Environment, Science and Technology: Answer Hints: Test No.5 GS Mains Test Series 2016

GS Mains Test Series 2016
Answer Hints: Test No.5
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ENVIRONMENT,
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1.
Sustainable use of the major and minor natural resources can provide fundamental life
support, in the form of both consumptive and public, good services. What are the policy
initiatives that are undertaken to tackle illegal and inappropriate mining in India?
Explain how the Amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment can be helpful in
preventing indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources?
Hints:
Preservation of the natural environment and its major and minor natural resources is essential for
maintaining community sustainability. Resources like building stones, gravel, sand, limestone, Iron,
Mg, Al, Cu,among othershave been used for both consumption for survival and public good services,
often bypassing and subverting the laws and environment balance. So, there is need to protect and
maintain sustainable use of these for present and future generation.
Entry 54 of union list I & Entry 23 of state list II of seventh schedule of the constitution of India
empowers the Union & State Governments respectively for management of minerals. Anybody
found extracting or removing any mineral without obtaining permission from any lawful authority
amounts to illegal mining and is liable to be punished under the provisions of the rules. For this
Government have undertaken following initiative to tackle illegal and inappropriate mining in
India.
1)
Issue of Transit pass: Every leaseholder or permit holder has to use transit pass. Such
transit passes issued by authority shows the details of the lease holder / permit holder, date,
vehicle number transporting the material, quantity, time etc.
2)
First National Mineral Policy (NMP)- Government in 1993 for liberalization of the mining
sector. This aimed at encouraging the flow of private investment and introduction of stateof-the-art technology in exploration and mining. This was aims to minimise inappropriate
mining, bring transparency and efficiency.
3)
Hoda Committee and Sustainable Development Framework (SDF): - In line with the
Hoda Committee recommendations, the Ministry of Mines commissioned which prepared a
Sustainable Development Framework Report in November 2011, for which the new MMDR
Bill 2011 will provide statutory backing against illegal mining. The Ministry also set up a
Steering Committee against illegal mining.
4)
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 was amended
through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015. The Amendment Act has, inter alia, stringent
punitive provisions for combating illegal mining. Illegal mining has been made punishable
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may
extend to five lakh rupees per hectare of the area.
5)
Special Courts: - Provisions have been made for setting up of Special Courts for the purpose
of providing speedy trial of offences relating to illegal mining under(MMDR) Act, 1957.
Further Amendment in Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) can be helpful in preventing

indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources by following ways.
Bring small-scale mining under its ambit of EIA: -Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has finally amended the Environment Impact Assessment
(EIA) Notification, 2006, to bring small-scale mining projects under its ambit. The amendment
will make environmental clearance (EC) compulsory for mining of minor minerals in areas
less than or equal to five hectares to prevent indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources.
Both the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal issued orders and directives
making ECs compulsory for projects less than five ha.
2)
Establishment of authorities at the district levelto clear projects: -The latest notification
provides for the establishment of the District Environment Impact Assessment Authority
(DEIAA) and District Expert Appraisal Committee (DEAC) to evaluate EC proposals for
small-scale leases for minor minerals.
3)
District Survey Report (DSR): -The DSR shall be prepared for each minor mineral in the
district separately. As clarified, the main objective of the preparation of DSR is the identification
of areas where mining can be allowed and also where mining must be prohibited due to
geological and physical limits The report will also help in calculation of annual rate of
replenishment and allowing time for replenishment after mining in that area.
4)
Use of a unique barcode for transportation permits: -To curb illegal mining or transportation
of sand, it suggests measures such as the use of a unique barcode for transportation permits,
details on how the permit should be printed, use of smart phones and CCTV cameras at the
mine site, sophisticated weighing equipment to monitor the movement of sand from the
mines and tracking vehicles with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and GPS.
Supplementary Notes
SC
OR
1)
GS
The Hoda Committee report (2006) was published in July 2006 with wide-ranging recommendations
like institutionalizing a Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) to address social, economic
and environmental issues arising out of mining.
A high-level committee was, therefore, constituted in September 2005 under Anwarul Hoda,
member, Planning Commission. The committees terms of reference were:
To review the NMP and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
and suggest the changes needed for encouraging investment
To review existing procedures for granting Reconnaissance Permits (RPs), Prospecting Licenses
(PLs), and Mining Leases (MLs) and suggest ways for their streamlining and simplification
To review the procedures for according clearance to mineral exploration and mining projects
under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and
suggest ways for speeding them up
To prioritize critical infrastructure needs of the Indian mining sector and make
recommendations on ways to facilitate investment to meet these needs
To examine the implications of the policy of mineral-rich states to make value addition
within the state a condition for grant of mineral concession and make appropriate
recommendations in this regard
[2]
Hints: Environment, Science and Technology
To examine ways of augmenting state revenues from the mineral sector, and
To examine any other issue relevant for stimulating investment flows and inducting state ofthe-art technology into the sector. The committee submitted its report in June 2006.
2.
The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDT) has recently
issued an order excluding software patents in its revised guidelines for Computer Related
Inventions (CRIs). How will this new order impact the development of software and
what will be its possible on innovation in India?
Hints:
Indias patent office, which is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs
and Trademarks (CGPDT), has issued an order excluding software patents in its revised
guidelines for computer related inventions. Only genuine applications claiming a novel
hardware component along with software will be eligible for patent protection.
The current guidelines are in tune with the provisions in the Patents Act, 1970 (as amended).
Section 3 (k) of the Patents Act that was included by an amendment in 2002 excludes
mathematical methods, business methods, computer programs, and algorithms from the
realm of patentable subject matter
The aim of these guidelines is to further foster uniformity and consistency in the examination
of CRIs and bring out clarity in terms of exclusions, so that eligible applications of patents
relating to CRIs can be examined speedily.
SC
OR
The patent office has accepted the three part test suggested by SFLC. in to determine the patentability
of CRIs:
(1) Openly construe the claim and identify the actual contribution;
GS
(2) If the contribution lies only in mathematical method, business method or algorithm, deny the
claim;
(3) If the contribution lies in the field of computer program, (If the contribution lies solely in the
computer program, deny the claim. If the contribution lies in both the computer program as
well as hardware, proceed to other steps of patentability).
Impact of the decision
proper implementation of these guidelines would enable our start-ups to innovate freely
without worrying about patent litigation, and infringement notices. (Presently big MNCs
dominate the field of software technology due to their financial strength)
Freedom of software development will boost digital India program.
These guidelines ensure that Indias position is now similar to the stand taken by United
States and Europe while determining patentability for computer related inventions.
Customer will get advanced and improved software at cheaper rate.
Indias consistent stand on freedom of internet and innovation, both in case of net neutrality and
now on software patents, strongly signals its progressive attitude towards becoming a knowledge
economy, which believes in knowledge sharing rather than putting restriction on knowledge flow.
[3]
Supplementary Notes
About Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks:
The Controller General supervises the working of the Patents Act, 1970, as amended, the Designs
Act, 2000 and the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and also renders advice to the Government on matters
relating to these subjects.
In order to protect the Geographical Indications of goods a Geographical Indications Registry has
been established in Chennai to administer the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and
Protection) Act, 1999 under the CGPDTM.
The alternative clean energy sources like biofuels can not only cut off the emission of
harmful gases but surly can cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 68% compared to
petroleum fuels. What are the potential advantages of using microalgae derived biofuels?
Demarcate the challenges associated with use of such fuels in India. Suggest some
strategies to uplift their use taking into account the recent developments.
OR
3.
The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM)is located at
Mumbai. The Head Office of the Patent office is at Kolkata and its Branch offices are located at
Chennai, New Delhi and Mumbai. The Trade Marks registry is at Mumbaiand The Design Office is
located at Kolkata in the Patent Office. The Offices of The Patent Information System (PIS) and
National Institute of Intellectual Property Management (NIIPM) are at Nagpur
Hints:
SC
Fossil fuels though productive are known for emission of high levels of co2. The emission of co2
could be reduced if we shift to biofuels.
Potential advantages of algae biofuel
When it comes to the potential to produce fuel, no feedstock can match algae In terms of
quantity or diversity. First, algae produce oil that can easily be refined into diesel or even
certain components of gasoline. More importantly, however,is a second property in it can be
genetically manipulated to produce everything from ethanol and butanol to even gasoline
and diesel fuel directly.
It is also capable of producing outstanding yields. In fact, algae have been used to produce
up to 9000 gallons of biofuel per acre, which is 10-fold what the best traditional feedstock
have been able to generate. According to the US Department of Energy, yields that are 10
times higher than second generation biofuels mean that only 0. 42% of the U. S. land area
would be needed to generate enough biofuel to meet all of the U. S. needs
Another favorable property of algae is the diversity of ways in which it can be cultivated.
Algae can be grown in any of the following ways. Another favorable property of algae is
the diversity of ways in which it can be cultivated. Algae can be grown in any of the
following ways.
GS
(a) Open ponds- These are the simplest systems in which algae is grown in a pond in the
open air. They are simple and have low capital costs, but are less efficient than other
systems. They are also of concern because other organisms can contaminate the pond
and potentially damage or kill the algae
(b) Closed-loop systems- These are similar to open ponds, but they are not exposed to the
atmosphere and use a sterile source of carbon dioxide. Such systems have potential
[4]
because they may be able to be directly connected to carbon dioxide sources (such as
smokestacks) and thus use the gas before it is every released into the atmosphere.
(c) Photo-bioreactors-These are the most advanced and thus most difficult systems to
implement, resulting in high capital costs. Their advantages in terms of yield and control,
however,are unparalleled. They are closed systems.
All three systems mean that algae are able to be grown almost anywhere those temperatures are
warm enough. This means that no farm land need be threatened by algae. Closed-loop and photo
bioreactor systems have even been used in desert settings.
One of the other major benefits of algae is that they can use a diverse array of carbon
sources. Most notably, it has been suggested that algae might be tied directly to carbon
emitting sources (power plants, industry, etc. ) where they could directly convert emissions
into usable fuel. This means that no carbon dioxide would be released from these settings
and thus total emissions would be reduced substantially.
Challenges
Algae, even when grown in waste water, require large amounts of water, nitrogen and
phosphorus to grow. So much in fact that the production of fertilizer to meet the needs of
algae used to produce biofuel would produce more greenhouse gas emissions than were
saved by using algae based biofuel to begin with. It also means the cost of algae-base biofuel
is much higher than fuel from other sources.
A minor drawback regarding algae is that biofuel produced from them tends to be less stable
than biodiesel produced from other sources. This is because the oil found in algae tends to
be highly unsaturated. Unsaturated oils are more volatile, particularly at high temperatures,
and thus more prone to degradation.
Strategies to uplift
SC
OR
Most investment on research is needed. More research will lead to development of better
quality and productive algae species which will make algae biofuel commercially viable.
Currently the most popular way of developing algae is open-pond system, however, they
have some serious flaws like the possibility of contamination by native algae species,
evaporation, viral infection, and in most cases produce lower energy density algal oil. However,
closed loop systems do not have contamination problems like open-pond system thus they
should be promoted. It is currently expensive to build close loop system thus more research
should be done in that area.
Providing a cheap source of fixed nitrogen will be important for algae biofuel production,
and the possibility of using nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria to supply this nitrogen may help
minimize these costs
4.
Countries like India which depend majorly on coal for their electricity production face
a surmounting international pressure and an environmental concern. Discuss how the
coal fed power plants can be uplifted using newer technologies? Examine how the
revised standards for coal-based thermal power plants will help in minimising pollution?
GS
Hints:
India derives nearly 60% of its energy from coal. These thermal power plants emit CO2, NO2, SO2
which cause serious environment and health damage in the form of acid rain, global warming and
respiratory disease. Therefore if the environmental impact of these can be reduced it will help in
[5]
great way to achieve Indian obligation for sustainable development.

