PSIR Optional · Paper II · Section B: India and the World
India and South Asia Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for India and South Asia (Paper II, Section B: India and the World), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Regional cooperation, SAARC, South Asia as a free trade area, India's Look East policy, impediments to regional cooperation.
67
Solved answers
1991–2026
Years covered
70
Questions listed
16
Free notes
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper II · Unit 03
India and South Asia notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
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Border Disputes in South Asia
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China’s Expanding Footprint in South Asia and India’s Response
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Ethnic Conflicts and Insurgencies as Impediments to Regional Cooperation
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From Look East to Act East
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Illegal Cross-Border Migration and India’s Security
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India and SAARC Past Performance and Future Prospects
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India-Afghanistan Relations (PSIR Optional)
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India-Bangladesh Relations (PSIR Optional)
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India-Bhutan Relations (PSIR Optional)
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India-Maldives Relations (PSIR Optional)
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India-Myanmar Relations (PSIR Optional)
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India-Nepal Relations (PSIR Optional)
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India-Pakistan Relations (PSIR Optional)
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India-Sri Lanka Relations (PSIR Optional)
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River Water Disputes between India and its Neighbours
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South Asia as a Free Trade Area
Free practice
Previous year questions: India and South Asia
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 PSIR Optional Question Paper 2026
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2025
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2024
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2023
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2022
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2021
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2020
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2019
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2018
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2017
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2016
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2015
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2014
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2013
Solved answers
Solved PYQ answers: India and South Asia
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Accelerating of Chinese influence across South Asia is fundamentally reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape. This is a big foreign policy challenge for India. Analyse.
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Critically evaluate the important factors of India-Maldives relations on the eve of sixty years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
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Answer in about 150 words: What strategic options can India exercise as a response to the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
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The island of Kachchatheevu remains an intractable issue in India-Srilanka relations. Comment.
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Answer in about 150 words: Discuss the main features of the land-boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh.
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How does illegal cross border migration pose challenges to India’s security? Discuss the steps taken by the government in this direction and their effectiveness.
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China’s growing footprint and a tangible shift in power dynamics in Bangladesh has weakened India’s leverage in Dhaka. Comment.
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Discuss the potential role India can play in initiating a possible phase of trilateral economic engagement among India, China and Nepal.
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Discuss the future of SAARC in the light of India’s increased focus on other regional groupings like ASEAN and BIMSTEC.
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Despite deep ties, India’s relations with Sri Lanka have seen strains due to China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka through investments and economic dominance. Analyse.
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Bhutan has historically been an ally of India, but the China-Bhutan border related issues have become a security issue for India. Discuss.
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Discuss the implications of the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime with Myanmar by the Indian Government on the complex ethno-political dynamics of the north-eastern region.
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What are the reasons for lack of ‘regionness’ in South-Asia?
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Why do ethnic conflicts and insurgencies continue to remain major impediments to regional cooperation in South-Asia?
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Discuss the ways and means to realise greater economic co-operation among the Member States of South Asia.
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Discuss the steps required to realise ‘hydro-co-operation’ between India and Bangladesh.
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What are the implications of ‘Look-East’ Policy on the north-eastern region of India?
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Discuss the Consequences of illegal cross-border migration in India’s north-eastern region.
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Why South Asia is considered as the world’s politically and economically least integrated region? Explain.
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Discuss the strategic implications of India’s ‘Look East Policy’ transforming into ‘Act East Policy’. (150 words)
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Write a brief analysis of the ethnic conflicts and cross-border migrations along India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders.
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Outline the reasons of low volume of trade in the SAARC region.
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Analyze the impact of hydropolitics on Indo-Bangladesh relations.
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Discuss the future prospects of Indo-Nepal relations in the context of the recent publication of new Nepalese map wrongly claiming Indian territory.
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How does cross-border terrorism impede the achievements of peace and security in South Asia?
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Evaluate India’s stand on the recent Rohingya refugee issue.
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Analyse the significance of India’s Look East Policy in the light of concerns of the indigenous peoples of North-east India.
