This wasn't a random geography question; it was a 'China Plus One' narrative question. The examiner tested if you understand *why* manufacturing is shifting to Vietnam (low labor costs, supply chains) and if you know basic political geography (Vietnam = Communist = One Party). You didn't need a Vietnam textbook; you needed to read the business pages.
How this question is built
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements.
Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Statement 1
Has Vietnam been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in recent years?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"Since 1990, it has been among the world’s fastest growing economies, steadily narrowing the income gap with more developed parts of the world."
Why this source?
- Directly states Vietnam's growth status since 1990 as being among the world's fastest.
- Links that rapid growth to narrowing the income gap and inclusive development, indicating sustained recent performance.
"Its spec-tacular growth since then, one of the fastest in the world, has all but eliminated extreme deprivation and lifted tens of millions of people out of poverty."
Why this source?
- Explicitly describes Vietnam's growth as 'one of the fastest in the world'.
- Connects that rapid growth to major social improvements (eliminating extreme deprivation, lifting millions out of poverty), implying substantial recent economic expansion.
"labor—the country’s exports have expanded at an average of about 12 percent per year, transforming the country into one of the most open economies in the world (in terms of the ratio of trade to GDP) and creating millions of productive jobs for the fast-growing population."
Why this source?
- Provides quantitative support for rapid growth via export expansion averaging about 12% per year.
- Shows exports driving rapid and inclusive growth across decades (1990s–2010s), corroborating Vietnam's status as a fast-growing economy.
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > 20 Contemporary World Politics > p. 20
Strength: 5/5
“Unlike the EU there is little desire in ASEAN for supranational structures and institutions. ASEAN countries have celebrated what has become known as the 'ASEAN Way', a form of interaction that is informal, non-confrontationist and cooperative. The respect for national sovereignty is critical to the functioning of ASEAN. With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, ASEAN broadened its objectives beyond the economic and social spheres. In 2003, ASEAN moved along the path of the EU by agreeing to establish an ASEAN Community comprising three pillars, namely, the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.”
Why relevant
Says ASEAN contains 'some of the fastest growing economies in the world', giving a regional pattern that members of ASEAN can be among fastest growers.
How to extend
A student could note that Vietnam is an ASEAN member (basic fact) and therefore plausibly part of that group, then check recent GDP growth rankings to test the claim.
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > The Rise of the Chinese Economy > p. 22
Strength: 4/5
“Let us now turn to the third major alternative centre of power and our immediate neighbour, China. The cartoon on the following page sums up the current mood all over the world about the rise of China as an economic power. China's economic success since 1978 has been linked to its rise as a great power. China has been the fastest growing economy since the reforms first began there. It is projected to overtake the US as the world's largest economy by 2040. Its economic integration into the region makes it the driver of East Asian growth, thereby giving it enormous influence in regional affairs.”
Why relevant
Describes China as the fastest growing economy since reforms and as the driver of East Asian growth, suggesting regional spillovers of growth within East/Southeast Asia.
How to extend
Use a world map or knowledge of regional trade/investment links to infer Vietnam might benefit from East Asian growth and then verify Vietnam's recent growth rates.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > INDIA'S ROLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS > p. 58
Strength: 3/5
“The Republic of India, the second most populous country and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, is considered as a major power and a potential superpower. It is India's growing international influence that gives it a prominent voice in global affairs. India has a long history of collaboration with several countries and is considered as a leader of the developing world. India was one of the founding members of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement and is an active member of several international organisations, most notably the WTO, ADB, SAARC, G8+5, East Asian Summit, and G20.”
Why relevant
Labels India as 'one of the fastest growing economies in the world', showing that being a large developing economy in Asia can coincide with very high growth — a pattern applicable to other Asian economies.
How to extend
Compare Asia-wide growth patterns and recent country-by-country GDP growth data to see whether Vietnam fits the same pattern.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Macro Economy > The household sector now decides to spend only Rs. 70 for its consumption purpose and save Rs. 30 out of the total Rs. 100 earned. > p. 12
Strength: 3/5
“When India got independence, our economy was producing 95% consumption goods and 5% capital goods i.e., savings was only 5%. At that time, we wanted to increase the output of the economy to serve millions of starving populations and hence we started saving more. More savings led to an increase in production of capital goods in the economy which further increased the production of goods and services. In 2019-20, India's savings was around 28% of the GDP which means India was producing around 72% consumption goods and 28% capital good i.e., investment. China has consistently been able to produce more than 40% capital goods out of the total output (GDP) of their economy which has propelled China into the fastest growing economies of the world.”
