2018 · GS Paper 1 · Q5 · 10 marks
Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region?
In short
India's keen interest in the Arctic stems from its oil, gas and minerals, the shorter Northern Sea Route, Arctic links to the Indian monsoon, and a voice in the region's governance. The USGS (2008) estimates the Arctic holds about 13% of undiscovered oil and 30% of undiscovered gas.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 275 words
Hydrocarbons
The US Geological Survey (2008) estimates the Arctic holds about 13% of undiscovered oil and 30% of undiscovered gas, a hedge for an India that imports over 85% of its crude; ONGC Videsh already holds a stake in Russia's Vankor field.
Minerals and shipping
Greenland's rare earths and Russia's Norilsk nickel serve India's electric-vehicle and electronics goals, and the Northern Sea Route cuts the Europe to East Asia voyage by about 40% compared with the Suez route and could connect with the Chennai to Vladivostok maritime corridor.
Monsoon and sea level
Arctic warming is linked to changes in the Indian monsoon and to sea-level rise along India's 11,000 km-plus coast, which Himadri station (2008) and the IndArc observatory (2014) study.
Third Pole insight
Arctic glacier research helps scientists understand how the Himalaya, often called the Third Pole, will respond to warming.
Shaping the rules
With China calling itself a "near-Arctic state" (2018), India's Arctic Policy of March 2022, built on six pillars from science to connectivity, secures its place in governing the region.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2018 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.