Score:
8.5/15
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Topper’s Copy
GS3
Economy
15 marks
“The Economic Survey 2025–26 argues that India’s future growth and macroeconomic stability depend more on building manufacturing competitiveness and external resilience than on short-term macroeconomic management.”
Critically examine.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Critically examine the Economic Survey's argument about manufacturing competitiveness and external resilience.
- Compare structural reforms vs short-term macroeconomic management approaches.
- Assess how manufacturing competitiveness and external resilience contribute to growth and stability.
- Evaluate policy implications and challenges.
What you wrote:
The Economic Survey 2015-26 contends that in a fragmented global economy, India's durable growth and macro-stability will come less from short-term demand management and more from strong manufacturing and external resilience.
[DIAGRAM:
A box titled "From Structure to Stability".
Inside the box, on the left, it says "Manufacturing Scale + External Resilience". An arrow points from this to "Higher Exports", which then has an arrow pointing to "Lower Import Dependence". Another arrow points from "Higher Exports" to a list on the right containing "Productivity", "Jobs", and "Forex Strength". A downward arrow points from this list to a box at the bottom that says "Long-term Macro Stability".
]
The Economic Survey 2015-26 contends that in a fragmented global economy, India's durable growth and macro-stability will come less from short-term demand management and more from strong manufacturing and external resilience.
[DIAGRAM:
A box titled "From Structure to Stability".
Inside the box, on the left, it says "Manufacturing Scale + External Resilience". An arrow points from this to "Higher Exports", which then has an arrow pointing to "Lower Import Dependence". Another arrow points from "Higher Exports" to a list on the right containing "Productivity", "Jobs", and "Forex Strength". A downward arrow points from this list to a box at the bottom that says "Long-term Macro Stability".
]
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by defining key terms like "external resilience" (ability to withstand global economic shocks through diversified trade, forex reserves, and supply chain security) to establish clearer analytical foundation.
What you wrote:
Reasons for Shift in Emphasis
1) limits of short-term tools (fiscal/monetary stimulus) for structural jobs.
2) Geoeconomic shocks (supply chain breaks, sanctions, tech controls).
3) Need to reduce import dependence (electronics, energy, critical inputs).
4) Opportunity from China+1/friend-shoring.
Reasons for Shift in Emphasis
1) limits of short-term tools (fiscal/monetary stimulus) for structural jobs.
2) Geoeconomic shocks (supply chain breaks, sanctions, tech controls).
3) Need to reduce import dependence (electronics, energy, critical inputs).
4) Opportunity from China+1/friend-shoring.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could quantify fiscal constraints (e.g., fiscal deficit at 5.9% of GDP limiting stimulus space and how monetary policy transmission remains weak in informal sectors)
- Could cite specific geoeconomic disruptions (e.g., semiconductor shortage costing India $10 billion in electronics production or Russia-Ukraine impact on fertilizer imports)
What you wrote:
Policy Pillars for Manufacturing competitiveness
1) Logistics reforms: PM Gati Shakti, Port-rail connectivity, lower costs.
2) Skilling, R&D, startups to move up the value chain.
3) PLI & Semiconductor Mission for Scale and technology depth.
4) Ease of doing business and standards alignment for GVC entry.
Policy Pillars for Manufacturing competitiveness
1) Logistics reforms: PM Gati Shakti, Port-rail connectivity, lower costs.
2) Skilling, R&D, startups to move up the value chain.
3) PLI & Semiconductor Mission for Scale and technology depth.
4) Ease of doing business and standards alignment for GVC entry.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add PLI performance data (e.g., PLI schemes attracting ₹8 lakh crore investments across 14 sectors with specific focus on mobile manufacturing success)
- Could discuss competitiveness metrics (e.g., India's manufacturing competitiveness ranking and logistics performance index improvements needed to compete with Vietnam/Bangladesh)
What you wrote:
Building External Resilience
1) Critical minerals, energy transition partnerships.
2) Export diversification & FTA's (UAE, Australia, EU talks).
3) Digital Public Infrastructure as a services export lever.