Why relevant
Explains that high capital goods production (investment) propelled China into the fastest growing economies, illustrating a mechanism (high investment share) associated with rapid growth.
How to extend
A student could check whether Vietnam has experienced rising investment/industrialization (basic economic facts) to judge if similar mechanisms might have produced fast growth.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.2 Manufacturing > p. 228
Strength: 2/5
“After India liberalized its economy in 1991, the services sector was among the fastest growing part of the economy, contributing significantly to GDP, economic growth, international trade and investment. Manufacturing contributes just 16 percent to India's GDP, compared to a 54 percent contribution by services. But the services sector employs fairly skilled people and India's most abundant resource is unskilled labour, that is why”
Why relevant
Notes that the services sector can be 'one of the fastest growing parts of the economy', highlighting sectoral sources of rapid growth.
How to extend
Check whether Vietnam's recent growth has been driven by services, manufacturing, or investment to assess if it matches patterns of other fast-growing economies.
Statement 2
Does Vietnam have a multi-party political system?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"the central party organs maintain a monopoly on political power under the banner of “socialist democracy,” which, according to the CPV, is inclusive participation under the communist party’s exclusive leadership. CPV leaders have vowed never to give up pursuing the path to socialism or the principle of party dictatorship. Space for a functioning, independent civil society does not exist."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states the Communist Party maintains a monopoly on political power, which contradicts a multi-party system.
- Says leaders uphold the principle of 'party dictatorship' and that space for an independent civil society does not exist, indicating lack of political pluralism.
"Few Checks and Balances in Government — and Limited Citizen Voice and Participation ... But Vietnam does not yet have a robust accountability system that can strengthen the state’s effectiveness."
Why this source?
- Describes 'Few Checks and Balances' and 'Limited Citizen Voice and Participation,' implying constrained political competition.
- Notes institutionalization of bodies like the National Assembly but emphasizes lack of a robust accountability system, consistent with single-party dominance rather than a multi-party competitive system.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 78: Political Parties > MEANING AND TYPES > p. 565
Strength: 5/5
“t MEANING AND TYPES Political parties are voluntary associations or organised groups of individuals who share the same political views and who try to gain political power through constitutional means and who desire to work for promoting the national interest. There are four types of political parties in the modern democratic states, viz. There are three kinds of party. systems in the world, viz., (i) one party system in which only one ruling party exists and no opposition is permitted, as for example, in the former communist countries like the USSR and other East European countries; (ii) two-party system in which two major parties exists, as for example, in USA and Britain'; and (iii) multi-party system in which there are a number of political parties, as for example, in France, Switzerland and Italy.”
Why relevant
Defines three types of party systems (one-party, two-party, multi-party) and gives examples for each, providing a taxonomy to classify any country.
How to extend
A student can use this typology and check whether Vietnam permits more than one party to contest and hold power to classify it.
Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Political Parties > How many parties should we have? > p. 51
Strength: 5/5
“Such a party system is called two-party system. The United States of America and the United Kingdom are examples of two-party system. If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we call it a multiparty system. Thus in India, we have a multiparty system. In this system, the government is formed by various parties coming together in a coalition. When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front.”
Why relevant
Gives a clear definition of a multiparty system (several parties can reasonably come to power, alone or in alliance) and an example (India).
How to extend
Apply this definition to Vietnam by checking whether multiple parties realistically compete for and attain governing power there.
Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Political Parties > How many parties should we have? > p. 50
Strength: 4/5
“In a democracy any group of citizens is free to form a political party. In this formal sense, there are a large number of political parties in each country. More than 750 parties are registered with the Election Commission of India. But not all these parties are serious contenders in the elections. Usually only a handful of parties are effectively in the race to win elections and form the government. So the question is: how many major or effective parties are good for a democracy? In some countries, only one party is allowed to control and run the government. These are called one-party systems.”
Why relevant
Explains that democracies may have many registered parties but distinguishes formal registration from being effective contenders; contrasts with one-party systems where only one party is allowed.
How to extend
A student could check whether Vietnam formally allows multiple registered parties and whether they are effective contenders versus being restricted.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 78: Political Parties > Multi-Party System > p. 566
Strength: 3/5
“Of universal adult franchise, the pecuHar type of political process, and other factors have given rise to a large number of political parties. In fact, India has the largest number of political parties in the world. Further, India has all categories of parties—left parties, centrist parties, right parties, communal parties, non-communal parties, and so on. Consequently, hung Parliaments, hung assemblies, and coalition governments have become a common phenomenon.”
