Question map
The term 'Digital Single Market Strategy' seen in the news refers to
Explanation
The Digital Single Market Strategy was proposed by the European Commission in 2015[1], and aims to ensure that Europe's economy, industry and society take full advantage of the new digital era[1]. The EU Commission announced the EU Digital Single Market strategy to integrate national digital markets into a single European digital market by reducing barriers to cross-border digital trade and setting shared standards[2]. This initiative is specifically an EU policy framework and has no connection to ASEAN, BRICS, or G20. The strategy was a major policy priority for the European Union during this period to create a unified digital market across all EU member states.
Sources- [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-single-market/
- [2] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2022/03/beyond-covid-19_2d40ce8a/4f42c27a-en.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a 'Term in News' question that rewards static conceptual clarity over rote current affairs. While the specific strategy was in the news, the phrase 'Single Market' is the unique trademark of the European Union. If you knew the EU's economic structure, you didn't need to read the specific news article.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly names the strategy as aimed at Europe and links it to the EU project for a digital Europe.
- States the strategy was proposed by the European Commission, tying the term to the EU institutional context.
- Cites European Commission (2017) publications titled 'Shaping the Digital Single Market' and other 2017 EU initiatives.
- Shows the term is used in EC documents from 2017, linking it to the European Union.
- Refers to the 'EU Digital Single Market strategy' and notes it was announced by the EU Commission.
- Places the strategy within EU policy to integrate national digital markets into a single European digital market.
Explicitly describes the European Union as an entity established with a 'single market' and mentions events in 2017 (Brexit), linking the EU to the single-market concept.
A student could connect the EU's long-standing 'single market' vocabulary to the phrase 'Digital Single Market' and check EU policy documents from 2017 for that exact term.
Explains the concept of regional trade blocs and their creation of single-market–type arrangements to encourage intra-regional trade.
A student could infer that a 'Digital Single Market' is a sectoral application of the single-market idea and look among major regional blocs (e.g., EU) known for single-market integration.
Contains questions and prompts about the formation and influence of the European Union, reinforcing the EU as a prominent regional organisation associated with single-market concepts.
Use this to prioritize the EU as the likely referent and then consult EU policy archives from 2017 for a 'Digital Single Market Strategy.'
Describes a UN-based initiative promoting digital payment transition, showing that international organisations use 'digital' terminology for cross-border policy initiatives.
A student could contrast UN/international digital initiatives with regional 'single market' initiatives to narrow the term to a regional bloc (like the EU) rather than a UN programme.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter (Logic-based) / Moderate (Fact-based). Source: The Hindu/Indian Express International Page (2015-2017 coverage of EU reforms).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Regional Economic Integration. Understanding the hierarchy: Free Trade Area → Customs Union → Common Market (Single Market) → Economic Union.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: EU (Schengen, Eurozone, GDPR, Maastricht Treaty); ASEAN (RCEP, ASEAN Economic Community); G20 (Osaka Track on Data Free Flow with Trust); Digital (Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, Christchurch Call).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Decode the vocabulary. International bodies have specific lexicons. 'Single Market' is almost exclusively EU. 'Consensus' is ASEAN. 'Development' is often BRICS. Don't just memorize the term; look at the nouns used.
The references state the creation of the European Union with a 'single market' (EU formation and single market concept).
High-yield: UPSC often asks about regional integration models and the EU single market as a template for economic integration. Mastering this helps answer questions on trade liberalization, regulatory harmonization, and policy initiatives within regional blocs. It connects to topics on supranational institutions, common markets, and cross-border policy frameworks.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > European Union Flag - Euro Currency > p. 258
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > South Korea > p. 28
References describe why regional trade blocs form—removing tariffs, encouraging intra-regional trade, and responding to global organisation limits.
High-yield: Understanding motives and effects of trade blocs is repeatedly tested (e.g., trade patterns, tariff regimes, trade creation vs diversion). This concept links to WTO, bilateral vs regional arrangements, and policy questions on economic integration strategies.
- FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: International Trade > Regional Trade Blocs > p. 74
A reference notes Britain voted to exit the EU in 2017, showing major political shifts within blocs.
High-yield: Events like Brexit illustrate how domestic politics alter regional bloc membership and policy direction. Useful for questions on stability of multilateral/regional institutions, policy continuity, and geopolitical-economic consequences.
- History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 15: The World after World War II > European Union Flag - Euro Currency > p. 258
The 'Brussels Effect'. This is the sibling concept where EU regulations (like the Digital Single Market or GDPR) end up becoming global standards because multinational companies standardize operations. Expect a question on 'General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)' or the 'Digital Services Act (DSA)' next.
Use 'Linguistic DNA'. ASEAN uses terms like 'Community' or 'Way'. BRICS uses 'Cooperation' or 'New Development'. G20 uses 'Frameworks' or 'Tracks'. Only the EU has the legal mandate for a 'Single Market' (established by the Single European Act). If you see 'Single Market', blind-guess EU.
Mains GS-2 (Effect of policies of developed nations on India's interests) & GS-3 (Data Sovereignty). The EU's Digital Single Market pushes for strict data privacy, which directly influenced India's own Data Protection Bill debates.