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International Relations UPSC Notes For IAS Exam 2025, Get PDF

Last Updated on Feb 20, 2024
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All phases of the IAS Exam, including the preliminary, mains, and interview, have placed a strong focus on the international relations section. As a result, a part of International Relations is included in UPSC preparation. In this article, we have listed important UPSC Notes on International Relations, we will also look at the major concepts in the International Relations segment. We’ll also discuss how much the International Relations section has grown in importance since 2011 in the UPSC IAS Exam. Along with this, we’ll go over some International Relations preparation tips and techniques, as well as a booklist.

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Expected Weightage of International Relations in UPSC 2025

International Relations questions are asked in both UPSC Prelims and Mains stages. The following is the expected weightage of this subject in both the stages based on previous year trends -

Weightage in Preliminary Exam

Weightage in Mains Exam

  • 2 to 3 questions → 4 to 6 marks
  • 4 to 5 questions → 40 to 50 marks in GS Paper II

Why to Prepare the International Relations Section:
  • Whether it’s the Prelims, Mains, or Interview, International Relations is a crucial topic in all three rounds of the exam.
  • The UPSC Mains General Studies-II paper includes an international relations section. Despite the fact that the paper is generally divided into Polity and Governance, the International Relations portion has questions worth 100 marks or more. As a result, this subject requires extensive preparation.

Here are some preparation tips for the International Relations Section

Approaching International Relations for the UPSC exam requires a focus on current affairs. We also have to understand how global events impact India and its relations with other countries. Here's a simplified breakdown of the topics to cover:

India's relations based on its geographical location

  • Neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, China, and Nepal.
  • International organizations such as the UN, G20, ASEAN, GCC, IMF, EU, World Bank, etc.
  • Different regions like the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, etc.
  • Relations with economically advanced nations like Australia, Japan, USA, etc.
  • India's interactions with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (USA, France, China, Russia, and UK).

India's foreign policy during the various phases of history

  • Post-independence period
  • Cold War era
  • Non-alignment movement
  • Conflicts with Pakistan and China
  • After the fall of the USSR
  • Post 9/11 developments
  • Current events like the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and vaccine diplomacy.

When studying IR material, focus on the following:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of international relations.
  • Trace the evolution of India's foreign policy.
  • Analyze significant global changes and their effects on India.
  • Examine India's role in major international organizations.

In bilateral relations, pay attention to:

  • India's relationships with neighboring countries.
  • Relations with the United States, Russia, and China.

For each relationship, consider the following:

  • Historical background.
  • Economic ties.
  • Present-day issues.
  • Areas of conflict.
  • Important agreements or movements.
  • Future prospects.
  • Unique opportunities or challenges.
  • The influence of the Indian diaspora.

Follow this approach and keep up with current affairs. You can effectively prepare for the International Relations section of the UPSC exam.

International Relations Book List:

  • Pax Indica by Shashi Tharoor
  • India’s Foreign Policy: Coping with the Changing World – Muchkund Dubey
  • Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy – Rajeev Sikri
  • India’s Foreign Policy Since Independence by V.P. Dutt

Checkout the test series for UPSC IAS Exam here.

We hope that all your doubts regarding the International Relations UPSC Notes will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.

India's Bilateral Ties with Imp Countries
Albania India Relations India Dominica Relations
India Algeria Relations India Dominican Republic Relations
Andorra India Relations India Ecuador Relations
India Angola Relations India El Salvador Relations
India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations
India Argentina Relations India Eritrea Relations
Austria India Relations Estonia India Relations
India Azerbaijan Relations India Ethiopia Relations
Bahamas India Relations India Fiji Relations
India Bahrain Relations India Finland Relations
Barbados India Relations India Gabon Relations
India Belarus Relations India Gambia Relations
Belgium India Relations India Georgia Relations
Belize India Relations Germany India Relations
Benin India Relations India Ghana Relations
Bolivia India Relations India Greece Relations
India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Grenada Relations
India Botswana Relations India Guatemala Relations
Brazil India Relations India Guinea Relations
Brunei India Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations
Bulgaria India Relations India Guyana Relations
Burundi India Relations India Haiti Relations
Cabo Verde India Relations India Holy See Relations
India Cambodia Relations India Honduras Relations
India Cameroon Relations India Hong Kong Relations
Canada India Relations India Hungary Relations
India Cayman Islands Relations India Iceland Relations
India Central African Republic Relations India Indonesia Relations
India Chad Relations India Iran Relations
Chile India Relations India Iraq Relations
India Colombia Relations India Ireland Relations
India Comoros Relations India Jamaica Relations
India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Kazakhstan Relations
India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Kenya Relations
India Cook Islands Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations
India Costa Rica Relations India Kiribati Relations
India Ivory Coast Relations India Kuwait Relations
India Croatia Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations
India Cyprus Relations India Laos Relations
India Czech Republic Relations Latvia India Relations
India Djibouti Relations

More Articles for IAS Preparation

International Relations UPSC Notes FAQs

All phases of the IAS Exam, including the preliminary, mains, and interview, have placed a strong focus on the international relations section. As a result, a part on International Relations is included in UPSC preparation.

International Relations has around 2 to 3 questions in the preliminary round. The International Relations section has around 4-5 questions of around 40-50 Marks in the GS Paper II in the mains stage.

Whether it's the Prelims, Mains, or Interview, International Relations is a crucial topic in all three rounds of the exam. The UPSC Mains General Studies-II paper includes an international relations section. Despite the fact that the paper is generally divided into Polity and Governance, the International Relations portion has questions worth 100 marks or more. As a result, this subject requires extensive preparation.

Organize the Syllabus in your mind: First and foremost, a mind map of the UPSC Mains syllabus for International Relations is essential. This will allow you to obtain a decent idea of what to read while reading regular novels or newspapers. Notes should be concise and succinct: Because there is no single book that has all of the information, making brief and concise notes on the subject is necessary. In addition, the UPSC's International Relations topic is quite dynamic and significantly influenced by current events. In addition to the required standard material, study newspapers and the Department of External Affairs' official website to prepare your own notes. Revision at its best: It's understandable to be confused because it concerns all of the major countries' interactions with India. As a result, keep your notes up to date to the best of your ability in order to remember what you're learning on a frequent basis. Fill in the gaps by analyzing the previous year's questions: The most important thing for you to do now is anticipate the questions you'll be asked on the exam and prepare responses accordingly. This is the result of finishing the papers from the previous year. It will provide you firsthand knowledge of how the questions are posed. As a consequence, you'll be more equipped to answer queries regarding this topic.

Pax Indica by Shashi Tharoor, India’s Foreign Policy: Coping with the Changing World – Muchkund Dubey, Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy – Rajeev Sikri, India’s Foreign Policy Since Independence by V.P. Dutt

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