Why relevant
Describes political consequences of a multiparty system (coalitions, hung parliaments), offering observable institutional outcomes to test for when classifying a country's system.
How to extend
Look for evidence in Vietnam of coalition governments or multiple parties forming alliances as signs of a multiparty system.
Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia > Contemporary South Asia 31 > p. 31
Strength: 3/5
“Similar changes are taking place in the two smallest countries of the region. Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. Under the leadership of the king, it emerged as a multi-party democracy. The Maldives, the other island nation, was a Sultanate till 1968 when it was transformed into a republic with a presidential form of government. In June 2005, the parliament of the Maldives voted unanimously to introduce a multi-party system. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) dominates the political affairs of the island. The MDP won the 2018 Elections. Despite the mixed record of the democratic experience, the people in all these countries share the aspiration for democracy.”
Why relevant
Provides regional examples where countries transitioned to multi-party systems, showing that 'multi-party' can be a distinct, documented change in constitutional/political arrangements.
How to extend
Compare whether Vietnam underwent a similar constitutional or legislative change permitting multi-party competition.
Statement 3
Is Vietnam's economic growth linked to its integration with global supply chains and an export-oriented strategy?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"Few but mighty exporting FDI firms are driving all of the employment growth in Viet Nam"
Why this source?
- Explicitly states that exporting FDI firms are driving employment growth, linking export-oriented firms to domestic economic outcomes.
- Contrasts employment growth from exports versus domestic demand, indicating exports are a primary growth driver.
"Foreign firms have dominated Viet Nam's trade growth, accounting for 73 percent of exports.
Viet Nam must now focus on connecting its export-oriented and domestic firms to strengthen the whole economy."
Why this source?
- Notes foreign firms dominate trade growth, accounting for a large share of exports (73%), showing reliance on global firms and GVCs.
- Recommends connecting export-oriented and domestic firms to strengthen the whole economy, linking export strategy to broader economic growth.
"Weaker external demand moderated growth of the export-oriented manufacturing sector as well as overall export performance,"
Why this source?
- Attributes slower GDP growth in part to weaker external demand, which moderated growth of the export-oriented manufacturing sector.
- Directly ties Vietnam's macroeconomic performance to the performance of its export-oriented industries.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 10: Agriculture - Part I > 10.16 Agriculture Export Policy 2018 > p. 325
Strength: 5/5
“Introduction: The Government has come out with a policy to double farmers' income by 2022. Exports of agricultural products would play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. In order to provide an impetus to agricultural exports, the Government has come out with a comprehensive "Agriculture Export Policy" aimed at doubling the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains. The Agriculture Export Policy has the following vision:
"Harness export potential of Indian agriculture, through suitable policy instruments, to make India global power in agriculture and raise farmers' income."”
Why relevant
Explicitly links export promotion with integrating producers into global value chains — a direct example of policy using exports to connect domestic producers to international supply networks.
How to extend
A student could analogously ask whether Vietnam's policies and export figures show similar explicit efforts to join global value chains (e.g., export promotion, FDI into export sectors).
Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: GLOBALISATION AND THE INDIAN ECONOMY > WHAT IS GLOBALISATION? > p. 61
Strength: 5/5
“The result of greater foreign investment and greater foreign trade has been greater integration of production and markets across countries. Globalisation is this process of rapid integration or interconnection between countries. MNCs are playing a major role in the globalisation process. More and more goods and services, investments and technology are moving between countries. Most regions of the world are in closer”
Why relevant
Defines globalisation as integration of production and markets and notes MNCs move goods, services, investment and technology — the basic mechanism of global supply chains.
How to extend
Combine this with knowledge that Vietnam hosts many MNC manufacturing operations to infer that such integration could drive its growth.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Future Strategy: > p. 234
Strength: 4/5
“The biggest challenge that we face today is job creation. Traditional economic thinking for a country transitioning from low to medium-income is to focus on large-scale manufacturing and merchandise exports to the developed world as big job-creators. Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China - all followed this path. But that was before Industry 4.0 and growth of economic nationalism hit global manufacturing. Today, global merchandise trade is stagnating while services trade, especially digital services trade, is growing. Intra-Asia trade, among the region's developing countries, is growing more than two times faster than trade with the developed world. Manufacturing off-shoring by developed economies, driven by labour arbitrage, seems to have peaked and in-shoring by these countries is beginning to happen.”
