05 July 2025: The Hindu Editorial
1. Is China’s Tech Sector Entering a New Era of Growth?
Source – Page 6, The Hindu UPSC IAS Edition, 05 July 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2 (International Relations) & GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology, Economy) |
| Context |
|
I. Background of Tech Crackdown:
-
Started in late 2020 with Ant Group’s IPO halt.
-
Series of regulations targeting data privacy, monopolistic practices, and ed-tech sectors.
-
Caused a slump in investor confidence and capital outflows.
II. Signs of Recovery:
-
Renewed government support for AI, semiconductor, and 5G sectors.
-
Softened regulatory stance to attract foreign investment and domestic innovation.
-
Tech companies like Huawei, Baidu, and Alibaba investing in frontier technologies.
III. Strategic Shift and Policy Implications:
-
Focus shifting from consumer internet to deep tech and manufacturing.
-
Emphasis on self-reliance amid US sanctions on chips and software.
-
‘Techno-nationalism’ as a defining feature of Chinese policy.
IV. Implications for India:
-
Opportunity to attract firms exiting China (‘China Plus One’ strategy).
-
Need for India to strengthen indigenous capabilities in AI, semiconductors, and 5G.
-
Balancing trade relations with China while securing critical digital infrastructure.
V. Global Impact:
-
Geopolitical rivalry in tech between US and China set to deepen.
-
Role of BRICS and RCEP in shaping digital norms and supply chains.
Conclusion:
China’s recalibration towards innovation-led growth marks a strategic shift. For India, it offers both challenges and opportunities to redefine its tech and foreign policy.
|
Practice Question: China’s renewed push for technology self-reliance presents both a challenge and an opportunity for India.” Discuss in light of recent developments in China’s digital economy and India’s strategic responses. |
2. No Common Language
Source – Page 6, The Hindu UPSC IAS Edition, 05 July 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2 (Polity and Governance), GS Paper 1 (Indian Society) |
| Context |
|
I. Linguistic Federalism in India:
-
India recognizes 22 languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
-
The Official Languages Act, 1963 allows continued use of English along with Hindi.
-
Language is a sensitive issue tied to identity and autonomy.
II. Recent Developments:
-
Political debates reignited over making Hindi a link language.
-
Southern and Northeastern states resist imposition, citing linguistic pluralism.
-
Concerns raised about marginalization of non-Hindi speakers in governance and education.
III. Constitutional and Legal Framework:
-
Article 343: Hindi as official language, but with provision for English.
-
Article 351: Directive for promotion of Hindi, but not mandatory.
-
Sarkaria Commission and Punnayya Committee advocated cooperative federalism in language policy.
IV. Societal and Administrative Challenges:
-
Language barriers in All India Services exams, central administration, and judiciary.
-
Educational disadvantage for non-Hindi students in competitive exams.
-
Erosion of cultural heritage and regional literature.
V. Way Forward:
-
Promote multilingualism in governance and education.
-
Encourage use of regional languages in higher judiciary and Parliament.
-
Use technology to enable real-time translation and digital inclusion.
Conclusion:
India’s linguistic diversity is its strength. Imposing a single language risks alienation and regional discord. A pluralistic approach based on respect and cooperation is essential for national unity.
|
Practice Question: The imposition of a common language in a multilingual country like India poses serious challenges to federalism and national integration.” Examine with reference to recent developments and constitutional provisions. |
Read more about –04 July 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis
