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
Taiwan’s elections and the Indo-Pacific
Source: This post has been created based on the article “Taiwan’s elections and the Indo-Pacific” published in “Business Standard” on 17th January 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 reactions of major world powers… Continue reading Taiwan’s elections and the Indo-Pacific
On India’s Multi-Alignment Policy – Express View on Modi-Putin call
Source: This post on India’s Multi-Alignment Policy has been created based on the article “Express View on Modi-Putin call: The new multi-alignment” published in “Indian Express” on 17th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The article… Continue reading On India’s Multi-Alignment Policy – Express View on Modi-Putin call
Impact of Taiwan’s stability- Chip-Maker Taiwan’s Electorate Has Rebuffed Beijing
Source: The post impact of Taiwan’s stability has been created, based on the article “ Chip-maker Taiwan’s electorate has rebuffed Beijing” published in “Live mints” on 16th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2-International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. News: This article explains Taiwan’s importance in Asia’s… Continue reading Impact of Taiwan’s stability- Chip-Maker Taiwan’s Electorate Has Rebuffed Beijing
Relations between India and Maldives In 2024 – Don’t overreact
Source: This post on India-Maldives Relations has been created based on the article “Express View on India-Maldives relations: Don’t overreact” published in “Indian Express” on 16th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood-relations. News: The article discusses the recent developments in India-Maldives ties, especially Maldives’ insistence of… Continue reading Relations between India and Maldives In 2024 – Don’t overreact
Challenges Between India and Iran Bilateral Ties – Iran, also ran
Source: This post on the Challenges of India-Iran Bilateral Ties has been created based on the article “Iran, also ran: Jaishankar’s visit is useful” published in “Times of India” on 16th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood-relations. News: The article discusses the challenges in India-Iran Bilateral… Continue reading Challenges Between India and Iran Bilateral Ties – Iran, also ran
On the India-Oman Free Trade Agreement – Bridging The Gulf
Source: This post on the India-Oman Free Trade Agreement has been created based on the article “Bridging The Gulf” published in “Business Standard” on 13th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The article discusses the status… Continue reading On the India-Oman Free Trade Agreement – Bridging The Gulf
Emerging Challenges for India after the Bangladesh Elections
Source: This post on Emerging Challenges for India after the Bangladesh Elections has been created based on the article “A Bangladesh ‘one-party state’ and India’s options” published in “The Hindu” on 12th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood- relations. News: The article discusses the emerging challenges… Continue reading Emerging Challenges for India after the Bangladesh Elections
India and Singapore are strengthening their economic and trade relationships
Source: The post India and Singapore are strengthening their economic and trade relationships has been created, based on the article “The India–Singapore economic corridor is looking up” published in “Live mints” on 12th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2-International relation- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News:… Continue reading India and Singapore are strengthening their economic and trade relationships
Who are the Global South?
Source: This post on Global South has been created based on the article “Who are the Global South?” published in “Business Standard” on 11th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The article discusses the history of the term ‘Global… Continue reading Who are the Global South?