4) Rupee trade, forex buffers, prudent external debt profile.
Building External Resilience
1) Critical minerals, energy transition partnerships.
2) Export diversification & FTA's (UAE, Australia, EU talks).
3) Digital Public Infrastructure as a services export lever.
4) Rupee trade, forex buffers, prudent external debt profile.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could analyze current vulnerabilities (e.g., crude oil imports at 85% of consumption, electronics trade deficit of $87 billion highlighting import dependence risks)
- Could discuss forex buffer adequacy (e.g., current reserves covering 11 months of imports vs optimal levels for external stability)
What you wrote:
Critical Examination
Strengths
1) Reduces vulnerability to external shocks.
2) Positions India as a reliable GVC node.
3) Creates jobs, raises productivity, improves trade balance.
Concerns
1) Global demand slowdown may limit export-led gains.
2) Risk of industrial policy misallocation and fiscal burden.
3) Manufacturing push must avoid protectionism & ensure MSME inclusion.
Critical Examination
Strengths
1) Reduces vulnerability to external shocks.
2) Positions India as a reliable GVC node.
3) Creates jobs, raises productivity, improves trade balance.
Concerns
1) Global demand slowdown may limit export-led gains.
2) Risk of industrial policy misallocation and fiscal burden.
3) Manufacturing push must avoid protectionism & ensure MSME inclusion.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could compare historical evidence (e.g., how East Asian economies balanced short-term stability with long-term structural transformation during their growth phases)
- Could discuss transition challenges (e.g., managing employment disruption during manufacturing transition and coordinating fiscal-monetary policy during structural shifts)
What you wrote:
The Survey rightly prioritises structural competitiveness over cyclical management. Success, however, hinges on efficient execution, openness & complementary reforms across sectors to translate strategy into sustained stability.
The Survey rightly prioritises structural competitiveness over cyclical management. Success, however, hinges on efficient execution, openness & complementary reforms across sectors to translate strategy into sustained stability.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by linking to specific policy frameworks (e.g., National Manufacturing Policy 2025 targets and Atmanirbhar Bharat roadmap for achieving this structural transformation) and mention global best practices for reference.
Excellent structural organization with good use of visual representation and comprehensive policy coverage. The answer demonstrates strong conceptual grasp but needs more quantitative backing and deeper critical analysis comparing both approaches for enhanced analytical depth.
Demand of the Question
- Critically examine the Economic Survey's argument about manufacturing competitiveness and external resilience.
- Compare structural reforms vs short-term macroeconomic management approaches.
- Assess how manufacturing competitiveness and external resilience contribute to growth and stability.
- Evaluate policy implications and challenges.
What you wrote:
The Economic Survey 2015-26 contends that in a fragmented global economy, India's durable growth and macro-stability will come less from short-term demand management and more from strong manufacturing and external resilience.
[DIAGRAM:
A box titled "From Structure to Stability".
Inside the box, on the left, it says "Manufacturing Scale + External Resilience". An arrow points from this to "Higher Exports", which then has an arrow pointing to "Lower Import Dependence". Another arrow points from "Higher Exports" to a list on the right containing "Productivity", "Jobs", and "Forex Strength". A downward arrow points from this list to a box at the bottom that says "Long-term Macro Stability".
]
The Economic Survey 2015-26 contends that in a fragmented global economy, India's durable growth and macro-stability will come less from short-term demand management and more from strong manufacturing and external resilience.
[DIAGRAM:
A box titled "From Structure to Stability".
Inside the box, on the left, it says "Manufacturing Scale + External Resilience". An arrow points from this to "Higher Exports", which then has an arrow pointing to "Lower Import Dependence". Another arrow points from "Higher Exports" to a list on the right containing "Productivity", "Jobs", and "Forex Strength". A downward arrow points from this list to a box at the bottom that says "Long-term Macro Stability".
]
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by defining key terms like "external resilience" (ability to withstand global economic shocks through diversified trade, forex reserves, and supply chain security) to establish clearer analytical foundation.
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