UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 22)

QUESTION 2

How Viability Gap Funding Scheme aid in financial support to infrastructure projects? Give some recent examples.

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 is the significance of the Gaganyaan Mission? Discuss about the Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1).

Body:

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

— Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3 days mission and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.

— The project is accomplished through an optimal strategy by considering inhouse expertise, experience of Indian industry, intellectual capabilities of Indian academia & research institutions along with cutting edge technologies available with international agencies.

— The Gaganyaan mission requires the development of many critical technologies, including a human-rated launch vehicle capable of safely transporting crew to space, a Life Support System capable of providing an earth-like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision, and evolving crew management aspects for crew training, recovery, and rehabilitation.

Significance

— The primary mandate of Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) is to spearhead ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme through co-ordinated efforts and focus all the activities that are carried out in other ISRO centres.

— The Gaganyaan Programme envisages undertaking the demonstration of human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the short-term and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme in the long run.

— The objective of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flight mission to LEO.

— The Human spaceflight programme has both tangible and intangible benefitsfor the nation, which includes:

— Progress towards a sustained and affordable human and robotic programme to explore the solar system and beyond.

— Advanced technology capability for undertaking human space exploration, sample return missions and scientific exploration.

— Future potential to actively participate in global space station construction and conduct scientific research of national significance.

— Create a comprehensive framework for broader Academia-Industry collaboration in undertaking national development tasks.

— There is a lot of room for job creation and human resource development in advanced scientific and R&D activities.

— Unique opportunity to inspire and excite Indian youth and steer many students toward careers in science and technology towards challenging jobs that encourage knowledge, innovation and creativity.

— The project will promote international alliances and global security by sharing difficult and peaceful aims. Having a strong human spaceflight project may be used as a powerful foreign policy instrument.

Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1)

— The Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) demonstrates the performance of the Crew Escape System of the Gaganyaan project. The flight will be the first of two abort missions to test the safety mechanisms that will allow the Gaganyaan crew to leave the spacecraft in an emergency.

— The test exercise saw the rocket rise to an altitude of almost 17 km before an abort signal was triggered, leading to the separation of the crew module, which descended using a parachute for a splashdown in the Bay of Bengal.

— The test demonstrated a basic version of the crew module — the capsule in which the astronauts will be seated during the Gaganyaan human space flight.

— The test checked the functioning of systems for separating the crew module from the rocket in case of a mid-flight emergency (abort mission) and the escape of astronauts.

Conclusion:

— While the full-fledged test flight of the crew module into orbit and return will take place in 2024 on the human-rated LVM3 rocket (an improved version of the heavy lift GSLV Mk III rocket), ISRO will employ a low-cost basic rocket constructed exclusively for system testing for the TV-D1 mission.

— This Test Vehicle will employ existing liquid propulsion technology, but will include innovations such as the throttleable and restartable L110 Vikas engine (which serves as the primary second stage of the LVM3 rocket) that can manage fuel utilisation.

(Source: What is the first test on Gaganyaan journey, to be held on Saturday by Johnson T A, Gaganyaan test flight live updates: TV-D1 mission success after initial glitch by Sethu Pradeep, http://www.isro.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

What is LVM3 rocket?

Crew Escape System

Related Previous Year Questions

Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (2022)

India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically. (2017)

QUESTION 2: How Viability Gap Funding Scheme aid in financial support to infrastructure projects? Give some recent examples.

Body:

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

— The Viability Gap Funding scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India.

— The Scheme is administered by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and provides financial support in the form of grants, one time or deferred, to economically desirable but commercially unviable infrastructure projects undertaken through PPPs with a view to make them commercially viable.

— The revamped scheme includes higher VGF support of upto 60 per cent of the Total Project Cost (maximum up to 30 per cent by the Central and State Governments each) for the social sectors i.e. Water Supply, Waste Water Treatment, Solid Waste Management and Health, Education, and upto 80 per cent of the Total Project Cost (maximum up to 40 per cent by the Central and State Governments each) for Pilot/Demonstration Projects in Health and Education sectors.

Recent Examples

— Scheme for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the development of 4,000 MWh of BESS projects by 2030-31.

— Hydro-electricity Project

— Viability gap funding for sub-20 seater planes flying to unserved and under-served airports under the regional connectivity scheme.

— Viability gap funding (VGF) to solar power developers under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).

— Setting up Medical Colleges

(Source: http://www.pppinindia.gov.in, Govt to set up Rs 1.5k crore payment security fund for solar projects, NITI Aayog to states: Speed up medical colleges on PPP model by Harikishan Sharma)

Points to Ponder

Design-build-finance-operate (DBFO)

Build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT)

Buy-build-operate (BBO)

Related Previous Year Questions

Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India. (2022)

“Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience. (2021)

Examine the development of Airports in India through joint ventures under Public – Private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard. (2017)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 20)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 21)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 21)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 20)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 21)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 20)

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