← All questionsGS3 · 2017 · Economy & Infrastructure ·Labour-Intensive Export Failure
QUESTION 2
GS3
10 marks

Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.

WRITE IN
7 min
150 words

What the examiner wants

Explain why Indian manufacturing exports became capital-intensive instead of labour-intensive, and suggest correctives.

Account for + SuggestGive the reasons that explain it. Propose specific, workable measures.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Reasons: rigid labour laws pushing firms to stay small or use machines, small scale (missing middle), high logistics and power costs, credit constraints for MSMEs, inverted duty structure, skill gaps, reservation of items for SSIs earlier≈35 words
  2. 2Outcome: India's exports led by petroleum products, engineering, pharma; lost apparel and footwear share to Bangladesh and Vietnam≈35 words
  3. 3Measures: labour code reform, PM MITRA textile parks, PLI for labour-intensive sectors, FTAs with markets, logistics policy, skilling, flexible fixed-term employment≈35 words

Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.

Answer plan

Expected patternReasons for failureEvidenceMeasuresConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Blaming only labour laws
  • Generic Make in India points without sector focus

Draw this

  • Bar chart: apparel exports of India vs Bangladesh vs Vietnam

Value addition

  • ReportEconomic Survey 2016-17 chapter 'Clothes and Shoes: Can India Reclaim Low Skill Manufacturing?' identified logistics, tax and labour constraints.Economic Survey 2016-17
  • LawIndustrial Relations Code, 2020 raises the threshold for prior permission for lay-offs from 100 to 300 workers.IR Code, 2020

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