1) ‘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.(10
Marks, 150 Words)
2) Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West.
Describe its economic and political benefits for India.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
3) ‘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. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
4) ‘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. (15 Marks, 250
Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2022
1) 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. (10
Marks, 150 Words)
2) 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 ? (10 Marks, 150
Words)
3) How will 12U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping
transform India’s position in global politics? (15 Marks, 250 Words)
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.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
5) Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO.
what importance does it hold for India. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
6) 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 strenght and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2021
1) “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.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
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.(10 Marks,
150 Words)
3) Analyze the distinguishing features of the notion of
Equality in the Constitutions of the USA and India.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2020
1) The judicial systems in India and UK seem to be
converging as well as diverging in the recent times. Highlight the key points of convergence and
divergence between the two nations in terms of their judicial practices.(10 Marks, 150
Words)
2) Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global
health security during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
3) ‘Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the
politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples.(10 Marks, 150
Words)
4) “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.
(15 Marks, 250 Words)
5) ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)’ is the
transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss.(15
Marks, 250 Words)
6) What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over
Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.(15
Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2019
1) “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(15 Marks, 250 Words)
2)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.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
3)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(10 Marks, 150 Words)
4)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(15 Marks, 250 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2018
1) 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?(15 Marks, 250 Words)
2) In what ways would the ongoing U.S-Iran Nuclear Pact
Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this
situation?(15 Marks, 250 Words)
3)“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired
a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.”Discuss
(10 Marks, 150 Words)
4)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.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2017
1)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.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
2)The question of India’s Energy Security Constitutes the
most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyse India’s energy policy cooperation with
West Asian countries.(15 Marks, 250 Words)
3)‘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(10 Marks, 150 Words)
4)What are the main functions of the United Nations
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to
it.(10 Marks, 150 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2016
1) What are the aims and objectives of the McBride
Commission of the UNESCO? What is India’s position on these?
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
2)“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.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
3) Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of
India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
4)"Increasing crossborder terrorist attacks in India and
growing interference in the internal affairs of several memberstates by Pakistan are not
conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)."
Explain with suitable examples.
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2015
1)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.
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
2)Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pro and
cons. Critically examine.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
3)Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit
of a permanent seat in UN Security Council (12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
4)Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy
initiative of Indian Government to improve relationship with its neighbours. Does the project
have a strategic dimension?
Discuss(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2014
1) India has recently signed to become founding member of
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
(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
2)WTO is an important international institution where
decisions taken 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 (12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
3)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 over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the
bilateral issues between India and China.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
4)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? (12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
5)Some of the International funding agencies have special
terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid to be used for
sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss on merits of such terms and if, there
exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the
Indian context.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)
UPSC Mains International Relations - 2013
1) What is meant by Gujral doctrine? Does it have any
relevance today?
Discuss (10 Marks, 200 Words)
2)The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the
Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two intergovernmental 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.(10 Marks, 200 Words)
3)Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in
the recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints which are
inhibiting this growth.(10 Marks, 200 Words)
4)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?(10 Marks, 200 Words)
5)Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the
last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?(10 Marks, 200 Words)
6)In respect of India-Sri Lanka relations, discuss how
domestic factors influence foreign policy.(10 Marks, 200 Words)
7)The proposed withdrawal of 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.(10 Marks, 200 Words)
8)What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How
does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by
India to counter this.(10 Marks, 200 Words)
