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General Studies 2026 GS Paper I 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Examine

GS Paper I — Q16

"The centre of global trade is gradually shifting from the Atlantic region to the Indo-Pacific region." Examine this statement…

"The centre of global trade is gradually shifting from the Atlantic region to the Indo-Pacific region." Examine this statement. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

“वैश्विक व्यापार का केन्द्र अटलांटिक प्रदेश से हिन्द-प्रशान्त (इंडो-पैसिफिक) प्रदेश की ओर धीरे-धीरे स्थानान्तरित हो रहा है।” इस कथन का परीक्षण कीजिए। (उत्तर 250 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q16 of the 2026 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2026 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Since the Industrial Revolution, global commerce was anchored primarily in the Atlantic region, driven by the dominant United States–Europe trade axis and transatlantic capital flows. Over recent decades, however, geo-economic gravity has steadily pivoted toward the Indo-Pacific.

Drivers of the Indo-Pacific Pivot

This transition is fundamentally driven by the rise of Asian manufacturing powerhouses and expanding consumer markets. China’s export-led industrialisation, alongside the rapid economic expansion of ASEAN and India, has transformed the region into the primary hub of global production and consumption. Consequently, the Indo-Pacific has become the world's most critical maritime connectivity corridor, accounting for over 60% of global maritime trade transiting vital chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea.

Post-pandemic supply chain reconfigurations, particularly the ‘China+1’ diversification strategy, have further accelerated intra-regional trade. This economic realignment has gained formal institutional momentum through platforms like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and strategic alignments such as the Quad.

India’s Strategic Role

India occupies a pivotal position in this shift. Through rising trade volumes, targeted Free Trade Agreements, and its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) outlook, India integrates its economic growth with regional maritime security across the Indian Ocean.

A Relative, Not Absolute, Transition

However, this shift must not be seen as an absolute collapse of the Atlantic system. The transatlantic corridor between the US and the European Union remains unmatched in high-value technology trade, services, and cross-border investment. Thus, while the Indo-Pacific now leads in trade volume, demographic momentum, and intermediate manufacturing, the rebalancing represents a relative and gradual diversification rather than a total eclipse of the Atlantic trade architecture.

What "Examine" is asking you to do

Test the proposition the question puts to you and return a finding on how far it holds. Examine stems carry a claim, or ask whether something has happened, and expect evidence weighed both ways before the extent is stated — often with remedial measures attached.

Structure that answers it

Restate the claim as the question frames it → evidence that supports it → evidence that undercuts it → the conditions under which it holds → verdict on how far it stands

Where marks are lost

Stopping at description. An examination has to reach a finding, and “examine with justification” means the extent must be stated, not implied.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS1 Geography/Geopolitics. examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Analyzes the 'why' of the shift with specific data and institutional examples.

Key points expected

  • Atlantic dominance: US/EU trade volume and financial hubs
  • Indo-Pacific rise: China/ASEAN manufacturing and trade share
  • Mechanism: Supply chain reconfiguration and infrastructure (BRI)
  • Institutional shift: RCEP vs. Transatlantic trade agreements

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Analyze the structural shift of global trade from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific. 15 marks · 250 words

    examine— intro → how/why with reasoning → evidence → conclusion

    Must cover

    • Atlantic dominance: US/EU trade volume and financial hubs
    • Indo-Pacific rise: China/ASEAN manufacturing and trade share
    • Mechanism: Supply chain reconfiguration and infrastructure (BRI)
    • Institutional shift: RCEP vs. Transatlantic trade agreements

    Loses marks

    • Narrating history without analyzing the 'shift'
    • Ignoring the Atlantic region's current status
    • Vague generalizations without specific regional examples

    Earns more

    • Specific trade data (e.g., % of global trade in region)
    • Role of maritime chokepoints (Malacca, Suez)
    • Impact of US-China decoupling on trade flows
    • Rise of digital trade in the Indo-Pacific

    Extra mark

    • Sketch map showing trade route shift
    • Reference to specific trade index (e.g., UNCTAD)

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