In your answer, it is not necessary to include all points mentioned here. Students are advised to select and organize relevant content based on the provided editorial and the allocated word limit.

Answer Length Guide:

150 words – 10 marker
200–225 words – 15 marker
300 words – 20 marker
350 words – 25 marker
Essay-type answers – 1000 to 1200 words

Introduction (Sets the context with a striking fact and three sentences to outline the issue, highlight developments, and state significance, ensuring clarity and relevance for high marks.)
Global plastic treaty negotiations (INC-5.2, Geneva, 2025) adjourned without consensus, reflecting persistent divides on production cuts. With 460 million tonnes of plastic produced annually, 22% becoming mismanaged waste, the crisis strains ecosystems and health. India’s 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste, with 30% recycled, underscores global challenges. A robust treaty is vital for sustainable development.

Keywords / Important Terms (Using technical terms catches the evaluator’s eye, demonstrating precise knowledge and alignment with UPSC’s analytical expectations for top scores.)

Plastic Pollution: Non-biodegradable waste harming ecosystems.
Microplastics: Tiny particles in food chains, risking health.
Single-Use Plastics: Short-life products, e.g., bags, banned in India.
Mismanaged Waste: Uncollected or improperly disposed plastic (22% globally).
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers’ accountability for waste management.
Circular Economy: System to reuse and recycle materials sustainably.

Flowchart (Visualizes complex dynamics, enhancing conceptual clarity, which impresses evaluators by showing structured thinking.)
Purpose: To map the plastic pollution treaty impasse.

Triggers: Rising production (460 MT annually); stalled INC-5.2 talks.
Linkages: Production cut disputes → weak waste management; microplastics → health risks.
Outcomes: Ongoing pollution, delayed treaty, need for resumed talks.

Core Issues / Root Causes (Elaborating systemic causes with specific examples showcases depth, addressing UPSC’s demand for analytical rigor and structured arguments.)

Divergent Interests: Over 100 nations support production cuts (e.g., Panama’s 40% by 2040), while petrostates (e.g., Saudi Arabia) prioritize waste management, stalling INC-5.2.
Weak Waste Systems: Globally, 46% of plastic is landfilled, 22% mismanaged; India recycles 30% of 3.5 MT waste due to informal sector gaps.
Consumer Behavior: Reliance on single-use plastics drives demand, undermining bans.
Industry Resistance: Petrochemical lobbies block production caps, citing economic impacts.

Impact Analysis (Analyzing multidimensional impacts with data or examples demonstrates comprehensive understanding, earning higher marks for nuanced evaluation.)

Environmental: 19–23 MT of plastic pollute aquatic ecosystems yearly, harming marine life.
Health: Microplastics in food chains threaten human health (e.g., detected in seafood).
Economic: India’s waste management costs rise with 9.7% CAGR in plastic use (2016–20).
Social: Island nations face disproportionate waste burdens, impacting livelihoods.

Government Schemes / Policy Interventions (Linking specific schemes to the issue with evaluations shows policy awareness, a key UPSC scoring criterion.)

India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules (2022): Bans 19 single-use plastics, enforces EPR, but informal sector limits compliance.
Rwanda’s Plastic Ban (2008): Eliminated plastic bags, reducing litter effectively.
EU’s Circular Economy Plan: Targets 39.7% plastic recycling, yet faces rising waste.

Way Forward / Solutions (Proposing feasible, detailed solutions with global references reflects forward-thinking, a trait UPSC rewards in high-scoring answers.)

Global Treaty Consensus: Resume INC talks with voting mechanisms, as suggested by NGOs, to overcome petrostates’ resistance.
Strengthen EPR: Enforce India’s EPR with penalties, mirroring Chile’s 100% recyclable target.
Technology Transfer: Support developing nations, as India advocates, to boost recycling (e.g., Germany’s 38% material recycling).
Public Awareness: Scale campaigns like Australia’s, reducing beach litter by 30%.

Ethical Dimensions (Highlighting GS Paper IV-relevant ethical aspects with clear links to the issue adds depth, appealing to UPSC’s emphasis on ethics.)

Environmental Justice: Unequal waste burdens on island nations demand equitable action.
Accountability: Producers must face stricter EPR to address pollution’s harm.
Sustainability: Prioritizing economic gains over ecology violates long-term ethics.

Conclusion (A concise, optimistic conclusion summarizing key points and reiterating significance leaves a strong impression on evaluators.)

The stalled plastic treaty talks highlight global divides, exacerbating pollution. India’s policies show progress but need enforcement. Resumed talks and circular economy solutions can ensure a sustainable future.

Past Questions (UPSC Mains)

GS Paper III – Environment – 2022: “Discuss the role of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.” The editorial’s treaty focus aligns with this.
GS Paper IV – Ethics – 2020: “Examine ethical dimensions of environmental governance.” Justice and accountability issues are relevant.

Probable UPSC Mains Questions

GS Paper III – Environment: Analyze barriers to a global plastic pollution treaty and propose solutions.
GS Paper IV – Ethics: Discuss ethical challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Editorials