UPSC Mains 2015 GS1 Q16 — Water Resource Scarcity
India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity. (Answer in not more than 200 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Critically examine
- Scope keywords
- Indiawell endowedfresh water resourcessuffers from water scarcity
- Implicit sub-parts
- Briefly validate India's water endowment (rivers, monsoons, groundwater) to establish the paradox.
- Analyze the structural and management failures leading to scarcity (The 'Why').
- Examine the spatial and temporal variations in water availability.
- Discuss the 'Critical' aspect—why existing solutions or nature's bounty are failing to meet demand.
- Common pitfalls
- Spending too many words listing names of rivers and lakes instead of focusing on the scarcity paradox.
- Failing to differentiate between physical water scarcity (lack of water) and economic water scarcity (poor management/infrastructure).
- Ignoring the 'Critically' part by only listing problems without mentioning climate change impacts or policy inefficiencies.
- Treating water scarcity as a purely rural/agricultural issue while ignoring the massive urban water crisis (Day Zero scenarios).
- Dimensions required
- Geographical (Temporal/Spatial distribution)Economic (Inefficient irrigation, pricing)Sociopolitical (Inter-state disputes, accessibility)Environmental (Pollution, groundwater depletion)Policy/Institutional (Management failures)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend 25-30 words establishing the 'well endowed' premise. Dedicate the bulk (130-140 words) to the critical examination of scarcity causes, balanced between natural/spatial factors and man-made/management failures. Use the final 30 words for a forward-looking conclusion on sustainable water governance.
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