Important Topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025
Important topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025 cover key Bilateral Relations, Global Groupings, International Institutions, Geopolitical Developments, etc. Find important topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025 here.
Deeksha Dixit6 Jun, 2025
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Important Topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025: International Relations (IR) is a crucial part of the UPSC Mains GS II Paper. Every year, around 4 to 5 questions can be expected from the IR section in the UPSC Mains exam. The themes of the topics vary from bilateral and multilateral engagements to India's foreign policy.
To excel, aspirants must focus on specific topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains and strategize their preparation efficiently. Identify repeated themes in the International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025 from the previous year's question paper and practice answer writing to ensure maximum marks in the UPSC GS 2 Paper. Read on for high-yield topics in IR for the UPSC Mains exam.Important Topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025
Since the syllabus of the UPSC GS 2 Paper is vast, the relevance of topics from the core subject must be understood well before starting the preparation for the best results. Candidates should analyze International Relations topics for Mains exam, which have a good probability of being asked in the exam. Here are some of the key areas of IR that are important for the UPSC Mains 2025 exam:| Important Topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025 | ||
| Topic | Subtopics | Current Developments |
| India and Its Neighborhood | India's relations with neighbouring countries like China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. | India-China: Resumption of religious pilgrimage in Tibet, agreement on data sharing for trans-border rivers, sporadic border clashes. India-Pakistan: Cross-border strikes on alleged terror camps, Pakistan claims civilian casualties, China calls for restraint. |
| Foreign Policy | Historical evolution, key doctrines, and policy shifts in India’s foreign policy, India’s Soft Power. | Strategic autonomy and multi-alignment, balancing ties with the US, Russia, China, and the neighbourhood. |
| Bilateral Relations | Important bilateral relations such as India-USA, India-Russia, India-Japan, India-Israel, and India-EU. | Ongoing defence and energy cooperation and other deals |
| International Organizations | UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank, BRICS, SAARC, ASEAN, G20, and their relevance. | G20: India’s presidency outcomes and ongoing influence. BRICS: Expansion and de-dollarization discussions. SCO: Counter-terrorism and Central Asia focus. |
| Regional Groupings | Regional groupings like BIMSTEC, SCO, and RCEP, as well as their impact on India's strategic interests, and agreements like FTA, | BIMSTEC: Connectivity projects and revitalization. IPEF: Ongoing negotiations. |
| Indian Diaspora | Role and influence of the Indian diaspora in global politics. | India remains top remittance recipient. Soft power (Yoga, cuisine, culture) continues to expand. |
| Miscellaneous | Strategic partnerships, defence agreements, Participation in peacekeeping missions, and Standing in global forums. | COP28 outcomes, India’s net-zero commitments. Red Sea crisis impacts trade and shipping. India advocates for global cyber norms. |
Current Themes in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025
For the UPSC Mains 2025, several current themes in International Relations (IR) are highly important for aspirants. Candidates should ensure they stay updated with the latest current affairs in IR for UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper, which includes:- India’s Critical Mineral Security
- India–US Energy Cooperation
- Indo-German Strategic Partnership
- India–China Relations at 75 Years
- Indus Water Treaty Disputes
- India’s Arctic Strategy
- Impact of US Tariffs on India
- WTO and Global Trade Shift
- Turkey–Pakistan Strategic Ties
- India’s Global Diplomatic Outreach
- US Dollar Dominance Debate
- Brain Drain from US to India
- Reforming India’s Investment Treaty Model
- China’s Rare Earth Export Policy
- Global Geopolitical Power Shifts
UPSC Mains International Relations Previous Year Questions
In the UPSC Mains GS II Paper, the International Relations section carries significant weightage, with questions covering a wide range of topics. Aspirants should thoroughly analyze the previous year's questions in IR to understand the pattern, scope, and depth of the questions asked in this section. Here are the International Relations Mains PYQs from 2022 and 2024 for your reference:| UPSC Mains International Relations Previous Year Questions | |||
| Year | Questions | Word Limit | Marks |
| 2024 | Q.1 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. | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
| 2024 | Q.2 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. | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
| 2024 | Q.3 “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. | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
| 2024 | Q.4 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? | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
| 2023 | Q.1 ‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’. In light of the above statement, point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
| 2023 | Q.2 The Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
| 2023 | Q.3 The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India. What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
| 2023 | Q.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 the environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
| 2022 | Q.1 ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in light of the preceding statement. | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
| 2022 | Q.2 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? | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
| 2022 | Q.3 How will the I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
| 2022 | Q.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. | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
| Click Here for Solved UPSC Mains IR PYQs | |||
| Click Here to Download Free High-Quality Solutions for all UPSC Mains PYQs for 2025. | |||
How to Study International Relations for UPSC Mains?
To prepare for the International Relations section of the UPSC Mains GS 2 paper, aspirants should adopt a comprehensive approach. This means completing the syllabus of International Relations for UPSC Mains and doing answer-writing practice. Here are some key strategies to cover International Relations:- Understand the Conceptual Dimensions: Begin by understanding the fundamental concepts and theories in International Relations and their application in the contemporary global scenario. Refer to PW ONLYIAS UPSC Wallah IR Book to complete the syllabus.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Closely follow the latest developments in India's foreign policy, its engagement with major powers, regional and global issues, and India's role in international organizations and groupings. The best source for this is PWOnlyIAS Prahaar Mains Booklets .
- Follow MEA Website: The website of the Ministry of External Affairs and PIB often features crucial policy briefs and reports that can be relevant to the exam. They offer authentic information on India’s foreign policy; therefore, create concise notes from them highlighting important agreements, treaties, and key events.
- Practice Answer Writing: Enroll in the PW UPSC Mains Test Series to regularly practice answer writing. Incorporate feedback from mentors to improve your articulation and presentation skills. Further, learn to use keywords in answers that will fetch you extra marks.
Important Topics in International Relations for UPSC Mains 2025 FAQs
How many questions are asked from International Relations in UPSC Mains?
Around 4 to 5 questions from International Relations are typically asked in the UPSC Mains exam.
How can I cover International Relations for UPSC Mains exam?
Adopt a comprehensive approach by understanding fundamental concepts, interlinking current affairs, and practising answer writing.
What are important sources to cover the IR current affairs for UPSC Mains?
To cover the IR current affairs for UPSC Mains 2024 follow the Ministry of External Affairs website, PIB, and PWOnlyIAS Prahaar Mains Booklets.
What are important topics in IR for UPSC Mains 2025?
Focus on topics like India's relations with its neighbours, foreign policy evolution, bilateral relations, international organizations, regional groupings, the Indian diaspora, and strategic partnerships.
How can I effectively revise International Relations topics for the UPSC Mains exam?
To effectively revise International Relations topics for the UPSC exam, focus on integrating current affairs with historical context, and create concise notes that highlight key developments and geopolitical dynamics.
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