UPSC Mains Daily Answer Writing Practice (October 08, 2026): Model Answer & Framework

UPSC Mains Daily Answer Writing Practice (October 08, 2026): Model Answer & Framework

Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Question & Model Answer Framework (October 08, 2026)

Today's Mains Question (GS Paper 3 - 15 Marks / 250 Words)

"The proliferation of on-orbit space control weapons poses a grave threat to the concept of space as a 'global common'. In this context, analyze the strategic challenges to space security and discuss the imperative for a robust multilateral governance framework."

1. Decoding the Directive & Demand of the Question

Directive: Analyze (Break down the nature of the threat and the strategic landscape) and Discuss (Explore the necessity and components of a governance framework).

Core Components:

  • Understanding the Threat: The shift from 'space for exploration' to 'space as a war-fighting domain' via on-orbit weapons.
  • Strategic Challenges: The technical difficulty of attribution, the risk of the Kessler Syndrome, and the erosion of strategic stability.
  • The Governance Imperative: The inadequacy of current treaties (OST 1967) and the need for new norms, transparency, and confidence-building measures (TCBMs).

2. Structural Outline / Skeleton Framework

  • Introduction (30-40 words): Define space as a "Global Common" under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Contextualize with the current rise of "on-orbit space control weapons" (counter-space capabilities).
  • Body Section 1 (80-90 words): Strategic Challenges: Discuss the 'Dual-use' dilemma of technology, the threat of debris (Kessler Syndrome), and the lack of a legal definition for "space weapons," making verification difficult.
  • Body Section 2 (80-90 words): Governance Imperative: Critically analyze the limitations of existing frameworks (OST 1967/Liability Convention). Argue for a shift from non-binding guidelines to legally binding norms, citing the role of BRICS/UN COPUOS in shaping consensus.
  • Way Forward & Recommendation (40-50 words): Emphasize 'Responsible Space Behavior,' the need for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sharing, and India’s 'Space Policy 2023' as a template for responsible, sustainable space utilization.
  • Conclusion (20-30 words): Reiterate that space security is indivisible from terrestrial security; a rules-based order is essential to prevent a 'Tragedy of the Commons' in the orbital domain.

3. Comprehensive Model Answer

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) enshrines space as the "province of all mankind." However, the emergence of on-orbit space control weapons—designed to track, disable, or destroy satellites—has fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape, transforming space into a contested war-fighting domain.

Strategic Challenges to Space Security:

  • The Dual-Use Dilemma: Technologies used for satellite servicing (e.g., robotic arms for debris removal) are inherently dual-use, capable of being repurposed as anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, making intent difficult to verify.
  • Kessler Syndrome: Kinetic anti-satellite tests or on-orbit conflicts generate clouds of space debris. This creates a chain reaction of collisions, potentially rendering Low Earth Orbits (LEO) unusable for generations, threatening critical infrastructure like GPS and communication networks.
  • Erosion of Strategic Stability: The lack of a clear legal distinction between "space defense" and "space aggression" lowers the threshold for conflict, increasing the risk of miscalculation between major spacefaring powers.

Imperative for Multilateral Governance:

Existing instruments, such as the 1967 OST and the 1972 Liability Convention, are insufficient as they lack explicit prohibitions on non-kinetic or on-orbit interference. A robust governance framework is required to:

  1. Establish Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs): Moving beyond voluntary guidelines (like the UN’s 2010 Guidelines) toward mandatory notification of satellite maneuvers.
  2. Define 'Responsible Behavior': Codifying norms against destructive ASAT testing, drawing from the standards advocated in the Artemis Accords and India’s proactive stance in the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
  3. Promote Multilateralism: Leveraging forums like BRICS to build consensus among emerging space powers, ensuring that space governance is not dictated solely by legacy space powers, but is inclusive and equitable.

Way Forward: India must champion a 'Code of Conduct' that prioritizes the long-term sustainability of space. By integrating indigenous Space Situational Awareness (SSA) into global data-sharing networks, India can lead the push for a verifiable, rule-based order.

Conclusion: Space is a finite resource. As we transcend the boundaries of Earth, the international community must transition from a competitive "space race" to a collaborative "space governance" model, ensuring that the orbital environment remains a safe, secure, and sustainable domain for future generations.

4. Value Addition Box (Schemes, Data & Committees)

Framework/Concept Significance
Outer Space Treaty (1967) The 'Magna Carta' of space; prohibits WMDs in orbit but leaves conventional weapons ambiguous.
Kessler Syndrome A cascade effect where debris collisions create more debris, causing a chain reaction.
India’s Space Policy 2023 Underscores India's commitment to the peaceful use of space and private sector participation.
UN COPUOS The primary forum for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

ЁЯПЫ️ Official Government & Policy Updates (PIB Gazette Connect)

Key national initiatives, Cabinet & Ministry releases aligned with GS-2 and GS-3:

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