International Relations UPSC Mains Questions – International Relations PYQ

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions

International Relations falls under the UPSC Mains GS paper 2. The International Relations syllabus includes India, Neighbouring Countries of India and their relations, the Grouping of these countries, agreements between them, policies formed, their effects on developing and developed countries, and the structure and mandate of the import institutional institutions.

• The questions from the International Relations Syllabus hold 55 to 80 marks in the Mains Exam.
• In Mains 2020, five questions were asked from the International Relations section that carried a total of 55 marks.
• In Mains 2019 The total marks of the questions were 75 marks. Four good-level questions with great difficulty were asked in this section.
• Mains 2018 The total marks of the questions asked in the UPSC from International Relations was 55 marks.

International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC PDF

We have not covered all the previous international relations year questions in UPSC Mains above. However, we have created a PDF that includes all the International Relations UPSC Mains Questions in the previous years. Candidates can download the PDF file from the below-mentioned link and start practicing the questions.

International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains PDF

There is a very low probability that these questions will be repeated in the upcoming Civil Services Exam. However, solving these would surely help the candidates to know the types of International Relations UPSC Mains Questions they should be focusing on.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2022

International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains 2022 includes questions from India- Srilanka relations, BIMSTEC v/s SAARC, I2U2, and the Clean Energy initiative in International Fora. These were

• Question 1: India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka’. Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in light of the preceding statement.
• Question 2: Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organization like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian Foreign Policy objectives realized by forming this new organization?
• Question 3: How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics?
• Question 4: 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.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2021

As per the expert analysis, International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains 2021 were extremely challenging and demanding. A total of five questions of great difficulty were raised from the International Relations section. These questions are given below-

• Question 1: “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.
• Question 2: “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain.
• Question 3: Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
• Question 4: 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.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2020

A total of five questions with variable difficulty levels were raised in the Mains Exam. These questions include topics like the Indo-Pacific region, QUAD, the United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report, the Economy and Politics of India and its neighboring countries, and the role of WHO during COVID-19. The International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2020 were

• Question 1: What is the significance of Indo-US defense deals over Indo-Russian defense deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Question 2: ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)’ is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance in present times – Discuss.
• Question 3: “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.
• Question 4: ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries. Comment with examples.
• Question 5: Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, check the Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains (2021 to 2013) for-

• Constitution UPSC Mains Questions
• Polity Mains Previous Year Questions
• Social Justice Previous Year Questions UPSC

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions (2019-2013)

Below is the table with International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains from 2019 to 2013. The aspirants aiming to score well in the Mains GS 2 paper of the UPSC Exam must go through these questions and try to solve them to have a proper understanding of the topic and the type of questions asked by the examiner from the International Relations Syllabus.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2019

• 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.
• ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leave UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in light of the US withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’.

International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC 2018

• “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.
• 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.
• Indian and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2017

• China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor.
• What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.

International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains 2016

• Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
• Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2015

• The increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.
• Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
• Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2014

• 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.
• 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?
• 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.

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions 2013

• What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.
• 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.
• 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?
• Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?

International Relations UPSC Mains Questions Trends

Below is the table showing the International Relations UPSC Mains Questions Trends for the past 10 years. There is no fixed number of questions raised from the topic in the GS 2 paper. However, the aspirants can expect four to five questions from the International Relations UPSC. This means that it is an important subject, and individuals appearing in the exam need to prepare for the topic thoroughly. The students can download and save the International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains PDF to use offline.

Year	Number of Questions
2021	4
2020	5
2019	4
2018	5
2017	4
2016	4
2015	4
2014	5
2013	7

How to Prepare for International Relations UPSC Mains Questions?

Concerning the civil service exam, the International Relations Syllabus is considered important. Thus, all the aspirants are advised to start their preparation with a strategic approach. Here are a few tips to prepare the International Relations UPSC Mains Questions in an effective manner using the following tips-

• Get to know about the complete Syllabus for International Relations.
• Divide the syllabus into different segments of the least important and the most important topics.
• Make use of NCERT Books for UPSC to clear the basic understanding of the topics.
• Make short notes of the topic in your manner as per your understanding.
• Go through the International Relations Previous Year Questions UPSC Mains to judge the difficulty level questions raised from the topic in the exam along with the familiarity with the UPSC Exam Pattern.
• Read Current Affairs from different Newspapers, Magazines for UPSC, etc.

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