UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress.

Examine the ecological and socio-economic importance of mangroves in coastal areas, particularly in the context of disaster resilience against cyclones.

What are digital arrest scams? Discuss the implications of rising cyber scams in India, particularly in the context of the government’s initiatives to enhance digital security.

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

QUESTION 1: Examine the ecological and socio-economic importance of mangroves in coastal areas, particularly in the context of disaster resilience against cyclones.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in estuaries and intertidal zones, where freshwater and saltwater meet. Mangroves feature airborne, breathing roots and waxy, succulent leaves, and they blossom.

— Mangrove seedlings, known as propagules, germinate on the parent tree before falling into the water and regrowing as mangroves.

— Some examples of common mangrove trees include red mangrove, Avicennia marina, grey mangrove, and rhizophora. The Sundarbans, which span India and Bangladesh, is the world’s biggest contiguous mangrove forest.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

How do mangroves protect against cyclones?

— When cyclones occur, mangrove forests operate as a barrier against storm surges — a shift in sea level induced by a storm that usually results in big waves — by impeding water flow with their roots, husks, and leaves, according to a World Bank Group report.

— According to a different report by the organisation, some mangrove species, such as Sonneratia apetala, “reduced the surge height from 4 cm to 16.5 cm with 50 m to 2 km wide mangrove strips, and reduced the water flow velocity from 29% to 92% with 50 m or 100 m wide mangrove forests”.

— When mangroves are paired with constructed infrastructure, the impact of cyclones is decreased even further. For example, growing mangroves in front of an embankment can decrease water flow velocity, the report said.

Conclusion:

— Cyclone Dana, which made landfall near Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha, caused less damage than many had expected due to Bhitarkanika’s dense mangrove forest cover.

— Odisha has a 231-square-kilometre mangrove forest reserve, the majority of which is located in Bhitarkanika. It ranks second only to the Sundarbans in West Bengal.

(Source: How mangroves in Odisha likely reduced Cyclone Dana’s impact)

Points to Ponder

Map work: location of Bhitarkanika and Sundarbans mangroves

Formation of cyclones

Importance of mangroves

Mangroves in India

Related Previous Year Questions

What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? (2023)

Tropical cyclones are largely confined to South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why? (2014)

QUESTION 2: What are digital arrest scams? Discuss the implications of rising cyber scams in India, particularly in the context of the government’s initiatives to enhance digital security.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— A digital arrest scam includes scammers impersonating government personnel. They contact potential victims by phone or video chat via WhatsApp, Skype, or other platforms. Frequently, the victim is accused of participating in an unlawful activity, such as the transportation of drugs or a suspicious parcel.

— Scammers make their phoney identities appear legitimate by using sets and costumes that imitate police stations and government credentials. They use pressure tactics, intimidation, and forged documents to place the victims under so-called digital arrest, insisting that they not end the call or attempt to leave their houses.

— Following long-duration calls in which the penalties of not following their directions are dwelt on, the scammers demand cash. Money is essentially suggested as a means of securing the victims’ “release” or ending the proceedings.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

How to stay safe from digital arrest scam calls

— The PM said in his address, “The fraudsters impersonate police, CBI, narcotics and at times RBI officials. Using such various labels, they converse as fake officers with a lot of confidence”.

— Such schemes can target more than just vulnerable communities. Wealthy individuals have also had large sums of money stolen. Earlier this month, it was revealed that scammers had fooled textile sector doyen S P Oswal into sending Rs 7 crore to their bank accounts.

— Oswal, chairman-cum-managing director of Vardhman firm, the country’s largest textile manufacturing firm, claimed he was also taken into “digital custody” by scammers posing as CBI sleuths. They staged a bogus Supreme Court hearing via Skype, with one person impersonating Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, pretending to hear a case and then issuing an order.

— PM Modi also said in his address, “Follow these 3 steps to stay safe: stop, think, take action. First, stay calm and do not panic. Record or take a screen recording if possible. Second, remember that no government agency will threaten you online. Third, take action by dialling 1930 to connect with the national cyber helpline and also inform police about such a crime.”

Government’s initiatives to counter digital arrest scams

— The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), is a dedicated wing under the cyber and information security division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, mandated to tackle burgeoning cybercrime cases. In its analysis of trends seen from January to April 2024, the I4C found that Indians lost Rs 120.30 crore because of this type of scam.

— It has blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs linked to such activities, after collaborating with Microsoft. Awareness campaigns have also been launched.

— In May, the government set up an inter-ministerial committee of various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to tackle the recent “spurt” in transnational organised cyber crimes against Indians from various Southeast Asian countries, such as Cambodia.

(Source: PM Modi cautions against ‘digital arrest’ scams: What they are, how to stay safe)

Points to Ponder

What is I4C?

What are the different types of digital arrest scams?

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels. (2022)

What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 73)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 74)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 73)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 74)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 74)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 73)

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