UPSC Mains 2017 GS1 Q20 — Urbanization
“The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems.” Substantiate this statement with examples. (250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Substantiate
- Scope keywords
- growth of cities as I.T. hubsnew avenues of employmentcreated new problems
- Implicit sub-parts
- The spatial and economic shift from traditional industrial cities to IT-centric urban clusters.
- Specific nature of 'new' employment avenues (gig economy, service support, gender inclusion).
- Analysis of structural and socio-economic problems unique to IT-hub urbanization.
- The widening gap between the 'IT-enclave' and the surrounding urban decay.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing only on software engineering jobs while ignoring the secondary employment in the informal/service sector.
- Providing a generic list of urban problems like 'pollution' without linking them specifically to the rapid, unplanned growth patterns of IT hubs like Bengaluru or Gurgaon.
- Neglecting the 'Substantiate' directive by failing to name specific cities or data points regarding the digital divide or housing crises.
- Ignoring the social aspect of 'new problems' such as the erosion of local culture or the creation of gated-community bubbles.
- Dimensions required
- Economic (Job creation & Gig economy)Social (Gentrification & Digital Divide)Infrastructural (Traffic congestion & Urban sprawl)Environmental (Water stress & Waste management)Demographic (Migration patterns & Youth bulge)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 50-60 words to the positive employment 'avenues' including indirect jobs. Dedicate the bulk (130-140 words) to the 'new problems' using specific city examples. Use the remaining 50 words for an introduction defining IT-led urbanization and a conclusion suggesting sustainable urban planning.
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