On India-Maldives Bilateral Relations – Change for the worse
Source: This post on India-Maldives Bilateral Relations has been created based on the article “Change for the worse” published in “The Hindu” on 11th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood-relations. News: The article discusses the recent developments which signal a decline in India-Maldives relations. It highlights… Continue reading On India-Maldives Bilateral Relations – Change for the worse
India-Maldives row frames the need for India’s long neglected marine doctrine
Source: The post tensions between India and Maldives has been created, based on the article “India-Maldives row frames the need for India’s long neglected marine doctrine” published in “Indian express” on 11th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2-International relation- India and its neighbourhood- relations. News: The article discusses tensions between India and Maldives due… Continue reading India-Maldives row frames the need for India’s long neglected marine doctrine
Why Maldives Should not antagonize India – Change for the worse
Source: This post on India-Maldives Bilateral Relations has been created based on the article “Change for the worse” published in “The Hindu” on 11th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood-relations. News: The article discusses the recent developments which signal a decline in India-Maldives relations. It highlights… Continue reading Why Maldives Should not antagonize India – Change for the worse
Relevance of international law- Why international law matters
Source: The post relevance of international law has been created, based on the article “Why international law matters” published in “The Hindu” on 10th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- International relation- Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. News: The article discusses how, despite its flaws and challenges in enforcement, international… Continue reading Relevance of international law- Why international law matters
On the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) – The UAE-India partnership has a new catalyst in play
Source: This post on the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) has been created based on the article “The UAE-India partnership has a new catalyst in play” published in “Live Mint” on 9th January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The article… Continue reading On the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC) – The UAE-India partnership has a new catalyst in play
On the Global Nuclear Order
Source: This post on the Global Nuclear Order has been created based on the article “The Global Nuclear Order is under strain” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. News: The article discusses the global nuclear… Continue reading On the Global Nuclear Order
On India-Maldives Hydrography Pact – An ‘India out’ plan that could impact the Maldives
Source: This post on India-Maldives Hydrography Pact has been created based on the article “An ‘India out’ plan that could impact the Maldives” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – India and its neighborhood-relations. News: The article discusses the recent developments in India-Maldives ties, especially… Continue reading On India-Maldives Hydrography Pact – An ‘India out’ plan that could impact the Maldives
No, the US-led global order is not collapsing
Source: The post US-led global order has been created, based on the article “No, the US-led global order is not collapsing” published in “Indian express” on 3rd January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: The article discusses the challenges to… Continue reading No, the US-led global order is not collapsing
Reigniting The Flame Of India-South Korea defence cooperation
Source: The post India-South Korea defense relations has been created on the article “ ” published in “The Hindu” on 2nd January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2 – International relation- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests News: The article discusses the India-South Korea defence relations marked… Continue reading Reigniting The Flame Of India-South Korea defence cooperation
Indian Navy in a threatening Red Sea
Source: This post has been created based on the article “Indian Navy in a threatening Red Sea” published in “Indian Express” on 30th December 2023. 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 importance of shipping… Continue reading Indian Navy in a threatening Red Sea
On the Qatar Death Row Issue – A quiet reprieve
Source: This post on the Qatar Death Row Issue has been created based on the article “A quiet reprieve” published in “The Hindu” on 30th December 2023. 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 recent… Continue reading On the Qatar Death Row Issue – A quiet reprieve
On MEA’s Russia Visit – Express View on Jaishankar in Moscow
Source: This post on MEA’s Russia Visit has been created based on the article “Express View on Jaishankar in Moscow: Not zero-sum” published in “Indian Express” on 29th December 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The article discusses Dr. S… Continue reading On MEA’s Russia Visit – Express View on Jaishankar in Moscow
On Shift in Global Trade Policy
Source: The post on shift in global trade policy has been created on the article “Global trade policy: A year-end stocktaking” published in “Business Standard” on 28th December 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 2- International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. News: The article discusses how recent… Continue reading On Shift in Global Trade Policy
On India losing influence in South Asia
Source: The post on India losing influence in South Asia has been created based on the article “Is India ‘losing’ South Asia? That’s not the question” published in “Indian Express” on 27th December 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – International Relations-India and its neighbourhood- relations. News: The article discusses India’s waning influence in… Continue reading On India losing influence in South Asia
On International Maritime Trade and Choke Points – Global trade disruption
Source: This post on International Maritime Trade and Choke Points has been created based on the article “Global trade disruption” published in “Business Standard” on 26th December 2023. 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… Continue reading On International Maritime Trade and Choke Points – Global trade disruption
Present challenges in the Red Sea-The stormy Red Sea
Source: The post challenges in the Red Sea has been created on the article “The stormy Red Sea, the complexities of global events” published in “The Hindu” on 18th December 2023. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- International relations- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, & GS paper3- Security-… Continue reading Present challenges in the Red Sea-The stormy Red Sea
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.
