UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice : GS 3 (Week 4)

UPSC CSE Mains 2023 season has begun. Are you ready for it? Here are questions from GS paper 3 for this week with essential points as the fodder for your answers. Do not miss points to ponder and answer in the comment box below. Try them out!

Attempts questions on reusable launch vehicle from science and technology and Stockholm conference from Environment and Ecology. Here is the image of ISRO. (File)

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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

What is the reusable launch vehicle (RLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation? Highlight the advantages and limitations of reusable launch vehicles.

QUESTION 2

World Environment Day, hosted under the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), marks a day to raise awareness and action about the environmental catastrophes of the modern world. Discuss its genesis and relevance.

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 give you an edge over the other candidates and helps in the better presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be use 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 reusable launch vehicle (RLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation? Highlight the advantages and limitations of reusable launch vehicles.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about the reusable launch vehicle launched by ISRO. The definition of RLV can be taken from authentic sources such as website of ISRO.

— The reusable launch vehicle has a two-stage engine to propel the vehicle in the low-earth orbit.

— Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) is one of the most technologically challenging endeavors of ISRO towards developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low-cost access to space.

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

Body:

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

— The configuration of RLV-TD is similar to that of an aircraft and combines the complexity of both launch vehicles and aircraft.

— The winged RLV-TD has been configured to act as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies, namely, hypersonic flight, autonomous landing and powered cruise flight.

Advantages

— It is essentially a space plane with a low lift-to-drag ratio.

— It is based on localised navigation systems.

— The RLVs are cost-effective.

— It can be used multiple times.

— They have a low burn rate

— It features symmetrically placed active control surfaces called Elevons and Rudder.

Disadvantages

— Fuel cannot be reused.

— Crafting of its parts is very complex and demands highly skilled manpower.

— They emit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

— The RLVs are restricted to low-earth orbit.

Conclusion:

Your concluding remark should be short.

— ISRO first demonstrated its winged vehicle RLV-TD re-entry in its HEX Mission in May 2016. During that experiment, the vehicle had landed on a hypothetical runway over the Bay of Bengal as “precise landing” on a runway was an aspect not included in the HEX mission.

— The LEX mission achieved the final approach phase that coincided with the re-entry flight path exhibiting an autonomous, high-speed (350 kmph) landing.

Points to Ponder

Other launching vehicles such as PSLV, GSLV

Recent missions of ISRO

Related Previous Year Question

What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning System’ and ‘Precision Positioning System’ in the GPS era? Discuss the advantages India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites. (2015)

(Sources: http://www.isro.gov.in, ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle Mission RLV LEX: Why the experiment was carried out by Johnson T A, ‘India achieved it’: ISRO succeeds in landing Reusable Launch Vehicle by Express News Service)

QUESTION 2: World Environment Day, hosted under the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), marks a day to raise awareness and action about the environmental catastrophes of the modern world. Discuss its genesis and relevance.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about the World Environment Day.

The industrial revolution, growing urbanisation, and population, as we know, have led to the steady disintegration of our natural world. A major initiative of the World Environment Day is to encourage people to live sustainable lifestyles. This year, it is the 50th anniversary of the World Environment Day.

Body:

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

— This year’s World Environment Day (June 5) has the theme of #BeatPlasticPollution, calling for global solutions to combat the pandemic of plastic pollution.

— From raising awareness about environmental issues to making significant changes in global environmental policies – UNEP’s World Environment Day has seen historic importance. With our depleting natural resources, highly politicised environmental approaches, and slow impactful plans, our world is on the verge of ecological collapse.

— The 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm was the first world conference to make the environment a significant issue.

— The participants adopted a series of principles for sound management of the environment including the Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan for the Human Environment and several resolutions.

— The Stockholm Declaration, which contained 26 principles, placed environmental issues at the forefront of international concerns and marked the start of a dialogue between industrialised and developing countries on the link between economic growth, the pollution of the air, water, and oceans and the well-being of people around the world.

— The Action Plan contained three main categories:

(a) Global Environmental Assessment Programme.

(b) Environmental management activities.

(c) International measures to support assessment and management activities carried out at the national and international levels.

— One of the major results of the Stockholm conference was the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

— World Environment Day, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has been held annually on June 5, since 1973. The UN General Assembly chose the date during the historic 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment – considered to be the first world conference to make the environment a significant issue.

— It has grown to become the largest global platform for environmental outreach, with millions of people from across the world engaging to protect the planet.

— Stockholm+50 was a commemoration of 50 years since the 1972 Conference on the Human Environment. It was a moment of reflection; a time to focus on ways to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

— Stockholm+50 brought together member states, the UN and a broad set of stakeholders to discuss solutions to issues of crucial global significance.

— Stockholm+50 provides new ideas, new models of engagement and new possibilities for strengthening environmental governance.

— Stockholm+50 was a unique moment when the global community, including youth and other groups, came together in determination to call for intergenerational responsibility and equity, and for systemic shifts in our economy towards achieving a healthy planet for all.

Conclusion:

You may end your answer by some general yet impactful statements. For example:

— World Environment Day, for over 50 years, has served as a platform for environmental activists to help common people understand and help our nature.

— In the face of these environmental disasters, World Environment Day stands as a mouthpiece for several environmentalists. It is a day marking and reminding global citizens of the continuous negative impact of global warming and climate change. Loss of life, property, biodiversity, and even resources are just some of the effects of climate change as a result of environmental ignorance.

(Sources: http://www.stockholm50.global, http://www.un.org, World Environment Day 2023: A glossary of terms to do with plastic pollution by Explained Desk)

Points to Ponder

UNEP

Resin identification coding system

Microplastics

Related Previous Year Questions

Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021)

Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)

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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