Daily Mains Question - GS 2 - 22nd September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
Welcome to your Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – GS Paper 2 (Governance, Social Justice & Polity).
Today’s question examines the idea of internal diasporas in India, a concept that challenges traditional definitions of migration and identity, usually confined to cross-border movements. With India’s international diaspora estimated at 30–32 million, but its internal diaspora exceeding 100 million, the scale of subnational dispersal is three times larger yet far less studied. Linguistic Census data reveal fascinating dispersions—for instance, over 60,000 Gujarati speakers in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, despite negligible recorded Gujarati migrants.
For UPSC aspirants, the theme has rich linkages across GS2 (migration, social cohesion, welfare policy), GS1 (population, culture, and diversity), and Essay paper (identity, multiculturalism). It provides scope to integrate census data, sociological insights, and welfare measures like One Nation One Ration Card, while also exploring how internal diasporas reshape India’s cultural fabric and policy priorities.
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QUESTION
Internal diasporas in India blur the distinction between migration within borders and migration across borders. Analyse their manifestation and assess their implications for social cohesion and policy.
Answer: Traditionally, diaspora studies focus on cross-border migration. However, in India, where cultural and linguistic zones are deeply entrenched, long-distance internal migration also produces diasporic experiences. The term pravasi or even videshi is often applied by migrant groups within India, reflecting that diaspora is not only transnational but also subnational. While India’s international diaspora is estimated at 30–32 million, the internal diaspora exceeds 100 million, making it a critical dimension of social cohesion and policy planning.
Dimensions of Internal Diaspora in India
Cultural and Linguistic Dispersion
Internal diasporas are identifiable in the language Censuses.
Example: Madurai district in Tamil Nadu reports over 60,000 Gujarati speakers, though census migration tables record virtually no Gujarati migrants there.
Such communities have preserved linguistic and cultural identities across centuries.
Size and Patterns of Dispersion
Based on Sociological Bulletin estimates (2010):
Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil: >10% dispersal relative to total population.
Telugu, Gujarati: moderately dispersed.
Hindi (incl. Bhojpuri, Marwari): largest diaspora numerically (39.9 million) but less dispersed relative to size.
Marathi, Kannada, Bengali: least dispersed (<7%).
A third of the internal diaspora is concentrated in India’s ten largest cities.
Historical vs Contemporary Diasporas
Old diasporas: e.g., Gujaratis in Tamil Nadu linked to weaving and trade several centuries ago.
New diasporas: e.g., Telugu communities in Maharashtra and West Bengal from recent economic migration.
Internal migration often acts as a stepping stone to international migration (e.g., Kerala’s Gulf migration linked with earlier mobility to Mumbai).
Cultural and Associational Life
Diasporic groups preserve identity through associations:
Bengali associations (Durga Puja).
Gujarati Samaj (listed 176 bodies within India).
Marathi Mandals (spread of Ganapati festival).
Language preservation varies—some adopt bilingualism, while others experience language loss in cosmopolitan contexts.
Implications for Social Cohesion
Positive Contributions
Cultural diversity: Spread of cuisines, festivals, art forms, and customs across states.
Economic linkages: Internal diasporas facilitate trade networks (e.g., diamond trade links of Gujaratis in Surat, Malayali diaspora supporting Gulf migration).
Social capital: Migrant associations provide community support and integration mechanisms.
Challenges
Integration vs identity retention: Balancing assimilation with cultural preservation.
Inter-generational tensions: Similar to international diaspora families, conflicts may arise between first-generation migrants and their children regarding language and identity.
Policy blind spots: Internal diasporas are understudied compared to international diaspora, limiting tailored welfare and integration measures.
Policy Implications
Recognising Internal Diaspora in Policy
Extend the diaspora discourse beyond international borders.
Incorporate linguistic and cultural dispersion data into migration and urban planning.
Social Cohesion Frameworks
Encourage multilingual education in migrant-dense cities.
Promote inter-state cultural exchange programs.
Economic and Welfare Policies
Design migrant-friendly labour policies and welfare portability mechanisms (aligned with One Nation One Ration Card).
Support migrant associations as vehicles for integration.
India’s diasporic experiences are not limited to 30 million overseas Indians but extend to over 100 million internal diasporic communities, making them crucial for understanding Indian diversity. Internal diasporas reshape notions of migration and identity by showing that crossing cultural zones within a nation can be as significant as crossing national borders. Recognising and integrating these internal diasporas in policy not only strengthens social cohesion but also enriches India’s cultural fabric and developmental trajectory.
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