History Optional · Paper II · World History
Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World (Paper II, World History), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Collapse of Soviet communism, political changes in Eastern Europe, end of the Cold War, the unipolar world.
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Paper II · Unit 27
Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
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Previous year questions: Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC History Optional Question Paper 2026
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UPSC History Optional Question Paper 2025
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History Optional Question Paper: 2024
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History Optional Question Paper: 2023
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History Optional Question Paper: 2012
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History Optional Question Paper: 2011
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History Optional Question Paper: 2013
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History Optional Question Paper: 2014
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History Optional Question Paper: 2015
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History Optional Question Paper: 2016
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History Optional Question Paper: 2017
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History Optional Question Paper: 2018
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History Optional Question Paper: 2019
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History Optional Question Paper: 2021
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Solved PYQ answers: Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World
Topic-wise model answers, newest exam year first. Members open the full answer; everyone else sees the question and can join the pack.
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss critically the salient features of Mikhail Gorbachev’s domestic reforms.
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“The supremacy of USA after the end of Cold War had its challenges as well.” Critically examine.
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Discuss, how the policies adopted by Mikhail Gorbachev were responsible for the disintegration of the USSR?
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“The impact of the end of the Cold War and the emergence of the US as the lone superpower has been both, good and bad.” Discuss.
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A new configuration of power emerged in world politics after the end of the cold war. Analyse how USA managed to become the sole superpower.
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Review the policy of Glasnost adopted by Gorbachev.
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“By 1980s, the Communist System of Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Substantiate.
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In what way did the political changes in Soviet Union influence the events in Eastern Europe during the closing decades of the 20th Century?
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What factors contributed to the emergence of a unipolar world?
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“By the 1980s, the Communist system of the Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Elucidate.
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“With the Cold War over and the Soviet Union gone, the face of international diplomacy has undergone a metamorphosis.” Critically examine.
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Examine the challenges confronted by the proponents of European unity after the collapse of Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe.
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“Critically evaluate: ‘The essence of Perestroika is for people to feel they are the country’s master.’- Gorbachev.”
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“The capitalism which gave the European empires their apparent solidarity and permanence also hastened their downfall.” Comment.
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Assess the significance of the political developments that took place in Eastern Europe during 1989-2001.
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Account for the factors that brought about the end of the Cold War.
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“By the 1980s, the Communist system of the Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Explain this statement.
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Analyse the factors for the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union during 1985–1991.
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Analyse the factors leading to the end of the Cold War and account for the U.S. ascendancy in the world.
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Discuss the main factors leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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