QUESTION 16
GS3
12.5 marks
The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss India's earthquake risk and the gaps in preparedness and mitigation.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Risk: Himalayan plate boundary, zones II-V; Nepal 2015 earthquake as warning≈35 words
- 2Gaps: non-compliance with building codes (IS 1893), unsafe old buildings, unplanned urbanisation, weak retrofitting, low awareness, early warning and microzonation lacking≈35 words
- 3Response gaps: search and rescue capacity, hospitals, coordination≈35 words
- 4Measures: NDMA guidelines, code enforcement, retrofit schools and hospitals, drills, Sendai Framework≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Risk profileMitigation gapsResponse gapsMeasures
Where marks usually go
- Saying earthquakes are increasing without nuance (better detection)
- No zones or codes
Draw this
- Seismic zoning map of India
Value addition
- DataAbout 59% of India's landmass is prone to moderate to severe earthquakes.NDMA / BIS seismic zoning
- EventNepal earthquake (25 April 2015, magnitude 7.8) killed about 9,000 people.Government of Nepal, 2015
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 17 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Mayank Purohit · AIR 33 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 44 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 44 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 9 minutes, then get it checked.