UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice | GS 2 (Week 14)

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: What are the qualifications for the appointment of Governor? Discuss the executive powers carried out by the Governor.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about the Governor.

— The state executive consists of Governor and Council of Ministers with Chief Minister as its head.

— All Governors while discharging such constitutional functions as appointment of Chief Minister of a State or sending a report to President about failure of constitutional machinery in a State or in respect of matters relating to assent to a Bill passed by legislature, exercise their own judgement.

Qualifications for appointment as Governor

— No person shall be eligible for appointment as Governor unless he is a citizen of India and has completed the age of thirty-five years.

— The Governor shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State specified in the First Schedule, and if a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any such State be appointed Governor, he shall be deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date on which he enters upon his office as Governor.

— The Governor shall not hold any other office of profit.

— The Governor shall be entitled without payment of rent to the use of his official residences and shall be also entitled to such emoluments, allowances and privileges as may be determined by Parliament by law and until provision in that behalf is so made, such emoluments, allowances and privileges as are specified in the Second Schedule.

— The emoluments and allowances of the Governor shall not be diminished during his term of office.

(Source: knowindia.india.gov.in, upgovernor.gov.in)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— Article 153 of the Constitution says “There shall be a Governor for each State.” A few years after the commencement of the Constitution, an amendment in 1956 laid down that “nothing in this article shall prevent the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States”.

— Article 154 of the Constitution of India provides that the executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution of India.

— The executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution.

— The Governor is:

(a) deemed to transfer to the Governor any functions conferred by any existing law on any other authority; or

(b) prevent Parliament or the Legislature of the State from conferring by law functions on any authority subordinate to the Governor.

(Sources: How are Governors appointed, and why is their role often controversial?, upgovernor.gov.in)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short. You may include:

— The position of the Governor is envisaged as an apolitical head who must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers of the state. However, the Governor enjoys certain powers under the Constitution — such as giving or withholding assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature; determining the time needed for a party to prove its majority in the state Assembly; or, in cases such as a hung verdict in an election, which party must be called first to prove its majority — which make his position very significant.

(Source: How are Governors appointed, and why is their role often controversial?)

Points to Ponder

Legislative Powers of Governor

Power of Governor to grant pardons

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature. (2022)

Whether the Supreme Court Judgment (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine. (2018)

Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and institution of Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian Federal Politics? (2016)

QUESTION 2: How does the India-Nepal hydropower relationship will fulfill the power needs of both the country? Discuss.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about India-Nepal.

— India and Nepal have long-standing historical and cultural ties, as well as an open border and deep-rooted people-to-people relationships.

— India and Nepal have robust cooperation in the power sector. The cooperation in power and energy sectors got another fillip with the notification of the procedure for facilitation of cross-border trade of electricity by Government of India, which enables export/ import of electricity with Nepal.

(Source: http://www.mea.gov.in)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— Nepal is rich in power sources with around 6,000 rivers and an estimated potential for 83,000 MW. India has formally approached Nepal on many occasions, seeking preferential rights over Nepali waters.

— India is viewed as a feasible market for Nepal, but there has been some uncertainty in Nepal over India’s inability to deliver projects on time.

— Nepal’s Constitution has a provision under which any treaty or agreement with another country on natural resources will require Parliament’s ratification by at least a two-thirds majority.

— Nepal has a massive power shortfall as it generates only around 900 MW against an installed capacity of nearly 2,000 MW. Although it is currently selling 364 MW of power to India and it has been importing power from India over the years.

There are various projects signed between India and Nepal such as:

— Mahakali Treaty: It was signed in 1996 to produce 6,480 MW, but India has still not been able to come out with a Detailed Project Report. Pancheshwar Main Dam is proposed on river Mahakaliwhere two underground powerhouses at Pancheshwar dam, one on each bank of Mahakali River, each with a capacity of (6×400 MW) with a total installed capacity of nearly 4800 MW are proposed to be constructed. The power plant at main dam will be operated as the peaking station to meet energy demand in India and Nepal.

— Arun Project: The project is located in eastern Nepal to produce 900 MW of electricity. It was executed by India’s Sutlej Vidhyut Nigam under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) scheme, whose foundation was laid in 2018 and which is set for completion by 2023. The project is envisaged to provide Nepal with 31.9 per cent electricity free.

— West Seti Project: India has taken over an ambitious hydropower project in Nepal — West Seti — nearly four years after China withdrew from it, ending a six-year engagement between 2012 and 2018.

Note: You may mention other projects such as:

Sapta-Kosi High Dam Project

Kamla and Bagmati Multipurpose Projects

Karnali Multipurpose Project

SUN Kosi storage cum diversion scheme

(Sources: What West Seti power project can mean for India-Nepal ties by Yubaraj Ghimire, http://www.mea.gov.in, jalshakti-dowr.gov.in)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short. You may include:

— India’s National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has already begun preliminary engagement of the site in far-western Nepal.

— It is expected to restore India’s image in Nepal and give it weightage in future considerations for hydropower projects, when competition is bound to be tough. West Seti, therefore, has the potential to be a defining model for Nepal India’s power relations in future.

(Source: What West Seti power project can mean for India-Nepal ties by Yubaraj Ghimire)

Points to Ponder

Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh

Related Previous Year Questions

India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka. Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 11)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 12)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 13)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 12)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 13)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 14)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 4 (Week 9)

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