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. 🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the November issue of its monthly magazine. Click Here to read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 Assess Project Dolphin's importance in conserving the Ganges river dolphin. Discuss the obstacles encountered during its deployment and provide solutions to improve its efficacy. QUESTION 2 Discuss Zakir Hussain's efforts to convert the tabla from a traditional accompaniment to a prominent instrument in global music. Examine his partnerships and their influence on the merger of Indian classical music and other genres. General points on the structure of the answers 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. THOUGHT PROCESS You may enrich your answers by some of the following points QUESTION 1: Assess Project Dolphin's importance in conserving the Ganges river dolphin. Discuss the obstacles encountered during its deployment and provide solutions to improve its efficacy. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Ganges River Dolphin was formally discovered in 1801. Ganges river dolphins were once found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. — The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is nearly blind. They hunt by producing ultrasonic noises that ricochet off fish and other prey, allowing them to "see" images in their minds. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The first Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was tagged in Assam, marking a historic milestone for Project Dolphin, a conservation initiative dedicated to India's national aquatic animal. — According to a press statement from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, the tagging exercise will help understand the species' seasonal and migratory behaviours, range, distribution, and habitat use, particularly in fragmented or degraded river systems. — According to the Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin, 2010-2020, male Gangetic dolphins are approximately 2-2.2 metres long, while females are slightly longer at 2.4-2.6 metres. An adult dolphin can weigh between 70 and 90 kilogrammes. They feed on a variety of fish and invertebrates. — Ganges river dolphins are typically seen alone or in small groups. They are notoriously shy around boats, making it difficult for scientists to observe them. Project Dolphin — The Gangetic river dolphin, according to Project Dolphin, is an "umbrella species" whose conservation "will contribute to the wellbeing of associated habitat and biodiversity, including humans". — The newest dolphin tagging effort is one of many activities undertaken by the project, which, according to its website, "involves systematic status monitoring of the target species and their potential threats, in order to develop and implement a conservation action plan." — The lightweight tags are meant to produce signals that are picked up by satellites when these species surface, which "will contribute to evidence-based conservation strategies that are urgently needed for this species," according to Virendra R Tiwari, director of the Wildlife Institute of India. Conclusion: The declining population of the Gangetic river dolphin and its endangered status are several factors. These include: — Construction of dams and barrages in rivers, which limit these dolphins' movement and migration patterns, food supplies, and breeding activities; — Riverine pollution makes these dolphins' habitats unlivable for the species and others on whom it relies for sustenance. — Poaching for these dolphins' oily fat, or unintentional entanglement in fishing nets. — Habitat is dwindling as rivers dry up and become less accessible. (Source: Why the first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges dolphin is significant, www.worldwildlife.org) Points to Ponder Project tiger and Project elephant Read more about the Gangetic river dolphin Related Previous Year Questions The groundwater potential of the Gangetic valley is on a serious decline. How may it affect the food security of India? (2024) Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India. (2023) QUESTION 2: Discuss Zakir Hussain's efforts to convert the tabla from a traditional accompaniment to a prominent instrument in global music. Examine his partnerships and their influence on the merger of Indian classical music and other genres. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Zakir Hussain Allaraka Qureshi was born on March 9, 1951, in Bombay, India. He is the son of Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, a prominent Indian tabla musician. — The tabla developed in the fourteenth century to accompany vocal, instrumental, and dancing music, and it consists of two drums. One is called dayan (right), madeen (female), or tabla, while the other is named bayan (left), duggi (male), or dhama. — The tabla is profoundly established in Indian culture. Hussain is well-known for his inventiveness, yet he believes that innovation must be balanced with continuity. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — His contribution to the world of tabla, Hindustani music, and the myriad musical exchanges between music systems that he established or participated in is unrivalled. Indeed, great tabla players have existed throughout history, but the content of what he articulated through the instrument, as well as the method in which he delivered it, are unparalleled. — Zakir Hussain and his music have been a part of our musical reality from a very young age. Zakir Hussain performs as a soloist and accompanist in Hindustani instrumental and vocal music, as well as Kathak. These are other instances in which he participated with intercultural musical ensembles such as the groundbreaking Shakti. — In an unfriendly environment, he rose to prominence. It was this style that Zakir Hussain absorbed and carried forward in a way that appeared to have always existed alongside the others listed earlier. His father's accompaniment approach was likewise unusual, and he elevated it to new heights. However, Zakir Hussain's experience accompanying greats such as world-renowned sitar exponent Ravi Shankar and sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan, as well as later with santoor wizard Shivkumar Sharma and bansuri virtuoso Hariprasad Chaurasia, clearly allowed him to experiment with tabla accompaniment to instrumental music. — His musical exchanges with such well-known artists infused new life into tabla accompanying techniques. This piqued the interest of tabla players of my generation. Conclusion: — Despite his many tabla explorations, Zakir Hussain assimilated compositions from traditional solo repertoires other than the Punjab gharana, to which his father belonged. — His inclusion of classic solo repertoire from several gharanas, as well as the characteristic twist he gave these works, caught many listeners completely off guard. (Source: Zakir Hussain’s experiments with the table by Aneesh Pradhan, www.arts.gov) Points to Ponder Read more about Zakir Hussain Read about Indian Classical Music Related Previous Year Question Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (2020) Previous Mains Answer Practice UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 81) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 80) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 82) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 81) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 82) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 81) 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.
