UPSC Mains International Relations PYQs (2025-2013), Year-wise

UPSC Mains International Relations PYQs (2025-2013) help candidates understand the pattern and trend of questions asked in the International Relations section of GS Paper II. Practising these year-wise questions improves conceptual understanding, analytical thinking, and answer-writing skills. They also highlight important topics such as India's foreign policy, bilateral relations, international organisations, and global developments. Regular practice of PYQs helps candidates prepare more effectively for the UPSC Mains examination.

UPSC Mains International Relations PYQs (2025-2013)

1. “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. (Answer in 250 words) 2025
2. “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? (Answer in 250 words) 2025
3. India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words) 2025
4. “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 2025
5. 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 econimic dominance.’ Explain this statement with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 2024
6. 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) 2024
7. ‘Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security.’ Evaluate the effectivencess 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) 2024
8. 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 stabiltiy amidst international competition? (Answer in 250 words) 2024
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 problems. 2023 (10 M)
10. Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. 2023 (10 M)
11. ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.’ What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. 2023 (15 M)
12. ‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. 2023 (15 M)
13. 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. 2022 (10 M) 2022
14. 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? 2022 (10 M)
15. How will 12U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? 2022 (15 M)
16. 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. 2022 (15 M) 2021
17. “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. 2021 (10M)
18. “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. 2021 
19. Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? 2021
20. The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the IndoPacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. 2021
21. What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. 2020
22. ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)’ is the transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss. 2020
23. “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. 2020
24. ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. 2020
25. Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID- 19 pandemic. 2020
26. ‘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. 2019
27. ‘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’. 2019
28. “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 2019
29. 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. 2019
30. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. 2018
31. 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. 2018
32. Indian and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based. 2018
33. 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? 2018
34. In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? 2018
35. ‘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. 2017
36. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. 2017
37. 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) 2017
38. 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) 2017
39. “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. 2016
40. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. 2016
41. “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. 2016
42. What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? 2016
43. Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine. 2015
44. Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. 2015
45. 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. 2015
46. 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. 2015
47. 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. 2014
48. 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? 2014
49. 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. 2014
50. 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. 2014
51. 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. 2014
52. 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. 2013
53. What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this. 2013
54. 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.
55. 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? 2013
56. Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India? 2013
57. In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy. 2013
58. 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. 2013

How to Prepare Using UPSC Mains International Relations PYQs?

Practising UPSC Mains International Relations PYQs helps you identify important themes, strengthen concepts, and develop an effective answer-writing approach for GS Paper II.

• Solve Year-wise PYQs to understand the changing pattern of UPSC questions.
• Identify Frequently Asked Topics such as India's foreign policy, neighbourhood relations, global groupings, and international organisations.
• Link Current Affairs with static International Relations concepts and recent global developments.
• Write Timed Answers to improve speed, structure, and presentation.
• Analyse Model Answers to learn how to frame balanced and analytical responses.
• Revise Important Themes that appear repeatedly in previous years.
• Use Relevant Examples from recent diplomatic initiatives, treaties, and international events.
• Focus on Keywords mentioned in the questions to address the demand accurately.
• Evaluate Your Performance regularly and work on improving weak areas.
• Practice Consistently to build confidence and enhance answer-writing skills for UPSC Mains.

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