Asked by: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore
WAT Topic: "Can India replace China as the world's manufacturing hub?" - economic category, hard difficulty. Consider 2 perspectives for a balanced essay.
Start with Apple's production shift to India as hook. State qualified optimism.
Para 1: Why companies are leaving China (wages, geopolitics)
Para 2: India's advantages and PLI scheme successes
Para 3: Infrastructure and skills gap that needs addressing
India can capture significant share, but not fully replace China. Focus on specific sectors.
Apple now makes 14% of iPhones in India (up from 1% in 2021)
PLI schemes: ₹1.97 lakh crore allocated across 14 sectors
India's manufacturing is 17% of GDP vs China's 28%
Being overly nationalistic without acknowledging challenges
Not mentioning competing countries (Vietnam, Indonesia)
Ignoring the infrastructure gap
Show you understand both the opportunity and execution challenges. Mention specific sectors like electronics, pharma, or textiles.
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 you understand both the opportunity and execution challenges. Mention specific sectors like electronics, pharma, or textiles.
This topic has been asked by: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore.
Start with Apple's production shift to India as hook. State qualified optimism. Your body should cover: Para 1: Why companies are leaving China (wages, geopolitics); Para 2: India's advantages and PLI scheme successes; Para 3: Infrastructure and skills gap that needs addressing.
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