Mains Practice Questions for the Day
Q. Data centres are critical for India’s digital economy, but their expansion raises concerns over resource use and environmental governance. Discuss.
(GS Paper III – Digital Economy / Infrastructure / Environment)
Introduction:
Data centres are becoming the backbone of India’s digital economy, supporting cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital payments, e-governance, data localisation and cybersecurity. However, recent opposition to mega data centre projects in Visakhapatnam and Thane shows that digital infrastructure also has a large physical footprint in terms of land, water, electricity and environmental impact.
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Importance of Data Centres
1. Digital sovereignty:
Domestic data centres help store and process Indian users’ data within the country, reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure.
2. AI and cloud economy:
AI models, enterprise cloud services, UPI transactions, e-commerce and digital governance require high-capacity computing infrastructure.
3. Investment and infrastructure growth:
Large data centre projects can attract foreign investment, improve digital connectivity and support India’s ambition to become a global technology hub.
4. Strategic relevance:
Secure domestic data infrastructure is important for financial services, government records, defence-linked systems and critical digital platforms.
Concerns Associated with Expansion
1. Water stress:
Data centres require cooling systems. In water-stressed cities, this may compete with drinking water and municipal needs.
2. Energy pressure:
Mega and AI data centres need continuous electricity. Large power demand can strain local grids and increase dependence on fossil fuels if renewable sourcing is weak.
3. Environmental impact:
Construction, diesel generators, cooling systems, noise and emissions may affect nearby residential areas, reservoirs and ecologically sensitive zones.
4. Limited local benefits:
Data centres are capital-intensive but generate fewer permanent jobs after construction, creating concerns over unequal cost-benefit sharing.
5. Weak transparency:
Unclear data on water use, power demand, emissions and public consultation can reduce trust among local communities.
Way Forward
India needs a sustainable data centre governance framework. Project approvals should require verified disclosure of water, power, cooling technology and emissions. Data centres must use treated wastewater, closed-loop cooling, rainwater harvesting, renewable energy and battery-based backup. Site selection should avoid water-stressed, densely populated and ecologically sensitive areas. Public consultation, real-time monitoring and local benefit-sharing must be made mandatory.
Conclusion:
Data centres are essential for India’s digital future, but they must be treated as resource-intensive infrastructure, not merely technology investment. India’s data centre growth should be guided by digital sovereignty, ecological sustainability and local accountability.
Q. Flash floods in India are not merely natural disasters but outcomes of climatic extremes interacting with human vulnerability. Discuss.
(GS Paper III – Disaster Management)
Introduction:
Flash floods are sudden floods that occur within a short period after intense rainfall or sudden water release. In India, they are increasingly reported in the Himalayas, Brahmaputra basin, west coast, Central India and urban areas. Recent Assam floods show that flash floods must be understood not only as natural events but as disasters shaped by climate change, fragile terrain and human vulnerability.
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Climatic and Natural Drivers
1. Extreme rainfall:
Short-duration intense rainfall can produce rapid surface runoff, especially when soil is already saturated.
2. Climate change:
A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. This increases the intensity of precipitation and raises the risk of flash floods.
3. Himalayan geomorphology:
Steep slopes, narrow valleys, high relief and fragile rocks accelerate runoff and debris flow.
4. Glacial lake risks:
In Himalayan regions, melting glaciers are expanding glacial lakes. Sudden overflow or breach can trigger destructive floods.
Human Vulnerability Factors
1. Poor land-use planning:
Construction on floodplains, riverbeds and unstable slopes increases exposure to sudden flooding.
2. Deforestation and slope disturbance:
Loss of vegetation reduces soil stability and increases erosion, landslides and runoff.
3. Weak drainage infrastructure:
Urban areas with concrete surfaces and inadequate drains face rapid waterlogging and flash floods.
4. Inadequate early warning:
Sparse weather stations, limited real-time data and poor last-mile communication reduce preparedness.
Way Forward
India must shift from a relief-centric approach to risk-informed disaster management. This requires more Automatic Weather Stations, satellite-based monitoring, Doppler radars, updated hazard maps and community-based early warning systems. Land-use regulation should prevent construction in high-risk zones. Natural buffers such as wetlands, forests, mangroves and drainage channels must be restored. Infrastructure should be designed for future climate risks.
Conclusion:
Flash floods are triggered by climatic extremes, but their destructive impact is magnified by unsafe development and weak preparedness. India needs climate-resilient infrastructure, scientific forecasting and accountable land-use planning to reduce future losses.