Clean coal technologies can be used to achieve this which are:
a)
Chemically washing minerals and impurities from coal to reduce SOX
b)
Coal gasification
c)
Carbon capture and sequestration to remove CO2 from the flu gas
d)
Improved technology to remove flu gas (the gas emitted after the burning of coal through
chimney)
e)
Dewatering of lower rank coal (brown coal) to improve its efficiency.
Min of Environment has finalized, in consultation with CPCB new emission norms for coal power
plants.
The new standards are aimed at reducing emission of PM10, sulphur dioxide and Oxide of
nitrogen, which will in turn help in bringing about an improvement in the Ambient Air
Quality (AAQ) in and around thermal power plants.
b)
The technology employed for the control of the proposed limit of Sulfur Dioxide - SO2 &
Nitrogen Oxide - NOx will also help in control of mercury emission (at about 70-90%) as a
co-benefit.
c)
Limiting the use of water in thermal power plant will lead to water conservation as thermal
power plant is a water-intensive industry. This will also lead to a reduction in energy
requirement for drawl of water.
SC
OR
a)
Indian government has been making continuous efforts to improve the quality of environment in
India. Imposition of coal cess, air quality index to give air quality data and categorization of industries
based on their environment impact into four categories are some other steps taken in this direction.
Supplementary Notes
GS
Coal gasification:
Coal gasificationis the process of producingsyngasa mixture consisting primarily ofmethane
(CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O)
fromcoaland water, air and/or oxygen. This can be used for converting municipal waste into
energy.
Several different technological methods are available for the purpose of carbon capture as demanded
by the clean coal concept:
Pre-combustion capture - This involvesgasificationof a feedstock (such as coal) to

formsynthesis gas, which may beshiftedto produce a H2and CO2-rich gas mixture, from
which the CO2can be efficiently captured and separated, transported, and ultimately
sequestered, This technology is usually associated withIntegrated Gasification Combined
Cycleprocess configurations.
Post-combustion capture - This refers to capture of CO2from exhaust gases of combustion

processes, typically usingsorbents, solvents, ormembrane separationsto remove CO2from
the bulk gases.
Oxy-fuel combustion- Fossil fuels such as coal are burned in a mixture of recirculatedflue
gasand oxygen, rather than in air, which largely eliminates nitrogen from the flue gas
enabling efficient, low-cost CO2capture.
[6]
5.
(a)
Explain how National Electric Mobility Mission Plan can be a remedy to

surmounting problems of urban air pollution?
Hints:
Urban pollution has grown at an alarming rate due to growing urbanisation and increasing
number of vehicles in India. The various problems in case of urban India are road congestion,
parking problems, air pollution etc. the surmounting problems of the pollution need to be
tackled down.
In this direction, the Government of India launched the National Electric Mobility Mission
Plan (NEMMP) 2020 in 2013. It aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid
and electric vehicles in the country. There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales
of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards.
In the light of concerns about increasing consumption of fossil fuels and rise in global carbon
dioxide emissions, sustainable mobility has assumed greater significance in recent years. This
mission will bring down the pollution level.
As transportation sector accounts for second largest emissions of carbon dioxide globally,
governments, climate change activists and other stakeholders are advocating greater adoption
of alternate and cleaner transport technologies. This is a right step in this direction.
OR
SC
It is the critical importance of shifting to cleaner forms of transport, which led the government to
announce the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020. This plan aims to save 2.22.5 million tonnes of liquid fuel and a decrease of 1.3 1.5% in carbon dioxide emissions.
(b) What are the causes Urban Heat Islands? What are their impacts and what could
be the mitigation strategy?
Hints:
TheUrban Heat IslandEffect (UHI) is a phenomenon whereby the concentration of structures

and wasteheatfrom human activity (most notably air conditioners and internal combustion
engines) results in a slightly warmer envelope of air over urbanized areas when compared
to surrounding rural areas.
It is defined as the rise in temperature of any man-made area, resulting in well-defined

distinct climate than the nearby area. It negatively impacts not only residents of urbanrelated environments but also humans and their associated ecosystems located far away
from cities.
GS
Causes:
When houses, shops, and industrialbuildings are constructed close together, it can create a
UHI due to congested construction.
Factors such as the scattered and emitted radiation from atmospheric pollutants to the urban
area.
Production of waste heat from air conditioning and refrigeration systems, as well from
industrial processes and motorized vehicular traffic (i. e. anthropogenic heat),
Obstruction of rural air flows by the windward face of the built-up surfaces.
[7]
Impacts:
UHIs often have lowerair qualitybecause there are more pollutants (waste products from
vehicles, industry, and people) being pumped into the air.
The cities with variable landscapes and climates can exhibit temperatures several degrees
higher than their rural surroundings.
A direct relationship has been found between UHI intensity peaks and heat-related illness
and fatalities, due to the incidence of thermal discomfort on the human cardiovascular and
respiratory systems.
When warm water from the UHI ends up flowing into local streams, it stresses thenative
speciesthat have adapted to life in a cooleraquaticenvironment.
The mitigation strategy for UHI can be:

