Daily Mains Question - GS 2 - 25th September 2025
- TPP
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Welcome to your Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – GS Paper 2 (International Relations & Governance).
Today’s question explores the dominance of Indian professionals in the US H-1B visa programme and its impact on the political and social discourse on skilled immigration. With Indians comprising over 70% of all H-1B beneficiaries annually since 2015, recent policy shifts—most notably the Trump administration’s $100,000 visa fee—have ignited debates on wage depression, job displacement, and the future of US–India tech ties.
For UPSC aspirants, the topic has multidimensional linkages across GS2 (India–US bilateral relations, diaspora diplomacy, global governance of migration), GS3 (impact on innovation, start-up ecosystem, brain drain vs. brain gain), and Essay Paper (nationalism vs. globalization debates). It allows the use of empirical data (USCIS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, YouGov poll), policy analysis (Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission), and case studies (Amazon, TCS, Infosys visa approvals). The challenge lies in balancing political rhetoric with economic realities while highlighting opportunities for India to leverage its human capital strategically.
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QUESTION
Discuss how the dominance of Indian professionals as beneficiaries of the H-1B visa programme shapes the political and social discourse on skilled immigration in the United States. In this context, analyse the recent imposition of a $100,000 H-1B visa fee and its implications for India and the bilateral relationship.
Answer: The H-1B visa programme, designed to allow US companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, has become central to debates on skilled immigration. With Indians constituting more than 70% of all H-1B beneficiaries annually since 2015, recent policy changes—such as the Trump administration’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee per petition—have placed India at the heart of US immigration politics.
Why the H-1B Visa Matters
Scope: 85,000 new H-1B visas are issued annually via lottery, with nearly 400,000 approvals (including renewals) in 2024.
Usage: Heavily utilised by US tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta) and Indian IT firms (Infosys, TCS).
Economic role: Fills STEM skill gaps; enables global competitiveness of US firms.
Indian dominance: USCIS data shows Indians make up 70%+ of approvals, while Chinese professionals form ~12–13%.
Political and Social Discourse in the US
Polarisation of immigration: A YouGov poll (Oct 2023) showed 14.6% of voters viewed immigration as the top electoral issue, compared to only 2.1% in 2012.
Criticism of H-1B programme:
Accusations of wage depression and job loss for Americans.
Data: 70% of Indian H-1B petitions in FY2023 approved for salaries below $100,000, compared to the US IT median salary of $104,420 (BLS, 2023).
Only 5% approvals above $150,000.
Critics allege corporations misuse visas for low-to-mid-level roles.
Support for programme:
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy argue it attracts top global talent.
Addresses STEM shortage: US produces only 820,000 STEM graduates annually vs. India’s 2.55 million and China’s 3.57 million.
New barriers: The $100,000 fee—60 times the earlier cost (~$1,500)—represents the costliest barrier in H-1B history. Although clarified as one-time and for new petitions only, it disproportionately affects Indian workers and companies.
Industry and Diplomatic Reactions
Tech industry: Amazon, Meta, Microsoft advised H-1B employees against travel due to uncertainties.
Indian government: EAM S. Jaishankar flagged “humanitarian consequences” and disruption of people-to-people ties.
NASSCOM: Warned that abrupt shifts hurt global business stability.
Alternative policy: The US introduced a “gold card” granting permanent residency for $1 million (individuals) or $2 million (companies)—a wealth-over-merit approach criticised as exclusionary.
Implications for India
Brain drain reversal: Rising barriers may redirect India’s 2.5M+ annual STEM graduates toward domestic opportunities.
Start-up ecosystem: India, with the world’s 3rd largest start-up base and government initiatives (Startup India, Digital India, Atal Innovation Mission), can harness returning talent.
Challenges: Low R&D spending (0.7% of GDP), weak IPR enforcement, and regulatory hurdles constrain innovation.
Strategic opportunity: If reforms are undertaken, India could position itself as an “Asian Silicon Valley.”
The H-1B debate reflects deeper US anxieties about jobs, wages, and nationalism, with Indian professionals at its centre. While critics allege wage suppression, supporters highlight skill gaps and global competitiveness. The $100,000 fee, though temporary, underscores America’s tightening immigration stance. For India, this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity—demanding domestic innovation, regulatory reform, and stronger India–US engagement to turn migration curbs into a catalyst for national technological advancement.
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