UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 8)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its new initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. Mains Answer Writing will cover 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.

We will cover one new subject four days in a week. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress.

QUESTION 1

The E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 which replaced the 2016 rules. Discuss how the government’s new rules in e-waste management will formalise the e-waste recycling sector of the country.

QUESTION 2

How are Indian farmers utilising emerging technology such as artificial intelligence to boost output in a sustainable manner?

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: The E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 which replaced the 2016 rules. Discuss how the government’s new rules in e-waste management will formalise the e-waste recycling sector of the country.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about E-waste and E-waste management rules, 2022.

— The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 and these rules will replace E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and are effective from April 1, 2023.

— These rules will launch a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling.

— According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India recycled only 32.9 per cent of the e-waste generated in 2021-2022 while 67 per cent of e-waste remained unprocessed.

(Source: Recycling has gone up in last 5 years, but 67% of e-waste remains unprocessed by Sonal Gupta)

Body:

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

Features of New E-Waste Management Rules, 2022

— It is applicable to every manufacturer, producer, refurbisher, dismantler and recycler.

— All the manufacturers, producers, refurbishers and recyclers are required to register on portal developed by CPCB.

— Management of solar PV modules /panels/ cells added in new rules.

— The quantity recycled will be computed on the basis of end products.

— Provision for generation and transaction of EPR Certificate has been introduced.

— Provisions for environmental compensation and verification & audit has been introduced.

— Provision for the constitution of Steering Committee to oversee the overall implementation of these rules.

— Provision for reduction of hazardous substances in manufacturing of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) has been provided.

— The E-Waste (Management) Rules also provide recognition and registration, skill development, monitoring and ensure the safety and health of workers involved in dismantling and recycling e-waste.

(Source: pib.gov.in)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— Unprocessed e-waste is hazardous to human health and the environment since it contains toxic substances like as lead, cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), etching chemicals, arsenic, and asbestos, which can be dangerous if not disposed of properly.

— According to the data provided by the ministry in 2021-22, Haryana collected and processed the largest amount of e-waste at 2,45,015.82 tonnes.

— A 2020 report by the Global E-Waste Monitor notes that India has the highest e-waste generation in South Asia.

— The E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022, which replaced the 2016 rules, make it mandatory for every manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler to register on an online portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board.

(Source: Recycling has gone up in last 5 years, but 67% of e-waste remains unprocessed by Sonal Gupta)

Points to Ponder

Difference between processed and unprocessed e-waste.

QUESTION 2: How are Indian farmers utilising emerging technology such as artificial intelligence to boost output in a sustainable manner?

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about Indian agriculture and AI in agriculture.

— India must feed a growing population while dealing with hazards such as climate change, pandemics, and supply chain disruptions. The agriculture industry must become more adaptable and efficient to meet these difficulties.

— Technology investments further enhance this growth in agricultural output and productivity. Disruptive technologies like AI are making significant positive changes across Indian agriculture.

(Source: http://www.weforum.org)

Body:

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

— The Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Agriculture Innovation initiative is transforming the agriculture sector in India by promoting the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Agriculture in India

— The World Economic Forum’s Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Innovation (AI4AI) initiative aims to transform the agriculture sector in India by promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies.

— AI applications in agriculture reached a valuation of $852.2 million in 2019 and this is estimated to grow to almost $8.38 billion by 2030, a nearly 25 per cent growth.

— The use of technology in agriculture will improve farmers’ access to markets, inputs, data, advisory, credit and insurance.

— AI can play a catalytic role in improving farm productivity, removing supply chain constraints and increasing market access.

— Greater use of AI would increase mechanisation of Indian agriculture. It would increase productivity by introducing precision agriculture.

— In predictive agricultural analytics, various AI and machine learning tools are used to predict the right time to sow seeds, get alerts on impending pest attacks etc.

— AI in agriculture enables the most efficient use of farming data, allowing equipment such as smart drones, autonomous tractors, soil sensors, and Agri-bots to work and deliver superior farming efficiency.

— Imaging and AI, traceability solutions are being developed for large scale quality testing and post-harvest produce handling and monitoring.

Examples

— The Saagu Baagu pilot was established in collaboration with the Government of Telangana through AI4AI, making it the first Indian state to use a framework for scaling up innovative technologies and enhancing productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in agriculture.

— A startup has used data science, AI and machine learning algorithms, along with data sets from ISRO to assess damage to crops, compensation payable based on value of the damage that has taken place.

— Another AI startup in India maps farmers’ zones in remote areas, answering questions like who has been farming which land, what is being grown, what is the quality of soil on the land, with great accuracy.

— Some other Agri-tech startups who are using predictive analytics and machine learning to solve the problem of volatility in input prices and suboptimal input utilization.

(Source: http://www.weforum.org, AI for the farmer by Abhishek Singh)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short and should end on positive note.

— India provides a great opportunity for data scientists and AI experts to develop state-of-the-art AI tools and solutions for agriculture.

— In order to help these AI solutions scale, what is needed is to increase investments – both public and private – especially from venture capitalists.

— Indian farms and farmers provide vast and rich data to help create AI solutions for the country and the world.

Points to Ponder

Challenges to Implementing AI for Agriculture in India

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 6)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 7)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 5)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 7)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 6)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 7)

Post your inputs and answers to points to ponder in the comment box below and engage with other aspirants too. All the best!

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The UPSC Essentials Indian Express is now on Telegram- Indian Express UPSC Hub. Click here to join our YouTube channel and stay updated with the latest updates.