Why relevant
States the conventional pattern for low-to-middle income countries: focus on large-scale manufacturing and merchandise exports as job-creating, and notes intra-Asia trade growth — a regional pattern relevant to Vietnam.
How to extend
Using a map and trade data, a student could check Vietnam's manufacturing exports to Asian markets to assess whether it follows this export-led employment pattern.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.2 Manufacturing > p. 229
Strength: 4/5
“The main engine of global growth since 2002 has been the rapid industrialization of China. By channelling the vast savings of its population into capital investment, and by rapidly absorbing technology from advanced countries, China was able to carry out the most stupendous modernization in history, moving hundreds of millions of farmers from rural areas to cities. And that in turn also powered the growth of the countries like Brazil, Russia and many developing nations which exported oil, metal and other resources to the new workshop of the world. But now China has started slowing down. Comparison with China There is a risk in focusing on manufacturing and attempting to follow the export-led growth path that China followed.”
Why relevant
Describes how China's rapid industrialization and technology absorption powered global growth and benefitted exporters — an illustrative precedent of export-led growth linked to global integration.
How to extend
A student could compare Vietnam's integration and export trajectory to China's historical example to judge plausibility of a similar link.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 12: Supply Chain and Food Processing Industry > Challenges in food processing industry: > p. 365
Strength: 3/5
“Technology is still being imported for establishment of large-scale export-oriented units”
Why relevant
Notes that technology is imported to establish large-scale export-oriented units — implying export-oriented growth often depends on integrating foreign technology and inputs (supply-chain linkages).
How to extend
A student could investigate whether Vietnam imports intermediate goods/technology for its export sectors, which would signal supply-chain integration supporting growth.
Statement 4
Have Vietnam's low labour costs and stable exchange rates for a long time attracted global manufacturers?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"These firms’ investments—made largely due to the Vietnam’s low cost of labor, proximity to regional suppliers, and relatively stable investment climate—have helped trans-form the country’s industrial landscape in a very short period."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states large investments by global lead firms and contract manufacturers were made largely due to Vietnam’s low cost of labor.
- Links those investments to a rapid transformation of the country's industrial landscape, implying attraction of global manufacturers.
"Trade and foreign exchange controls were lifted early in the Ðổi Mới process. This allowed domestic product prices to align with global prices and effectively ended the system of multiple exchange rates."
Why this source?
- Describes lifting of trade and foreign exchange controls early in Đổi Mới and the end of multiple exchange rates.
- Says this allowed domestic prices to align with global prices — indicating a move toward a single, more stable exchange-rate environment that would support foreign investment.
"Among Vietnam, China, Singapore, and the other Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) member states, Vietnam has improved its performance on trade costs and is positioned to connect to other countries through interna-tional goods exchange, including through global value chains (GVCs)."
Why this source?
- Notes Vietnam has improved its performance on trade costs and is positioned to connect through global value chains (GVCs).
- Improved trade-cost performance and GVC connectivity support the attraction of export-oriented global manufacturers.
India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: The Making of a Global World > 4.4 End of Bretton Woods and the Beginning of 'Globalisation' > p. 77
Strength: 5/5
“Wages were relatively low in countries like China. Thus they became attractive destinations for investment by foreign MNCs competing to capture world markets. Have you noticed that most of the TVs, mobile phones, and toys we see in the shops seem to be made in China? This is because of the low-cost structure of the Chinese economy, most importantly its low wages. The relocation of industry to low-wage countries stimulated world trade and capital flows. In the last two decades the world's economic geography has been transformed as countries such as India, China and Brazil have undergone rapid economic transformation.”
Why relevant
States that low wages in countries (example: China) made them attractive destinations for MNC investment to capture world markets.
How to extend
A student could analogously compare Vietnam's wage levels (from external sources) to major manufacturing origins to judge if similar low-wage-driven investment likely occurred.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Advantages of Fixed Exchange Rate System > p. 492
Strength: 4/5
“• It ensures stability in foreign trade by avoiding day-to-day fluctuations.
• A fixed exchange rate implies low risk and low uncertainty that encourages foreigners to ø invest funds into the country.
• Fixed exchange rate eliminates the speculative activities in international transactions. Ø There is no possibility of panic flight of capital from one country to another.”
