GS1GS1

[Context/overlap page - partial answer visible]

Introduction

Discussion of negative impacts of declining Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and demographic shifts

13 words

Main Body

Negative impacts: Demographic dividend turning into untold burden with working population decline; High dependency ratio necessitating increased expenditure on pensions and old age homes; Increased burden on state to finance consumption expenditure in longer run; Economic potential limited with retirement at 60.

Way forward includes: Incentives to increase TFR as announced by AP CM; Leverage the silver economy with robust policies for old-age professionals; Ensure political reconciliation for states through equitable definition.

Factors Behind Increasing Water Crisis:

Skewed agriculture cropping patterns (e.g., Paddy, wheat accounting for 75% of all grains with 1100+/kg water usage)

Increased irrigation dependence and electricity subsidy (e.g., 63% of time between 2007-17)

Increasing urbanization leading to cross and over usage of water resources (e.g., 30% of water resources are over-stressed in India)

Regional disparities enhancing water stress (e.g., seasonal mines in Peninsular and topography in Rajasthan)

Encroachment and illegal constructions preventing recharge of groundwater (e.g., drainage issue of Delhi)

Climate change induced monsoon variations (e.g., El Niño - Drought)

Socio-Economic Impact of Water Crisis:

Impact on sanitation and hygiene, especially for women (could lead to reproductive/menstrual health imbalance)

Impact on productivity of crops and resultant food security (water guzzling crops are the mainstay)

Slums and JT clusters could become hub of new pandemics

Additional Socio-Economic Impacts:

Water-dependent industries such as leather, textiles could face economic downturn

Remedial Measures for Water Crisis:

River-interlinking to ensure supply to arid regions (e.g., NALP; Ken-Betwa project)

Recharge of groundwater aquifer via removal of slums and encroachments

Incentivizing water-efficient crops and rationalizing subsidies (e.g., Nari Millet Mission)

Increased awareness

Water-dependent industries such as leather, textiles could face economic downturn.

Remedial Measures for Water Crisis:

River-interlinking to ensure supply to arid regions (e.g., NALP; Ken-Betwa project)

Recharge of groundwater aquifer via removal of slums and encroachments

Incentivizing water-efficient crops and rationalizing subsidies (e.g., Nari Millet Mission)

Increased awareness

324 words5 paragraphs18 bullet points

Conclusion

Thus, the rising water stress has to be tackled with a whole-of-govt and society approach for, 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

20 words

Structured discussion of negative impacts
Mentions both problems and way forward
References contemporary policy announcement

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Page 34

Topper

Amrit Mahapatra

AIR 121

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Indian Society

Population & Poverty

Demographic dividend and fertility rates

Writing Stats

357

Total words

Paragraphs

Bullets

Formal and analytical

Tone