International Relations Previous Year Questions (PYQs) | UPSC Mains Examination

International Relations Previous Year Questions (PYQs) | UPSC Mains Examination

On this page, you will find all the updates related to the previous year’s questions on the subject of International Relations for the UPSC IAS Mains examination.

International Relations is an important topic in Mains GS 2 paper of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Along with bilateral ties, neighbourhood relations, India’s foreign policies, Bilateral Grouping, Regional and global groupings, and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests are some of the key focus areas in international relations.

Topic: India and its neighbourhood-relations: 

Q.1) ‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’. In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. [10 Marks] [2023]

Q.2) Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. [10 Marks] [2023]

Q.3) ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India’. What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. [15 Marks] [2023]

Q.4) Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos”. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. [15 Marks] [2023]

Q.5) India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2022]

Q.6) China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2017]

Q.7) “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.8) Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of Indian government to improve relationship with its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]

Q.9) Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India–Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchange could help generate goodwill between the two countries. Discuss with suitable examples. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]

Q.10) With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]

Q.11) The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India? [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.12) In respect of India-Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests: 

Q.1) How will 12U2 (India, Israel, UAE, and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2022]

Q.2) “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years.[150 Words] [10 Marks][2021]

Q.3) Quadrilateral Security Dialogue(Quad)’ is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times–Discuss.[250 Words] [15 Marks] [2020]

Q.4) What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2020]

Q.5) ‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2019]

Q.6) “The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised Nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order” Elaborate. [250 Words][15 Marks] [2019]

Q.7) “What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions” Explain with suitable examples. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2019]

Q.8) “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.[150 Words] [10 Marks] [2018]

Q.9) A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2018]

Q.10) The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.11) Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.12) Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pro and cons. Critically Examine.[200 Words] [12.5Marks] [2014]

Q.13) The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes and tariffs on Information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact would such agreements have on India’s interests? [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]

Q.14) Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid used for sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss on merits of such terms and it, there exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]

Q.15) India has recently signed to become founding member of New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). How will the role of the two Banks be different?Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India.[200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]

Q.16) The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests.[200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.17) What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.[200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.18) Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in the recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints which are inhibiting this growth. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.19) What is meant by Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today.Discuss. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora:

Q.1) Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international for in the context of geopolitics. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2022]

Q.2) The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2021]

Q.3) “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2021]

Q.4) ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2020]

Q.5) In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2018]

Q.6) Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South-East Asia in this context.[250 Words] [15 Marks][2017]

Q.7) Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India? [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora-their structure, mandate:

Q.1) Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organization like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation? [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2022]

Q.2) Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2021]

Q.3) Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2020]

Q.4) ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2019]

Q.5) What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’,especially keeping in mind the interest of India? [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2018]

Q.6) What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2017]

Q.7) “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective.[200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.8) What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.9) Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UNSC. [200 Words][12.5 Marks] [2015]

Q.10) WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]

Q.11) The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Trend of International relations previous year questions (PYQs) for UPSC Mains

Candidates can expect 4 to 5 questions related to International Relations in the UPSC Mains exam. However, it is crucial for aspirants to stay prepared to any variation in number of questions asked, considering that in 2013, a total of 8 questions were asked from this segment.

The overall weightage of this subject in mains GS 2 paper lies from 55 to 80 marks. To score good marks in this paper, one has to stay updated to the happenings in global scenario and along with that one must have comprehensive understanding of the events.