Why relevant
Lists advantages of a fixed exchange rate system, including stability and lower uncertainty that encourage foreign investment.
How to extend
A student could check whether Vietnam had a stable or managed exchange-rate regime historically and infer if that would reduce currency risk for manufacturers.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Future Strategy: > p. 234
Strength: 4/5
“The biggest challenge that we face today is job creation. Traditional economic thinking for a country transitioning from low to medium-income is to focus on large-scale manufacturing and merchandise exports to the developed world as big job-creators. Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China - all followed this path. But that was before Industry 4.0 and growth of economic nationalism hit global manufacturing. Today, global merchandise trade is stagnating while services trade, especially digital services trade, is growing. Intra-Asia trade, among the region's developing countries, is growing more than two times faster than trade with the developed world. Manufacturing off-shoring by developed economies, driven by labour arbitrage, seems to have peaked and in-shoring by these countries is beginning to happen.”
Why relevant
Explains that manufacturing off-shoring was driven by labour arbitrage (seeking lower labour costs), though noting this trend may have peaked.
How to extend
A student could use this pattern—firms relocate for labour-cost advantage—to assess whether Vietnam's lower labour costs versus origin countries plausibly attracted manufacturers.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.2 Manufacturing > p. 229
Strength: 4/5
“With China's competitive advantage in manufacturing eroding (because of higher wages), India has the opportunity to take some share of global manufacturing away from China and fortunately we have two major natural advantages of a big labour pool and a large domestic market. Challenges: There is only one time-tested way for a country to get rich. It moves farmers to factories and imports foreign manufacturing technology. When surplus farmers are moved to cities their productivity soars. So far, no country has reached high levels of income by moving farmers to service jobs en masse.”
Why relevant
Notes that rising wages in China eroded its manufacturing advantage, implying manufacturers shift to lower-wage countries when costs change.
How to extend
A student could compare wage trends in China and Vietnam over time to infer whether manufacturers likely reallocated production to Vietnam as China became costlier.
Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: GLOBALISATION AND THE INDIAN ECONOMY > Competition and Uncertain Employment > p. 68
Strength: 3/5
“Globalisation and the pressure of competition have substantially changed the lives of workers. Faced with growing competition, most employers these days prefer to employ workers 'flexibly'. This means that workers' jobs are no longer secure. Large MNCs in the garment industry in Europe and America order their products from Indian exporters. These large MNCs with worldwide network look for the cheapest goods in order to maximise their profits. To get these large orders, Indian garment exporters try hard to cut their own costs. As cost of raw materials cannot be reduced, exporters try to cut labour costs. Where earlier a factory used to employ workers on a permanent basis, now they employ workers only on a temporary basis so that they do not have to pay workers for the whole year.”
Why relevant
Describes how large MNCs seek the cheapest goods and push suppliers to cut labour costs, illustrating the commercial incentive to move production to low-cost locations.
How to extend
A student could combine this incentive with Vietnam's cost and exchange-rate data to evaluate the plausibility that MNCs sourced from Vietnam.
Statement 5
Does Vietnam have the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region?
Origin: Weak / unclear
Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT SERVICES > p. 430
Strength: 4/5
“• The four sub-sectors of information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector are IT Services, Business Process Management, Hardware, Software Products and Engineering Services.• In the IT-BPM sector, IT services has the maximum contribution (over 50%) in terms of revenue generated as compared to all other sub-sectors in 2019-20.• Looking at the country-wise breakup, Figure 14.1 shows the export revenues by destination (in percentage):”
Why relevant
Defines the IT‑BPM sector sub‑categories (IT services, BPM, hardware, software products, engineering) and notes a country‑wise breakup of export revenues is available.
How to extend
A student could look up country‑level IT‑BPM export shares (including Vietnam) and compare revenue concentrations across Indo‑Pacific countries to judge relative e‑service scale.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT SERVICES > p. 431
Strength: 3/5
“Service Sector 14.9
Source: Economic Survey 2020-21.
• In order to drive innovation and technology adoption in this sector, various policies such \bullet as Startup India, National Software Products Policy and removal of issues related to Angel Tax have been introduced.• According to NASSCOM study, India has emerged as the third largest ecosystem for ø start-ups right behind China and the USA.
Note: The top three start-up companies in India are Paytm (One97 Communications), Ola Cabs and OYO Industry. > Burness process put sour an”
Why relevant
Notes that India is a leading start‑up ecosystem (3rd behind China and the USA) and that policy measures drive innovation in software/tech sectors.
