India and its Neighbourhood PYQ | UPSC GS II

2026

1. · Paper Q20 · 2026 · 15 marks · Solution

"China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed South Asia from a regional space into a theatre of great power competition." Analyse the strategic implications of the BRI for India's security and regional influence in South Asia.

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2025

2. · Paper Q9 · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.

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3. · Paper Q19 · 2025 · 15 marks · Solution

"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?

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2024

4. · Paper Q9 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

'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.

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5. · Paper Q10 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

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.

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6. · Paper Q20 · 2024 · 15 marks · Solution

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?

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2023

7. · Paper Q17 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

"Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach." Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

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8. · Paper Q19 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

'The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.' What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

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9. · Paper Q20 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

'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 environment and enhancing maritime safety and security.

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2022

10. · Paper Q20 · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

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.

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2021

11. · Paper Q9 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

"If the last few decades were of Asia's growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa's." In the light of this statement, examine India's influence in Africa in recent years.

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12. · Paper Q10 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

"The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union." Explain.

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13. · Paper Q20 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strenght and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.

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2020

14. · Paper Q20 · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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2019

15. · Paper Q10 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

'Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO fighting for life.' Discuss the statement in the light of US' withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being 'anti-Israel bias'

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16. · Paper Q17 · 2019 · 15 marks · Solution

The need for cooperation among various service sector has been an inherent component of development discourse. Partnership bridges bring the gap among the sectors. It also sets in motion a culture of 'Collaboration' and 'team spirit'. In the light of statements above examine India's Development process.(15).

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2017

17. · Paper Q9 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

'China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia', In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor.

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18. · Paper Q12 · 2017 · 15 marks · Solution

Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. (250 words).

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19. · Paper Q19 · 2017 · 15 marks · Solution

The question of India's Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India's economic progress. Analyze India's energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (250 words).

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2016

20. · Paper Q12 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India.

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21. · Paper Q18 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.

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22. · Paper Q20 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India's position on these?

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2015

23. · Paper Q8 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Examine critically the recent changes in the rule governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.

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24. · Paper Q11 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

The quality of higher education in India requires major improvement to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of technical and higher education in the country. Discuss.

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25. · Paper Q17 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pro and cons. Critically Examine.

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26. · Paper Q19 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Project 'Mausam' is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of Indian government to improve relationship wit its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.

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