Question

Find out and prepare a list of major items that India imported and exported during 1990-91 and 2018-19.

1. Observe the difference
2. Do you see the impact of self-reliance? Discuss.

Answer 1

Period	Major Exports	Major Imports
1990-91	Tea, coffee, spices, cotton textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods	Petroleum, machinery, chemicals, fertilisers, iron and steel, pearls and precious stones
2018-19	Engineering goods, petroleum products, chemicals, medicines, gems and jewellery, textiles, agricultural products	Crude petroleum, gold, electronic goods, machinery, chemicals, coal and precious stones

India’s total merchandise exports increased from about ₹ 32,553 crore in 1990-91 to ₹ 23,07,726 crore in 2018-19, while imports increased from about ₹ 43,198 crore to ₹ 35,94,675 crore.

1. • In 1990-91, India exported a larger share of traditional and agricultural products.
   • By 2018-19, exports included more engineering goods, petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
   • Imports also changed, with petroleum, electronics and machinery becoming very important.
   • This shows that India’s economy became more industrialised and connected with world markets.
2. • In 1990-91, India exported a larger share of traditional and agricultural products.
   • By 2018-19, exports included more engineering goods, petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
   • Imports also changed, with petroleum, electronics and machinery becoming very important.
   • This shows that India’s economy became more industrialised and connected with world markets.

Thus, between 1990-91 and 2018-19, India moved from greater dependence on traditional exports towards a more diversified industrial export structure, showing considerable progress in self-reliance.