— 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 likely impacts of the government’s recent decision to lift a ban on the exports of Non-Basmati White Rice?
Introduction:
— The government abolished the 20% export charge on Non-Basmati White rice and reduced the duty on three other types of rice. The duty on ‘rice in the husk (paddy or rough)’, ‘husked (brown) rice’, and ‘parboiled rice’ was decreased from 20% to 10%.
— The central government has relaxed the ban on the export of non-basmati white rice. Last year, the export embargo was imposed in response to a slight drop in rice production and the likelihood of an irregular monsoon season.
— India’s rice exports are essentially classified as basmati and non-basmati rice. Non-basmati rice is divided into six subcategories: rice in husk of seed quality; other rice in husk; husked (brown) rice; rice parboiled; non-basmati white rice; and broken rice.
— Basmati accounted for almost one third of India’s total rice export. In the financial year 2023-24, Basmati export was recorded at 52.42 lakh tonnes.
Body:
Impacts of lifting the ban
— Along with loosening export limits, the Centre has permitted state governments to purchase rice for social programmes and distilleries for ethanol production.
— The easing of the restriction will benefit traders who, if they exported at all, had to pay a 20% duty. It will increase export sentiment and may assist farmers who cultivate non-Basmati premium varieties such as Sona Masoori (mostly farmed in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana), which were subject to the embargo.
— Domestic consumers may face further increases in retail costs, which are already high.
Conclusion:
— India is the second-largest producer and the biggest exporter of rice. India, along with China, accounts for over half of the world’s rice production. China, however, is also the biggest consumer of rice, leaving little for exports.
— According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), India accounted for 33 per cent (17 million tonnes) of the world’s total rice exports (53 million tonnes) during the calendar year 2023. In 2022, before the ban on Non-Basmati White Rice shipments, India accounted for about 40 per cent of the total rice exports (56 million tonnes) in the world.
(Source: Export ban on Non-Basmati White Rice lifted: why, what is the likely impact by Harikishan Sharma)
Points to Ponder
Highest rice producing country in the world?
Why did India ban the export of rice earlier?
Related Previous Year Questions
What are the major factors responsible for making the rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success, how has this system become bane in India? (2020)
What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crops in the system? (2017)
QUESTION 2: How can fertilisers help to bridge the fuel gap in India?
Introduction:
— Chemical fertilisers are derived from minerals and fossil fuels that have alternate industrial uses, such ammonia. Rock phosphate ore is currently experiencing a similar user rivalry.
— Ammonia, a vital component of nitrogenous fertilisers like urea, is obtained from natural gas, which serves as both a fuel for transportation and a feedstock for petrochemicals and the production of electricity.
— In place of more expensive nickel, manganese, cobalt, and aluminium oxides, rock phosphate ore is the starting point for the production of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and other fertilisers containing phosphorus. It is also increasingly utilised as the cathode (positive electrode) source in electric vehicle batteries.
Body:
— More phosphoric acid produced from ore resources in Morocco, China, Egypt, or Tunisia will be used to make lithium iron phosphate batteries, leaving less available for the production of phosphatic fertilisers.
— India imports roughly half of its natural gas usage and has few mineable phosphate, potash, or elemental sulphur deposits. Its agriculture is thus particularly exposed to global price increases and supply disruptions.
— Farmers used to be incentivised to use chemical fertilisers to increase crop yields. Today, they must be prevented from overapplication.
— India imports roughly half of its natural gas usage and has few mineable phosphate, potash, or elemental sulphur deposits. As a result, its agriculture is especially subject to global price and supply fluctuations.
Conclusion:
— The government must take steps to limit, if not eliminate, the use of high-analysis fertilisers such as urea (46 per cent nitrogen), DAP (46 per cent phosphorus), and muriate of potash (60 per cent potassium). Farmers should transition away from these and towards complexes and water-soluble fertilisers that contain fewer of these nutrients and can be supplied straight to the plant’s root zone or sprayed on the leaves.
— Improved nutrient usage efficiency will allow for a reduction in the consumption of bulk fertilisers, as well as imports of intermediate and raw materials. The sustainability of Indian agriculture is based not only on more crops per drop (of water), but also per kilogramme (of nutrients).
(Source: How a fertiliser cap can help fuel India)
Points to Ponder
How can fertilisers be applied using drones?
What are the industrial uses of chemical fertilisers?
Related Previous Year Question
Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain. (2022)
Previous Mains Answer Practice
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 69)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 70)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 70)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 69)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 69)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 70)
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The hike in the rates of fertilisers will put an unbearable burden on the farmers. Attempt a question on how fertilisers can bridge the fuel gap in India in today's answer writing practice. (Representational) 
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