By painting structures white, or other light colors which increases the albedo and reverses
the urban heat island effect.
Roofsprinklingis another evaporative cooling solution. Sprinklers on the roof wet the surface
so that the air around it cools through evaporation.
Redesign Rooftops as Cool and/or Green Roofs - Roofs can be designed and built as practical
heat reflectors with materials that have a high solar reflectance. This attribute decreases heat
transfer to the indoor environment. Cool roofing materials also possess the characteristic of
high emittances, that is, releasing a large percentage of the solar energy they absorb.
Energy conserving by Tree Planting and Landscaping Increasing vegetative cover by planting
trees, shrubs and other vegetation in a properly designed manner is a simple and effective
way to reduce the heat island effect.
Construct Roads with Cool Pavement- using materials that lower surface temperatures are
available and can be used in establishing roads, streets, parking lots and other facilities.
6.
The environment regulations in India were just to cater the domestic needs and challenges,
but with changing climate and increasing global challenges they may look the thing of
last decade. Critically analyze the suitability of the present environment regulations in
the country. Explain how these regulations can be strengthened to bring an international
parity?
GS
SC
OR
Hints:
A healthy environment is a constitutional right & also a duty of the people in India. Article
48 A and 51 A (g) imposes the duty of environmental protection on both the state and its
citizens respectively. However, the development of Indian environmental law is piecemeal
and responsive to certain trigger events.
The United Nations Conference on Human Environment held at Stockholm in 1972 led to
the enactment of much legislation in the field of environment. The enactment of Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution), 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981,wild life protection Act 1972, Forest Conservation Act 1980, and the inclusion of
provisions relating to the environment in the Constitution are examples of this. These act
to some extant initiated the practices in line with healthy environment however; existing
provisions are unable to provide a sustainable solution of environment concerns in wake of
economic development, climate change & globalization.
[8]
Lacunas of Present Environment regulations & measures to strengthen them:

The Bhopal gas Tragedy of 1984 exposed many lacunae in the Indian legal system. The legal
battle that the victims had to fight, and are still fighting in various courts in the US and
India is a case in point. A number of statutes were enacted in the wake of the tragedy.
Environment (Protection) Act 1986 being the most important. It acts as an umbrella for the
other environmental Acts.
However, several stringent penalties & punishment are provided under EPL 1986 for violation,
but section 24 of the Act provide that if any act or omission constitute an offence punishable
under this act & also under any other Act then the offender found guilty shall be liable to
punish under the other Act & not under this Act. Thus it has been criticized as paper tiger
& cobra without venom. There is need to amend the law to provide punishment for offence
under EPL 1986 for its better enforcement.
Environment Impact assessment of Industrial project is must in the wake of climate change
however, discretionary powers are granted to the official. There is lack of transparency in
decision making & participation of affected people in decision making is also absent. Rule
should provide the consensus of affecting people to be taken & discretionary power of the
officials should be abandoned & decision to be objective based on report.
Implementing & enforcing bodies like CPCB & SPCB are attached to environment ministries
in center & state respectively. They should be made autonomous thus their functioning
could not be compromised in projects & complaints related to center & states.
Chairman of SPCB is part time & most of the members of board are drawn from various
administrative services. Criteria in rule & regulation to provide for qualification of the post
& for them being professional.
There is also significant difference in BS norms & EURO norms by vehicular air pollution
particularly on limits of particulate matters, NOx. India is lagging behind from European
norms by nine years & even BS IV norms are not uniformly enforced across the country.BS
VI norms to be implemented & to be enforced uniformly to become at par with global
standards
There is no specific guideline on time limit to allocate back the fund collected by diversion
of forest land to commercial use to state CHAMPAs so that compensatory afforestion can
be started. Mechanism should be in place for timely transfer of fund & monitoring of its
utilization for the said purpose.
Increasing globalization is also leading to increased e- waste & its dumping in India. There
is lack of adequate disposal guidelines & regulation for manufacturers & users. Guidelines
& rules should be provided under Hazardous waste Handling & management Act,1989
Major Indian Rivers are like Ganga & Yamuna has become a dumping site for many industries
& municipal sewerages. There is no strict monitoring & implementation of laws as most local
bodies are itself defaulters. Enforcement mechanism to be backed by stricter punishment
even if states are found guilt & involvement of locals through need to be ensured for better
monitoring of river banks.
Inspite of these issues India made a significant mark to control the pollution levels compared
to levels of 1990s. Indian Judiciary has strengthened the environmental jurisprudence in
India. PIL has become effective tools in the hands of creative Judges to impart Justice in the
field of environment.
GS
SC
OR
[9]
Many doctrines & concepts like the polluter pays principle, precautionary principle, principle
of absolute liability, concept of sustainable development and the notion of inter-generational
equity were advanced by the Judiciary to protect the environment. Along with these Law
should incentivize & promote the Green economy including green industries & renewable
energy to make India in parity with Global standards.
Supplementary Notes
Indias Major Environment Laws:

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Forest Conservation Act, 1980
Indian Forest Act, 1927
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act of 2001
Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights)
Act, 2006
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution), 1974
Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972
Noise Pollution Act
Hazardous waste Handling and management act, 1989
7.
Supercomputing can help India not only in proving its technological capacities but
also in planning for growth. Explain uses of supercomputing in context of above
statement. What are the recent initiatives of Government of India in the field of
supercomputing?
GS
SC
OR
Hints:
Asupercomputeris a computer with a high-level computational capacity compared to a

general-purpose computer.
In a world, where the might of a nation is more a function of its hold on technology, India
has continuously endeavoredto work on cutting edge supercomputing
Agricultural planning
A paradigm shift is occurring within the agricultural sciences, owing to the genomics-based
data explosion and concurrent computational advances.
In New Delhi, ASHOKA short for Advanced Super-computing Hub for OMICS Knowledge
in Agriculture was established at the Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics (CABin) as the
first supercomputing hub for Indian agriculture
[10]
Apart from this supercomputing can be used in precision farming, complex weather
forecasting and crop management, drought prediction, documenting and protecting plant
genomics
Environment and Biodiversity planning
emission reduction:
GE used a supercomputer to reveal a new aspect of turbine behaviour that is already

providing GE with a competitive advantage in fuel efficiency. Every 1% reduction in fuel
consumption saves users of these products $2 billion/year.
Automotive and engine manufacturers are using high performance computing to develop
next- generation engines that use less fuel. These fuel savings are estimated at more than $1
billion per year.
Disaster management
Forecasting disasters: Seismic simulations are used to generate advanced hazard maps and
developed software that significantly advances this map-making ability. The potential saving
is in billions of dollars in preventing property loss/damage, along with protecting lives
Supercomputing can significantly improve tropical cyclone intensity prediction
OR
Economic planning
Decision support systemto aid in the management of the national economy by analyzing
trends and statistics. e. g Chilean project cybersyn
By calculating shortest path method, transportation cost and delivery time can be drastically
reduced (enhancing competitiveness)
Monetary and fiscal policy formulation: The high computing and analytic power of Super
computers can be used in evidence based policy formulation. e. g to keep check inflation in
economy, super computers can be fed with factors and indices to generate appropriatepolicy
rates.
The information would also be input into economic simulation software that the government
could use to forecast the possible outcome of economic decisions.
Sophisticated operations room would provide a space where managers could see relevant
economic data, formulate responses to emergencies, and transmit advice and directives to
enterprises and factories in alarm situations by using the telex network.
Researchers are using simulations to decrease the materials scrapped during the continuous
casting process. Decreasing the material scrapped due to defects such as cracks, even by a
small percentage, results in a large net savings to steel manufacturers and customers
GS
SC
Security planning
Energy security: The low-cost, post-processing system powered by supercomputing, reduces the
need for observation wells and has demonstrated commercial success in oil and gas recovery, carbon
capture and sequestration and geothermal energy
Government initiative
The government in March 2015 approved launch of National Supercomputing Mission to

connect national academic and R&D institutions with a grid of over 70 high-performance
computing facilities at an estimated cost of Rs 4, 500 crore.
[11]
The NKN is another program of the government which connects academic institutions and
R&D labs over a high speed network and develop by using these facilities applications of
national relevance.
The Mission also includes development of highly professional High Performance Computing
(HPC) aware human resource for meeting challenges of development of these applications.
Given the complexity, volume and dimensions ofdevelopmental planning, India needs to harness
the power of supercomputers to enhance quality, improve speed of its planning process. Along
with the above mentioned steps, Government along with private sector should invest more in R&D
infrastructure to give our young aspiring scientists to developmore powerful
indigenousSupercomputers. At the same time more application workshops are conducted, involving
different stake holders, so that the huge potential of Supercomputers can be fully realized.
What do understand by Green tax and Compensatory Afforestation? Critically analyze

that whether the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill 2015, will create a benchmark
futuristic regulation or in its present form would squander away staggering amounts
on meaningless efforts.
OR
8.
Hints:
SC
Green tax or environmental tax is a tax imposed on environmental pollutants or on goods whose
repeated use contributes to pollution. Recently green tax has been imposed on trucks that enter
Delhi.
Compulsory Afforestation (CA) refers to afforestation and regeneration activities carried out as a
way of compensating for forest land diverted to non-forest purposes. Here "non-forest purpose"
means the breaking up or clearing of any forest land or a portion thereof for.
Centre proposed CAF bill, 2015 which has following objectives:
To provide an appropriate institutional mechanism, both at the Centre and in each State and
Union Territory
2.
To provide safety, security and, transparency in utilization of amounts realized in lieu of

