UPSC International relations Previous Year Questions

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

“With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)

“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)

“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)

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. AI and II
2. BII and III
3. CI and IV
4. DI only

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. AOnly I
2. BOnly II
3. CI and II both
4. DNeither I nor II

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. AOnly one
2. BOnly two
3. COnly three
4. DAll the four

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. AI and II
2. BII and III
3. CI and III
4. DI only

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)

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)

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)

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)

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. AOnly one pair
2. BOnly two pairs
3. CAll three pairs
4. DNone of the pairs

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. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
3. CStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
4. DStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

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. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
3. CStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
4. DStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

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. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
3. CStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
4. DStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.