Asked by: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta (2024)
WAT Topic: "Is India's "strategic autonomy" sustainable in today's world?" - political category, hard difficulty. Consider 2 perspectives for a balanced essay.
Reference India's Russia oil imports despite Western criticism. State: autonomy possible but requires constant balancing.
Para 1: Evidence of successful balancing (QUAD, Russia, BRICS)
Para 2: Pressures and constraints (China, tech dependence)
Para 3: What sustainability requires (economic strength, defence indigenization)
Strategic autonomy is more aspiration than fixed state. Requires continuous calibration.
Not knowing current examples (Russia oil, Quad)
Taking extreme pro-US or pro-Russia position
Ignoring China as the key variable
Show nuance. India's balancing act is impressive but faces real constraints. Know specific examples.
Rhetoric (4th Century BC)
Insight: Persuasion requires ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic) working together.
How to apply: Structure your WAT with logical arguments (logos), establish credibility through data/examples (ethos), and connect to human impact (pathos). IIM evaluators look for all three.
Made to Stick (2007)
Insight: Ideas that stick are Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and tell Stories (SUCCESs).
How to apply: Open with an unexpected fact or angle. Use concrete examples, not abstractions. Ground arguments in credible data. Make it memorable.
The Sense of Style (2014)
Insight: Good writing is about showing the reader something in the world, not performing your knowledge.
How to apply: Don't write to impress—write to illuminate. Avoid jargon and pompous language. Show you understand the issue, don't just list points.
Politics and the English Language (1946)
Insight: Clear thinking leads to clear writing. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
How to apply: Prefer active voice. Cut unnecessary words. If you can cut a word, cut it. Clarity beats complexity in 200-word essays.
Values original thinking and nuanced positions over conventional wisdom.
Tip: IIMA loves contrarian but well-reasoned takes. Don't be afraid to challenge the premise of the topic itself.
Practical, business-oriented evaluation. Values structured thinking.
Tip: IIMB appreciates when you connect topics to business/management implications. Always include "so what" for managers.
Rigorous analytical approach. Values data and economic reasoning.
Tip: IIMC loves numbers. Include at least one relevant statistic. Show you understand economic trade-offs.
Balanced evaluation of content and expression.
Tip: IIML values clear structure. Use explicit transitions and signposting.
Ethics-focused, values human-centric perspectives.
Tip: XLRI's Jesuit heritage means they value ethical dimensions. Always consider the human/social impact angle.
There's no "right" stance. What matters is taking a clear position and defending it well. Show nuance. India's balancing act is impressive but faces real constraints. Know specific examples.
This topic has been asked by: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta (most recently in 2024).
Reference India's Russia oil imports despite Western criticism. State: autonomy possible but requires constant balancing. Your body should cover: Para 1: Evidence of successful balancing (QUAD, Russia, BRICS); Para 2: Pressures and constraints (China, tech dependence); Para 3: What sustainability requires (economic strength, defence indigenization).
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