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, Australia explore easing whiskey exports, form group
Source: The post is based on the article “India, Australia explore easing whiskey exports, form group” published in Live Mint on 22nd July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations Relevance: About India Australia mutual recognition agreement (MRA). News: Recently, India and Australia have formed a joint working group to consider the possibility of a mutual recognition… Continue reading India, Australia explore easing whiskey exports, form group
A race for the high seas dominion
Source: The post is based on the article “A race for the high seas dominion” published in “Business standard” on 21st July 2023. Syllabus: GS 1- Distribution of key natural resources across the world & GS 2- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests News: In this article the… Continue reading A race for the high seas dominion
More than court action, revisit the Indus Waters Treaty
Source– The post is based on the article “More than court action, revisit the Indus Waters Treaty” published in “The Hindu” on 20th July 2023. Syllabus : GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements Relevance: India and Pakistan bilateral relationship News- The article explains the issues related to the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan. What… Continue reading More than court action, revisit the Indus Waters Treaty
President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Delhi: Sri Lanka and India, five things to do
Source: This post is based on the article “President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Delhi: Sri Lanka and India, five things to do” published in Indian Express on 20th July. Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – India and its neighborhood News: Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe is visiting India to finalize several investments, especially in energy, infrastructure,… Continue reading President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Delhi: Sri Lanka and India, five things to do
India, France and what keeps their ties ticking
Source: The post is based on the article “India, France and what keeps their ties ticking” published in The Hindu on 19th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Relevance: India and France relations News: The article explains the India and France bilateral relations. Contents1… Continue reading India, France and what keeps their ties ticking
From Great Powers to Asia – India is raising its diplomatic game
Source– The post is based on the article “From Great Powers to Asia – India is raising its diplomatic game” published in “The Indian Express” on 19th July 2023. Syllabus : GS 2- International Relations Relevance : Indian renewed approach towards the major powers and regional geopolitics News – The article explains the India approach… Continue reading From Great Powers to Asia – India is raising its diplomatic game
Black Sea Grain Initiative
Source– The post is based on the article “Granny Future” published in “The Times of India” and “Food insecurity returns” published in the “Business Standard” on 19th July 2023. Syllabus : GS2- INternational relations Relevance: Issues of global importance News- Russia has decided to pull out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Contents1 What are… Continue reading Black Sea Grain Initiative
New opportunities and a few old issues as Wickremesinghe comes calling
Source: The post is based on the article “New opportunities and a few old issues as Wickremesinghe comes calling” published in “The Indian Express” on 19th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2- IR (India and its neighborhood-relations.) News: This article discusses Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s upcoming visit to India, highlighting past tensions, current efforts for… Continue reading New opportunities and a few old issues as Wickremesinghe comes calling
Eye on Emirati flows – There are both risks and benefits in the rupee-dirham settlement system
Source: The post is based on the articles “Eye on Emirati flows – There are both risks and benefits in the rupee-dirham settlement system” published in The Hindu on 18th July 2023 and “Gently Pushing Rupee – Steady steps promoting rupee-based foreign trade are pragmatic. Internationalization follows economic heft” published in The Times of India on 18th… Continue reading Eye on Emirati flows – There are both risks and benefits in the rupee-dirham settlement system
We can expect more turbulence ahead in Indian diaspora politics
Source: The post is based on the article “We can expect more turbulence ahead in Indian diaspora politics” published in Live mint on 17th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2- Indian Diaspora News: This article discusses the increasing complexity of diaspora politics. It suggests that Indian leaders should carefully engage with the diaspora to avoid exacerbating… Continue reading We can expect more turbulence ahead in Indian diaspora politics
An enlarged Nato does not enhance its appeal
Source: The post is based on the article “An enlarged Nato does not enhance its appeal” published in Live mint on 17th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: In this article author discusses the geopolitical implications of Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, the… Continue reading An enlarged Nato does not enhance its appeal
Problematic – on EU resolution on Manipur violence
Source– The post is based on the article “Problematic” published in “The Hindu” on 15th July 2023. Syllabus: GS2-International relations. GS3- Security Relevance: Internal security matters of India and its international implications News- Recently, the EU parliament has passed a resolution on Manipur violence. What are issues with the EU parliament resolution? The EU Parliament… Continue reading Problematic – on EU resolution on Manipur violence
Why India-France ties are strong, what’s the significance of PM Modi’s visit
