International Relations (IR) is a high-yield paper I topic in the UPSC Prelims. In 2024–25, UPSC asked 8 IR questions (up from 6 the year before!), so a smart strategy can easily fetch you 8–10 marks.

1. Important Static Topics in IR

Must-know bilateral ties: US, China, UK, Japan, Central & West Asia, SAARC neighbours

• Key programmes: Neighbourhood First, Act East, Necklace of Diamonds
  
• Global bodies: UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank, ADB, AIIB, SCO, BRICS, QUAD, BIMSTEC, L.69, GCC
  
• Military exercises: Malabar, Yudh Abhyas, Shakti, Garuda Shakti, Sampriti, Nomadic Elephant
  
• Aid operations: Operation Dost, Ajay, Sankat Mochan, Sadhbhav
  
• Major agreements: IPEF, RCEP (status), INSTC
  

Pro tip: Create a one-pager map chart of neighbour-region programmes for quick revision.

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2. High-Impact Current Affairs (Jan 2024–May 2025)

Topic	Why It Matters
MERCOSUR	India’s preferential trade talks
Raisina Dialogue	India’s premier foreign policy forum
Darfur Crisis	Test of India’s UN peacekeeping stance
Summit for Democracy	India’s soft-power narrative
Global South Summit 2024	India’s leadership among emerging economies
Interpol updates	Cross-border crime & cybercrime agreements
Colombo Security Conclave	Bay of Bengal security architecture
Pacific Islands Forum	Strategic partnerships in Indo-Pacific
Scarborough Shoal	China-Philippines maritime disputes
Varuna exercise	France–India naval drill

Quick hack: Use monthly PIB PDF → highlight IR events → transfer to Evernote under “IR 2025”.

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3. Best Sources & Note-making Hacks

• Static theory: Any quality GS-I coaching compendium (e.g., Vajiram’s IR module)
  
• Current affairs:
  
  • PIB releases (weekly “Defence & Foreign Affairs” PDF)
    
  • MyGov under “International Relations”
    
• Maps & Timelines: Draw regional timelines (e.g., Indo-Pacific partnerships, Belt & Road)
  
• Flashcards: 20 cards for org mand­ates (IMF quorum, WTO dispute resolution, etc.)
  

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4. Trend Analysis: UPSC Prelims IR Questions

• Question count: 6–14 in past five years, averaging 9.
  
• Patterns:
  
  1. Places in News (annual minimum 1–2 questions)
     
  2. Reports & Indices (e.g., Global Hunger Index, Corruption Perceptions Index)
     
  3. Mandates & Funding of bodies like WHO, UNSC, G20
     
• What UPSC loves: Pair-based MCQs on country-organisation or event-year match.
  

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5. Top 5 Study Tips for IR Prelims

1. One-Source Rule: Stick to one primary current-affairs feed to avoid overload.
   
2. Weekly Revisions: Schedule a 15-min “IR Friday” drill every week.
   
3. Mock-MCQ Blitz: Solve 20 IR MCQs daily from PYQs+MAD series.
   
4. Visual Mnemonics: Use colour-coded mind-maps for regions (e.g., red for neighbour policy).
   
5. Peer-Group Debrief: 30-min fortnightly group call to debate hot topics.