The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) approved by the Union Cabinet with a ₹25,060 crore outlay is a significant policy initiative that can enrich UPSC Mains answers in several ways:
Detailed Analysis
- *Economic Strategy & Policy*: The EPM marks a strategic consolidation and expansion of India’s export promotion efforts specifically designed to address challenges posed by rising global protections like US tariffs. It provides an integrated, digitally enabled framework that streamlines multiple schemes, thereby improving governance, efficiency, and outreach.
- *MSME & Sectoral Focus*: By prioritizing labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products, the mission reflects India's economic strengths and employment generation potential. Emphasizing MSMEs aligns with the government’s push for inclusive and broad-based growth.
- *Trade Diplomacy & FTAs*: Leveraging existing and potential Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) highlights a nuanced understanding of trade diplomacy in bolstering export competitiveness. This ties into India’s priority on trade diversification and reducing dependence on specific markets.
- *Global Supply Chain Resilience*: The EPM’s goals correspond with global trends of supply chain restructuring, giving India a role as a viable manufacturing and export hub. This enhances India’s image as a reliable trade partner and fits into the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
- *Digital Governance & Ease of Doing Business*: The framework's digital approach reflects India's growing emphasis on technology-driven governance reforms to boost ease of doing business, transparency, and accountability in trade facilitation.
How It Enriches Mains Answers
- *Interlinkage of Economy & Governance*: Articulate the deep interconnections between export policy and economic governance reforms.
- *Sectoral & Inclusive Growth*: Highlight the importance of MSMEs and labour-intensive sectors for employment and regional development.
- *Foreign Policy & Trade Relations*: Discuss India’s diplomatic efforts in expanding FTAs to secure better market access.
- *Contemporary Economic Challenges*: Explain how India navigates protectionism and trade wars through innovative policies.
- *Digital Transformation*: Showcase government's progressive use of technology in public policy and trade facilitation.
Value Addition in Answers
- Use data or exact budget numbers (₹25,060 crore) to reflect precision.
- Reference ongoing global trade dynamics such as tariffs and supply chain shifts.
- Link the mission to flagship schemes like Make in India and Digital India.
- Connect MSME focus to socio-economic upliftment and employment generation.
- Emphasize governance reforms, ease of doing business, and digitalization as modernization drivers.
Expected UPSC Questions
- "Discuss the significance of India’s Export Promotion Mission in strengthening the country’s external sector amid global trade challenges."
- "How does the government support MSMEs in export promotion, and what challenges remain?"
- "Explain the role of free trade agreements in enhancing India’s export competitiveness."
- "Evaluate the impact of global tariff increases on India’s export policy and government interventions."
- "Assess the importance of digital governance reforms in India’s trade facilitation."
By integrating this comprehensive understanding, aspirants can present nuanced, well-structured answers showing multidimensional insights into economic policy, governance, international relations, and contemporary challenges—qualities highly valued in UPSC Mains.