forest land diverted for non-forest purpose
3.
Ensure expeditious utilization of accumulated unspent amounts available with the ad hoc
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
GS
1.
But recent CAF Bill has many flaws which have been highlighted by environmentalists as:
1.
The bill promotes breaking of large forest land into smaller patches which disrupts landscape
connectivity, affecting dispersal of animals, creates new edges that expose forest to exploitation
and severe degradation. Therefore there is no consolidation of OGF (old growth forest) but
fragmentation of them.
2.
The species raised are non-native to the areas where they are planted. This causes degradation
of indigenous or native species. E.g., KIOCL(Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. ) planted
trees in Bhadra river basin which has destroyed natural grassland over there
3.
The compensatory afforestation has only increased tree cover as VDF (very dense forest) and
MDF (moderately dense forest) has declined. This was highlighted by Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & forest. This shall be taken into account.
[12]
4.
Bill also does not provide for natural restoration and regeneration of degraded forest
5.
Ancillary impacts like biodiversity loss, fragmentation effect, development of new edges that
increases the forest loss, fringe effect etc can never be compensated.
6.
NPV (value of loss of forest ecosystem) assesses only 20 year impact that too with restricted
knowledge of biodiversity loss. This is too conservative and over simplistic
These apprehensions are genuine. But balancing the development environment trade-off is equally
challenging. CAF should stand to meet out and compensate those projects that have wide social
impact. Simultaneously NPV value should be enhanced by detailing biodiversity loss in better
manner. Also, maximum effort should be made to restrict development projects that are intrusive
for forest, and should be allowed only as an exception. There is also need to promote consolidation
of OGF, restoring degraded ecology and using funds for non-native plantations only in extreme
case when forest is extremely degraded with no trace of native species.
Supplementary Notes
OR
Key challenges in compensatory afforestation in India
The Bill establishes the Funds for compensatory afforestation and forest conservation.
However,there are several factors (other than administration of funds) which affect
compensatory afforestation and forest conservation. These factors are mentioned below.
A 2013 CAG report noted that state forest departments lack the planning and implementation
capacity to carry out compensatory afforestation and forest conservation. With the share of
funds transferred to states increasing from 10% to 90%, effective utilisation of these funds
will depend on the capacity of state forest departments.
Procuring land for compensatory afforestation is difficult as land is a limited resource, and
is required for multiple purposes, such as agriculture, industry, etc. This is compounded by
unclear land titles, and difficulties in complying with procedures for land use.
A High Level Committee on Environment Laws observed that quality of forest cover has
declined between 1951 and 2014, with poor quality of compensatory afforestation plantations
being one of the reasons behind the decline.
The Bill delegates the determination of NPV (value of loss of forest ecosystem) to an expert
committee constituted by the central government. As NPV constitutes about half of the total
funds collected, its computation methodology would be important.
9.
(a) Internet of Things and big data technologies can transform the ways and means of eGovernance in India. Comment
GS
SC
Hints:
Technological developments have continuously aided governments. Internet of Things (IoT) and
Big Data are the two recent technological developments which can transform the way
governmentswork world over.
What are IoT and Big Data and how they are related
a)
IoT is the real time networking of sensors which can be on multiple devices like smartphones,
switching system, traffic lights etc. these devices communicate with each other on real time
basis.
[13]
b)
Big data is the data which is large in size and need huge technological capacities for its
verification, processing and use. Usually these data sets are auto generated logs of peoples
activities and movements. For example, the entire data generated by DMRC is very large is
impossible for anyone to read and derive any useful assertion, however, with proper software
and correct statistical modeling it is possible to read this data and use it policymaking, such
as the train frequency required on certain route; number of people interchanging between
lines and hence the need to mitigate them.
c)
As IoT expands it will create huge amount of data which will need big data technologies
to handle them.
How it will help in governance:

Both these technologies can be used for governance. For example optimized planning of the
procurement, distribution and transportation of the food grains, traffic control in a metro
city.
b)
Government of Indias Smart City initiative is based on the combination of these two.
c)
In disaster management, crowd management, Swacch Bharat both can help in an immense
way.
d)
But to make use of these opportunities certain barriers has to be overcome. Developing
common standards, making huge investments, removing inertia of the technology averse
bureaucracy are some of them. If this can be done the benefits will be huge.
SC
OR
a)
(b) Briefly discuss the importance of Project loon and White-fi in expanding the reach
of Digital India.
GS
Hints:
a)
Project loon is an initiative by Microsoft to increase the reach of internet using ballons.
Whereas White fi uses TV unused spectrum for providing internet.
b)
As on 2015 only 40cr out of 120 cr Indians used internet. The digital divide is huge and it
is affecting the quality of life and governance.
c)
The initiative of Bharat-Net (NOFN) is stuck up because of land acquisition issue.
d)
In wake of these two projects by global giants can help in great way in providing last mile
connectivity.
e)
As TV is available nearlyin each household, through this internet can be provided not only
to village but to each household.
f)
the range of the frequencies used in White-fi are 10 to 15 kilometers, and they are able to
easily penetrate buildings, foliage, and terrible weather.
Other initiatives in the field of e-governanceBharat-Net: aims to provide broadband in each
village Panchayat. CSC: Common Service Center in each district and Panchayat to be the hub
for e-Gov based services. Digilocker for easy storing and retrieval of digital documents.
[14]
10. Municipal Solid waste management is one of the major problems faced today in India.
Elaborate upon the reasons that have created such mounting challenges in India. Explain
how the conceptualization of waste to energy can bring a ground-breaking change in
the scenario? Analyze how traditional practices of rural India can be a way out to the
problems?
Hints:
Solid waste is garbage consisting of daily use items like waste like biodegradable waste (food, paper)
recyclable waste like (plastic, glass, bottles,etc) and other types of waste. India generates about 60
million tonnes of trash every year. Ten million tonnes of garbage is generated in just the metropolitan
cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata. Solid waste management is
one of the most pertinent issues being faced by Indian cities.
Reasons:
Absence of proper infrastructure of collection and disposal like dustbins, collection bins.
b)
The garbage is generally thrown in empty spaces and this can't be cleaned after efforts by
workers.
c)
Absence of appropriate technologies.
d)
No segregation and recycling of the waste because of lack of knowledge.
e)
the landfills of most of these cities are already overflowing.
f)
Absence of culture of cleanliness which results into garbage not being carried to designated
points.
g)
Waste collection is done in the morning only whereas generation is done during the whole
day.
GS
SC
OR
a)
Waste to energy and how it can solve the problem of Solid Waste Management
Waste to energy is the generation of energy in the form of electricity or heat from non-recyclable
and non-hazardous waste.
a)
The problem of landfills will be solved.
b)
This will lead to monetization of the solid waste so private sector participation can be
elicited.
c)
The revenues generated can be used for better payment of staff and they can work for the
whole day.
d)
This will solve the problem of waste being strewn on the street as proper chain will be
established.
Traditional practices of rural India for solid waste management were suited to the local conditions
and employed local resources. Like use of waste food for animals, or preparation of agriculture
manure from it, and use of traditional and local material for construction, use the one that generate
least environment footprint, can be emulated.
[15]
11. The world has a greater need to gather and access personal information to provide Public
Services and Security. Do you agree that digital encryption and mass surveillance can go
hand in hand with right to privacy in India? Analyze
Hints:
Article 21of the Constitution guards the right to privacy as a Fundamental Right. We do not
have an explicit Act in this regard, but Section 43A of the IT Act, 2000, along with the IT
Rules, 2011, protects data privacy in India.
Data and access ofPersonal information isvery much important to provide social sector
schemes and also protects it from the non-state actors for personal and major national
security threats, particularly from international terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction, cyber warfare and espionage. Debates around government surveillance
and access to encrypted communications and mass surveillanceare growing louder in the
shadow of terror attacks in Paris and USs PRISM project.
Mass surveillance in India includesSurveillance, Telephone tapping, Open-source intelligence,

