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
India recalibrates Bay of Bengal trade with caution
Source: The post India recalibrates Bay of Bengal trade with caution has been created, based on the article “India’s uneasy balancing act in the Bay of Bengal” published in “The Hindu” on 17th June 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: India’s economic involvement in the Bay of Bengal… Continue reading India recalibrates Bay of Bengal trade with caution
Israel attacks Iran and escalates regional conflict
Source: The post Israel attacks Iran and escalates regional conflict has been created, based on the article “Endgame of a 2,611-year-old Jewish-Persian enmity” published in “The Hindu” on 14 June 2025. Israel attacks Iran and escalates regional conflict. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations Context: The June 13, 2025 Israeli military operation, “Rising Lion,” targeting… Continue reading Israel attacks Iran and escalates regional conflict
Bangladesh faces uncertainty over democratic political transition
Source: The post Bangladesh faces uncertainty over democratic political transition has been created, based on the article “Is Bangladesh slipping into authoritarianism?” published in “The Hindu” on 13 June 2025. Bangladesh faces uncertainty over democratic political transition. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: On June 7, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus… Continue reading Bangladesh faces uncertainty over democratic political transition
Türkiye expands regional influence by blending Islamism and pragmatism
Source: The post Türkiye expands regional influence by blending Islamism and pragmatism has been created, based on the article “Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman foreign policy” published in “The Hindu” on 11 June 2025. Türkiye expands regional influence by blending Islamism and pragmatism. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or… Continue reading Türkiye expands regional influence by blending Islamism and pragmatism
India Pakistan conflict remains unresolved despite global diplomatic efforts
Source: The post India Pakistan conflict remains unresolved despite global diplomatic efforts has been created, based on the article “The hazards of going global on India-Pakistan issues” published in “The Hindu” on 11 June 2025. India Pakistan conflict remains unresolved despite global diplomatic efforts. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context:… Continue reading India Pakistan conflict remains unresolved despite global diplomatic efforts
India Must Secure Critical Minerals for Clean Energy
Source: The post India Must Secure Critical Minerals for Clean Energy has been created, based on the article “India Must Secure Critical Minerals for Clean Energy” published in “Business Standard ” on 3 June 2025. India Must Secure Critical Minerals for Clean Energy. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and… Continue reading India Must Secure Critical Minerals for Clean Energy
India can benefit from United States research cuts
Source: The post India can benefit from United States research cuts has been created, based on the article “Trump effect: A brain drain from the US to India?” published in “Businessline” on 3 June 2025. India can benefit from United States research cuts. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of… Continue reading India can benefit from United States research cuts
Indo-German Strategic Partnership at 25 Years
Source: The post Indo-German Strategic Partnership at 25 Years has been created, based on the article “The silver jubilee of a strategic partnership” published in “The Hindu” on 28 May 2025. Indo-German Strategic Partnership at 25 Years. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.… Continue reading Indo-German Strategic Partnership at 25 Years
India’s global diplomacy faces truth and legitimacy challenges
Source: The post India’s global diplomacy faces truth and legitimacy challenges has been created, based on the article “Narrating the nation abroad” published in “The Hindu” on 22 May 2025. India’s global diplomacy faces truth and legitimacy challenges. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations Context: India has launched a global diplomatic outreach following recent military… Continue reading India’s global diplomacy faces truth and legitimacy challenges
Turkey and Pakistan grow closer against India
Source: The post Turkey and Pakistan grow closer against India has been created, based on the article “The Pakistan-Turkey nexus and where India stands” published in “Indian Express” on 10 May 2025. Turkey and Pakistan grow closer against India. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations Context: India recently repelled a large-scale Pakistani drone attack… Continue reading Turkey and Pakistan grow closer against India
India and US cooperation strengthens energy security and resilience
Source: The post India and US cooperation strengthens energy security and resilience has been created, based on the article “The building blocks of an India-U.S. energy future” published in “The Hindu” on 8 May 2025. India and US cooperation strengthens energy security and resilience. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings… Continue reading India and US cooperation strengthens energy security and resilience
China’s rare earth dominance threatens US security
Source: The post China’s rare earth dominance threatens US security has been created, based on the article “Rare earth minerals as China’s ‘trump’ card” published in “The Hindu” on 5 May 2025. China’s rare earth dominance threatens US security. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on… Continue reading China’s rare earth dominance threatens US security
India needs a stronger strategy for Arctic
Source: The post India needs a stronger strategy for Arctic has been created, based on the article “India must rethink its Arctic outlook” published in “The Hindu” on 5 May 2025. India needs a stronger strategy for Arctic. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations — Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Context:… Continue reading India needs a stronger strategy for Arctic
Saudi Arabia uses oil policy for diplomacy
Source: The post Saudi Arabia uses oil policy for diplomacy has been created, based on the article “Understanding the unlikely Saudi push for lower oil prices” published in “Business Standard ” on 3 May 2025. Saudi Arabia uses oil policy for diplomacy. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations Context: Saudi Arabia, the leader of… Continue reading Saudi Arabia uses oil policy for diplomacy
India must reshape strategy in changing world
Source: The post India must reshape strategy in changing world has been created, based on the article “A profound shift in the global order” published in “The Hindu” on 3 May 2025. India must reshape strategy in changing world. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations Context: Global power structures are undergoing a major shift, similar… Continue reading India must reshape strategy in changing world
Trump’s Return Threatens US Dollar Global Dominance
Source: The post Trump’s Return Threatens US Dollar Global Dominance has been created, based on the article “King Dollar’s shaky crown” published in “Businessline” on 1 May and 2 May 2025 respectively. Trump’s Return Threatens US Dollar Global Dominance. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations Context: Donald Trump’s return to power in January 2025… Continue reading Trump’s Return Threatens US Dollar Global Dominance
Global power shifts are creating rising instability
Source: The post Global power shifts are creating rising instability has been created, based on the article “From a rules-based world to shambolic disorder” published in “The Hindu” on 1 May 2025. Global power shifts are creating rising instability. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting… Continue reading Global power shifts are creating rising instability
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 26 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 “Business line” on 25 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… 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 25 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 25 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
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.
