UPSC solved previous year questions

UPSC International relations PYQ with Answers

89 solved International relations questions from previous UPSC papers, each with an answer and explanation.

Questions
89
Years covered
2016–2026
Exam years
11
With answers
89

International relations questions by year

UPSC International relations PYQ with Answers

1–16 of 16
  1. Q3 2025 Mains GS2

    “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)

    Answer explanation

    Energy security combines reliable supply, affordability, diversification and transition, linking domestic welfare to external strategy. Linkages West Asia’s hydrocarbons, diaspora, remittances and sea lanes make stable relations vital.…

    Energy securityForeign policyInternational relations
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  2. Q4 2025 Mains GS2

    “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)

    Answer explanation

    UN reform faces a legitimacy gap: post-war institutions do not reflect current power, while rival blocs protect strategic privileges.…

    Great-power rivalryInternational relationsUnited nations
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  3. Q5 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC: I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025. II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999. III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC. IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. I and II
    2. II and III
    3. I and IV
    4. I only✓
    Answer explanation

    I only BIMSTEC does have seven member states currently, making Statement I correct. However, it was established via the Bangkok Declaration (1997), not the Dhaka Declaration (Statement II incorrect); the founding members were Bangladesh…

    BimstecInternational relations
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  4. Q6 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements regarding the AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, this Summit in 2025 built on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit in 2023 and the Seoul Summit in 2024. II. Along with other countries, the US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. Only I✓
    2. Only II
    3. I and II both
    4. Neither I nor II
    Answer explanation

    Only I The Paris AI Action Summit (February 2025) was indeed co-chaired by France and India and built on the outcomes of the earlier Bletchley Park (UK, 2023) and Seoul (2024) AI safety summits (Statement I correct).…

    Ai action summitArtificial intelligenceInternational relations
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  5. Q7 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following pairs: I. International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026 II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027 III. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025 IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All the four✓
    Answer explanation

    All the four The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, and 2029 as the…

    International relationsUn international years
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  6. Q8 2025 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. The 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS. III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. I and II✓
    2. II and III
    3. I and III
    4. I only
    Answer explanation

    I and II The 16th BRICS Summit was indeed held in Kazan, Russia, under Russia's chairship in 2024, and Indonesia has since become a full member of BRICS (Statements I and II correct).…

    BricsInternational relations
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  7. Q9 2024 Mains GS2

    The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance. Explain this statement with examples. (Answer in 150 words)

    Answer explanation

    Introduction Strategic competition and pandemic-era disruptions have encouraged Western diversification toward India, while India pursues strategic autonomy.…

    China strategic competitionIndia west relationsInternational relations
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  8. Q11 2024 Mains GS2

    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. (Answer in 250 words)

    Answer explanation

    Introduction The UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee and its executive directorate support global implementation of binding counter-terrorism obligations while attempting to coordinate diverse national capacities.…

    Counter-terrorism committeeInternational relationsInternational security
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  9. Q12 2024 Mains GS2

    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? (Answer in 250 words)

    Answer explanation

    Introduction The Maldives sits astride major Indian Ocean sea lanes near India’s Lakshadweep–western seaboard approaches, making its stability central to maritime security.…

    India-maldives relationsIndian ocean regionInternational relations
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  10. Q13 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following pairs:
    1. Argentina — Worst economic crisis
    2. Sudan — War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces
    3. Turkey — Rescinded its membership of NATO
    How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    1. Only one pair
    2. Only two pairs✓
    3. All three pairs
    4. None of the pairs
    Answer explanation

    Only two pairs Pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched. Argentina was in the news for a severe economic crisis, including very high inflation and currency pressures.…

    ArgentinaCountries in the newsGlobal political and economic developments
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  11. Q14 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
    Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.✓
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
    3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
    4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.
    Answer explanation

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I. Both statements are correct. The Sahel has faced deteriorating security, including militant violence and political instability.…

    International relationsPolitical instability and military coupsRegional security
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  12. Q15 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act recently.
    Statement-II: The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
    3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.✓
    4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.
    Answer explanation

    Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect. Statement-I is correct: the European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act in 2024 as part of the EU's effort to expand clean-technology manufacturing capacity.…

    Climate and industrial policyEuropean unionInternational relations
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  13. Q16 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.
    Statement-II: Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
    3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
    4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.✓
    Answer explanation

    Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct. Statement-I is incorrect: Venezuela had not achieved a sustained, rapid recovery that stopped emigration; large-scale outward migration continued amid economic and political…

    International relationsLatin americaOil reserves
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