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UPSC Mains 2022 · GS Paper I · Q20

UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 1 Q20: model answer

Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India.

15 marks250 wordsDirective: Elucidate

What the question wants

Explain how globalisation and new technology shape each other when resources are scarce, focusing on India.

How to structure it

Elucidate the relationship: show the two-way links, then the resource angle.

  1. How globalisation spreads technology
  2. How technology drives globalisation
  3. The scarcity constraint
  4. India's experience
  5. Way forward

How to think it through

Think of a lithium battery. Mined in Chile, refined in China, assembled in Chennai, powering a scooter in Pune. Globalisation moves the technology; technology deepens globalisation; and the whole chain depends on a scarce mineral. Draw that loop and you have answered the question.

Model answer

India imports almost all its lithium and most of its solar cells, while exporting over 250 billion dollars of software and IT services a year. Its place in the world economy is defined by technology flows and by resource scarcity at the same time.

Globalisation spreads technology

  • Foreign investment and trade bring new technology: Suzuki in the 1980s, semiconductors today (Micron in Sanand).
  • Global value chains and offshoring made India the IT back office of the world.

Technology drives globalisation

  • The internet, containers and digital payments shrink distance and cost.
  • Platforms (Amazon, Uber) and remote work integrate labour markets.

The scarcity constraint

  • Technology needs critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, rare earths) concentrated in a few countries; supply chains become geopolitical.
  • Water and energy for data centres and chip fabs; a single fab needs millions of litres of water a day.
  • Global e-waste flows, with poorer countries receiving discarded electronics.
  • Technology can also ease scarcity: drip irrigation, solar power, recycling, precision farming.

India's experience

  • Gains: IT exports, UPI exported to Singapore, UAE and France, Digital Public Infrastructure as a model for the Global South.
  • Vulnerabilities: dependence on imported chips, solar modules and minerals; e-waste.
  • Responses: National Critical Mineral Mission (2025), KABIL for overseas lithium assets, PLI schemes, India Semiconductor Mission, Mission LiFE.

Way forward

  • Diversify supply chains (Minerals Security Partnership, Quad).
  • Invest in circular economy and resource-saving technology.
  • Skill the workforce for new technology, especially AI, chip design and green energy.
  • Use India's G20 and Global South role to shape fair rules for technology transfer.

The relationship is circular: globalisation spreads technology, technology deepens globalisation, and scarcity decides who gains. India can turn the cycle in its favour by owning technology rather than only consuming it.

Draw: A loop: globalisation → technology → globalisation, with 'scarce resources' as the ground it stands on.

Keywords, cases and data to drop in

Global value chains, critical minerals, KABIL, India Semiconductor Mission, PLI, UPI, DPI, Mission LiFE, circular economy.

Where most answers lose marks

  • Writing two separate essays on globalisation and technology without the resource link.

Learn the concept

ExplainerGlobalisation and Indian Society: Meaning, the 1991 Reforms, Economic, Social and Cultural Effects (UPSC Notes)

Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.

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