Lawful interception, surveillance underIndian Telegraph Act, 1885, etc. India has been
using many mass surveillance projects for many years. These include the following: Central
Monitoring System Project, DRDO Netra andLawful Intercept and Monitoring Project.
The proposed National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) is a proposed cyber security
and e-surveillance project of India. It aims at screening communicationmetadataand coordinate the intelligence gathering activities of other agencies. In the absence of any legal
framework and parliamentary oversight, the NCCC could encroach upon Indian citizens
privacy and civil-liberties.
The current program creates potential risks to public trust, personal privacy and civil liberty.
In some cases, the government will have a national security justification for access to such
metadata, which should be held; instead either by private providers or by a private third
party, and which should be available only after an appropriate order by a court.
Public officials should not have access to otherwise private information (such as bank records,
credit card records, phone records and Internet data) from third parties (such as banks,
credit card companies, telephone companies and Internet providers) without a court order.
This will protect the mass surveillance with proper encryption of data.
Many Internet-freedom activists and security engineers have told the public to trust math
encryptionnot politics or law to protect their privacy. We need more transparency in the
system. Indians should be assured that their government will respect their privacy. If the
government incidentally captures communications of Indians when they are communicating
with non-Indians, it should not be permitted to use those communications in any proceeding
against the Indian citizen.
The government should affirm that such surveillance must never be directed at illegitimate
ends, such as the theft of trade secrets or obtaining commercial gain for domestic industries.
Substantial steps must be taken to safeguard Internet freedom. India should support
international norms or agreements to increase confidence in the security of online
communications.
We should make it clear that the India will not in any way subvert, undermine, weaken or
make vulnerable generally available commercial encryption. To this end, India should support
[16]
GS
SC
OR
efforts to encourage the greater use of encryption technology for data in transit, at rest, in
the cloud and in storage for mass surveillance subject to privacy of Indian citizens.
Encryption is a category of mathematical operations in which one string, a key, is used to

transform another, the plain text, in an encoded version according to a specific algorithm.
Once the text is transformed, reversing the transformation without a key takes tens or
hundreds of orders of magnitude longer than the encryption did. This will protect the data
from ill uses.
12. What do you understand by National Air Quality Index? How it can be helpful in
checking the levels of harmful urban and industrial air pollutants? What are major
impediments in early roll out of BS-IV and BS-VI standards in India?
Hints:
National Air Quality Index is an index developed by the Central Pollution Control Board in
consultation with IIT-Kanpur and an expert groupto monitor the level of air quality.
There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very
Poor, and Severe. The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2. 5, NO2, SO2,
CO, O3, NH3, and Pb).
It provides the likely health implications of the six categories which would also be provided
with a colour code. This will help in checking the level of pollution and potential health
hazards.
The AQI will prove to be a major initiative for monitoring and improving air quality in
urban areas as it would enhance public awareness and involvement.
It would create a competitive environment among cities to take steps for air pollutionmitigation.
Checking the quality of air will help to meet clean- air standards and reduce the public
health risk.
The Bharat Stage norms were adopted by the government in 2000, based on the European
emission norms. Each stage specifies a certain limit on the pollutants released, which is
controlled by the type of fuel made by the oil companies and the up-gradations and
modifications made by the auto firms to their vehicles to control the pollutants released from
the vehicle
India had enforced Bharat stage III norms across the country since October 2010. In 13
major cities, Bharat stage IV emission norms were put in place since April 2010. Currently,
BS-IV petrol and diesel are being supplied in whole of Northern India covering Jammu and
Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and parts of Rajasthan
and western UP. The rest of the country has BS-III grade fuel.
From 1 April, 2016, all of Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, Union Territories of
Daman and Diu, Dadra-Nagar-Haveli and Andaman & Nicobar will get BS-IV fuel. The rest
of the country is scheduled to get supplies of BS-IV from 1 April, 2017.
Recently the government proposed to introduce Bharat VI norms directly by 2020. In the
light of this decision, the major impediments in the implementation can be discussed as:
GS
SC
OR
[17]
There are two major industries which would face challenges: first is the oil refineries that
will need a substantial investment to upgrade. These upgrades will allow the refineries to
supply fuel types that can match the BS-VI standards. The shift of technology from BS-IV
to BS-VI is likely to cost anything between Rs 50, 000 crore to Rs 80, 000 crore to petroleum
companies. This would hit the margins of oil companies.
Second, the automobile manufacturers would require a significant technological jump

especially in diesel filter technology & in optimization of selective catalytic reduction
technology.
Such a move could lead to safety and quality problems. it would take as much as four-anda-half years of lead time for design, application and validation of new engine technologies
to move from BS-IV to BS-V, and a similar time to graduate to BS-VI.
The decision will make cars, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), trucks, buses and auto parts more
expensive
Though, there are several challenges related to technology upgradation, availability of fund,
rising cost of vehicles, availability of BS VI Fuel in shorter time frame yet this cost would be
compensated by the reduction in diseases due to air pollution which has become a severe
health hazard for the Indian cities.
OR
Hints:
SC
13. India is currently facing a major threat from communicable diseases. In the light of the
above statement, comment on the vulnerabilities that India faces from Zika virus.
Which initiatives shall be undertaken by government to safeguard India from Zika
virus.
GS
India is facing major challenges from communicable diseases which could be seen from periodic
spurges in major communicable diseases from time to time in India. Last year dengue virus created
havoc in Delhi, before that swine flu also affected large number of Indians. Recently Zika virus has
emerged as a new threat to Indias health security.
Vulnerabilities India faces from Zika virus
Currently, the virus is largely circulating in Latin America, but through travelers it has also
been reported in Maldives and Thailand. Since India is a major tourist destination it makes
us vulnerable to this disease like Maldives and Thailand.
Infection of the Zika virus happens when the Aedes mosquito bites a person - the same
mosquito also transmits the Dengue virus and is found widely in India. Though India has
thus far not reported any case, given the large number of people suffering from dengue,
Indians have to take extra care to protect them.
India offers a fertile ground for the virus to breed as there is lack of general cleanliness in
India and also due to over-crowding if this virus will emerge in India, It will spread quickly
which will cause lots of damage in India.
Also, the mosquito behind the Zika virus seems to operate like a heat-driven missile of
disease. Scientists say the hotter it gets, the better the mosquito that carries Zika virus is at
transmitting a variety of dangerous illnesses. And, with the temperature raising across India
in recent years it has become easier for Aedes Aegypti mosquito to breed.
[18]
Initiatives India should undertake?

Pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant should defer/ cancel their
travel to the affected areas.
Pregnant women who have travelled to areas with Zika virus transmission should mention
about their travel during ante-natal visits in order to be assessed and monitored appropriately.
The best prevention is to control the spread of the Aedes mosquito that breeds in clean water
and spreads the Zika virus. This can be done my spreading mass awareness campaign so
that common people do not leave stagnant water in their home and also Local municipalities
should impose fine on those households who are not following the government guidelines
on prevention of Zika virus.
India should invest in research to develop vaccine for Zika virus.
Before Zika reaches India, we should follow the standard mosquito protection measureslike
using repellents, pesticides, long dresses with long sleeves, thick clothing to resist bites,
sleeping in air-conditioned rooms, mosquito netting and keeping screens on windows and
doors.
OR
Supplementary Notes
Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily
through the bite of an infectedAedesspecies mosquito. The virus, which got its name in 1947
from the Zika forests of Uganda where it was first reported, has been confined mainly to
Africa. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis
(red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after
being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually dont get sick enough to go to the
hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize
they have been infected. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected
from future infections.
GS
SC
About Zika virus
How does this virus spread?
The virus is spread when people arebitten by an infected Aedes mosquito.

Why it is a major threat?
The association with microcephaly or abnormally small brain development in newborns,