How to extend
Use startup ecosystem rankings and policy environment comparisons (India vs Vietnam and other Indo‑Pacific states) as proxies for e‑service dynamism and potential productivity.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > NTRODUCTION > p. 424
Strength: 4/5
“The overall contribution of service sector to the Indian economy has witnessed accelerating growth. Following points may justify the same: • The sector accounts for 54.3 per cent of the Gross Value Added (GVA) and GVA growth \bullet(as per 2020-21 Advance Estimates).\ • Talking about Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), service sector brings around 54 per cent \Phiof the total FDI inflows.\ • About 38 per cent of the total exports of India are owed to service sector of the country.\ • In around 15 States, this sector contributes more than 50 per cent of total Gross State \bulletValue Added. Let us now discuss in detail some of the major service sectors:”
Why relevant
Shows how a large service sector contribution to GDP, FDI and exports can indicate national strength in services.
How to extend
Compare service‑sector share of GVA, FDI into services, and service export shares for Vietnam and other Indo‑Pacific countries to assess relative e‑service importance and capacity.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > a. lndo-Burma Region: > p. 223
Strength: 3/5
“• The Indo-Burma region encompasses several countries. • It is spread out from Eastern Bangladesh to Malaysia and includes North-Eastern India south of Brahmaputra river, Myanmar, the southern part of China's Yunnan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.”
Why relevant
Gives a geographic definition: Indo‑Burma region includes Vietnam, situating Vietnam within the broader Indo‑Pacific context for comparisons.
How to extend
Use this regional scope to define the comparison set (countries in Indo‑Burma/Indo‑Pacific) when ranking e‑service productivity across nations.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Challenges faced by the "Make in India" Initiative > p. 231
Strength: 5/5
“• Labour Productivity is low: India's manufacturing sector's productivity is low and the skills of the labour force are insufficient. According to McKinsey's report, the Indian workers in the manufacturing sector are, on average, almost four to five times less productive than their counterparts in Thailand and China.• Investment from shell companies: The major part of the FDI inflow is neither from foreign nor direct. Rather, it comes from Mauritius-based shell companies that are suspected to be investing black money from India.• The size of the industrial units is small and therefore, it cannot attain the desired economies of scale.”
Why relevant
Provides an example of cross‑country productivity comparison (Indian manufacturing vs Thailand/China) showing that productivity benchmarks are used to assess relative performance.
How to extend
Apply similar productivity metrics (output per worker, value‑added per employee) in e‑services across Vietnam and other Indo‑Pacific countries to test the claim.
Pattern takeaway:
UPSC loves 'Development Models'. When a country is hailed as an economic star (Vietnam, Bangladesh), they ask about the *structural drivers* of that success (Exports, Labor, Political Stability) and insert a political fact to test basic awareness.
How you should have studied
- [THE VERDICT]: Medium. Statements 1, 3, and 4 are standard 'Business Standard' editorials. Statement 2 is basic GK (Communist = One Party). Statement 5 is a classic 'Extreme Superlative' trap.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: GS-2 IR (Effect of policies of developing countries) & GS-3 Economy (Industrialization). The core theme is 'Global Supply Chain Realignment'.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Manufacturing Alternatives': Bangladesh (Textiles/LDC graduation 2026), Thailand (Automotive/Aging population), India (PLI Schemes/Service giant). Know the blocs: Vietnam is in RCEP, CPTPP, and IPEF.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Don't memorize GDP tables. Track *narratives*. Why is Vietnam famous right now? Because companies are leaving China. Why? Cheap labor (Stmt 4) and export focus (Stmt 3). The narrative answers the question.
Concept hooks from this question
👉 ASEAN as a cluster of rapidly growing economies
💡 The insight
ASEAN includes several rapidly growing economies that have broadened their objectives beyond purely economic and social aims.
High-yield for questions on regional economic blocs, integration and geopolitical influence; links to topics such as ASEAN Community, regional trade, and implications for member states' development strategies. Mastery helps answer comparative and cause-effect questions about regional growth drivers and policy coordination.
📚 Reading List :
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > 20 Contemporary World Politics > p. 20
🔗 Anchor: "Has Vietnam been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in recent yea..."
👉 China's post-1978 reforms and rapid growth
💡 The insight
China's economic reforms since 1978 propelled it into being the fastest-growing economy and a driver of East Asian growth.
