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
Xi Jinping skipping G-20 Summit a deliberate signal to India, West
Source: The post is based on articles “Xi Jinping skipping G-20 Summit a deliberate signal to India, West” published in The Hindu on 6th September 2023 and “No middle ground – Xi’s decision is a lose-lose” published in Business Standard on 6th September 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and… Continue reading Xi Jinping skipping G-20 Summit a deliberate signal to India, West
C Raja Mohan writes: At G20, the end of old multilateralism – and the beginning of a new order
Source: The post is based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes: At G20, the end of old multilateralism – and the beginning of a new order” published in “The Indian express” on 6th September 2023. Syllabus: GS2- International relation- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: The… Continue reading C Raja Mohan writes: At G20, the end of old multilateralism – and the beginning of a new order
How India has made the G20 more inclusive
Source: The post is based on the article “How India has made the G20 more inclusive” published in “The Indian express” on 5th September 2023. Syllabus: GS2- International relation- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: The article talks about India’s leadership in the G20 presidency. It focuses… Continue reading How India has made the G20 more inclusive
Neta Ramaswamy – Diaspora is rocking it, from tech to politics
Source: The post is based on the article “Neta Ramaswamy – Diaspora is rocking it, from tech to politics” published in The Times of India on 2nd September 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations – Indian Diaspora Relevance: contribution of Indian diaspora in America News: Vivek Ramaswamy, a child of Indian immigrants, is being considered for… Continue reading Neta Ramaswamy – Diaspora is rocking it, from tech to politics
Neighbours, rivals- The Asia Cup remains hostage to India-Pakistan relations
Source: The post is based on the article “Neighbours, rivals- The Asia Cup remains hostage to India-Pakistan relations” published in “The Hindu” on 1st September 2023. Syllabus: GS2- India and its neighbourhood-relations. News: The article talks about Asia Cup’s history and challenges, focusing on political tensions, mainly between India and Pakistan. It also mentions teams… Continue reading Neighbours, rivals- The Asia Cup remains hostage to India-Pakistan relations
BRICS is bigger now. Is it better too?
Source– The post is based on the article “BRICS is bigger now. Is it better too?” published in “The Indian Express” on 1st September 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Regional and global groupings Relevance: BRICS News– Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa took a call last week to expand the BRICS grouping from five… Continue reading BRICS is bigger now. Is it better too?
Cross the boulders in the Indus Waters Treaty
Source– The post is based on the article “Cross the boulders in the Indus Waters Treaty”, Published in “The Hindu” on 31st August 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations – Bilateral groupings and agreements Relevance: India and Pakistan bilateral relationship News– The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), brokered by the World Bank, which has again… Continue reading Cross the boulders in the Indus Waters Treaty
India, Kenya sign MoU for shipbuilding collaboration
Source: The post is based on the article “India, Kenya sign MoU for shipbuilding collaboration” published in “The Hindu” on 30th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: Goa Shipyard Limited in India and Kenya Shipyard Limited have agreed to work together on ship… Continue reading India, Kenya sign MoU for shipbuilding collaboration
Leveraging India’s air power: A force to reckon with
Source– The post is based on the article “Leveraging India’s air power: A force to reckon with” published in “The Indian Express” on 29th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- International relations. GS3- Internal Security News– The article explains the increasing significance of airpower for India in context of Chinese national security strategy. Contents1 How is India… Continue reading Leveraging India’s air power: A force to reckon with
At Delhi summit, demonstrate climate leadership
Source: The post is based on the article “At Delhi summit, demonstrate climate leadership” published in “The Hindu” on 29th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- International relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: This article stresses the G-20 nations must work together for clean energy and climate… Continue reading At Delhi summit, demonstrate climate leadership
Old ties: India and Greece are finding new ways to revive an age-old relationship
Source: The post is based on the article “Old ties: India and Greece are finding new ways to revive an age-old relationship” published in “The Hindu” on 29th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- International relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: The article talks about a meeting… Continue reading Old ties: India and Greece are finding new ways to revive an age-old relationship
G20 ministers agree to map global value chains, link MSMEs
Source– The post is based on the article “G20 ministers agree to map global value chains, link MSMEs” published in the “The Hindu” on 26th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2 – International Relations – Global groupings News– Recently, a two-day G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting took [place in Jaipur. What are important parts of outcome… Continue reading G20 ministers agree to map global value chains, link MSMEs
Fallacy, fantasy, Global South
