— 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.
THOUGHT PROCESS
You may enrich your answers by some of the following points
QUESTION 1: There is a need to fix the problem of freshwater available for urban India. Discuss.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— A significant portion of India’s urban population lacks access to safe drinking water. Last month, the Pey Jal Survekshan disclosed that barely 10% of Indian cities fulfil safe drinking water criteria.
— Water quality is known to deteriorate in the distribution network due to a variety of variables, including chemicals emitted by aged pipes, sediment building, and pathogen accumulation. The problem is exacerbated in Indian cities by leaking pipes, many of which are adjacent to sewer systems.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:
— According to the standards of the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation—the technical wing of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs that sets norms for water supply and sanitation—Indian cities require 135 litres of water daily per capita.
— Businesses or entities that make and sell packaged drinking water (PDW) and water purifiers have taken advantage of this shortfall. The country’s dependence on drinking water sold in 20-litre jars has grown among households. Despite having access to piped water, recent research found that 70% of households in Chennai and 38% of households in Kolkata regularly buy water jars.
— Over the past fifteen years, the PDW model—which depends on decentralised water purification and non-pipe delivery—has changed. A variety of stakeholders, including both local doorstep service providers and global corporations, are involved.
— The model passes the reliability criterion since it has a stand-alone water supply, primarily groundwater, and an established network of producers, distributors, and retailers.
— The technique of purifying massive amounts of water to drinking water quality standards and distributing it via a network that cannot ensure safe delivery requires inspection for repair and maintenance.
— The paradigm of decentralised treatment and non-pipe drinking water supply used by the PDW business is promising. Bengaluru’s latest issue has prompted city officials to experiment with water ATMs. Other cities, notably Delhi, are only getting started with such efforts.
— The WHO’s concerns concerning the reverse osmosis process employed by the industry to filter water, which depletes the water of critical minerals, are equally true.
Recent water crisis
— Earlier this year, Bengaluru experienced its worst water crisis in decades caused by unregulated urban growth and depleting groundwater resources.
— Chennai also experienced shortages in recent years indicating that water supply is rarely factored in urban planning.
— In Delhi, the scorching temperatures have led to a similar emergency, reigniting an old dispute over water allocation to the capital.
Conclusion:
— India is expected to be the most severely affected as the global urban population facing water scarcity is projected to increase from 933 million in 2016 to 1.7-2.4 billion people in 2050, according to the flagship UN report.
— The government has prioritised providing tap water connections, but the quality of aquifers remains neglected. Historically, the country attempted to solve water deficiencies by focussing on supply-side characteristics.
— There is little cooperation among departments responsible for surface and groundwater, irrigation resources, and drinking water. Despite the fact that floods and droughts occur with alarming frequency in most parts of the country, rainwater harvesting plans remain primarily on paper.
(Source: Drying up: What Urban India needs to fix its water problem, How to fix India’s urban water crisis, from Bengaluru to Chennai and beyond by Sachin Tiwale)
Points to Ponder
How can water shortage affect India’s credit strength?
Read United Nations World Water Development Report 2023
Related Previous Year Questions
Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? (2023)
India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity. (2015)
QUESTION 2: How India’s skilling initiatives are crucial for addressing both domestic employment challenges and global competitiveness?
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— India is at a watershed moment in which empowering people with skills promotes economic resilience and social inclusion.
— India must create a roadmap that allows every person of the workforce to obtain meaningful occupational and vocational skills, upskill to increase the quality of their employment, and reskill to use new tools to enhance their competences.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:
— The Union Budget 2024 establishes a policy framework and ecology for the country’s youth, who have the potential to drive high economic growth. It has appropriately prioritised the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), positioning it at the forefront of enabling and empowering our youth. Some other initiatives include:
(i) The primary initiatives include a centrally sponsored project under the Prime Minister’s package that will train 20 lakh young people over the next five years.
(ii) Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will get a significant allocation during the next five years.
(iii) Hundred ITIs would be upgraded using a hub-and-spoke approach, with a total investment of Rs 60,000 crore.
— The capacity of five national institutes will be expanded with the goal of benefiting 20 lakh students, connecting ITI training with industry demands, and establishing a strong pathway for workforce development.
— A significant change is the revision of the Model Skill Loan Scheme up to Rs 7.5 lakh, with a guarantee from a government-sponsored fund, which is intended to benefit 25,000 students per year and will allow us to place a stronger emphasis on outcomes under our main priority areas, programmes, and initiatives.
— The Skill India Mission now supports all of the government’s main schemes, including PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), PM Vishwakarma, PM JANMAN Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Solar Mission, Green Hydrogen Mission, and AI for India.
— The Mission has provided millions of young Indians with the skills they need to succeed in a constantly changing work environment. As Skill India celebrates ten years, it is critical to reinvent the Skill 2.0 landscape and take a comprehensive approach to future advancements.
— Apprenticeship training has emerged as a key driver of skill development and economic progress. To establish a more favourable training structure, the Centre updated the Apprentices Act of 1961.
— Integrating apprenticeships into the educational system and connecting them to higher education programs is critical. To make apprenticeships more appealing, the government shares stipend costs with employers through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and has simplified processes to speed up stipend payments.
— The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is a platform for all skilling requirements, with the goal of serving as an information repository for all government skilling and entrepreneurial activities.
Conclusion:
— India is poised to become the greatest contributor to the global workforce. The goal should be to make the country a global hub for innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and high-quality skills.
— It is especially pertinent in rural India, where fair access to long-term livelihood prospects is critical for both economic stability and social cohesion.
(Source: Skilling India — for the world by Jayant Chaudhary)
Points to Ponder
Skill development programmes
Importance of Skill India Digital
What are the challenges for Skill India Digital?
Related Previous Year Questions
Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge systems when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems. (2021)
Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (2023)
Previous Mains Answer Practice
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 65)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 64)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 66)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 65)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 65)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 66)
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Millions of Indians face water shortages every summer when water demand rises in farms, offices and homes against a limited supply, but a prolonged heatwave this year has worsened the shortfall, including in Delhi and the southern tech hub of Bengaluru. Attempt a question on the freshwater crisis in urban India in today's answer writing practice. (PTI photo) 
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