Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice
1 October 2026 • Current Affairs + Authentic UPSC Mains PYQ
Official Source: PIB – National Coastal Mission 2.0
Model Answer
Introduction
India's nearly 7,500-km coastline supports dense settlements, ports, fisheries, tourism and ecologically valuable mangroves, wetlands and coral systems. Yet sea-level rise, cyclones, erosion, pollution and livelihood pressures make coastal management a development as well as an environmental challenge. National Coastal Mission 2.0 therefore requires an integrated resilience framework rather than isolated conservation projects.
Why an Integrated Coastal Approach is Necessary
- Ecosystem-based protection: Mangroves, dunes, wetlands and coral ecosystems act as natural buffers against storm surges, erosion and extreme-weather impacts.
- Climate adaptation: Sea-level rise, coastal flooding and increasingly intense cyclones require vulnerability mapping, resilient infrastructure and anticipatory planning.
- Livelihood security: Fishing communities, salt workers, tourism workers and small coastal enterprises depend directly on healthy marine and coastal ecosystems.
- Blue Economy: Fisheries, ports, tourism, offshore renewable energy and marine services can generate growth only when resource use remains ecologically sustainable.
- Pollution management: Plastics, untreated sewage, industrial discharge and marine litter undermine both biodiversity and coastal economic productivity.
- Disaster-risk reduction: Healthy coastal ecosystems complement engineered infrastructure and reduce the vulnerability of settlements to cyclones and storm surges.
Key Challenges
- Fragmented jurisdiction among environment, fisheries, urban, port and disaster-management authorities.
- Tension between infrastructure expansion and Coastal Regulation Zone safeguards.
- Weak local-level ecological data and uneven monitoring capacity.
- Inadequate participation of traditional coastal communities in planning.
- Climate risks that extend beyond administrative and State boundaries.
Way Forward
- Prepare district-level coastal vulnerability and ecosystem-service maps.
- Promote nature-based solutions such as mangrove and wetland restoration.
- Integrate coastal-zone planning with disaster-management and climate-action plans.
- Develop sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism and livelihood diversification for local communities.
- Strengthen real-time monitoring using satellites, GIS, ocean data and community-based observations.
- Adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-community model of coastal governance.
Conclusion
Coastal resilience should be understood as the capacity of ecosystems, communities and economic systems to absorb shocks while continuing to generate livelihoods and ecological services. National Coastal Mission 2.0 can become a bridge between climate adaptation and the Blue Economy if conservation, development and community participation are pursued together.
Framework: Healthy Ecosystems → Lower Climate Risk → Secure Livelihoods → Sustainable Blue Economy
Keywords: ecosystem-based adaptation, coastal vulnerability, Blue Economy, nature-based solutions, climate resilience, community participation.
Official Reference: UPSC Previous Question Papers Archive
Model Answer
Introduction
The 74th Constitutional Amendment gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies and envisaged democratic decentralisation through the devolution of functions listed in the Twelfth Schedule. However, constitutional recognition has not translated uniformly into effective urban autonomy.
Why States Remain Reluctant
- Incomplete functional devolution: Key responsibilities such as planning, water, transport and development often remain with State departments or parastatal agencies.
- Weak fiscal autonomy: ULBs depend heavily on State and Central transfers because their own revenue bases and taxation powers remain limited.
- Poor property-tax mobilisation: Outdated valuation, exemptions and weak collection constrain the most important municipal own-source revenue.
- Limited control over functionaries: Municipal bodies often lack authority over staff responsible for implementing transferred functions.
- Political centralisation: State governments may be unwilling to transfer planning authority, finances and administrative control to elected city governments.
- Weak metropolitan governance: Multiple development authorities create overlapping mandates and dilute accountability.
Way Forward
- Ensure genuine devolution of the 3Fs — Functions, Funds and Functionaries.
- Strengthen State Finance Commissions and ensure timely implementation of their recommendations.
- Modernise property taxation and enable responsible municipal borrowing.
- Empower elected mayors and councils with clearer executive authority.
- Rationalise parastatal agencies and strengthen Metropolitan Planning Committees.
Conclusion
India's urban challenges cannot be managed through centrally controlled municipalities. The constitutional promise of the 74th Amendment will become meaningful only when cities receive real authority, predictable finances and accountable administrative capacity.
Core Framework: Urban Empowerment = Functions + Funds + Functionaries + Accountability
Constitutional Anchors: 74th Amendment • Article 243W • Twelfth Schedule • State Finance Commission.
