UPSC Mains 2025 GS3 Q18 — Environment, Climate change
Write a review on India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022? (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Write a reviewmentionupdated
- Scope keywords
- India's climate commitmentsParis Agreement (2015)strengthened in COP26 (2021)first Nationally Determined Contributionupdated in 2022
- Implicit sub-parts
- What were the original quantitative targets of the 2015 NDC?
- How did the Glasgow 'Panchamrit' announcements evolve from the original targets?
- What are the specific numerical and qualitative changes in the formal 2022 NDC update compared to the 2015 version?
- What is the status of India's progress in achieving these targets so far?
- Common pitfalls
- Confusing the 2021 Glasgow 'Panchamrit' announcements with the formal 2022 NDC submission (they differ in specific technical metrics like the 'Net Zero' target which isn't in the NDC).
- Failing to mention the base year (2005) for intensity reduction targets, which is crucial for technical accuracy.
- Omitting the distinction between 'conditional' and 'unconditional' targets regarding international finance and technology transfer.
- Writing a general essay on climate change instead of focusing on the specific evolution of policy numbers.
- Dimensions required
- Historical evolution (2015 to 2022)Quantitative/Statistical (targets and percentages)International Policy (COP framework)Technological and Economic (renewable energy capacity and carbon sinks)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 50-60 words to the 2015 Paris targets, 70-80 words to the COP26 Panchamrit expansion, and 100-110 words to the specific 2022 updated NDC metrics. Ensure the 2022 update is the most detailed section as it is the final part of the question and requires the most current data.
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