UPSC Mains International Relations PYQs, 2016-2026

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2026

1. 9

   "IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad's collective Indo-Pacific strategy." Make a critical assessment of the statement focusing on IPMDA.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   "BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South." Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   "India's global diaspora acts as a living bridge, as a critical economic factor and knowledge network in transforming cultural heritage into geopolitical influence and strategic leverage worldwide." Critically examine this statement.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   "China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed South Asia from a regional space into a theatre of great power competition." Analyse the strategic implications of the BRI for India's security and regional influence in South Asia.

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2025

1. 9

   India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (150 words/10 marks)

2. 10

   "With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism." Elucidate. (150 words/10 marks)

3. 19

   "Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years? (250 words/15 marks)

4. 20

   "The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard. (250 words/15 marks)

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2024

1. 9

   ‘The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategically to counter China’s political and economic dominance.” Explain this statement with examples.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   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.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   ‘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.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   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?

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2023

1. 9

   '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.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos' 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.

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2022

1. 9

   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.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   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?

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   How will 12U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India's position in global politics?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2021

1. 9

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

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union." Explain.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2020

1. 9

   Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries'. Comment with examples.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   'Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)' is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times. Discuss.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2019

1. 9

   The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.' Comment.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

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

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global - order.' Elaborate.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   "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.

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2018

1. 9

   "India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back." Discuss.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   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.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   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?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2017

1. 9

   "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 neighbour.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 10

   What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 19

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 20

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

International Relations questions in GS Paper 2 2016

1. 17

   "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 seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries." Discuss in the Indian perspective.

   200 words · 12½ marks

2. 18

   Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.

   200 words · 12½ marks

3. 19

   "Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)." Explain with suitable examples.

   200 words · 12½ marks

4. 20

   What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India's position on these?

   200 words · 12½ marks

Other GS Paper 2 topics

Polity & Constitution · Governance · Social Justice