International Relations Current Affairs Updates For UPSC IAS Mains 2024 Examination
On this page you will find articles that falls under subject International Relations for UPSC IAS Mains 2024 examination
Trump’s new policies are weakening US soft power
Source: The post Trump’s new policies are weakening US soft power has been created, based on the article “Whittling down sources of U.S. soft power” published in “The Hindu” on 27 March 2025. Trump’s new policies are weakening US soft power. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and… Continue reading Trump’s new policies are weakening US soft power
India rethinks ties with Taliban in Afghanistan
Source: The post India rethinks ties with Taliban in Afghanistan has been created, based on the article “The ‘Great Abandonment’ of Afghanistan” published in “The Hindu” on 26th March 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article analyzes India’s evolving engagement with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan following the… Continue reading India rethinks ties with Taliban in Afghanistan
India adopts conciliatory approach towards China relations
Source: The post India adopts conciliatory approach towards China relations has been created, based on the article “China ties — beware conciliation without deterrence” published in “The Hindu” on 25th March 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: India has recently adopted a more conciliatory tone towards China, evident from… Continue reading India adopts conciliatory approach towards China relations
India plans to make IORA stronger and effective
Source: The post India plans to make IORA stronger and effective has been created, based on the article “Charting a route for IORA under India’s chairship” published in “The Hindu” on 22 March 2025. India plans to make IORA stronger and effective. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India… Continue reading India plans to make IORA stronger and effective
US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role
Source: The post US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role has been created, based on the article “The assault on multilateralism and international law” published in “The Hindu” on 21st March 2025. US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics… Continue reading US Shift From Multilateralism Impacts Global Order and India’s Role
India must strengthen its Indian Ocean strategy
Source: The post India must strengthen its Indian Ocean strategy has been created, based on the article “The ocean front” published in “Indian Express” on 19th March 2025. India must strengthen its Indian Ocean strategy. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: India has… Continue reading India must strengthen its Indian Ocean strategy
India’s engagement with the Taliban and its impact
Source: The post India’s engagement with the Taliban and its impact has been created, based on the article “New Delhi’s perilous recalibration with the Taliban” published in “The Hindu” on 18th March 2025. India’s engagement with the Taliban and its impact. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2– International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: India… Continue reading India’s engagement with the Taliban and its impact
India’s Peacekeeping Role in Ukraine Strengthens Influence
Source: The post India’s Peacekeeping Role in Ukraine Strengthens Influence has been created, based on the article “Vishwaguru India: A to-do list” published in “Indian Express” on 13th March 2025. India’s Peacekeeping Role in Ukraine Strengthens Influence. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s… Continue reading India’s Peacekeeping Role in Ukraine Strengthens Influence
India US trade agreement and WTO rules compliance
Source: The post India US trade agreement and WTO rules compliance has been created, based on the article “An India-U.S. trade agreement and the test of WTO laws” published in “The Hindu” on 11th March 2025. India US trade agreement and WTO rules compliance UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of… Continue reading India US trade agreement and WTO rules compliance
India strengthens ties with Mauritius during PM visit
Source: The post India strengthens ties with Mauritius during PM visit has been created, based on the article “India, Mauritius and a visit to deepen long-standing ties” published in “The Hindu” on 10th March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article discusses Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit… Continue reading India strengthens ties with Mauritius during PM visit
How Trump’s Rudeness Hides American Imperialism History
Source: The post How Trump’s Rudeness Hides American Imperialism History has been created, based on the article “There is a crisis of leadership in the Middle East” published in “Indian Express” on 8th March 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations Context: The article argues that the focus on Trump’s rudeness distracts from the long… Continue reading How Trump’s Rudeness Hides American Imperialism History
US and Israel’s Gaza Plan Faces Rejection
Source: The post US and Israel’s Gaza Plan Faces Rejection has been created, based on the article “There is a crisis of leadership in the Middle East” published in “Indian Express” on 8th March 2025. US and Israel’s Gaza Plan Faces Rejection UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations Context: The article discusses US and… Continue reading US and Israel’s Gaza Plan Faces Rejection
Nepali student suicide at KIIT sparks protests
Source: The post Nepali student suicide at KIIT sparks protests has been created, based on the article “The academic link between Nepal and India” published in “The Hindu” on 7th March 2025. Nepali student suicide at KIIT sparks protests UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article discusses the harassment-based… Continue reading Nepali student suicide at KIIT sparks protests
Arab League proposes Cairo Declaration for Gaza