Source: The post is based on the article “Fallacy, fantasy, Global South” published in Business Standard on 26th August 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Relevance: challenges with the Global South. News: The article explains challenges with the Global South. Contents1 What does the term… Continue reading Fallacy, fantasy, Global South
The new discourse of the Global South
Source: The post is based on the article “Ram Madhav writes: The new discourse of the Global South” published in “The Indian Express” on 26th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. News: The article discusses the changing definitions of “developed” and “developing” countries. The… Continue reading The new discourse of the Global South
India’s G-20 opportunity for an African Renaissance
Source: The post is based on the article “India’s G-20 opportunity for an African Renaissance” published in The Hindu on 25th August 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The author talks about Africa’s challenges and reduced global support. They mention military takeovers,… Continue reading India’s G-20 opportunity for an African Renaissance
Express View on BRICS: In uncharted waters
Source– The post is based on the article “Express View on BRICS: In uncharted waters” published in the “The Indian Express” and “Brics & Beijing” published in “The Times of India” on 24th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Regional and global groupings News– The article explains the issues of expansion of BRICS membership and challenges faced… Continue reading Express View on BRICS: In uncharted waters
India and the Northern Sea Route
Source: The post is based on the article “India and the Northern Sea Route” published in The Hindu on 25th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The article talks about India’s increasing role in Arctic’s Northern Sea Route (NSR) for cargo. It covers… Continue reading India and the Northern Sea Route
Sunil Bharti Mittal writes: It’s time for Africa – and India’s G20 presidency is part of the opportunity
Source: The post is based on the article “Sunil Bharti Mittal writes: It’s time for Africa – and India’s G20 presidency is part of the opportunity” published in “Indian Express” on 24th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: In this article, author stresses… Continue reading Sunil Bharti Mittal writes: It’s time for Africa – and India’s G20 presidency is part of the opportunity
The U.K.India relationship is alive with opportunity
Source– The post is based on the article “The U.K.India relationship is alive with opportunity” published in “The Hindu” on 24th August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements Relevance: India and UK bilateral relationship News– The article explains the status of trade, investment and cultural relationship between India and UK. What is the status… Continue reading The U.K.India relationship is alive with opportunity
A revived trilateral- Japan and South Korea are shoring up security
Source: The post is based on the article “A revived trilateral- Japan and South Korea are shoring up security” published in “Business Standard” on 23rd August 2023. Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: This article discusses how Japan, South Korea, and the US held a significant… Continue reading A revived trilateral- Japan and South Korea are shoring up security
“The World Bank must reform- Overhauls to multilateral development banks could be a lasting legacy of India’s G20 presidency”
Source: The post is based on the article “The World Bank must reform- Overhauls to multilateral development banks could be a lasting legacy of India’s G20 presidency” published in “ Business Standard” on 22nd August 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Important International institutions. News: In this article, author discusses the need for reforms in the World Bank… Continue reading “The World Bank must reform- Overhauls to multilateral development banks could be a lasting legacy of India’s G20 presidency”
“The BRICS test for India’s multipolarity rhetoric”
Source: The post is based on articles “The BRICS test for India’s multipolarity rhetoric” published in The Hindu on 22nd August 2023 and “We face hard options on the BRICS architecture” published in Live Mint on 22nd August 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Relevance:… Continue reading “The BRICS test for India’s multipolarity rhetoric”
Express View on Saudi and Iran: Welcome detente
Source– The post is based on the article “Express View on Saudi and Iran: Welcome detente” published in “The Indian Express” on 21st August 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International relations News– Recently, Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian’s visit to Saudi Arabia had traveled to Riyadh to offer condolences on the death of King Abdullah.… Continue reading Express View on Saudi and Iran: Welcome detente
The Katchatheevu controversy
Source: The post is based on the article “The Katchatheevu controversy” published in The Hindu on 21st August 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations Relevance: India and Sri Lanka agreement on Katchatheevu. News: Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M. K. Stalin restarted discussions about Katchatheevu, a barren islet near Rameswaram. He called to reclaim the islet from… Continue reading The Katchatheevu controversy
A ‘fab’ way to conduct India-Japan tech diplomacy
Source: The post is based on the article “A ‘fab’ way to conduct India-Japan tech diplomacy” published in The Hindu on 19th August 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations Relevance: India and Japan agreement on semiconductor technology News: In July 2023, India and Japan reached an agreement to cooperate on semiconductor technology. Contents1 What is the… Continue reading A ‘fab’ way to conduct India-Japan tech diplomacy
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.
