← All questionsGS3 · 2026 · Environment ·Solid Waste Management
QUESTION 17
GS3
15 marks

What are the challenges to solid waste management in India? Discuss the governmental policy framework on solid waste management. Discuss the success/failure cases of Delhi and Indore cities highlighting the salient features of their solid waste management initiatives.

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11 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Integrate system-wide SWM challenges and policy with a comparative city analysis explaining different outcomes in Delhi and Indore.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Challenges across segregation, collection, processing, landfills, finance, informal sector and governance≈50 words
  2. 2Relevant policy/rule framework and institutional responsibilities≈50 words
  3. 3Indore as a process/governance case and Delhi as a mixed/failure case with specific operational features≈50 words
  4. 4Transferable lessons across the waste-management chain≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Challenge chainPolicy frameworkIndore caseDelhi caseComparative lessons

Where marks usually go

  • Using cleanliness rankings as a substitute for waste-flow analysis
  • Reducing Delhi to landfill fires without institutional/processing analysis

Value addition

  • City comparison table: segregation/collection/processing/landfill/governance
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.