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 policies trigger lasting stagflation risk for global economy
Source: The post Trump’s policies trigger lasting stagflation risk for global economy has been created, based on the article “Stagflation for the ages” published in “Financial Express” on 26th April 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations Context: The article warns of a deeper and lasting stagflation threat facing the global economy. This risk… Continue reading Trump’s policies trigger lasting stagflation risk for global economy
India and Pakistan face challenges over Indus water sharing
Source: The post India and Pakistan face challenges over Indus water sharing has been created, based on the article “Shadow over Indus Water Treaty” published in “Businessline” on 25th April 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations – Bilateral groupings and agreements Context: Water-sharing in the Indus basin is crucial for both India and Pakistan.… Continue reading India and Pakistan face challenges over Indus water sharing
Global trade is shifting away from the WTO framework
Source: The post Global trade is shifting away from the WTO framework has been created, based on the article “Is the World Trade Organization still relevant?” published in “The Hindu” on 25th April 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context: The global trading… Continue reading Global trade is shifting away from the WTO framework
Kurdish Struggle Gains Relevance Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Source: The post Kurdish Struggle Gains Relevance Amid Geopolitical Shifts has been created, based on the article “Amidst regional ferment, Kurds’ quest for statehood” published in “The Hindu” on 25th April 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations Context: West Asia is undergoing significant geopolitical shifts. Amidst these changes, the century-old Kurdish struggle for… Continue reading Kurdish Struggle Gains Relevance Amid Geopolitical Shifts
India explores Arctic opportunities balancing trade, climate and geopolitics
Source: The post India explores Arctic opportunities balancing trade, climate and geopolitics has been created, based on the article “Exploring India’s potential in the Arctic region” published in “The Hindu” on 23 April 2025. India explores Arctic opportunities balancing trade, climate and geopolitics. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – International Relations — Important International… Continue reading India explores Arctic opportunities balancing trade, climate and geopolitics
China restricts rare earth exports affecting India
Source: The post China restricts rare earth exports affecting India has been created, based on the article “Why did China block exports of rare earth elements?” published in “The Hindu” on 22 April 2025. China restricts rare earth exports affecting India. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing… Continue reading China restricts rare earth exports affecting India
India and China mark 75 years of complex ties
Source: The post India and China mark 75 years of complex ties has been created, based on the article “India, China at 75 — a time for strategy, not sentiment” published in “The Hindu” on 22 April 2025. India and China mark 75 years of complex ties. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its… Continue reading India and China mark 75 years of complex ties
India stays silent as world reacts to US tariffs
Source: The post India stays silent as world reacts to US tariffs has been created, based on the article “Calling out American trade illegality” published in “The Hindu” on 21 April 2025. India stays silent as world reacts to US tariffs. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and… Continue reading India stays silent as world reacts to US tariffs
Trump uses tariffs to reshape American economy and security
Source: The post Trump uses tariffs to reshape American economy and security has been created, based on the article “Trumponomics deserves to be taken seriously” published in “The Hindu” on 18 April 2025. Trump uses tariffs to reshape American economy and security. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving… Continue reading Trump uses tariffs to reshape American economy and security
China responds to US tariffs with strength
Source: The post China responds to US tariffs with strength has been created, based on the article “How China is fighting U.S. tariffs” published in “The Hindu” on 17 April 2025. China responds to US tariffs with strength. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2 Context: In early 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump revived his “America First”… Continue reading China responds to US tariffs with strength
India prepares response to US tariff changes
Source: The post India prepares response to US tariff changes has been created, based on the article “Shaping a response to the U.S.’s reciprocal tariffs” published in “The Hindu” on 17 April 2025. India prepares response to US tariff changes. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries… Continue reading India prepares response to US tariff changes
India considers revising its investment treaty model
Source: The post India considers revising its investment treaty model has been created, based on the article “India needs a model BIT that balances investment protection with the right to regulate” published in “Indian Express” on 16 April 2025. India considers revising its investment treaty model. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global… Continue reading India considers revising its investment treaty model
Uyghur Militants in Syria Challenge China’s Diplomacy
Source: The post Uyghur Militants in Syria Challenge China’s Diplomacy has been created, based on the article “Feminism for polarised times” published in “The Hindu” on 15 April 2025. Uyghur Militants in Syria Challenge China’s Diplomacy. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations Context: The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the rise of Ahmed… Continue reading Uyghur Militants in Syria Challenge China’s Diplomacy
Trump Tariffs offer India opportunity for crucial economic reforms
Source: The post NEP promotes interdisciplinary higher education has been created, based on the article “India’s second 1991 moment” published in “Indian Express” on 12 April 2025. Trump Tariffs offer India opportunity for crucial economic reforms. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. Context:.… Continue reading Trump Tariffs offer India opportunity for crucial economic reforms
RBI responds to global trade war challenges
Source: The post RBI responds to global trade war challenges has been created, based on the article “RBI MPC’s rate cut is a signal to support growth amidst global economic turmoil” published in “Indian Express” on 10 April 2025. RBI responds to global trade war challenges. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and… Continue reading RBI responds to global trade war challenges
India must respond wisely to Trump’s trade
Source: The post India must respond wisely to Trump’s trade has been created, based on the article “Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: India must stand up to Donald Trump, the bully” published in “Indian Express” on 5 April 2025. India must respond wisely to Trump’s trade. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics… Continue reading India must respond wisely to Trump’s trade
Global South can lead Ukraine peace mission
Source: The post Global South can lead Ukraine peace mission has been created, based on the article “A case for the Global South in securing Ukraine peace” published in “The Hindu” on 5 April 2025. Global South can lead Ukraine peace mission. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India… Continue reading Global South can lead Ukraine peace mission
India should lower tariffs and boost global trade ties
Source: The post India should lower tariffs and boost global trade ties has been created, based on the article “Should India reduce tariffs given the U.S.’s moves?” published in “The Hindu” on 4 April 2025. India should lower tariffs and boost global trade ties. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and… Continue reading India should lower tariffs and boost global trade ties
West Asia conflict escalates as US and Israel act
Source: The post West Asia conflict escalates as US and Israel act has been created, based on the article “The ring of fire around Iran is tightening” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd April 2025. West Asia conflict escalates as US and Israel act. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings… Continue reading West Asia conflict escalates as US and Israel act
The Arctic is becoming a global hotspot
Source: The post The Arctic is becoming a global hotspot. has been created, based on the article “Why are tensions high in the Arctic?” published in “The Hindu” on 1 April 2025. The Arctic is becoming a global hotspot. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Context: The… Continue reading The Arctic is becoming a global hotspot
Africa explores nuclear energy amid global competition and crisis
Source: The post Africa explores nuclear energy amid global competition and crisis has been created, based on the article “Advantage China in Africa’s nuclear energy market race” published in “The Hindu” on 29 March 2025. Africa explores nuclear energy amid global competition and crisis. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of… Continue reading Africa explores nuclear energy amid global competition and crisis
India seeks greater global role with caution
Source: The post India seeks greater global role with caution has been created, based on the article “U.S. defence ties — India needs to keep its eyes open” published in “The Hindu” on 29 March 2025. India seeks greater global role with caution. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements… Continue reading India seeks greater global role with caution
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. India rethinks ties with Taliban in Afghanistan. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article analyzes India’s evolving engagement with… 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 25 March 2025. India adopts conciliatory approach towards China relations. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: India has recently adopted a… Continue reading India adopts conciliatory approach towards China 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.
