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.

International Relations UPSC Notes

International Relations has garnered a significant amount of weightage in the last few years. Candidates can check out the Topic Wise International Relations Notes for UPSC with the links given in the table below.

International Relations has been given the following weightage since 2011:

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.

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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.