which is being attributed to the present Zika outbreak in Brazil, Makes this disease highly
dangerous.
Zika may be linked to birth malformations and neurological syndromes.
The potential for it to spread further internationally given the wide geographical distribution
of the mosquitoes that carry it the lack of immunity in newly affected areas.
The absence of vaccines, specific treatments and rapid diagnostic tests.
[19]
14. It is far easier to define the Corporate Crimes than acts of pollution. Elaborate upon
the ill effects of emission violations started through corporate emission scam much
recently. What could be the steps taken Globally to mitigate such problems in future?
Hints:
Corporate crimes are those crimes committed by corporations or business units, for e.g., Embezzlement
of funds, false claims etc. and can be defined but how crime related to pollution like CO2 effects on
people, how many are affected, of which location are affected, how much they have been affected
is difficult to identify and quantify because a polluting car may have moved throughout country
affecting all.
In recent Volkswagen has been found involved in misrepresenting emission data from its vehicles
and using cheat devices to pass environment or pollution related regulations. It was found that the
emissions of CO2 and NO2 in many instances were nearly 10 times more than claimed in tests. This
is going to have many ill-effects:
It misled the people and governments on environment.
b.
It deliberately caused environmental pollution.
c.
It shows that for them profits were ranked higher than environment.
d.
It even affects the behaviour of car owners. The fuel efficiency of the car owners was less
than what tests showed thus indirectly aiding environment pollution or climate change,
which could have been averted through sensible behavior from consumer.
e.
It may even have affected the greenhouse gases data prepared by governments under UNFCC
and other climate related talks.
f.
It affected the health of many who lived in the areas where these cars were used. The
economic loss caused by ill health, smog, ground level ozone would be immense.
g.
It raises questions over the regulatory and testing mechanisms and their authenticity.
h.
Through this act the carmaker made users of the cars, though unknowingly also as
perpetrators of environmental pollution
GS
SC
OR
a.
Such actions affect the health and well-being of the whole world, because environmental effects
related to global warming are spread globally. Therefore there is a need for exemplary punishment
which must include environmental costs, health costs of the population which suffered, recovering
any other benefits that may have been awarded because of lower emission standards.
But most important is strengthening regulatory framework by improving their technological and
human resource capacities so that they cant be violated. It is important to consider why such a
large scale scandal was allowed to operate freely for so many years, and similarly, if some of the
world most celebrated companies are doing it, then what to say of other small manufacturers, who
are out of regulatory net as they are either too local and unknown and too small to create news.
Thus, while it is easy to make a scapegoat of an issue, it is imperative that regulatory loopholes are
filled and it is made sure that such scandals be avoided at all possible costs. Similarly, the testing
process shall be brought close to real life usage conditions and the gap between laboratory results
and real life varies too much at times, rendering the testing process useless.
[20]
15. Realizing the worth of science and technology in economic growth, modern India has
had a strong focus on development of science and technology. Critically analyze the
development of science and technology in India pre and post independence.
Hints:
Science and technology provides the base for the transformation of economy through improving
productivity, providing ground for innovations and developing scientific temper. The base for S&T
is provided by education system and investments.
Development in the field before independence:
Before independence there was not much focus on S&T field. These areas were nearly neglected.
But the link with the west, English as medium of language provided Indians opportunity to
know what is happening and get involved in the scientific endeavours of west.
Reformers and educationist like Raja Ram Mohan Roy realized the importance of sciene and
education. Later three institutions Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, IISc, and
Indian Science Congress were established.
Most of the efforts in the field were philanthropic in nature supported by big industrial
houses.
Individuals like CV Raman, JC Bose, Meghnad Saha flourished in these institutions.
OR
SC
But foreign language as medium of education, lack of investment, lack of commitment from
governments were some of the reasons for poor base in S&T at the time of independence.
Development in the field after independence:
The initiatives were government led and planned through Planning Commission. The process
was of gradual incrementalism. Science policy was formalized in 1958 outlining the growth
in the sector. But India suffered from absence of strong base.
b)
It started with focus on agriculture and industries, establishing institutes of higher education.
c)
New institutions of higher learning like IIT were established. Several institutions focusing
different areas like CSIR for industrial sector, ICAR in the field of agriculture were established.
d)
Later on defence, space were focused on in late 1950s and 60s. Nuclear energy, biotechnology
and IT were the new focus areas in coming decades.
GS
a)
In spite of these initiatives the investments needed in the sector were never made. In India less than
1% of the GDP is invested in R&D.
India has only 140 researchers per 1, 000, 000 population, compared to 4, 651 in the United
States.
None of Indian institutions are among the top in the world.
In many areas we are still dependent
Conclusion:
Growth of science and technology is closely related with education, economy and private investment.
India needs to give a great push to tertiary education where enrollment levels are around 20% only.
Public investment should be complimented with private investment, a networking of industry and
educational institutions must be done. All these steps will help in establishing S&T tradition in
India.
[21]
16. Wetlands are ecologically sensitive and adaptive best lands which sometimes are taken
as wastelands in urbanization. Demarcate the significance of wetlands in urban
environment sustainability and conservation? What are the factors associated with the
loss of wetlands and their impacts in India? Critically analyze the role of wetland
conservation strategies and initiatives in India.
Hints:
Awetlandis a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that
it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.
Significance of wetlands
Wetlands reduce the risk of flooding by slowing down the movement of floodwaters along
rivers and releasing water over time. The wetlands on Eastern coast have helped to save
the Chennai and Vishakapattanam during the 2004 Tsunami and other flooding.
Wetlands improve water quality by trapping sediments, filtering out pollutants and absorbing
nutrients that would otherwise result in poor water quality for downstream users. They are
source of drinking water in the cities.
Wetlands cover about 9% of the earths surface and are estimated to contain around 35%
of global terrestrial carbon. Wetlands act as sinks for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases, especially if their vegetation is protected and their natural processes are maintained.
Wetlands also prevent the phenomenon of urban heat islands by having a moderating effect
on climate.
Wetlands are also very useful in reducing the pollution concentration in urban areas besides
them, similarly they are also helpful in recycling and decomposition of the organic waste.
SC
OR
Factors associated with loss of wetlands in India
GS
One-third of Indian wetlands have already been wiped out or severely degraded, there are various
factors behind this sad state.
Mining and extraction resulting in release of toxic wastes in nearby ponds, lakes, rivers;
removal of sand from river beds
Construction activities have led to deforestation, habitat destruction, filling of natural

tanks and reservoirs.
Encroachment of wetlands for Agriculture and urbanization purposes is also leading cause
for the loss of wetlands
Fisheries production at large scale and increasing economic demand for shrimps has threatened
the coastal mangroves.
Pollution in wetlands is a growing concern, affecting drinking water sourcesand biological

diversity. Drainage and run-off from fertilized crops and pesticides used in industry introduce
nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients and other toxins like mercury to water sources. These
chemicals can affect the health and reproduction of species, posing a serious threat to
biological diversity.
Climatic Changeis also taking its toll. Increases in temperature are causing polar ice to melt
and sea levels to rise. This in turn is leading to shallow wetlands being swamped and some
species of mangrove trees being submerged and drowned.
[22]
Impact of loss of wetlands in India
Increased flooding events: - wetland stores floodwater by tapping it and slowing the water
down thus protecting the area during the flood event. With the degradation of wetland
water has nowhere to go and will consequently move into areas resulting in increased
occurrence of flood as well as soil erosion. Loss of wetlands has resulted in clogging of water
in the cities which has resulted in severe floods in Indias major cities whenever there is
excess rainfall. The prime example of which are Mumbai floods in 2005 and the recent
Chennai floods.
Wetlands are also big source of fresh water. Their loss has resulted in scarcity of usable
water in the Indian cities
Role of wetland conservation strategies and initiatives in India

India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation
and sustainable use of wetlands. The country has only 26 sites designated as wetlands of
international importance, with a surface area of 689, 131 hectares, whereas a much smaller
country like the UK has 169 Ramsar sites. Even these 26 sites are plagued by uncontrolled
development and illegal encroachment
Despite India having a National Wetlands Conservation Program since 1985-86 that provided
financial support for the protection of 115 wetlands in different states, theres nothing to
show for this on the ground. The reason being apathy shown by the state government and
With no working plans being drawn up by the states, the Central funds are unused.
To improve the situation recently the cabinet committee on economic affairs approved the
merger of the National Lake Conservation Plan and National Wetlands Conservation Program,
creating the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems, aimed at a more holistic
framework for the conservation and restoration of lakes and wetlands.
Supplementary Notes
Ramsar convention
SC
OR
TheRamsar Convention (formally, the Conventionon Wetlands of International Importance,

especially as Waterfowl Habitat) is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable
utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and
their economic, cultural, scientific, andrecreational values.
The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers,
underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peat lands, oases, estuaries,
deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made
sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
GS
Under the three pillars of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to:
work towards the wise use of all their wetlands;
designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar
List) and ensure their effective management;
cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared

specie
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010
The Ministry of Environment and Forests today notified the Wetlands (Conservation and
Management) Rules, 2010. These Rules have been drafted by the Ministry of Environment
[23]
and Forests to ensure better conservation and management and to prevent degradation of
existing wetlands in India.
Under the Rules, wetlands have been classified for better management and easier identification.
Central Wetland Regulatory Authority has been set up to ensure proper implementation of
the Rules and perform all functions for management of wetlands in India. Apart from
necessary government representatives, the Authority shall have a number of expert members
to ensure that wetland conservation is carried out in the best possible manner.
In order to ensure there is no further degradation of wetlands, the Rules specify activities
which are harmful to wetlands such as industrialisation, construction, dumping of untreated
waste, reclamation etc. and prohibit these activities in the wetlands. Other activities such as
harvesting, dredging etc may be carried out in the wetlands but only with prior permission
from the concerned authorities.
17. What is understood by crypto-currency? How it can find a transforming role in

developing economies like India? What is e-wallet, elaborate what benefits it provides
over the traditional money and plastic money?
OR
Hints:
Acrypto-currency(orcrypto currency) is amedium of exchangeusingcryptographyto secure

the transactions and to control the creation of new units. Crypto-currencies are a subset
ofalternative currencies, or specifically ofdigital currencies.
Though it is a medium of exchange likenormalcurrencies such as USD, but is designed for

the purpose of exchanging digital information through a process made possible by certain
principles of cryptography.
It can be used to carry out normal transactions using these currencies. Though there have
been debates going on about the regulatory framework over them, but they can play a
transforming role in developing and emerging economies like India. Some of the point can
be discussed as:
[24]
GS
SC
This technology certainly makes it easier for people to do real time transactions without
involving any third party, such as the bank or credit card providers, in the process and
reduces the cost of transaction.
They have given rise to hot concepts like empowering the unbanked and building
decentralized organizations. They can be one option to provide banking services at the
doorstep of the people who could not access banks.
They can be earned through faucets on the Internet, has zero maintaining balance, does
not require a credit check, is corruption-resistant (politically and financially speaking),
and can potentially grow in value over time.
They also have enormous potential in cross border money transfers. Sending money
internationally, right now, is expensive and slow. Introducing them is likely to make the
transfers fast and cheap which will play a transforming role in economies where people
transfer money in large amounts.
It would help in lowering the cost of remittances to countries in the developing world
which could a win-win situation for the sender and the receiver.
It is an alternative store of value as well as widening access to investment opportunities.

