Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
Asymmetry
GS3
GS2
"A lack of equality or equivalence between corresponding parts or roles in a relationship, system, or conflict"
Definition
A lack of equality or equivalence between corresponding parts or roles in a relationship, system, or conflict
⭐ Significance for UPSC
Three key UPSC uses: 1) Asymmetric federalism — different powers for different states (Art. 371); 2) Asymmetric warfare — insurgency/terrorism vs. conventional military; 3) Information asymmetry — one party in a transaction knows more than the other (economics, GS-3). All three appear in UPSC Mains papers.
Example / Context
India's federal structure has an inherent asymmetry — states like Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, and Mizoram have special constitutional arrangements under Article 371 and 370 (now abrogated).
Mains GS Relevance
GS Paper 3
Economy, Environment, S&T, Security
GS Paper 2
Polity, Governance, IR, Social Justice
Subject