UPSC CARE Mains Practice 11th December 2025
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- India–US rice trade is shaped more by political signalling than economic reality.” Analyse in the context of recent U.S. allegations of dumping and proposed tariff actions by President Trump.
- GEO-7 warns that the world is approaching irreversible ecological tipping points. Discuss the major impacts of environmental degradation highlighted in the report and outline the transformative actions required to avert global environmental collapse.
1Q. India–US rice trade is shaped more by political signalling than economic reality.” Analyse in the context of recent U.S. allegations of dumping and proposed tariff actions by President Trump.
Introduction:
Recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump accusing India of “dumping” rice in the American market have revived debates on agricultural trade fairness. However, trade data shows no evidence of price undercutting or market distortion by India, indicating that the issue is largely political rather than economic.
Body
India exports premium, high-value basmati rice to the U.S., not low-value subsidised rice. These imports are priced between $690–$1,125/tonne, higher than U.S. long-grain rice ($560–$675/tonne), contradicting any claim of dumping.
Moreover, the U.S. is a minor destination for Indian rice:
- Basmati to U.S.: 2.74 lakh tonnes (4.5%)
- Non-basmati to U.S.: 0.61 lakh tonnes (0.4%)
Total Indian shipments to the U.S. constitute only 1–2% of India’s exports.
The U.S., paradoxically, exports more rice (3 million tonnes) than it imports (1.6 million tonnes), indicating no threat to its domestic producers.
The tariff threat aligns more with domestic political signalling—appealing to farm constituencies and strengthening U.S. negotiating leverage—than with any actual trade distortion. Economically, tariffs would have negligible impact on India but raise retail prices for U.S. consumers.
Conclusion:
India–U.S. rice trade does not exhibit dumping characteristics. The U.S. allegation and tariff rhetoric stem from political considerations rather than economic harm. India’s export structure, dominated by West Asia and Africa, ensures minimal vulnerability to such unilateral actions.
2Q. GEO-7 warns that the world is approaching irreversible ecological tipping points. Discuss the major impacts of environmental degradation highlighted in the report and outline the transformative actions required to avert global environmental collapse.
(GS Paper 3 – Environment, Pollution, Conservation, Climate Change)
Introduction:
The Global Environment Outlook 2025 (GEO-7), released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), presents a comprehensive assessment of the planet’s ecological health. It warns that current trajectories of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and land degradation could push the Earth beyond irreversible tipping points in the coming decades.
Body
Major Impacts of Environmental Degradation (as per GEO-7)
1. Crossing Critical Tipping Points
- Global temperatures likely to breach 1.5°C by early 2030s and 2°C by 2040s, risking irreversible ecosystem collapse.
- Increased frequency of extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and species extinction.
2. Economic Breakdown
- Climate-related losses averaging USD 143 billion annually.
- Projected 4% decline in global GDP by 2050 and 20% by 2100, heightening unemployment, inequality, and poverty.
3. Loss of Fertile Land
- Annual degradation of land equivalent to the size of Colombia or Ethiopia.
- Threats to food security, water availability, and livelihood sustainability.
4. Decline in Nutrition
- Expected 3.4% drop in per-capita food availability by 2050.
- Increased risk of undernutrition, famine, and social instability.
Transformative Actions Required
1. Economic and Financial Reforms
- Adoption of inclusive wealth metrics and accurate pricing of environmental externalities.
- Mobilising USD 8 trillion annually towards climate and biodiversity goals.
2. Materials & Waste Transition
- Shift to circular economy, regenerative production, and traceable value chains.
3. Energy Transition
- Deep decarbonisation, sustainable critical mineral sourcing, and efficiency improvements across sectors.
4. Food Systems Transformation
- Sustainable diets, reduced food waste, and circular agricultural practices.
- Potential to lift 200 million out of undernutrition and 100 million from extreme poverty.
5. Nature-Based Solutions & Ecosystem Restoration
- Large-scale restoration of forests, wetlands, mangroves, and degraded landscapes.
- Integrating NbS into national adaptation and disaster-risk strategies.
Conclusion:
GEO-7 emphasises that while environmental degradation poses grave risks to global stability, coordinated multi-sectoral reforms can unlock USD 20 trillion annually by 2070. Transformative action across economic, energy, food, and environmental systems is essential to avert ecological collapse and secure a sustainable future.
