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Explore IR Questions in UPSC Prelims 2025 with detailed answers, trends, difficulty level, and topic-wise analysis. Understand the evolving importance of International Relations in UPSC through key questions, preparation tips, and past year trends.
PWOnlyIAS
May 31, 2025
IR Questions in UPSC Prelims 2025 have once again maintained the significance of International Relations as an essential component of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination. With the evolving global geopolitical dynamics and India’s increasing engagement in international forums, UPSC has maintained its tradition of testing aspirants on contemporary international affairs, strategic developments, and global institutional mechanisms.
In the UPSC Prelims IR Questions & Answers 2025, the segment stood out for its conceptual depth and alignment with current global affairs. The questions were not just memory-based but required analytical skills and a holistic understanding of international developments.
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UPSC Prelims Question Paper & Answer Key 2025 |
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| UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 | Download Link |
| UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 | Download Link |
| UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 with Solution | Download Link |
The IR Questions in UPSC Prelims 2025 have once again highlighted the growing importance of International Relations in the civil services examination. The questions were diverse, current-affairs-oriented, and conceptually demanding, testing aspirants on their understanding of global developments, India’s foreign policy engagements, and multilateral institutional frameworks. A strategic and analytical approach was essential to effectively tackle this section.
| IR Questions in UPSC Prelims 2025 Overview | |
| Component | Details |
| Total IR Questions in Prelims 2025 | 10 |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High |
| Major Themes Covered | Global Institutions, Multilateral Summits, Climate Reports, UN Declarations |
| Types of Questions | Concept-based, Pair-based, Current Affairs-linked |
| Static vs. Dynamic Balance | Predominantly Dynamic with conceptual underpinnings |
| Focus Areas | BRICS, NATO, INSTC, Wet-Bulb Temperature, UPI’s Global Role, BIMSTEC |
| Recommended Preparation | Newspaper reading, Standard IR texts, Global reports, Monthly compilations |
| Significance | High—can be decisive in clearing the Prelims cut-off |
A closer examination of the UPSC Prelims IR Questions & Answers 2025 shows that the questions were diversified yet rooted in current and applied knowledge. The following themes dominated the IR section in 2025:
Q) Consider the following countries:
I. Austria
II. Bulgaria
III. Croatia
IV. Serbia
V. Sweden
VI. North Macedonia
How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?
(a) Only three
(b) Only four
(c) Only five
(d) All the six
Q) India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect:
(a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
(b) India to Central Asia via China
(c) India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
(d) India to Europe through Azerbaijan
Q) Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.
Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
Q) The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C. Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above-said report?
I. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.
II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Q) Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD):
I. It provides loans and guarantees to middle income countries.
II. It works single-handedly to help developing countries to reduce poverty.
III. It was established to help Europe rebuild after World War II.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III
Q) Consider the following countries:
I. United Arab Emirates
II. France
III. Germany
IV. Singapore
V. Bangladesh
How many countries amongst the above are there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI?
(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All the five
Q) Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:
I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of ‘tourism’ is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) I and IV
(d) I only
Q) Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025:
I. Co-chaired by India, the event builds on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit held in 2023 and the Seoul Summit held in 2024.
II. Along with other countries, the US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Q) Consider the following pairs:
I. International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026
II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027
III. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025
IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Q) Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) I and III
(d) I only
Each of these areas requires integrated preparation, drawing from daily current affairs, international news, government reports, and standard IR textbooks. No single source can comprehensively cover the scope of IR questions in UPSC Prelims 2025.
An in-depth analysis of the UPSC Prelims IR Questions & Answers 2025 reveals a wide thematic distribution. Below is a structured categorisation of key areas from which questions were framed:
| Areas Covered in UPSC Prelims 2025 IR Segment | ||
| Category | Topics Covered | Key Insights & Preparation Tips |
| Global Institutions and Groupings | NATO, BRICS, IBRD, BIMSTEC | Emphasise the formation, evolution, member states, and institutional roles. |
| Multilateral Summits and Declarations | AI Action Summit, INSTC outcomes | Read official documentation and declarations for authentic insights. |
| Geostrategic Corridors & Infrastructure | INSTC, UPI’s internationalisation, Chabahar Port | Track strategic connectivity and India’s involvement in infrastructure diplomacy. |
| Climate and Global Risk Reports | Wet-bulb temperatures, World Bank climate findings | Gain conceptual clarity on scientific terminologies and link them with global development goals. |
| UN Declarations | International Year of Millets, Year of Quantum Science | Review annual UN designations and their significance to India and the world. |
The IR questions in UPSC Prelims 2025 ranged from moderate to slightly high in terms of difficulty. While a few were direct and factual, several questions demanded analytical thinking and contextual application.
For instance, aspirants were asked to:
The presence of such questions necessitated a deeper understanding beyond superficial reading. Moreover, multiple-choice options were closely worded, increasing the difficulty of arriving at the correct answer through elimination alone.
The trend for IR Questions in UPSC Prelims has shown considerable fluctuation over the years. However, the long-term trajectory points toward increasing significance. The following data outlines how many IR questions appeared in UPSC Prelims from 2017 to 2025:
| Trend Analysis of IR in UPSC Prelims Over the Years | |
| Year | Number of IR Questions |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 |
From just 2-4 questions in earlier years, the number has steadily risen to 10+ questions in recent times.
IR (International Relations) has remained a key area of focus in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. In 2025, the trend held firm. The paper featured several well-structured and concept-driven questions from the IR segment. These difficulties not only test memory but also conceptual clarity and interpretative ability. The prominence of such questions in the examination underscores the geopolitical awareness expected of future civil servants.
A review of candidate feedback and detailed paper analysis reveals that 10 questions were directly drawn from International Relations. This makes it evident that IR remains a high-yielding section, with a weightage that cannot be overlooked.
Certain patterns have emerged consistently in the IR Questions in UPSC Prelims 2025:
These trends show that IR is no longer limited to static facts; rather, the examiner assesses a candidate’s ability to connect the dots across current affairs, policy, and geography.
Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!
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