UPSC Mains 2020 GS3 Q17 — Air pollution control
What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What
- Scope keywords
- key featuresNational Clean Air Programme (NCAP)Government of India
- Implicit sub-parts
- What are the specific quantitative targets and timelines (20-30% reduction by 2024)?
- What are the institutional mechanisms for implementation at central, state, and city levels?
- How does the program integrate cross-sectoral collaboration and public participation?
- What are the recent updates or shifts in targets (e.g., the revised 40% reduction goal by 2026)?
- Common pitfalls
- Spending too much time describing air pollution causes rather than focusing on the 'features' of the program itself.
- Failing to mention the 'City Action Plans' and the 'Non-attainment Cities' framework which are the heart of NCAP.
- Omitting the shift in base year (2017) and the updated targets announced recently, making the answer look outdated.
- Treating it as a purely technical policy while ignoring the 'Collaborative and Participatory' feature involving NGOs and academia.
- Dimensions required
- Institutional & AdministrativeTechnological (Monitoring & Data)Financial (XV Finance Commission grants)Legal & RegulatoryCollaborative/Federal
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 40-50 words to the introduction and context of Non-attainment cities. Use 150 words to detail the technical, institutional, and financial features of the NCAP. Reserve the final 50 words for recent updates (PRANA portal, revised targets) and a brief critical closing on implementation challenges to justify the 15-mark weightage.
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