Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on impact of heatwaves in Indian cities and historical evolution of the term ‘caste' (Week 103)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress.
🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
The urban heat island effect exacerbates the impact of heatwaves in Indian cities. Analyse the effectiveness of interventions like reflective roofing, green spaces, and cooling centers in mitigating this effect.
The term 'caste' is widely used to describe India's social stratification system. However, the word itself has European origins, and it was introduced by Portuguese traders in the 15th century. Discuss the historical evolution of the term 'caste'.
Introduction
— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.
— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.
Body
— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.
— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.
— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.
— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.
— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.
Way forward/ conclusion
— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.
— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.
Self Evaluation
— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.
QUESTION 1: The urban heat island effect exacerbates the impact of heatwaves in Indian cities. Analyse the effectiveness of interventions like reflective roofing, green spaces, and cooling centers in mitigating this effect.
Introduction:
— Heatwaves have become a public health and economic emergency, with temperatures in several sections of the country exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113°F). The lack of heatwave-specific infrastructure puts millions of people at danger of mortality, heatstroke, and dehydration.
— As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of excessive heat, India must move quickly to build a strong, national heatwave mitigation strategy.
Body:
— Geographically, the country is prone to heatwaves. Between March and June, more than 80% of the country experiences high heat, with northern and central areas such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh frequently reaching more than 40 degrees Celsius. Urban areas like Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Chennai become heat sinks, and the heat builds up on the concrete-heavy skyline due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect.
— A 2023 Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) study predicts that heatwaves would become 30% more frequent and intense by 2050.
Impact of heatwaves in Indian cities
— Heatwaves endanger the livelihoods of India's vast outdoor workforce. Heat-induced productivity losses in India are predicted to cost $100 billion by 2022. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), small companies in the informal economy bear a disproportionate burden.
— In 2024, Delhi recorded more than 200 heatwave-related deaths in a single week, with hospitals and mortuaries at capacity. These are not isolated events, but rather indicators of systemic underpreparedness.
— Without infrastructure to combat these situations, the impact on human health may be and is severe. Heatstroke, organ failure, and cardiovascular strain disproportionately affect the elderly, children, and low-income groups, who do not have access to cooling or medical care.
Mitigation of Heat Waves
— Public-private collaborations can hasten progress. Private companies might provide cooling technology, while non-governmental organisations (NGOs) could coordinate community engagement. Given India's high vulnerability to climate change, international support, such as climate adaptation funds, could help to offset costs.
— Every town, city, and rural area should have cooling centres that are easily accessible to everyone. Shelters equipped with water, shade, fans, and basic medical care provided by a local ambulance service might be useful during extreme heat.
— Urban planning that prioritises heat-resilient design is required. Reflective roofs, improved ventilation, and green spaces can all help to reduce outdoor temperatures significantly.
— Early warning systems, which are already operational in states such as Gujarat and Odisha, must be implemented on a national basis.
— Cheap cooling systems are critical for low-income families. Subsidised fans, evaporative coolers, and community cooling stations could help bridge the gap for the nearly 88% of Indian families without access to air conditioning.
— The healthcare industry must be prepared for a heatwave, with trained personnel, ample supplies, and well-planned processes for dealing with the conditions and patients suffering from heat-related disorders.
Conclusion:
— Building a national heatwave infrastructure is more than a policy choice; it is a moral and economic necessity.
— Planting heat-tolerant plants and establishing urban forests should be a national priority in combating heat island impacts.
— Mobile apps and SMS notifications can function in remote locations, but they necessitate investment in digital infrastructure.
(Source: Five things India needs to do to combat heatwave)
Points to Ponder
Read more about heatwaves
How heatwave is declared – is there any difference between heatwave in plains and heatwave in hilly terrain?
Related Previous Year Questions
What is the phenomenon of 'Cloudbursts'? Explain. (2024)
Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. What do you understand by the phenomenon of 'temperature inversion' in meteorology? How does it affect weather and the habitants of the place? (2013)
QUESTION 2: The term 'caste' is widely used to describe India's social stratification system. However, the word itself has European origins, and it was introduced by Portuguese traders in the 15th century. Discuss the historical evolution of the term 'caste'.
Introduction:
— In India, caste is seen as an ancient Hindu social system founded on the notions of varna (class), karma (activity), and dharma (obligation), as outlined in the legal classic Manusmriti.
— The varna system classified society into four major groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, with the 'untouchables' falling outside and below this hierarchy.
Body:
— Despite having ancient roots in Indian history, the present concept and usage of the term 'caste' arose from European involvement. According to sociologist Surinder S Jodhka in Caste: Oxford India Short Introductions (2012), the term 'caste' is the English translation of the Spanish word casta, which means 'race'.
— Portuguese traders landed on India's west coast in the 15th century and were the first to use the phrase in reference to Indian society.
