Why in news
- Data for 2025–26 reveals that China accounts for at least 80% of India's total imports across 71 distinct tariff lines.
- China maintained a dominant 48.9% share of India's total semiconductor imports during the same period.
Key terms
Tariff Line
A specific product classification code under the Harmonized System (HS) used by customs to levy import duties.
Supply Chain Resilience
The capacity of a national economy to absorb supply shocks and quickly diversify sourcing channels.
Extent of import concentration
- High structural concentration exists in critical technology components, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and electronic inputs.
- Nearly half (48.9%) of all imported semiconductor units and sub-assemblies originate from Chinese suppliers.
- Over 80% dependence across 71 tariff lines highlights vulnerability to single-source supply chain disruptions.
Policy implications and counter-measures
- Underscores the operational necessity of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and domestic Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.
- Requires strategic diversification through trade agreements and critical mineral partnerships to mitigate economic security risks.
Prelims facts
- Semiconductor imports into India remain heavily concentrated, with China accounting for nearly half of total imports.
Mains discussion
- Examine the trade security risks posed by heavy import reliance on single foreign suppliers for critical industrial inputs.
Source: Hindu Business Line
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q9 · GS II · 10 marks
"IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad's collective Indo-Pacific strategy." Make a critical assessment of the statement focusing on IPMDA. -
2026 · Q19 · GS II · 15 marks
"India's global diaspora acts as a living bridge, as a critical economic factor and knowledge network in transforming cultural heritage into geopolitical influence and strategic leverage worldwide." Critically examine this statement. -
2026 · Q51 · General Studies · 2 marks
Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare. Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X's actions? -
2026 · Q52 · General Studies · 2 marks
In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which claimed that the land was sacred and critical to their cultural identity. At the same time, urban residents and local industries supported the project, citing severe solid waste challenges and health concerns due to lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has escalated with road blockades, social media campaigns, and allegations of police excesses. As a responsible Government official, you are tasked with resolving the situation through mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome that balances environmental needs, tribal rights, and urban public health. Consider the following statements with reference to the above: 1. A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives. 2. The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group. 3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform - including tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives - to build mutual understanding and help de-escalate tensions. 4. Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently with both sides to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. Which of the statements given above would contribute to the resolution process? -
2026 · Q95 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct? 1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs). 2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India. 3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements. Select the answer using the code given below: