UPSC KEY

Back
30-Jan-2025
BUY NOW
You need to Upgrade your plan to attempt tests.
Go to Test Series
UPSC MAINS ESSENTIALS GS III MAINS ANSWER WRITING PRACTICE (30/01/2025)

UPSC MAINS ESSENTIALS

 
 
 
Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: SVAMITVA scheme and World Future Skills Index 2025 the UPSC Exam? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for January 30, 2025

UPSC Exam Notes presents a dedicated initiative to help you excel in Mains answer writing practice. This program covers both static and dynamic components of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus across various General Studies (GS) papers. Each session is crafted to provide valuable insights and techniques to improve your answer-writing skills, aiming to enrich your preparation for the UPSC CSE Mains. Start with today’s answer-writing exercise based on GS-1 topics to evaluate and track your progress.

🚨 Additionally, UPSC Exam Notes releases its November issue of the monthly magazine, packed with critical content, expert analyses, and recent updates to assist your preparation. Dive into the issue to enhance your knowledge base. We welcome your feedback and insights in the comments or via email. 🚨

UPSC Exam Notes offers guidance on structuring Mains answers effectively to maximize your score and presentation.

Introduction

  • Begin your answer with a concise introduction of 3-5 lines. Avoid one-liner introductions as they often lack context.
  • Start by providing basic information, definitions, or key facts from trusted sources to set the foundation for your answer.

Body

  • This is the core of your answer. Analyze the question carefully to understand its requirements and address each aspect fully.
  • Use a mix of points and short paragraphs for clarity. Avoid long paragraphs or purely point-based responses, as balanced formatting enhances readability.
  • Incorporate data from reliable sources, such as government publications, to strengthen your arguments and make your answer more credible.
  • Analyze based on the question’s demand, but avoid over-analysis, which may dilute the answer’s impact.
  • Highlight key terms by underlining, helping your response stand out and improving its presentation.
  • Use flowcharts or tree diagrams where relevant to organize information efficiently, saving time and boosting clarity. These should be applied thoughtfully and only when they add real value.

Way Forward/Conclusion

  • Conclude on a positive, forward-looking note. Highlight potential solutions or the broader implications of your analysis.
  • If an unresolved issue is crucial to the topic, briefly mention it, but avoid repeating points from the introduction or body.
  • Where applicable, reference findings from relevant national or international reports, surveys, or quotations to add weight to your conclusion.

Self-Evaluation

This is a crucial step in answer-writing practice. UPSC Exam Notes provides evaluation guidelines to help you critically assess your responses and refine your thought process for future improvement.
 
Question 1. Discuss the significance of ISRO’s successful germination of cowpea seeds in space. How can cultivating plants in microgravity environments contribute to sustainable human space exploration?           
 

Model Answer (Approach Outline):

This is not a definitive model answer but an approach to tackling the question effectively.

Introduction:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone on December 30 when it successfully germinated cowpea (lobia) seeds in space as part of its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS). This achievement is pivotal for future space exploration as it highlights the potential of cultivating plants in space, which could provide astronauts with a sustainable food source during extended missions to destinations like Mars or the Moon. Given the limitations in resupplying provisions, astronauts would need to rely on space-grown plants instead of a constant supply of multivitamins.

Challenges in Growing Plants in Space:

The primary obstacle in cultivating plants in space is the microgravity environment, where objects appear weightless. This lack of gravity hinders the proper growth of plant roots, as they cannot grow downward as they would on Earth. Water, in this environment, tends to cling to surfaces, making it difficult for it to reach the roots, where it is needed. Furthermore, space-grown plants must be protected from radiation, which can damage their DNA and hinder their growth. Temperature extremes, ranging from extremely hot to freezing cold, also pose risks to plant health. Additionally, light availability, particularly in deep space where sunlight is scarce, is another challenge. Without adequate light, photosynthesis ceases, and plants begin to consume more oxygen than they produce.

Share to Social