International Relations is an important topic in UPSC Mains GS 2 paper of the Civil Services Examination. This article will provide you all International Relations questions that have been asked in UPSC Mains from the year 2013-2024.
Candidates can get topic-wise GS 2 questions from the links provided in the table below:
| Constitution Questions for UPSC Mains | Governance Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Social Justice Questions for UPSC Mains | Polity Questions for UPSC Mains |
GS 2 International Relations Questions (Year-Wise)
The tables below will provide International Relations questions for UPSC Mains GS 2 from the year 2013-2021. Candidates can refer to the detailed GS 2 Structure, Syllabus and Strategy in the linked article.
2021
| International Relations Questions in UPSC Mains 2021 |
| “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. |
| “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. |
| Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? |
| 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. |
2020
|
International Relations Questions in UPSC Mains 2020 |
| What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. |
| ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)’ is the transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss. |
| “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. |
| ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. |
| Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
2019
| International Relations Questions for UPSC 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. |
| 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’. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
2018
| International Relations Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. |
| 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. |
| Q3. Indian and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based. |
| 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? |
| 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? |
2017
| International Relations Questions for UPSC 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. |
| Q2. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. |
| 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. (250 words) |
| 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 (250 words) |
2016
| International Relations Questions for UPSC 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. |
| Q2. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. |
| 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. |
| Q4. What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? |
2015
| International Relations Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine. |
| Q2. Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. |
| Q3. 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. |
| 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. |
2014
| International Relations Questions for UPSC Mains |
| Q1. 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. |
| Q2. 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? |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
2013
| International Relations Questions for UPSC 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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? |
| Q5. Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India? |
| Q6. In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy. |
| Q7. 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. |
Candidates can get UPSC Previous Year Question Papers from the linked article.
International Relations Questions for UPSC Mains GS 2:- Download PDF Here
To get the topic-wise GS 2 questions for UPSC Mains in one place, check the linked article.
GS 2 Related Links:
| IAS Prelims: UPSC MCQ On Polity | Polity Notes for UPSC |
| Current Affairs | Daily News Analysis |
| International Relations Strategy for UPSC | Tips to Study Polity from Textbook ‘Laxmikanth’ for UPSC Exam |
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