— The Portuguese served key roles as interpreters, seamen, and clerks. According to historian Sumit Guha's Beyond Caste: Identity and Power in South Asia, Past and Present (2013), their language 'became a major lingua franca in the Asian seas.' Westerners began to understand and characterise Indian society using Portuguese as a lingua franca, with the British leading the way.
— Spain and Portugal spearheaded early European colonial expansion and established the Atlantic slave trade in the 15th and 16th centuries. Guha explains that casta originally referred to a pure lineage or species. When applied to individuals, it described a social order based on biological parenting, with a group's purity and nobleness determined by the chastity of its women. Iberian explorers utilised this concept to categorise the groups they found during imperial expansion in the Americas and Asia, viewing them as biologically distinct and ranking.
— In a similar vein to the Indic idea of jati, Guha observes that some vocations, such as executioners and tanners, were seen to 'stain' the character of people who performed them and their descendants due to their relationship with mortality. These worries were important to the Indian caste system, 'though in it fear of contamination of body substance by impure food or touch was much more prominent.'
— According to Guha, Spanish American regulations in the 18th century prohibited marrying between high and low-status groups, a practice known as varṇa-saṁkara in Sanskrit. The Portuguese, the first Europeans to interact with Indian civilisation, 'were evolving a system of ethnic and social stratification by biological ancestry,' and thus, according to Guha, they concluded Indian jatis were also created to protect 'purity of blood.'
(Source: Caste: how a Spanish word, carried by the Portuguese, came to describe social order in India)
Points to Ponder
Read more about Portugese
Read about varna system
Related Previous Year Questions
Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss. (2024)
Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static? (2023)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 102)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 103)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 102)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 103)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 102)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 101)
Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Studied MBBS and MD, topped Haryana Civil Services, got married, cracked UPSC twice while raising a kid, her AIR was..., she is...
The UPSC exam is often touted as the most difficult competitive exam in India. The Union Public Service Commission holds the exam once a year, and lakhs of candidates from various academic and professional backgrounds enroll each year in pursuit of IAS, IPS, IFS, and other prestigious services. Despite the great competition and unfathomable effort that candidates exert towards UPSC preparation, many candidates take a leap of faith and chase this dream while juggling a job, family, and other commitments. Dr. Pragati Verma, who obtained AIR 355 for UPSC 2023, is one of these impressive individuals, with a great story to tell, demonstrating if you are sufficiently dedicated and have the right mindset, you can achieve even the biggest goals, regardless of circumstances. What makes her accomplishment even more outstanding is that she did this while working at a hospital and preparing for her exams, demonstrating her ability to handle both work responsibilities and intense preparation efforts. Dr. Pragati Verma, who achieved All India Rank(AIR) 355 in the UPSC 2023 examination, is from Meham sub-division in the Rohtak district of Haryana. Speaking about her educational qualification, Pragati finished her schooling from Meham, did MBBS from PGIMS Rohtak, and pursued MD in Radiodiagnosis at PGIMER Chandigarh. After her postgraduation, she worked as a Senior Resident at AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh for one year. After one year, she married Dr. Atul Verma. The couple is blessed with a son, named Rajvardhan Verma. After marriage, she worked in private and corporate hospitals in Kurukshetra as a Radiology Consultant while simultaneously preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. As per a report of News18 Hindi, Dr. Pragati Verma started her UPSC preparation in May 2021 and subsequently appeared for the 2021 Preliminary exam a few months later. However, she narrowly missed qualifying by approximately 10 marks. She did not let it stop her from repeatedly strategizing her preparation and in her second attempt, passed Prelims, Mains, Interview, and got an All India Rank of 740. She belonged to the OBC category. She obtained 756 marks in the written examination and 171 marks in the personality test. Overall, she secured 927 marks in the UPSC Civil Services(Main) Examination, 2022. Her All India Rank(AIR) was 740. With an aim to be in the IAS, she sat for the UPSC 2023 exam and got AIR 355. She obtained 787 marks in the written examination and 175 marks in the personality test. Overall, she secured 962 marks in the UPSC Civil Services(Main) Examination, 2023. Her All India Rank(AIR) was 355. In 2023, Dr Pragati Verma obtained 2nd rank in the Haryana Civil Services (HCS), also securing All India Rank 740 in UPSC 2022-23. After her success in HCS, she joined the service and worked in the Ambala Division as an Officer on Special Duty to the Commissioner. According to OdishaTV, at the age of 31 and as a mother to a three-year-old son, Rani secured 355th rank in the UPSC exam, improving her performance from her previous attempt. With this achievement, she is now set to become an IAS officer. Dr Pragati Verma comes from a family with a strong tradition of public service. Her father is a primary teacher, while her mother works in the health department. For added context, her father-in-law, R.C. Verma, is a retired IAS officer and served as Deputy Commissioner in four districts of Haryana, including Bhiwani, Palwal, Nuh, and Rewari.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Permanent library building nearing completion in Kilvelur taluk
After functioning from a temporary structure for over 60 years, the Kilvelur Taluk Branch Library is finally set to have a permanent building. Located near the Kilvelur Taluk Government Hospital, the new ground plus one building is under construction at an estimated cost of ₹1 crore. 'This was one of my key demands under the Ungal Thoguthiyil Mudhalvar initiative, and it was promptly approved by the State government,' said V.P. Nagai Maali, MLA of Kilvelur. He told The Hindu that the new building marks a significant upgrade from the existing setup, which lacked adequate space and essential infrastructure. He said the new library would be designed to cater to diverse users — from students to senior citizens — the upcoming library will feature modern amenities, including advanced computer facilities, a wide range of books and periodicals, and, notably, a dedicated study area for UPSC and TNPSC aspirants. The special provision for competitive exam preparation is expected to benefit students across Kilvelur and nearby areas. Mr. Maali said that among the taluk libraries in the district, the new Kilvelur facility will be one of the most modern, accessible, and academically oriented, enhancing both footfall and local interest in public learning spaces. 'This library will not only meet local needs but will also emerge as a hub for academic engagement in the region,' he added. Official sources said construction was progressing as scheduled with completion expected within six months.