Source: The post Arab League proposes Cairo Declaration for Gaza has been created, based on the article “The Egyptian alternative to Trump’s Gaza ‘Riviera’ plan” published in “Indian Express” on 6th March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The article… Continue reading Arab League proposes Cairo Declaration for Gaza
Ukraine’s Invasion Exposed Global Security Failures
Source: The post Ukraine’s Invasion Exposed Global Security Failures has been created, based on the article “Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: After Ukraine, imperialism is now the norm” published in “Indian Express” on 5th March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2– International relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context:… Continue reading Ukraine’s Invasion Exposed Global Security Failures
Strengthening UAE India aviation ties for growth
Source: The post Strengthening UAE India aviation ties for growth has been created, based on the article “Remodelling the UAE-India aviation partnership” published in “The Hindu” on 5th March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. And GS paper3- Infrastructure Context: The… Continue reading Strengthening UAE India aviation ties for growth
How China’s Communist Party Controls Foreign Policy
Source: The post How China’s Communist Party Controls Foreign Policy has been created, based on the article “How is China’s foreign policy structured?” published in “The Hindu” on 4th March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The article explains how China’s… Continue reading How China’s Communist Party Controls Foreign Policy
Australia Supports India’s Growth and UN Seat
Source: The post Australia Supports India’s Growth and UN Seat has been created, based on the article “Australia, the partner for India’s growth trajectory” published in “The Hindu” on 4th March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The article talks… Continue reading Australia Supports India’s Growth and UN Seat
Trump’s Tariff Plan Threatens India’s Exports
Source: The post Trump’s Tariff Plan Threatens India’s Exports has been created, based on the article “Trump’s America First, an opening for Indian farms” published in “Indian Express” on 3rd March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The article discusses… Continue reading Trump’s Tariff Plan Threatens India’s Exports
Trump’s Anti-Zelenskyy Stand Advances Authoritarian Forces Worldwide
Source: The post Trump’s Anti-Zelenskyy Stand Advances Authoritarian Forces Worldwide has been created, based on the article “Multiple bullies at work, out to create a ‘multipolar world’” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd March 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The… Continue reading Trump’s Anti-Zelenskyy Stand Advances Authoritarian Forces Worldwide
U.S. SEC’s Legal Action Against Adanis and India’s Response
Source: The post U.S. SEC’s Legal Action Against Adanis and India’s Response has been created, based on the article “The SEC and Hague Service Convention” published in “The Hindu” on 28th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The article discusses… Continue reading U.S. SEC’s Legal Action Against Adanis and India’s Response
U.S. Peace Talks with Russia and Their Global Impact
Source: The post U.S. Peace Talks with Russia and Their Global Impact has been created, based on the article “Will the U.S.’s changed Ukraine policy end the Russia-Ukraine war?” published in “The Hindu” on 28th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s… Continue reading U.S. Peace Talks with Russia and Their Global Impact
Critical minerals shape global power and conflicts
Source: The post Critical minerals shape global power and conflicts has been created, based on the article “The strategic race India can’t lose” published in “Indian Express” on 27th February 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The article discusses how… Continue reading Critical minerals shape global power and conflicts
Western Contradictions in Security, Democracy, and Migration
Source: The post Western Contradictions in Security, Democracy, and Migration has been created, based on the article “The right’s rise, Europe’s state of denial” published in “The Hindu” on 26th February 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The article discusses… Continue reading Western Contradictions in Security, Democracy, and Migration
Impact of recent shift in US-Russia relations
Source: The post Impact of recent shift in US-Russia relations has been created, based on the article “In Ukraine tragedy, a lesson on big powers: Proxies always end up as doormats of history” published in “Indian Express” on 24th February 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving… Continue reading Impact of recent shift in US-Russia relations
How to Read International Relations for UPSC IAS
International Relations (IR) is the most dynamic and challenging subject in the UPSC and IAS preparation. It is the part of UPSC Mains syllabus– General Studies Paper II. This subject is unavoidable as every year UPSC asked questions of around 100 marks in General Studies Paper-II.
Why this subject is important: International Relations for UPSC helps us to understand evolution of India’s foreign policy, India’s relations with other countries in the world, changes happening in international arena and India’s roles and responsibilities (COVID-19 Situation and India’s support to its neighbor through Vaccine Maitri Initiative), roles and responsibilities of India towards major international organization.
In this article we will discuss about the study approach of International Relations for UPSC which includes overview of the syllabus, plan to read International Relations, how to make notes, what all are important for International Relations and International Affairs.
Approach towards International Relations for UPSC: The most difficult question for all the UPSC aspirants is how to read International Relations so that they can understand the subject and score well in the exam. The answer lies in the term itself. International Relations simply means India’s relations with major countries in the world (including neighboring countries). So, students must try to understand India’s relations, its roles and responsibilities towards the world.
