UPSC CARE Mains Practice 6th March 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- India’s strategy of combining import substitution with export diversification is reshaping its position in the global economy. Discuss the role of government policies and sectoral initiatives in strengthening India’s manufacturing capabilities and export resilience.
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, healthcare systems and rural livelihoods.” In the light of the theme of World Wildlife Day 2026, discuss the significance of conserving medicinal plants in India.
Q. India’s strategy of combining import substitution with export diversification is reshaping its position in the global economy. Discuss the role of government policies and sectoral initiatives in strengthening India’s manufacturing capabilities and export resilience.
Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Development; GS Paper II – Traditional Knowledge Systems
Introduction:
India’s economic strategy in the post-pandemic era focuses on Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) while simultaneously integrating with global markets. Through policy reforms, industrial incentives, and export promotion measures, India is strengthening domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependence, and expanding exports.
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Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing Capabilities
- Policy-driven manufacturing expansion
- Initiatives such as Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes promote domestic manufacturing in sectors like electronics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and defence.
- Budget 2026-27 emphasises strategic manufacturing through initiatives like India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, Biopharma SHAKTI, Rare Earth Corridors, and Chemical Parks.
- Electronics manufacturing success
- Electronics production increased from ₹1.9 lakh crore (2014-15) to ₹11.3 lakh crore (2024-25).
- India is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer.
- Schemes such as Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) and semiconductor initiatives aim to integrate India into global value chains (GVCs).
- Automobile sector growth
- India is the largest market for two-wheelers and three-wheelers and the third-largest vehicle market globally.
- Schemes like PLI-Auto and PM E-DRIVE promote electric mobility and advanced automotive technologies.
- Pharmaceutical and defence self-reliance
- India is known as the “Pharmacy of the World”, ranking 3rd globally in pharmaceutical production by volume.
- Defence manufacturing increased from ₹46,429 crore (2014-15) to ₹1.54 lakh crore (2024-25), with growing private sector and MSME participation.
Strengthening Export Resilience
- Export diversification
- India’s cumulative exports reached USD 720.76 billion (Apr–Jan 2025-26).
- Services exports reached USD 354.13 billion, driven by IT services and Global Capability Centres.
- Trade partnerships and FTAs
- India has concluded nine Free Trade Agreements covering 38 countries, expanding access to nearly 70% of global GDP.
- Institutional support for exporters
- The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) improves trade finance, logistics, compliance, and market access.
- Measures such as export factoring, e-commerce export credit, and logistics support benefit MSMEs and first-time exporters.
Conclusion:
India’s economic strategy demonstrates that import substitution and export expansion can be mutually reinforcing. By building domestic manufacturing capacity while diversifying exports and trade partnerships, India is positioning itself as a global manufacturing hub and resilient trading power, supporting the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Q. “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, healthcare systems and rural livelihoods.” In the light of the theme of World Wildlife Day 2026, discuss the significance of conserving medicinal plants in India.
Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Development; GS Paper II – Traditional Knowledge Systems
Introduction:
World Wildlife Day is observed on 3 March to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The theme for **World Wildlife Day 2026 — “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods” — highlights the importance of plant resources in healthcare, biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods. For India, which is one of the 17 mega-biodiversity countries, the conservation of medicinal plants is particularly significant.
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Significance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India
1. Biodiversity Conservation
India hosts about 45,000 plant species, of which nearly 15,000 are medicinal plants and about 8,000 are used in traditional medicine. These plants are largely found in biodiversity hotspots such as the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Himalayas and Aravalli ranges, making their conservation essential for ecological stability.
2. Healthcare and Traditional Knowledge
Medicinal plants form the backbone of traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Globally, 70–95% of people in developing countries depend on traditional medicine, much of which is plant-based.
3. Livelihood and Economic Importance
According to the study “Medicinal Plants in India: An Assessment of their Demand and Supply”, annual domestic demand for medicinal plants was about 5,12,000 metric tonnes, involving 1,178 traded species. The sector provides livelihoods to farmers, tribal communities and forest dwellers.
4. Government Conservation Initiatives
India has adopted both in-situ conservation (Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas) and ex-situ conservation through seed banks like the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR). Schemes such as National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), National Ayush Mission, MIDH and e-CHARAK platform promote conservation, cultivation and marketing.
Way Forward
Sustainable harvesting, community participation, improved cultivation practices and stronger value chains are necessary. Promoting GI tagging, scientific research and international cooperation can also enhance conservation and economic benefits.
Conclusion:
Conserving medicinal and aromatic plants is essential not only for protecting biodiversity but also for sustaining healthcare systems and rural livelihoods. Strengthening conservation efforts will help India preserve its rich traditional knowledge while contributing to global biodiversity goals.
