“The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems”. Substantiate this statement with examples.

Theme

T56 New urban economy: IT hubs, tier-2 cities & new middle class

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions ask about IT hubs' new employment and new problems, the socio-economic effects of IT industries in big cities, and tier-2 cities with a consumption-oriented new middle class.

What to cover

• IT hubs: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune — jobs, migration, real estate
• Problems: inequality, traffic, water stress, cost of living, gated enclaves
• Tier-2 cities: new middle class, malls, aspiration, consumption culture

Writing the answer

• Balance opportunities and problems with named cities

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 3 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.