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
China’s proposal for a treaty on the no-first-use of nuclear weapons
Source: The post China’s proposal for a treaty on the no-first-use of nuclear weapons has been created, based on the article “The world must take up China’s proposal of a no-first-use treaty” published in “Live mints” on 3rd June 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing… Continue reading China’s proposal for a treaty on the no-first-use of nuclear weapons
Geo-political impacts of US’s handling of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Source: The post Geo-political impacts of US’s handling of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza has been created, based on the articles: “What the stalemates in Ukraine, Gaza mean for the US – and its place in the world” published in “Indian express” and “Netanyahu’s actions flout principles of justice and humanity” published in “Indian… Continue reading Geo-political impacts of US’s handling of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Resurgence of Nuclear Factors in Global Politics
Source-This post on Resurgence of Nuclear Factors in Global Politics has been created based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes Election rhetoric, nuclear weapons and Pakistan — the need to expand debate” published in “The Indian Express” on 29 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International Relations- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India… Continue reading Resurgence of Nuclear Factors in Global Politics
Regional Impacts of ongoing Gaza Conflict
Source-This post on The Ongoing Gaza Conflict has been created based on the article “Israel is losing badly in the perceptions battle” published in “Live mint” on 28 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International Relations- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests. Context-The article highlights the importance of ending hostilities… Continue reading Regional Impacts of ongoing Gaza Conflict
Threat of Nuclear Conflict
Source-This post on Threat of Nuclear Conflict has been created based on the article “The spectre of nuclear conflict, once again” published in “The Hindu” on 26 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International Relations- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests. Context– The article underscores the threat of nuclear war… Continue reading Threat of Nuclear Conflict
Implications of Palestinian recognition by States
Source: The post Implications of Palestinian recognition by States has been created, based on the article “Powerful, symbolic- The recognition of Palestine by more nations is an indictment of Israel” published in “The Hindu” on 24th May 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2– International Relations-Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. Context:… Continue reading Implications of Palestinian recognition by States
Role of India in contemporary international trade
Source-This post on Role of India in contemporary international trade has been created based on the article “War minus shooting: Role of India in contemporary international trade” published in “Business Standard” on 24 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2-International Relations– Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests & GS Paper-3-… Continue reading Role of India in contemporary international trade
Russia-China Relationship and implications for India
Source-This post on Russia-China Relationship and implications for India has been created based on the article “A ‘No-Limit’ bromance that is not just a bilateral matter” published in “The Hindu” on 22 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International Relation- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context– Putin and Xi… Continue reading Russia-China Relationship and implications for India
Impacts of the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on Chabahar project
Source: The post the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi will impact the Chabahar project has been created, based on the article “Chabahar port project: It’ll test our diplomacy” published in “Live mints” on 22nd May 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s… Continue reading Impacts of the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi on Chabahar project
The ICC prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders
Source: The post the ICC prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders has been created, based on the article “Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes on ICC seeking arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu: Why we need humanity’s law” published in “Indian express” on 22nd May 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-International Relations-Important International institutions,… Continue reading The ICC prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders
India-Pakistan Relations and Para Diplomacy
Source-This post on India-Pakistan Relations and Para Diplomacy has been created based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes: A time for para diplomacy” published in “The Indian Express” on 22 May 2022. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International Relations- India and its Neighborhood- Relations. Context– The article discusses the Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) promise to negotiate with… Continue reading India-Pakistan Relations and Para Diplomacy
Death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
Source-This post on Death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been created based on the article “An Expert Explains: What President Ebrahim Raisi’s death means for Iran” published in “The Indian Express” on 21 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Relations- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on… Continue reading Death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