- Read the syllabus:Before starting the subject, you must have the command over the UPSC Mains syllabus for International Relations. You should refer the syllabus word by word, line by line. This will create the foundation.
| Subject | Syllabus |
| UPSC Mains- General Studies Paper II | · International relations · Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests · India and its neighborhood- relations · Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate · Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests · Indian diaspora |
- Refer Previous Years’ UPSC Mains Question Paper: Unlike other subjects, where it is recommended to complete one reading of the syllabus, then refer the previous years’ questions, different strategies work for International Relations. In this subject, you must see the past year’s questions before starting your study. Those questions will give you great knowledge about the nature and demand of the questions. It will also help you in your newspaper reading.
- Read one newspaper daily: Newspaper will give you knowledge about current events in the world. International Relations for UPSC is a dynamic topic. Newspaper will help you in preparing India’s foreign policy. The Hindu is one of the best newspapers which covers in details India’s relations with other nations. It also strengthens the different perspective of India towards the current happenings and what steps India should take as a world leader to improve the relations. Columns of The Hindu cover these topics in details. Ultimately, the analytical skills of the students will increase and gradually their answers will also improve. The demand of the UPSC in International Relations subject is that, aspirants should think like a diplomat. Daily newspaper reading will give you that skill.
- Build the foundation:If you will study International Relations for UPSC without knowing the background like events that took place after independence era, the cold war and non-alignment time, Wars between India and Pakistan and China and Pakistan, Fall of the USSR, incident of 9/11 and what all happened after that, then you will not be able to understand why such things are happening now, reasons behind them. Knowing background will help you to co-relate the news.
- Notes making from the newspaper:Notes making is unavoidable in case of International Relations. But here is trick. You cannot simply write down in your copy what all are important for International Relations for UPSC. You should make notes country wise. For example, if there is news regarding Bilateral relations between India and USA, then you must make comprehensive notes of it. It should include background, economic relations, cultural relations, defense relations, opportunities and challenges for India. Likewise, they should cover all counties’ bilateral relations with India. International Relations also mean bilateral relations between two major countries of the world. For example, USA and Russia. So, you should also put focus on news related to that and make notes for that.
- Refer one good monthly current affairs magazine:It is very important to read one monthly current affairs magazine. Sometimes, we miss some topics in the newspaper or we fail to understand what article is trying to tell us. It happens with most of us because of the tedious language the author use. Current affairs magazine of a good institute covers all the news and articles and explain that in simple language. It becomes easy for students to read and revise them.
- Miscellaneous sources to refer: You can refer frontline magazine. Official Website of The Ministry of External Affairs is also very helpful. Pax Indica – Shashi Tharoor, India’s Foreign Policy: Coping With The Changing World – Muchkund Dubey are good books on foreign policy. You can read them if possible.
- Some important topics: These topics you must cover thoroughly and make notes on those topics.
- India and its relations with its neighbors like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal
- India’s opportunities and contribution to various organizations including the United Nations, ASEAN, G20, G7, GCC, EU, World Bank, IMF, SAARC, etc.
- Relationship between India and other international regions like Central Asia, USA, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Russia etc.
- India’s relations with the affluent nations of the world, like Germany, Japan, USA, etc.
- India and the 5 UNSC members i.e., USA, China, France, Russia and UK.
- Cover important organizations: You must cover important organizations which are important from the India’s perspective. Some of them are:
- United Nations
- International Monetary Fund
- World Health Organization
- World Bank
- European Union
- League of Nations
- G20
- G7 etc.
- Answer writing practice:Once you understand the subject, you should immediately start writing answers on a daily basis. In starting you can write answers of past years’ questions. And gradually you can speed up the process. Daily practice will increase the quality and areas covered. The more dynamic your answers will be, the more marks you will get.
- Revise the notes properly and keep updating that: It is important to revise the notes prepared by notes regularly. Along with that, you should also update the notes according to happenings in the world. For example, India’s role as a leader during COVID-19 pandemic.
- Every year UPSC ask around 7-9% questions from International Relations (IR) in Prelims. We will see the trend analysis for Geography in UPSC Prelims exam:
- 2016 – 9
- 2017 – 6
- 2018 – 7
- 2019 – 5
- 2020 – 6
- 2021 – 7
- 2022 – 13
- 2023 – 8
In all your preparation journey of International Relations for UPSC, you must think like a diplomat try to increase the dimensions as much as possible. It will help you in your answer writing.
