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
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
India and China agree to restore bilateral relations
Source: The post India and China agree to restore bilateral relations has been created, based on the article “The long and winding road of India-China relations” published in “The Hindu” on 21st February 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article discusses the recent India-China agreement to restore… Continue reading India and China agree to restore bilateral relations
Trump’s policies create divisions between US and Europe
Source: The post Trump’s policies create divisions between US and Europe has been created, based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes: Has Trumpism broken the Collective West?” published in “Indian Express” on 20th February 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.… Continue reading Trump’s policies create divisions between US and Europe
Post-Soviet colour revolutions and Georgia’s geopolitical struggle
Source: The post Post-Soviet colour revolutions and Georgia’s geopolitical struggle has been created, based on the article “Georgia and the resurrection of the colour revolutions” published in “The Hindu” on 18th 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 Post-Soviet colour revolutions and Georgia’s geopolitical struggle
Bangladesh is changing its foreign relations now
Source: The post Bangladesh is changing its foreign relations now has been created, based on the article “Interpreting the recent Bangladesh-Pakistan thaw” published in “The Hindu” on 17th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article discusses Bangladesh’s changing foreign relations after Sheikh Hasina’s removal. The new… Continue reading Bangladesh is changing its foreign relations now
Modi’s visit to Washington impacted India-US relations
Source: The post India’s Growing Influence in the Indian Ocean has been created, based on the article “Express View on Modi and Trump’s meeting: A promising future” published in “Indian Express” on 15th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting Context: The article… Continue reading Modi’s visit to Washington impacted India-US relations
India’s Growing Influence in the Indian Ocean
Source: The post India’s Growing Influence in the Indian Ocean has been created, based on the article “What India needs to do in the Indian Ocean” published in “Indian Express” on 15th 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… Continue reading India’s Growing Influence in the Indian Ocean
China’s restrictions threaten India’s manufacturing and growth
Source: The post China’s restrictions threaten India’s manufacturing and growth has been created, based on the article “Dealing with China’s weaponisation of e-supply chains” published in “The Hindu” on 15th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: China is restricting its engineers and critical equipment exports to India, affecting… Continue reading China’s restrictions threaten India’s manufacturing and growth
China’s dam project raises concerns for India
Source: The post China’s dam project raises concerns for India has been created, based on the article “China’s dam project opens the floodgates of concern” published in “The Hindu” on 14th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: China plans to build a large dam on the Yarlung… Continue reading China’s dam project raises concerns for India
India should not exit the WTO despite farmer demands
Source: The post India should not exit the WTO despite farmer demands ban for convicts has been created, based on the article “DON’T GO IT ALONE: Rather than withdraw from WTO, India should strengthen trade multilateralism” published in “Indian Express” on 13th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Important International institutions, agencies and… Continue reading India should not exit the WTO despite farmer demands
Impact of Trump freezing USAID foreign aid
Source: The post Impact of Trump freezing USAID foreign aid has been created, based on the article “How will freeze on USAID affect the world?” published in “The Hindu” on 12th February 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Context: The article… Continue reading Impact of Trump freezing USAID foreign aid
EFTA India partnership boosts trade and innovation
Source: The post EFTA India partnership boosts trade and innovation has been created, based on the article “India-EFTA trade agreement opens the door to long-term, multifaceted cooperation” published in “Indian Express” on 11th 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:… Continue reading EFTA India partnership boosts trade and innovation
India strengthens Global South ties and leadership
Source: The post India strengthens Global South ties and leadership has been created, based on the article “India as a bridge between the Global North and South” published in “The Hindu” on 11th 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… Continue reading India strengthens Global South ties and leadership
Trump’s Gaza Plan and West Asia’s Challenges
Source: The post Trump’s Gaza Plan and West Asia’s Challenges has been created, based on the article “Gaza and Trump’s ‘expanding the canvas’ strategy” published in “The Hindu” on 11th 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 Trump’s… Continue reading Trump’s Gaza Plan and West Asia’s Challenges
Trump freezes foreign aid affecting global help
Source: The post Trump freezes foreign aid affecting global help has been created, based on the article “Crippling aid work: The fallout of U.S. foreign assistance freeze will be far-reaching” published in “The Hindu” on 7th February 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on… Continue reading Trump freezes foreign aid affecting global help
India and Bangladesh relations after government change
Source: The post India and Bangladesh relations after government change has been created, based on the article “Bangladesh foreign adviser writes: India, let’s work together” published in “Indian Express” on 6th February 2025. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article discusses India-Bangladesh relations after Sheikh Hasina’s government fell. The… Continue reading India and Bangladesh relations after government change
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.