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Failed in Class 10th, 12th, cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, became IAS Officer at..., her name is..., now posted at...
It is not easy to crack the UPSC exam, which is considered to be one of the toughest examinations in India. Every year, a handful of people crack the exam on their very first attempt. IAS Anju Sharma's story is one of them. Despite failing board exams in Class 10th and Class 12th, Anju didn't allow the unsuccessful attempts to define her future. However, with utmost passion, determination, and attention, Anju Sharma has cracked one of the toughest exams in India—UPSC, on her first attempt, providing a strong motivation and example of resiliency and persistence. IAS Officer Anju Sharma's Educational Journey Anju Sharma, an IAS officer, hails from Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Whenever she looks back at her journey, she repeats almost like a mantra that everyone will prepare us for success, but no one prepares us for how to deal with failure. During her early academic journey, she once failed her class 12 economics exam. This incident shook her, creeping into her mind to raise doubts about her future. But she landed back on her feet, earning distinctions in several other subjects. Earlier, in the pre-board examination in class 10, she also failed in chemistry. Anju Sharma's story is one of resilience, courage, and ultimately, success. Nevertheless, Anju Sharma now regards these two events in her life as a blessing in disguise—events that helped her shape her future. While speaking to a website, Anju Sharma shared that there was a time when she had a large portion of her syllabus left to study, and panic began to set in after dinner. She admitted feeling completely unprepared and was certain she would fail. The overwhelming stress brought her to tears, and to make matters worse, her performance in the pre-board exams also declined due to the pressure. Luckily, Anju had parents on her side. Her mom helped calm her down and gave her the encouragement she needed. So these events, like the one above, were a good learning experience for Anju: Never rely on last-minute preparation. One should pay attention to the syllabus from the start. This way helped her win the gold medal in college. Both and MBA were completed from Jaipur. Anju's tireless efforts bore fruit when she finished a Bachelor of Science (BSc), graduating with a gold medal for her achievement. After that, she finished her MBA. Soon, she began preparing for the UPSC exams, determined to turn her aspirations into reality. As Anju Sharma prepared for the UPSC Civil Services examination, she consistently and diligently employed the discipline that she learned at earlier stages in her life. And she also regarded the UPSC examination as 'just another exam', intending on clearing it in only one attempt. Anju completed her syllabus far in advance and was relaxed and carefree during the days leading up to the examination. Cracked UPSC in 1991, first posting was… In 1991, Anju Sharma became an IAS officer at 22 years old, passing the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her first attempt. Anju's life story demonstrates that failure at an early age does not foreshadow the rest of one's life—anyone can accomplish anything with determination and focus. IAS Anju Sharma belongs to the Gujarat cadre and her first posting in the service was as Assistant Collector of Rajkot in 1991. She subsequently served as Collector and held other important positions in various other districts of the state, including Gandhinagar. Because of her exceptional performance, IAS Anju Sharma has risen through the ranks, including Special Secretary, Secretary, Principal Secretary, and is now the Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture. According to the official website of Kaushalya The Skill University, Dr. Anju Sharma is a member of the prestigious Indian Administrative Service and has been serving in the Government at senior leadership positions for more than 28 years. She currently holds the office of Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, Government of Gujarat, as Additional Chief Secretary. She has done her MBA in Marketing & Finance and Masters in International Development Policy from Duke University, USA. During her administrative career she worked as Collector & DDO in various districts of Gujarat and has worked in various departments like Higher and Technical Education (H&TE),Health, Revenue, Environment, and Forests in the State Government. She has also worked as Director in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