Essential for questions on growth models, industrial policy, and regional power shifts; connects to capital formation, export-led growth, and geopolitical consequences of economic rise. Enables analysis of how reform strategies affect long-term growth and regional spillovers.
📚 Reading List :
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > The Rise of the Chinese Economy > p. 22
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Macro Economy > The household sector now decides to spend only Rs. 70 for its consumption purpose and save Rs. 30 out of the total Rs. 100 earned. > p. 12
🔗 Anchor: "Has Vietnam been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in recent yea..."
👉 India's liberalisation-led growth and services-led expansion
💡 The insight
Post-liberalisation India showed accelerated growth rates and its services sector became a major, fast-growing component of GDP.
Useful for comparative growth questions, sectoral contributions to GDP, and policy evaluation; links to topics on structural change, employment, and inclusive growth. Helps answer questions contrasting growth patterns of large developing economies.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 8: Inclusive growth and issues > Need for inclusive growth in India > p. 253
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > 7.2 Manufacturing > p. 228
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > INDIA'S ROLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS > p. 58
🔗 Anchor: "Has Vietnam been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in recent yea..."
👉 Types of party systems: one-party, two-party, multi-party
💡 The insight
Classifies political systems into one-party, two-party, and multi-party categories which is the basic framework needed to answer if a country is multi-party.
High-yield for polity questions: helps quickly categorise any country's party landscape and frame comparative answers. Connects to topics on democratic forms, electoral competition, and constitutional arrangements; enables answering direct classification and comparison questions in the exam.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 78: Political Parties > MEANING AND TYPES > p. 565
- Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Political Parties > How many parties should we have? > p. 50
- Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Political Parties > How many parties should we have? > p. 51
🔗 Anchor: "Does Vietnam have a multi-party political system?"
👉 Coalition governments as a feature of multi-party systems
💡 The insight
Coalitions commonly form when several parties compete and no single party secures a majority, a practical consequence of multiparty systems.
Important for questions on government formation, stability, and federal politics; links to electoral outcomes, regional parties, and policy-making. Mastering this concept helps explain why multiparty systems often produce coalition or hung assemblies.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 84: Coalition Government > MEANING > p. 593
- Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Recent Developments in Indian Politics > Decline of Congress > p. 141
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 78: Political Parties > Multi-Party System > p. 566
🔗 Anchor: "Does Vietnam have a multi-party political system?"
👉 One-party systems and examples from communist states
💡 The insight
One-party systems are a contrasting category to multiparty systems and were characteristic of several communist countries.
Useful for distinguishing single-party authoritarian models from multiparty democracies in comparative polity questions. Helps candidates evaluate regime type, party freedom, and implications for civil liberties and opposition space.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 78: Political Parties > MEANING AND TYPES > p. 565
- Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Political Parties > How many parties should we have? > p. 50
🔗 Anchor: "Does Vietnam have a multi-party political system?"
👉 Export-led growth and industrialisation as a job-creation strategy
💡 The insight
Export-led manufacturing has been the traditional route for transforming low-income economies into middle-income ones and creating large-scale jobs.
High-yield for UPSC: helps answer questions on structural transformation, employment policy, and comparative development models (East Asian miracle vs alternatives). Connects to manufacturing policy, labour-market challenges, and debates on whether India (or other developing economies) should prioritise merchandise exports. Enables analysis of policy choices for job creation and growth strategy.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Future Strategy: > p. 234
🔗 Anchor: "Is Vietnam's economic growth linked to its integration with global supply chains..."
Since Vietnam was tested on manufacturing, look at the 'Middle Income Trap'. Vietnam is currently risking this. The next logical question is on the 'Lewis Turning Point'—the moment when a country's surplus rural labor is fully absorbed into manufacturing, causing wages to spike (which is happening in China, benefiting Vietnam).
Apply the 'Singapore Test' to Statement 5. The statement claims Vietnam has the *most productive* e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific includes Singapore, Japan, and India. Is it plausible that Vietnam beats Singapore's fintech or India's IT sector in *e-services*? No. Eliminate 5. Also, Vietnam = Communist = Single Party. Eliminate 2. Answer derived.
Connect this to GS-3 Indian Economy: 'Manufacturing vs Services led growth'. Vietnam followed the classic East Asian model (Low skill manufacturing -> Exports). India jumped to High skill Services. This contrast is a perennial Mains question.