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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-3 to check your progress.
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Recent studies indicate a significant decline in snow persistence in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, reducing water flow in major river basins such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus. Discuss the implications of this trend on India’s water security, agriculture, and energy sectors.
The deployment of advanced surveillance technologies—including human detection radars, seismic sensors, and micro-doppler radars—along the India-Pakistan border can counter infiltration and tunnel threats. Discuss.
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: Recent studies indicate a significant decline in snow persistence in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, reducing water flow in major river basins such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus. Discuss the implications of this trend on India’s water security, agriculture, and energy sectors.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— The Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra river basins, which support millions of people’s livelihoods and water security, are facing reduced flows in early summer as snow persistence, or how long snow remains on the ground after snowfall, has declined alarmingly, according to a new report by Kathmandu’s International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
— The survey mapped snow persistence across the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH), revealing a two-decade low of 23.6%.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— According to ICIMOD studies, this is serious news for the water security of approximately two billion people in 12 major river basins that start in the HKH. This is the third consecutive year of below-average seasonal snowfall in the region.
— A 23-year time series of basin-scale snow persistence throughout the November to March snow season was tracked from 2003 to 2025, and it revealed recurring seasonal deficits as well as annual changes, particularly in the last five years.
— According to the research, snow persistence in the Ganga basin was 24.1% below normal, the lowest in 23 years. 2015 saw the highest snow persistence of 30.2 percent above normal.
— Snow persistence in the Indus basin has decreased to 24.5% below average, down from a high of 19.5% above normal in 2020. The Hindu Kush Himalayas feed the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra rivers.
Implications of decreasing snow permanence in the Hindu Kush Himalayas
— Seasonal snowmelt is critical to regional and local water availability, particularly in the early melt season. It nourishes rivers for agriculture, hydropower, and other ecosystem services.
— This ongoing deficit threatens over 300 million people’s early summer water supply, necessitating urgent water management techniques.
— Persistent shortfalls, however, exacerbate Afghanistan’s water stress and socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
— The ongoing seasonal snow shortfall will jeopardise downstream water supplies.
— The ongoing decline poses threats to hydropower generation and agriculture, particularly in early summer, necessitating comprehensive drought risk preparation.
Conclusion:
— Carbon emissions have already set in motion an irreversible pattern of recurring snow anomalies in the HKH. To address the regional snow crisis and the challenges it poses to long-term food, water, and energy resilience, we must urgently embrace a paradigm shift towards science-based, forward-thinking policies, as well as foster renewed regional cooperation for transboundary water management and emissions reduction.
Points to Ponder
Read about Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus river system
What is transboundary water management?
Read about the status of hydropower generation
Related Previous Year Questions
Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods. (2024)
The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits. (2024)
QUESTION 2: The deployment of advanced surveillance technologies—including human detection radars, seismic sensors, and micro-doppler radars—along the India-Pakistan border can counter infiltration and tunnel threats. Discuss.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— In response to an increase in encounters with foreign terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the government is establishing an electronic surveillance system along its border with Pakistan to prevent infiltration.
— According to sources, this surveillance system consists of an integrated network of human-detection radars, thermal imaging and high-resolution cameras, complete floodlighting along fences, technology-enabled riverine patrols, and seismic sensors to locate tunnels.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), these systems have already been deployed in some areas, and new high-tech equipment and security systems are being tested to address some of the vulnerabilities along the border with Pakistan.
— Human-detection radars, along with cameras and a command and control system, are proving to be effective. Apart from this, fundamental border security infrastructure is being strengthened.
— Micro-doppler radars are utilised for border monitoring because they outperform cameras and other types of sensors, including penetration characteristics that aid in obstructed situations such as walls, smoke, and fog.
— Radars can operate in any weather situation. Cameras fail in cloudy and rainy conditions, however, radars provide precise signals that may be processed by backend software in the control room to determine the exact type and location of the moving item.
— The fence has been strengthened. Floodlights and watchtowers are spaced every 270 metres. The riverine areas have been gated to the greatest extent practicable, with watchtowers installed on either side. A mechanism has been established to patrol the stretch.
— Seismic sensors are being tested to identify tunnels used by terrorists to cross the border from Pakistan to India. These devices send seismic waves underground to identify gaps or holes in the earth. A piece of software interprets the signals. Then, security personnel dig the area to discover whether there are any tunnels. Intensive physical verification of sensitive sites is underway, particularly in the Samba and Kathua regions.
Conclusion:
— All of this is supported by the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS). It entails deploying a variety of cutting-edge surveillance technologies, including thermal imagers, infrared and laser-based intruder alarms, aerostats for aerial surveillance, unattended ground sensors that can detect intrusion bids, radars, sonar systems to secure riverine borders, fiber-optic sensors, and a command and control system that can receive data from all surveillance devices in real time.
Points to Ponder
Read about Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System
What are Micro-doppler radars?
Related Previous Year Questions
India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BM) Scheme. (2024)
For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals. (2020)
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