e-Wallet:
e-Wallet is an online prepaid account where one can stock money, to be used when required. As it
is a pre-loaded facility, consumers can buy a range of products without swiping a debit or credit
card. The money is stored in a wallet from where the transactions can be carried out when needed.
There is no need of carrying a debit or credit card.
e- Wallet offer a number of benefits over the traditional form of money or plastic money which
needs to carried along with. Some of them are:
Ease of use without having to enter the debit/credit card details for every online transaction.
For some sites there is no minimum amount and you can deposit an amount as low as Rs
10.
The benefits of the wallet can be passed on to friends and family as well.
There is no chance of a decline of payment since e-wallet is a prepaid account.
They allow people not to carry physical currency/cards andstill make payments.
The payments made through these wallets are easier and quicker. They remember ones card
and bank details. Making payments is like a single-button-click effort.
Supplementary Notes
Evolution of Plastic Money in India
Traditionally, banks were only concerned with acceptance of deposits from customers and
lending surplus money to the suitable customer who want to borrow at some rate of interest.
The most common products being offered by banks were savings account, current account,
term deposit account and lending products being cash credit and term loans. Bankers main
purpose was to manage the savings of people through the mobilisation of funds.
SC
OR
GS
In the seventies, Banks in India started moving towards the social orientation due to which
nationalization took place in July 1969. The Indian Government nationalized the 14 largest
commercial banks and afterwards nationalisation of 6 more commercial banks were followed
in 1980. The main reason for the nationalisation was to give the government more control
of credit delivery in order to discharge social obligations.
Due to this effect of nationalization, Banks tried to uplift the neglected areas like agriculture,
small scale industries, tertiary sector, remote areas and weaker section of the society by
providing them with funds at reasonable rates of interest. Thus, till nineties, the government
was having direct control on the 90% of the banking business in India.
While fulfilling the social objective, the cost of banking operations increased and thus
profitability of banks declined drastically. To overcome these problems, it became necessary
for the banks to introduce new products and services which are commercially viable and
helped them to improve their profitability and productivity.
Hence, modern era has brought progressive change in banking industry as a whole which
is resulted from disintermediation process and information technology. New entrants (private
and foreign banks) in the banking industry generally known as New Generation tech-savvy
banks tend to introduce various innovative services while incurring minimum cost but also
suit the customer preferences. This is the period when automation of banking operations has
gained much importance.
[25]
Hence, over last one and a half decades the banking environment has changed progressively.
After financial sector reforms during nineties, the banking industry in India has witnessed
remarkable changes due to information technology and computer applications. The
information technology has replaced the brick or traditional banking with the wide range
of e-banking products and services like ATM (Automated Teller Machine), Internet Banking,
Credit Cards, PC banking, EFTs, Debit Cards, Smart Cards etc.
Indian banks have shifted their emphasis from traditional banking to banking for customers
as customer is always regarded as the key driver for the success of any new product and
services launched in the market and the customer should be satisfied with the offerings of
industry. Therefore, to be successful in the long run, banking industry must adapt to the
changing needs of customers, their preferences and wants. However, Electronic banking also
makes it easier for customers to compare banks services and products with that of others
competitors in the industry and allows banks to penetrate new markets and thus expand
their geographical reach. With the effect of this changing environment, Indian banking has
witnessed remarkable growth since 2006 as banking sector is growing by 18% and it is 6
times more than the last decade growth.
The plastic money in the form of cards has been actively introduced by banks in India in
1990s. But it was not very popular among Indian consumer at the time of its introduction.
The change in demographic features of consumers in terms of their income, marital status,
education level etc. and upgradation of technology and its awareness has brought the
relevant changes in consumers preferences.
These changing preferences have also modified their outlook and decision regarding the
acceptance and non- acceptance of particular product and services in the market. Thus, the
plastic cards are gaining popularity among bankers as well as customers and getting accepted
in the market place. It can be well imagined from the discussion that no doubt, the plastic
cards market is growing at a large pace in India yet it has long way to go as it lacks behind
if compared to the usage trends of other countries. Hence, it has become important that the
payment system in India has to be modernized enough to be at par with the systems
prevalent in other countries, since our domestic financial markets are increasingly getting
integrated with markets abroad.
RBI is also taking important steps in order to enhance its usage and popularity through
initiatives like regulating card market to maintain the security levels and to build up confidence
of bankers and customers. Despite the strong advances in e-payments, an estimated 90
percent of personal consumption expenditure in India is still made with cash, which indicates
the tremendous growth potential of this business.
So this can be considered as mere beginning which indicates the bright future prospects of
plastic card market in India. In nutshell, we can say that the Indian banking sector is
accepting the challenge of information technology as all the groups of bankers have now
recognized it as essential requirement for their survival and growth in future.
GS
SC
OR
18. (a) Discuss the strategy adopted by India for Tiger Conservation and also suggest
some measures to improve it.
Hints:
The government of India is following various strategies to protect the tigers in the country whose
number decreased significantly in the last years. Some of the initiatives are given below:
[26]
Project Tiger which was started in 1973 by the government and has, to date, established
more than 25 tiger reserves throughout the country. These reserves have been established on
reclaimed land, where human development and inhabitation is forbidden.
Project Tiger was the first program to receivefinancial support from the Indian government
for habitat conservation and tiger protection.
Measures related to Special Tiger Protection Force, Special Program for Orphan Tiger cubs,
efforts to control poaching and initiatives to minimize Human-Animal conflict and
encroachment have been taken.
The government has employed refined technology of double sampling using camera traps in
the tiger habitats to monitor killing and poaching of tigers.
The Economic Valuation of 6 Tiger Reserves is carried out to provide qualitative and
quantitative estimates of benefits accruing from tiger reserves.
Mass awareness programs thorough mass media and social media platforms.
Some of the measures to improve tiger conservation strategy in India can be as following:
Manage key tiger habitat for the protection of tigers. On-the-ground protection is essential
to protect tigers from poachers seeking tiger parts for the lucrative market.
Develop community-based sustainable development and conservation programs.
Eco-development (ecologically-sensitive development) must be combined with educational

conservation programs that inform, empower and inspire local communities to participate
in the protection of the tiger.
Seeking proper implementation of the programs launched for the protection of tigers.
Tiger Conservation practices in the country could be adopted and practiced by the community
as a step towards sustainable forest management so as to ensure habitat protection.
Proper monitoring of the tiger population using cameras and pug marks so that timely
actions can be taken.
GS
SC
OR
(b) The natural hybridization methods like in DMH-11 can even pose a greater threat
to indigenous biodiversity. Explain.
Hints:
The production of a hybrid by crossing two individuals of unlike genetical constitution is

known as hybridization. Hybridization is an important method of combining characters of
different plants.
Hybridization does not change genetic contents of organisms but it produces new combination
of genes. It can be both natural and artificial.
In February 2016, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GMEC) deferred the decision
to allow the commercial production of another GM crop viz. Mustard DMH-11 based on the
evidence that it can pose a greater threat to indigenous biodiversity. Some of the issues are
as following:
It is likely to lead to tweaking the genetic makeup of crop plants, especially through the
introduction of alien genes. The expressed concern is that this would adversely affect
biodiversity as well as human and animal health.
[27]
The after-effects the process that appear in long term can be detrimental to the environment
as the super weeds that grow with GM crops have higher resistance thus requiring greater
amount of pesticides with time.
Such crops are likely to beimmune to antibiotics and their consumption by human beings
can lead to anti-microbial resistance among them thus rendering antibiotics ineffective in
case of disease
Thus, currently the level of concern surrounding this process is too high and it only after
carrying out Comprehensive Risk Assessment that such crops can be introduced. As there
are no comprehensive scientific records of its safety and hazards on humans and environment
so the impact on environment needs to be studied in long term.
19. Discuss the significance and importance of development of Cryogenic Engine in space
research for India. Elaborate upon the benefits of NASA-ISRO joint missions.
Hints:
Cryogenic engine is considered as an advanced technology which is considered a frontier in

