UPSC Prelims · Previous Year Questions

Master International Relations, one PYQ at a time 94 questions across 6 topics — 2011 to 2025, with answers & explanations

International Relations rewards staying current more than rote memory — UPSC draws heavily on international organisations, regional blocs and conflict zones that were actually in the news that year. Instead of re-reading static facts, revise the way UPSC actually tests you — topic by topic. Every topic below lists what it covers and a sample question; tap through to attempt the full set with instant answer-checking.

94Questions
6Topics
15 yrsCoverage, 2011–2025
FreeNo signup required
Start practising →

Showing all 6 topics

Sort:

International Relations is one of the most current-affairs-linked areas of UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 — it regularly produces 8-12 questions a year, drawn heavily from international organisations, regional security blocs, trade groupings and conflict zones that were in the news over the preceding 12-18 months.

The 6 topics below organise the full 2011–2025 question bank by theme — from the United Nations and its bodies to economic groupings like G20 and BRICS, security blocs like NATO and GCC, and recurring conflict zones like the Sahel and the South China Sea. Each topic page carries every question UPSC has asked on it, with the correct answer and a short explanation for each.

  1. Economic & Trade Groupings UPSC PYQ — WTO, BRICS, G20, RCEP & More

    24 Questions · High-yield

    WTO, BRICS, G20, RCEP, ASEAN and other regional and global economic and trade blocs relevant for Prelims.

    2017‘Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and:
    Solve PYQs → Timed Test

  2. Places, Conflict Zones & Current Geopolitics UPSC PYQ — Regions in the News

    22 Questions · High-yield

    Regions and places frequently in the news — conflict zones, straits, and current geopolitical flashpoints.

    2023Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II: The...
    Solve PYQs → Timed Test

  3. Security, Nuclear & Regional Blocs UPSC PYQ — NATO, GCC, OPCW & Nuclear Regimes

    15 Questions · High-yield

    NATO, GCC, OPCW, nuclear non-proliferation regimes (NSG, IAEA), and regional security groupings like BIMSTEC, IONS and IOR-ARC.

    2025Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC: I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January...
    Solve PYQs → Timed Test

  4. Reports, Indices & Global Organizations UPSC PYQ — WEF, World Bank & Global Indices

    14 Questions · Moderate

    Global indices and reports (Global Hunger Index, Rule of Law Index, Global Gender Gap Index, etc.) and organisations like the World Bank, IMF and WEF.

    2024Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization: 1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations. 2. World...
    Solve PYQs → Timed Test

  5. India's Foreign Policy & Strategic Ties UPSC PYQ — Nuclear Diplomacy & Strategic Corridors

    11 Questions · Moderate

    India's nuclear diplomacy, key bilateral deals, and strategic corridors like Chabahar, INSTC and the Malacca Strait.

    2015Consider the following countries: 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as...
    Solve PYQs → Timed Test

  6. United Nations & Its Bodies UPSC PYQ — UNGA, UN-Habitat & Specialised Bodies

    8 Questions · Moderate

    UN General Assembly, UN-Habitat, the Credentials Committee, and other UN-linked conventions and specialised bodies.

    2022With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, consider the following statements: 1. A coastal state has the...
    Solve PYQs → Timed Test

Frequently asked questions

How many questions come from International Relations in UPSC Prelims?

International Relations typically accounts for 8-12 questions in UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 each year, spanning international organisations, regional blocs, conflict zones and India's bilateral ties — making it one of the highest-yield current-affairs-linked areas.

Which International Relations topics are most important for UPSC Prelims?

Economic & Trade Groupings (G20, BRICS, WTO, RCEP) and Places, Conflict Zones & Current Geopolitics have produced the most questions historically, followed closely by Security, Nuclear & Regional Blocs.

Is NCERT enough to solve these International Relations PYQs?

Not on its own. Unlike Ancient History, International Relations is almost entirely current-affairs-driven — NCERT gives you the conceptual base (types of organisations, treaties, terms), but you need a daily newspaper or a monthly current-affairs digest to cover the actual summits, organisations and conflict zones UPSC tests.