Source-This post on Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) has been created based on the article “Renew the generalised system of preferences” published in “The Hindu” on 19 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-Intrernational Relations- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests. Context-The article highlights the need for the USA to… Continue reading Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
Importance of Chabahar port for India
Source: The post Chabahar port important for India has been created, based on the article “Stay invested India should not tailor its ties with Iran to U.S. foreign policy changes” published in “The Hindu” on 18th May 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relations- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or… Continue reading Importance of Chabahar port for India
India-Maldives Relations
Source-This post on India-Maldives Relations has been created based on the article “India can’t risk slackening in the Indian Ocean Region” published in “Live Mint” on 17 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2-International relations- India and its Neighborhood- Relations. News-India has recently hosted the new Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameerm amid domestic elections. This highlights the… Continue reading India-Maldives Relations
Nepal experiencing political and economic instability
Source: The post Nepal experiencing political and economic instability has been created, based on the article “Stabilising India–Nepal ties in changing times” published in “The Hindu” on 14th May 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: The article discusses Nepal’s current political and economic instability, its rushed transition to… Continue reading Nepal experiencing political and economic instability
Prioritising Global Mobility in Economic Diplomacy
Source-This post on Prioritizing Global Mobility in Economic Diplomacy has been created based on the article “Migration matters” published in “Business Standard” on 13 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International relations– Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. Context– The article stresses the importance… Continue reading Prioritising Global Mobility in Economic Diplomacy
Significance of India-EFTA trade deal
Source-This post on significance of India-EFTA trade deal has been created based on the article “Investment lessons from the India-EFTA trade deal” published in “The Hindu” on 12 May 2024/ UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-2– International Relations-Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Context-The negotiations with countries like the UK… Continue reading Significance of India-EFTA trade deal
Malaysia’s orangutan diplomacy
Source: The post Malaysia’s orangutan diplomacy has been created, based on the article “The irony in Malaysia’s ‘orangutan diplomacy” published in “Indian Express” on 11th May 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- international relations- News: Malaysia plans to gift orangutans to trade partners who purchase its palm oil. What is the role of animals… Continue reading Malaysia’s orangutan diplomacy
Global Impacts of China’s European Strategy and India’s Foreign Policy
Source: The post Global Impacts of China’s European Strategy and India’s Foreign Policy has been created, based on the article “Xi Jinping’s visit, a divided Europe and India’s challenge” published in “Indian express” on 8th May 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relation-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s… Continue reading Global Impacts of China’s European Strategy and India’s Foreign Policy
Navigating India’s Global Rise Amidst Regional Decline
Source-This post on Navigating India’s Global Rise Amidst Regional Decline has been created based on the article “The paradox of India’s global rise, its regional decline” published in “The Hindu” on 3 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International relations- India and its Neighborhood Relations Context – The article highlights a paradox in contemporary Indian foreign policy.… Continue reading Navigating India’s Global Rise Amidst Regional Decline
Slow Progress in achieving SDGs
Source-This post on Slow Progress in achieving SDGs has been created based on the article “This is the year to get the SDG goals back on track” published in “The Hindu” on 4 April 2024. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate. Context: The United Nations… Continue reading Slow Progress in achieving SDGs
Achieving goal of Viksit Bharat in the next 25 year
Source-This post on Achieving goal of Viksit Bharat in the next 25 year has been created based on the article “S Jaishankar writes: How India is making friends and influencing the world” published in “The Indian Express” on 3 May 2024. UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-International Relations- Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or… Continue reading Achieving goal of Viksit Bharat in the next 25 year
Israel-Hamas conflict: India’s West Asia security dynamics
Source: The post Israel-Hamas conflict has been created, based on the article “India’s West Asia security dynamics” published in “Business standard” on 30th April 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. News: The article discusses the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, its implications, and… Continue reading Israel-Hamas conflict: India’s West Asia security dynamics
Protests at U.S. universities against the war in Gaza a sign of the crisis
Source: The post protests at U.S. universities against the war in Gaza a sign of the crisis has been created, based on the article “Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: Behind student anger in US, three crises — democracy, university, protest” published in “Indian express” on 27th April 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-international relations- Effect… Continue reading Protests at U.S. universities against the war in Gaza a sign of the crisis
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.
