Q.Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (250 words, 15 marks)
How to approach: Break the explanation into logical causal factors, illustrate with a diagram/flowchart or map where relevant, and link to contemporary relevance.
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Urban flooding has emerged as a recurrent and severe crisis in India, affecting major metropolitan areas and even designated "smart cities" like Hyderabad and Pune. Studies indicate that over half of India's smart cities are highly vulnerable to flood events.
Body Analysis
Primary Causes of Urban Flooding
- Inadequate Drainage Infrastructure: Major cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai rely on century-old drainage systems that cover only a small fraction of the core urban area and are ill-equipped for heavy downpours.
- Altered Topography: Unplanned construction by developers and public agencies has flattened natural terrains and blocked natural drainage pathways, causing irreversible hydrological damage.
- Reduced Ground Seepage: The rapid expansion of concrete surfaces and non-porous building materials prevents rainwater from percolating into the ground, leading to immediate surface runoff.
- Weak Enforcement: Although regulations like Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) mandate rainwater harvesting and sustainable urban drainage systems, compliance and enforcement remain extremely weak.
Remedial Measures
- Sponge Cities: Developing urban areas designed to absorb, store, and filter rainwater.
- Green Infrastructure: Promoting green roofs and rooftop gardens to capture rain at the source.
- Floodplains Preservation: Restoring and protecting natural river floodplains and overflow zones.
- Permeable Pavements: Installing sustainable drainage systems, including permeable sidewalks and urban gardens.
- Integrated Planning: Implementing robust rainwater management plans and upgrading flood warning systems.
- Climate Resilience: Aligning urban development with climate change adaptation strategies and the Paris Agreement.
Conclusion
Recurrent urban floods are primarily a consequence of fragmented urban planning and poor coordination among municipal bodies. Addressing this requires urgent, coordinated action through public-private partnerships to build resilient urban infrastructure.
Question Specifications, Marking Rubric & Syllabus Mapping
| Examination & Year | UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2020 (Question 6) |
|---|---|
| Paper & Syllabus Topic | General Studies Paper I — Heritage, History, Society & Geography → Indian Society, Diversity & Social Empowerment |
| Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time | 15 Marks • 250 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 11–12 Minutes |
| Directive Word & Core Demand | Explain: Clarify the underlying causes, mechanisms, and significance of the phenomenon in plain, structured terms. |
| Recommended Structure Split | Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words |
| AI Practice & Evaluation Tools | Upload Handwritten Answer for 3-Min Vision AI Evaluation | Generate Custom Answer & Mind Map |
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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2020 GS1 (Indian Society)
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This 2020 GS Paper I question carries 15 marks with a 250-word limit and uses the "Explain" directive. Break the explanation into logical causal factors, illustrate with a diagram/flowchart or map where relevant, and link to contemporary relevance. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~30–35 Words • Body: ~175 Words (4–5 sub-headings + diagram/data) • Way Forward: ~35–40 Words) and aim to finish within 11–12 Minutes.
Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2020 question belong to?
This question is part of General Studies Paper I — Heritage, History, Society & Geography under the syllabus module "Indian Society, Diversity & Social Empowerment". You can explore all repeated questions from Indian Society in Acme AI's 3D PYQ Realm or filter all Indian Society PYQs on the Mains PYQ Directory.
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