rocket science technology.
The cryogenic stage on the GSLV is the third stage and uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and
liquid oxygen as an oxidiser. Cryogenic stage is a highly efficient rocket stage that provides
more thrust for every kg of propellant it burns compared to solid and earth-storable liquid
propellant stages.
India hasmastered the PSLV technology with successful launch of many satellites using this
technology. However,it still had to depend on foreign countries to launch heavier satellites.
But with the development of cryogenic engine India will have significant advantage.
The success of Indias cryogenic engine, GSLV D-5 would enable India to place satellites
with a weight of upto 2000-2500kg in space. At present, Indian satellites of this category are
launched by foreign space agencies like Arianespace. The space agency spends around Rs
500 crore for the launch of heavyweight satellites by a foreign space agency. However,the
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) could launch these satellites onboard its own
launch vehicle like the GSLV at nearly half the cost.
Its deployment would free India from its dependence on the Ariane-5 vehicle of the European
space transportation company, Arianespace, for getting its two-tonne plus GSAT/INSAT
satellites off the ground.
India can also consolidate its position in the globalcommercial launch market by offering the
services ofGSLV-MKII for launching the satellites of international customers on commercial
terms.
Cryogenic propellants are preferred when rockets have to carry payloads of high mass
because they have the greatest efficiency in terms of thrust generated. This helps in bringing
down the cost. The fuel used is also cheap so the technology is economical.
This will give India a significant position in the world as it would place India equivalent to
the few countries that have their own cryogenic engines and place India into a select group
of nations - cryo club - which have developed their own cryogenic rocket engine technology.
It can launch the satellites for the other developing countries in the region from where it can
get to be successful in the technology by launching more satellites.
[28]
GS
SC
OR
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO)have launched a joint mission, NISAR.
Using advanced radar imaging that will provide an unprecedented, detailed view of Earth,
the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR, satellite is designed to observe and
take measurements of some of the complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances, icesheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.
Data collected from NISAR will reveal information about the evolution and state of Earths
crust, help scientists better understand our planets processes and changing climate, and aid
future resource and hazard management.
Such missions have a great significance as such mission lead to establishment of enhanced
cooperation between the two.
Such missions are also useful in the field of research as it leads to sharing of information and
further research in new fields.
This collaboration can be used in future for launching joint missions in other fields also and
study some complex processes.
Supplementary Notes
Cryogenic Engine and its Principle
OR
A cryogenic rocket engine is a rocket engine that uses a cryogenic fuel or oxidizer, that is, its fuel or
oxidizers (or both) are gases liquefied and stored at very low temperatures.
SC
In this Oxidiser /fuel or both are held at very low temperatures. This mixture is then allowed to
expand and gases are allowed to pass through the convergent -divergent nozzle. This helps in
getting the necessary Thrust to the rocket, required to move out of earths blanket.
GS
Cryogenic engine follows the Newtonian law i.e every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Propulsion of rocket is achieved by the thrust force produced by the ignition of the fuel acting
against the gravitational force of Earth. The fuel is liquidated and compressed gases at very low
temperatures. This not only reduces the weight and size of the fuel tank but also increases its
efficiency and load bearing capacity.
Indias development of a cryogenic engine
Designing a cryogenic engine is an extremely challenging task mainly because thermal and structural
problems associated with the low temperatures. Realising this, India launched a programme to
develop a one-tonne cryogenic engine in 1986 itself.
Subsequently, in order to speed up the process, India entered into a technology transfer agreement
with Russia. But with the Russians unwilling to reveal necessary information, this deal did not bear
any significant fruits. Eventually ISRO undertook theoretical studies and besides studying a procured
Russian cryogenic rocket.
In February 2000, the first indigenous cryogenic engine began to be test-fired on the ground, but
failed. By December 2003, three engines had been ground-tested.
In 2008, first flight model with cryogenic engine was tested successfully for 200 seconds meeting all
parameters. In 2009, the process of indigenisation accelerated when indigenous cryogenic engine
was declared fully qualified after a successful flight test. In 2012, ISRO tested the cryogenic ignition
in vacuum conditions at high altitude test facility.
In 2014, GSLV D5 with GSAT-14 was successfully launched and placed in geostationary orbit
marking the success in indigenising the cryogenic technology.
[29]
20. Elaborate how the present concept of Gravitational Waves can bring a new outlook in
space research? How significant has Indian research been in understanding Gravitational
Waves? What are the advantages that India can gain from Neutrino Research?
Hints:
Recently scientist at LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) observed the
gravitational waves which were once predicted by Einstein in 1915.
The detection of these is going to open up new vistas in the field of science esp. in astrophysics.
Till now the idea about universe was taken from light waves emitting or IR radiations
emitted. Light waves can be blocked or can be distorted. Same things can happen with IR
radiation. For measurement of these space telescopes have been installed which is also costly.
b)
The detection of GW can lead to better understanding of the universe. GW are emitted by
black holes, through their measurement idea about these bodies can be made, which otherwise
is impossible because they dont allow any radiations to escape from them for observation.
c)
Also scientists can peep into big bang theory.
OR
Contribution of India:
a)
In the present project various scientists from various Indian institutes like nstitute of Plasma
Research (IPR) Gandhinagar, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
(IUCAA), Pune were involved.
b)
INDIGO, orIndIGO(Indian Initiative in Gravitational-wave Observations) a consortium

of Indiangravitational-wavephysicists have been active in setting up advance experimental
facilities in the field of gravitational wave astronomy.
c)
India is also one of the countries where GW observatory is being build. At present there are
only two GW detectors in US.
SC
a)
Advantages Indian can gain from Neutrino research

Application of neutrions in future can be data communication. As neutrinos interact very
weakly long distance data transfer using them can be possible.
b)
The detectors used in neutrino observatory can be used for detection of cancer tumors,
mineral resources, radioactive element detection at vehicle checking point etc.
c)
It can be used for nuclear non-proliferation by keeping a tab on radioactive material.
d)
Apart from knowledge of Neutrinos and the future application of neutrinos other gain that
can be gained from neutrino research are:
e)
It will help in creating necessary science infrastructure in the country which will help future
generations in excelling.
f)
It will help re-establish India as a leader in particle research.
GS
a)
In recent times India has been actively participating in global science projects like TMT (Thirty
meter telescope), neutrinos etc. It is very good for the development of science in the country. But the
field is facing resource crunch and therefore there is need to holistically implement S&T policy of
2013 to improve the quality of research in India.
Gravitational Waves: GW are ripples in time and space. They were predicted by Einstein. Every
body with mass generates gravitational waves.
[30]

Environment, Science and Technology: Answer Hints: Test No.5 GS Mains Test Series 2016

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Environment, Science and Technology: Answer Hints: Test No.5 GS Mains Test Series 2016

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GS Mains Test Series 2016

Answer Hints: Test No.5

Further Amendment in Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) can be helpful in preventing

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Freedom of software development will boost digital India program.

Customer will get advanced and improved software at cheaper rate.

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

great way to achieve Indian obligation for sustainable development.

Chemically washing minerals and impurities from coal to reduce SOX

Dewatering of lower rank coal (brown coal) to improve its efficiency.

Pre-combustion capture - This involvesgasificationof a feedstock (such as coal) to

Post-combustion capture - This refers to capture of CO2from exhaust gases of combustion

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Explain how National Electric Mobility Mission Plan can be a remedy to

TheUrban Heat IslandEffect (UHI) is a phenomenon whereby the concentration of structures

It is defined as the rise in temperature of any man-made area, resulting in well-defined

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

The mitigation strategy for UHI can be:

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Lacunas of Present Environment regulations & measures to strengthen them:

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Indias Major Environment Laws:

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Forest Conservation Act, 1980

Indian Forest Act, 1927

National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act of 2001

Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution), 1974

Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002

Wildlife Protection Act of 1972

Noise Pollution Act

Hazardous waste Handling and management act, 1989

Asupercomputeris a computer with a high-level computational capacity compared to a

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Environment and Biodiversity planning

GE used a supercomputer to reveal a new aspect of turbine behaviour that is already

Supercomputing can significantly improve tropical cyclone intensity prediction

The government in March 2015 approved launch of National Supercomputing Mission to

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

What do understand by Green tax and Compensatory Afforestation? Critically analyze

To provide safety, security and, transparency in utilization of amounts realized in lieu of

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Key challenges in compensatory afforestation in India

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

How it will help in governance:

The initiative of Bharat-Net (NOFN) is stuck up because of land acquisition issue.

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Absence of appropriate technologies.

No segregation and recycling of the waste because of lack of knowledge.

the landfills of most of these cities are already overflowing.

The problem of landfills will be solved.

Mass surveillance in India includesSurveillance, Telephone tapping, Open-source intelligence,

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Encryption is a category of mathematical operations in which one string, a key, is used to

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Second, the automobile manufacturers would require a significant technological jump

Hints: Environment, Science and Technology

Initiatives India should undertake?

India should invest in research to develop vaccine for Zika virus.

About Zika virus