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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.
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The 2024 European State of the Climate Report highlights that Europe has warmed approximately twice as much as the rest of the world.” Discuss the factors contributing to Europe’s rapid warming relative to other regions.
The modernisation of India’s education system is critical for equipping youth to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.” Discuss the important measures that the Indian government has taken to modernise the education sector.
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 2024 European State of the Climate Report highlights that Europe has warmed approximately twice as much as the rest of the world.” Discuss the factors contributing to Europe’s rapid warming relative to other regions.
Introduction:
— While global temperatures have risen dramatically, owing mostly to human activities that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, not all regions have warmed at the same rate. Europe, for example, has warmed roughly twice as much as the rest of the world, according to the 2024 European State of the Climate Report.
— The European State of Climate Report, an annual publication of the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, captures climate changes in Europe and is released in partnership with the World Meteorological Organisation.
Body:
— According to the most recent version of the study, 2024 was the warmest year on record for the world, as well as the warmest for Europe, albeit there was a clear East-West divide within the continent. Eastern Europe was sunny and pleasant, whilst the western section was cloudier and rainy.
— According to the report, much of eastern Europe saw above-average or record-high temperatures throughout the year in 2024. Southeastern Europe, which includes Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia, and others, also had the longest heatwave on record.
— The global average temperature has risen by around 1.3 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial baseline (the average of 1850-1900), with 2024 breaking the 1.5 degree Celsius barrier for the first time.
— In contrast, Europe’s average yearly temperature has risen by approximately 2.4 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times. This has resulted in an unprecedented number of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, heavy rains, and flooding. In 2024, for example, the area of Europe that had less than 90 days of below-freezing temperatures reached a record high. At the same time, the number of ‘cold stress days’ — days with exceptionally low temperatures — was the lowest ever recorded.
Several factors contribute to the greater rate of warming over Europe, such as:
— The Arctic Effect: The Arctic area accounts for a significant portion of the continent. In reality, Europe has the most populated landmass in the polar regions. And the warming at the poles, notably the North Pole, is considerably more significant than anywhere else on the planet.
— Reduction in aerosols: Reduced aerosols indicate lower air pollution and cleaner air to breathe. Aerosols are microscopic solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, primarily composed of air pollutants.
Conclusion:
— Europe having relatively cleaner air and less emission of aerosols contributes to a faster warming.
— The climate report stated that several additional factors contribute to Europe’s quicker rate of warming. These include changes in atmospheric circulation that favour more frequent summer heatwaves in Europe, higher-than-average increases in sea-surface temperatures across Europe, the urban heat island effect, and glacier melting, which has similar consequences to the albedo effect.
(Source: Why Europe is warming faster: Causes many, including its cleaner air)
Points to Ponder
Read more about the albedo effect?
Read about greenhouse effect
Related Previous Year Questions
Discuss the consequence of Climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (2023)
How does the cryosphere affect global climate? (2017)
QUESTION 2: The modernisation of India’s education system is critical for equipping youth to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.” Discuss the important measures that the Indian government has taken to modernise the education sector.
Introduction:
— The new National Education Policy (NEP) was developed with global education standards in mind, and since its implementation, India’s education system has seen significant changes.
— The future of the country is dependent on its youth, so it is critical to prepare them for both their individual and the country’s bright future.
Body:
— “Now Indian students are beginning to receive a modern education, and new paths for their careers are being forged,” the Indian Prime Minister said at the Yugm innovation conclave organised by the Ministry of Education and the Wadhwani Foundation, a tech organisation founded by entrepreneur Romesh Wadhwani.
— The education system is very essential, so it is critical to modernise it to meet the needs of the twenty-first century.
— The National Curriculum Framework, teaching-learning materials, and new textbooks for grades 1–7 have been produced, along with the PM e-Vidya and Diksha platforms for digital education infrastructure. The National Credit Framework has made it easier for pupils to learn multiple disciplines at the same time.
— The Indian Prime Minister emphasised the need of boosting the country’s research ecosystem, stating that work has moved quickly in this direction and resources have expanded.
— Several cutting-edge research parks have been established throughout the country. 6,000 higher education institutions have established R&D cells. Our initiatives are accelerating the development of an innovation culture in India. In 2014, over 40,000 patents were filed from India; today, this figure has risen to more than 80,000.
— The establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a step towards encouraging research, while the One Nation One Subscription plan provides simpler access to “world-class research journals.”
Conclusion:
— The Indian PM described India’s youth as “ready, disruptive, and transformative,” adding that university campuses are becoming dynamic hubs where “the youth drives breakthrough innovations.”
— The NEP proposes significant changes, including the opening of Indian higher education to foreign universities, the dismantling of the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the implementation of a four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate program with multiple exit options, and the abolition of the M Phil programme.
— In school education, the program focuses on curriculum reform, “easier” Board exams, a syllabus reduction to keep “core essentials,” and an emphasis on “experiential learning and critical thinking.”
(Source: PM Modi: Govt modernising education system for 21st century needs)
Points to Ponder
Read about National Education Policy
How will modernisation of India’s education system reform the shape of the Indian future?
Related Previous Year Questions
Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (2021)
How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (2019)
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