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What are the impediments in the development of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)?
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“Despite the differences between India and Pakistan on various issues, Indus Water Treaty has stood the test of times.” In the light of this statement, discuss the recent developments over this issue.
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“The Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship between India and Bhutan needs to be revised with more pragmatic, realistic obligations and responsibilities.” Comment.
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Sometimes we visualize that SAARC’s efforts come to halt because of various impediments to regional cooperation.” Elaborate with reasonable examples of impediment.
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Discuss the shift of India’s foreign policy towards Pakistan in the light of Pathankot incident.
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What are the hopes and aspirations of ‘Look East Policy’ of India? Explain.
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Ethnic conflicts and insurgencies in NorthEast India can be better managed by improving relations with the neighbouring countries. Substantiate the statement with suitable examples.
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River water disputes are emerging as a major source of irritation between India and its neighbours. Identify the sources of conflicts and suggest the remedial measures.
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What are the political and environmental contexts of the Siachen Glacier conflict? Comment on the possibility of environmental peace – keeping and collaborative arrangements being worked out with Pakistan on this aspect. (250 words)
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“Despite the potentialities, India’s ‘Look East Policy’ requires a major course correction.” Discuss. (200 words)
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Illustrate the issue of illegal cross-border migration in South Asia and its impact on regional alliances and bilateral relations. (150 words)
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Explain the major flaws in India’s ‘Look East Policy’. Is it possible to steer and implement the policy successfully in view of China’s emergence as a high-tech power in Asia-Pacific?
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Discuss the implications of ethnicity and nation-building in South Asia, and their impact in the relations of states within South Asia.
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Would it be to India’s benefit if it were to pursue a more serious relationship with South-East Asia? Critically evaluate.
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Assess the problems being faced by India on account of illegal migration into the country.
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Examine India’s role in strategic terms with regard to the land-locked countries in South Asia. With regard to Nepal, to what extent has the involvement of major powers such as China, the US and the EU impacted India’s strategic interests?
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Do you think that India’s ‘Look East policy would help a common Asian market, unlike European common market?
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Analyze the basic causes of insurgency and terrorism in two major areas that are affected in the country. In this regard, to what extent have state policies to counter terrorism been effective in these areas?
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“Domestic turmoil in neighbouring South Asian countries often constitutes a strain on Indian foreign policy.” Discuss with illustrations.
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Critically review the progress of India-Pakistan peace process since the Kargil War.
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Identify the persistent points of friction between India and Bangladesh at present.
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What are the motivations for India’s ‘Look East’ policy?
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“The establishment of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) has opened the gates of mutual cooperation among the States of South Asia.” In the light of this statement examine India’s role in the South Asian region.
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Explain the importance and limitations of recent Confidence Building Measures in Indo-Pak relations.
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Comment: India’s interest in ASEAN.
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Give an account of the major contending issues in Indo-Bangladesh relations. Assess the prospects for greater cooperation between the two countries.
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Comment: Distinguishing features of Indo-Nepal Relations.
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Comment: Prospects and problems of India’s relations with South-East Asia.
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Comment: India’s role in the independence of Bangladesh.
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Comment: Role and consequences of IPKF in Sri Lanka.
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Comment: “Look East” policy of India.
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Comment: SAARC: Problems and Prospects
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‘Indo-Pak relationship veers around the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue.’ Critically evaluate various alternatives for its solution.
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Discuss some of the major issues of conflict and cooperation between India, Nepal and Bhutan.
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Comment: Prospects of a free trade area in South Asia.
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Comment: Islamic factor in Indo-Pak Relations.
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It is said that India bashing by its neighbouring countries is directly or indirectly linked to their internal social conflicts. Explain with the help of developments in Indo-Pak and Indo-Srilankan relations.
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“Regional cooperation makes sense only in the event of there being, at least as the bottom line, a degree of ideological cohesion and/or economic dependence. The SAARC members have neither.” Comment.
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Keeping in view the global developments during the last few years, what are the prospects of cooperative and friendly relations between India and Pakistan.
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Comment: Indus water Treaty.
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