UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice

UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 37)

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.

What is Micro Irrigation, and what are its benefits? Discuss the government’s efforts related to micro irrigation.

What is geospatial intelligence? How will geospatial solutions address national priorities and SDGs?

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: What is Micro Irrigation, and what are its benefits? Discuss the government’s efforts related to micro irrigation.

Introduction:

— Micro Irrigation is a unique and comprehensive process that aims to enhance crop productivity by improving water use efficiency through Micro Irrigation Systems.

— It is the slow application of continuous drips, tiny streams or miniature sprays of water above or below the soil surface.

— Micro irrigation system is effective in saving water and increasing water use efficiency as compared to the conventional surface irrigation method.

Benefits

(i) Reduce water consumption

(ii) Reduces growth of unwanted plants (weeds)

(iii) It can be adopted in all kinds of land

(iv) Useful in undulating terrain

(v) Provides higher crop production and reduces labour costs

(vi) Reduces the use of fertilizers and benefits by increased soil fertility.

Body:

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

Government’s Efforts

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme

— It is a central government scheme to promote micro-irrigation — drip or sprinkler systems — which is implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

— The scheme was launched in 2006 and was subsumed into the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojna (PMKSY) in 2015 as one of its four components.

— The funding is provided by the centre is around 40 per cent and the rest is financed by states and farmers themselves. The proportion is different in hilly and north-eastern states.

— The main objectives of the scheme are to enhance water-use efficiency and increase productivity, thus bolstering farmer incomes.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

— The Government of India has been implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation with the objective to enhance water use efficiency in the agriculture sector by promoting appropriate technological interventions.

Micro Irrigation Fund

— The scheme is committed to providing access to irrigation for the agricultural farm by prioritising water conservation and its management.

— It has several benefits such as higher subsidy on micro irrigation systems, free service for 3 years after installation of micro irrigation system and water use efficiency.

— States can avail the fund in form of a loan from NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) at 3 per cent below the cost of funds and the 3 per cent being compensated by central government.

(Sources: Irregularities in Centre’s drip irrigation scheme in Jharkhand: How the Express investigation progressed, what it showed by Abishek Angad, govtschemes.in, pmksy.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Sprinkler and Drip Irrigation

Challenges in implementation

Related Previous Year Questions

How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis? (2021)

Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario. (2020)

What is Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India? (2022)

QUESTION 2: What is geospatial intelligence? How will geospatial solutions address national priorities and SDGs?

Introduction:

— Geospatial intelligence involves the collection and combination of data from a wide range of technology sources, including satellites, mobile sensors, ground control stations, and aerial photography.

— The data is used to construct real-time maps and simulations that help predict when, where, and how much of a threat will materialise. Individuals, government officials, or both can use this information to make informed decisions.

Body:

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

— The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and National Developmental Priorities (SDRR, rural development, urban governance, operationalization and maintenance of NSDI/State SDI Data Nodes by covering all States and UTs, and provision of geospatial data, products, services, and solutions to potential stakeholders/beneficiaries of the ecosystem up to the level of panchayats and wards, among other levels—are addressed through research and development projects and operational scale initiatives.

National Programme on Spatial Disaster Risk Reduction (SDRR)

— An integrated national program on spatial disaster risk reduction (SDRR) has been developed by division on the initiative, using the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) as a guide. Landslide hazard mitigation and Coastal hazard risk assessment & reduction are the two sub-programs that the division has already started in this approach.

Landslide Hazard Mitigation (LHM)

— As part of the integrated landslide programme, efforts were made to develop forewarning system to monitor the critical landslides in different geo-environmental areas. The project has been supported for the development of an early warning system covering areas (States) like Sikkim, Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Manikaran, Kotropi, Mandiand Darmashala (Himachal Pradesh), and Uttarakhand.

Coastal Hazard, Risk Assessment and Reduction (CHRAR)

— To develop S&T enabled geospatial techniques for coastal disaster studies, including disaster genetics, propagation, vulnerability mapping, and the identification of causative factors and mitigation measures, CHRAR was launched to cover the nation’s coastal areas. The program’s objective is to produce quantifiable and actionable outputs that state governments and stakeholders can easily utilise for relief, restoration, and rehabilitation during disasters. Since the program’s beginning, R&D projects have been supported in the areas of coastal erosion, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, and land subsidence and sea level rise.

Geospatial Solutions for Urban Governance

— Proposals under this sub-program are encouraged to focus on core R&D areas that emphasise emerging technologies related to city development using Geo-ICT, as well as applications related to city governance. The numerous R&D projects are supported, with a focus on the following areas: IoT and GIS technologies; smart parking management systems with sensors; flood mapping frameworks and/or early warning systems for potential flooding events; city GML-based 3D models for smart cities; Indoor navigation systems based on geomagnetism, industrial indoor asset positioning and navigation systems using geospatial analysis, etc.

Conclusion:

— India and United States signed the crucial Indo-US Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which pertains to geo-spatial intelligence, sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence purposes.

— The signing of BECA allows India to use US geospatial intelligence and enhance accuracy of automated systems and weapons like missiles and armed drones. It gives access to topographical and aeronautical data and advanced products which will aid navigation and targeting.

(Source: 2+2 dialogue: India, US sign crucial agreement on geo-spatial intelligence, dst.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Geospatial Technology Programme

Geospatial Science Programme