess why regional planning in India is important for island territories for their sustainable development. 15 (c) With reference to international boundaries of India, discuss the related issues, giving suitable examples. 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) हरित निर्माणकला (ग्रीन आर्किटेक्चर) को परिभाषित करते हुए, भारत में जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रत्युत्तर में इसके सिद्धांतों और चुनौतियों की चर्चा कीजिए । 20 (b) विशेष उदाहरणों सहित, यह आकलन कीजिए कि भारत में प्रादेशिक नियोजन द्वीपीय प्रदेशों के सतत विकास के लिए क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है । 15 (c) भारत की अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सीमाओं के संदर्भ में, संबंधित मुद्दों पर चर्चा करते हुए उपयुक्त उदाहरण दीजिए । 15

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2025 Geography questions

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 comprehensive treatment with definition, principles, challenges, and critical analysis. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, and 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure: brief introduction defining green architecture; body addressing all three sub-parts with clear sub-headings; conclusion synthesizing how sustainable architecture, island regional planning, and boundary management collectively contribute to India's climate resilience and territorial integrity.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Definition of green architecture (sustainable, energy-efficient design); core principles (site optimization, water conservation, energy efficiency, material sustainability, indoor environmental quality); specific climate change challenges in India (urban heat islands, monsoon variability, coastal flooding, high cooling energy demand); case examples like CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre Hyderabad or Suzlon One Earth Pune
  • Part (b): Regional planning significance for island territories—Lakshadweep (coral atolls, limited freshwater, tourism pressure) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (biodiversity hotspots, seismic vulnerability, indigenous communities); need for integrated coastal zone management, disaster-resilient infrastructure, carrying capacity-based tourism, and eco-sensitive zoning under Island Development Agency framework
  • Part (c): International boundary issues—Indo-Bangladesh (enclaves, river boundary changes, fencing impact), Indo-Pakistan (Sir Creek dispute, Line of Control instability), Indo-China (undefined LAC, transboundary rivers, Doklam/Demchok flashpoints), Indo-Myanmar (Free Movement Regime challenges, insurgency), Indo-Nepal (Kalapani/Lipulekh territorial claims); implications for national security, cross-border resource management, and climate migration
  • Interconnection: How green architecture principles apply differently across India's varied climate zones (hot-dry, warm-humid, composite, cold, temperate); how island vulnerabilities exemplify climate adaptation needs; how boundary disputes complicate transboundary climate governance
  • Critical evaluation: Limitations of GRIHA/LEED India ratings, implementation gaps in coastal regulation zones, and need for boundary river basin commissions under changing climate scenarios

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness22%11Precise definition of green architecture distinguishing it from conventional and vernacular architecture; accurate explanation of bioclimatic design principles; correct identification of boundary types (natural, geometric, ethnographic) and specific disputed sectors; technically sound treatment of island geomorphology and carrying capacity conceptsBasic definition of green architecture with some confusion between green building and sustainable urbanism; general awareness of boundary disputes without specific sector identification; superficial mention of island fragility without geomorphological basisVague or incorrect definition conflating green architecture with mere landscaping; major factual errors in boundary alignment or dispute chronology; misunderstanding of island planning challenges as merely infrastructure problems
Map / diagram16%8At least two relevant maps/diagrams: one showing India's international boundaries with disputed sectors marked (Sir Creek, Kalapani, Doklam, McMahon Line sectors); and/or a schematic of green building design elements (rainwater harvesting, solar orientation, natural ventilation); or Lakshadweep/Andaman location map with eco-sensitive zones; properly labelled, scaled, and integrated with textOne rough sketch map of India's boundaries or a simple building cross-section without proper labels; maps mentioned but not drawn; diagrams decorative rather than analyticalNo maps or diagrams; or irrelevant sketches; poorly drawn boundaries with major locational errors; diagrams copied without understanding
Indian regional examples22%11Specific, current examples: for (a)—IGBC Platinum-rated buildings (CII-Godrej Hyderabad, ITC Green Centre Gurgaon, Infosys Mysore) with their specific climate adaptation features; for (b)—detailed treatment of Lakshadweep's coral island constraints and Andaman's tribal reserve policies under A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation; for (c)—post-2015 boundary developments (Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh, Doklam 2017, Galwan 2020)Generic mention of 'green buildings in metros' without naming; general reference to 'islands' without Lakshadweep/Andaman specificity; outdated or partially incorrect boundary examples (pre-2015 status)No Indian examples; foreign examples substituted; factually wrong examples (e.g., citing Sri Lanka as Indian territory); confused boundary chronology
Spatial analysis20%10Clear spatial reasoning: for (a)—zonal variation in green architecture needs across India's climate zones (BIS classification); for (b)—island isolation, connectivity constraints, and marine-terrestrial interface analysis; for (c)—terrain influence on boundary delineation (Himalayan watershed principle vs. riverine boundary instability), buffer zone spatiality, and cross-border ecological connectivitySome spatial awareness but not systematically developed; mention of location without analyzing spatial relationships; generic statements about 'strategic location' without elaborationAspatial treatment; no geographical reasoning; purely political or technical description without spatial context; confused directional relationships
Application / policy20%10Critical policy engagement: for (a)—evaluation of GRIHA, LEED India, Eco-Niwas Samhita, and Energy Conservation Building Code implementation gaps; for (b)—assessment of Island Development Agency (2017), Coastal Regulation Zone 2019 amendments, and SAMUDRA scheme; for (c)—analysis of border area development programmes (BADP), river commission mechanisms, and need for climate-security nexus in boundary governance; constructive recommendationsListing of policies without critical evaluation; awareness of some schemes but not their interconnections; generic recommendations without specificity to question partsNo policy mention; or completely wrong policy attribution; purely descriptive without application dimension; impractical or irrelevant recommendations

Practice this exact question

Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.

Evaluate my answer →

More from Geography 2025 Paper II