What is regional disparity? How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India?

Theme

T63 Regionalism & regional disparity

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks the basis of regionalism, whether it stems from cultural assertion or unequal development, regional disparity vs diversity, and demands for separate states.

What to cover

• Basis: language, culture, economic disparity
• Regional disparity: indicators and causes
• Demands for new states

Writing the answer

• Separate regionalism (identity) from regional disparity (development)

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 4 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.