Source– The post is based on the article “Why India-France ties are strong, what’s the significance of PM Modi’s visit” published in the “The Indian Express” on 14th July 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements Relevance: India and France bilateral relationship News- PM Modi is on a visit to France. Why is the partnership… Continue reading Why India-France ties are strong, what’s the significance of PM Modi’s visit
Out of alignment – On India-UK Bilateral Investment Treaty
Source- The post is based on the article “Out of alignment” published in the “The Indian Express” on 14th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements Relevance – Issues related to foreign investment News – Negotiations are undergoing on the India-UK bilateral investment treaty. What is the main point… Continue reading Out of alignment – On India-UK Bilateral Investment Treaty
Christophe Jaffrelot writes: What the Indo-French relationship needs
Source: The post is based on the article “Christophe Jaffrelot writes: What the Indo-French relationship needs” published in The Indian Express on 13th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: This article discusses the strategic and security-focused relationship between India and France. The… Continue reading Christophe Jaffrelot writes: What the Indo-French relationship needs
Quiet diplomacy could ease South China Sea tensions
Source– The post is based on the article “Quiet diplomacy could ease South China Sea tensions” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral and regional groupings Relevance: India and Philippines relationship News-. The Foreign Ministers of India and the Philippines met at the fifth meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on… Continue reading Quiet diplomacy could ease South China Sea tensions
What India can gain from Europe — and Europe from India
Source: The post is based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes on PM Modi in Paris: What India can gain from Europe — and Europe from India” published in The Indian Express on 12th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: India’s… Continue reading What India can gain from Europe — and Europe from India
The Global South: origins and significance
Source: The post is based on the article “The Global South: origins and significance” published in “The Hindu” on 11th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: The refusal of several important African, Asian, and Latin American countries to stand with NATO in… Continue reading The Global South: origins and significance
China view on SCO summit: Iran welcome, need to ‘save’ group from India
Source– The post is based on the article “China view on SCO summit: Iran welcome, need to ‘save’ group from India” published in “The Indian Express” on 11th July 2023. Syllabus: GS2- BIlateral groupings and agreements Relevance– India and US bilateral relationship News- The membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is growing. Iran is… Continue reading China view on SCO summit: Iran welcome, need to ‘save’ group from India
Sujan Chinoy writes: New America-India partnership opens up the potential for a multi-polar Asia
Source– The post is based on the article “Sujan Chinoy writes: New America-India partnership opens up the potential for a multi-polar Asia” published in “The Indian Express” on 11th July 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Regional and global groupings Relevance: SCO News- The membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is growing. Iran is the newest entrant… Continue reading Sujan Chinoy writes: New America-India partnership opens up the potential for a multi-polar Asia
Delhi’s Kyiv Calculations – on India-Ukraine relations
Source– The post is based on the article “Delhi’s Kyiv Calculations” published in “The Times of India” on 10th July 2023. Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements Relevance: India and Ukraine bilateral relationship News- India’s MEA secretary (west) Sanjay Verma’s upcoming visit to Kyiv could potentially mark a turning point in Indo-Ukrainian ties. Contents1 What… Continue reading Delhi’s Kyiv Calculations – on India-Ukraine relations
Restoring the World Trade Organization’s crown jewel
Source: The post is based on the article “Restoring the World Trade Organization’s crown jewel” published in The Hindu on 10th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – Important International Institutions Relevance: concerns associated with WTO’s dispute settlement system (DSS) News: In June 2022, at the Geneva ministerial conference, the member-countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) reached… Continue reading Restoring the World Trade Organization’s crown jewel
Blurred lines – on US’s delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine
Source: The post is based on the article “Blurred lines” published in “The Hindu ” on 10th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations (IR) News: The Biden administration recently decided to send cluster munitions to Ukraine in the wake of the ongoing Russian invasion. It illustrates both the difficulties faced by Kyiv and… Continue reading Blurred lines – on US’s delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine
China’s loss of momentum, rebuilding a bridge too far
Source– The post is based on the article “China’s loss of momentum, rebuilding a bridge too far” published in “The Business Standard” on 8th July 2023. Syllabus GS2- International Relations News- The Chinese economy is presenting a strange picture. How is the Chinese economy showing a different trend from other economies of the world? Much… Continue reading China’s loss of momentum, rebuilding a bridge too far
Sobriety after the euphoria of the U.S. state visit
Source: The post is based on the article “Sobriety after the euphoria of the U.S. state visit” published in “The Hindu” on 8th July 2023. Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Contents1 About historical development of India US relations2 What are the major differences in… Continue reading Sobriety after the euphoria of the U.S. state visit
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.
