UPSC IAS International Relation Mains Previous Year Questions

Here we are provided subject-wise previous Year questions for UPSC IAS International Relation Mains. This will help more understanding of

the topic and exam pattern. 

Provided UPSC Civil Service exam previous year questions from 2024 to 2013.

International Relation (For Current Affairs : Click Here)

1. India and its neighbourhood- relations
2. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
3. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora
4. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Last Updated on: 30-11-2024

2024 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance.’ Explain this statement with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q2. Critically analyse India’s evolving diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q3. ‘Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security.’ Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Q4. Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further also discuss how this relationship affects India’s maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition ? (Answer in 250 words) 15

2023 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. Virus of conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO. In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in Mitigating the problems. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q2. Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Q3. ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India.’What is your opinion about this statement ? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Q4. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. (Answer in 250 words) 15

2022 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years.

Q2. ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q3. Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC ? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two ? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation? (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q4. How will I12U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics ? (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q5. ‘Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

2021 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q2. “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q3. Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q4.  The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

2020 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q2. ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q3. What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q4. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is the transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q5. “The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyze the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report. (Answer in 250 words) 15

2019 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. ‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnerships that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment.  (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q2. ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leave UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of the US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’.  (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q3. “The long sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its newfound role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate  (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q4. What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s national self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples.  (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

2018 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q2. A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q3. Indian and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based. (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q4. What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?  (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q5. In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

2017 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q2. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 10

Q3. The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

Q4. Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context (Answer in 250 words) Mark 15

2016 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seems doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective. Mark 12½

Q2. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 12½

Q3. “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 12½

Q4. What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? (Answer in 150 words) Mark 12½

2015 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 12½

Q2. Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 12½

Q3. Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 12½

Q4. Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) Mark 12½

2014 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes and tariffs on Information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact would such agreements have on India’s interests? (Answer in 200 words) Mark 12½

Q2. With respect to the South China Sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and ever flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 12½

Q3. Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid used for sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss the merits of such terms and it, there exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 12½

Q4. India has recently signed to become a founding member of the New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). How will the role of the two Banks be different? Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 12½

Q5. WTO is an important international institution where decisions are taken to affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 12½

2013 UPSC IAS International Relation Mains

Q1. The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10

Q2. What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10

Q3. Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints which are inhibiting this growth. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10

Q4. The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India? (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10

Q5. Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India? (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10

Q6. In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10

Q7. What is meant by Gujral Doctrine? Does it have any relevance today? Discuss (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10

Q8. The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate. (Answer in 200 words) Mark 10