PSIR Optional · Paper II · Section B: India and the World
India and the Global Centres of Power Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for India and the Global Centres of Power (Paper II, Section B: India and the World), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: USA, EU, Japan, China and Russia.
59
Solved answers
1992–2026
Years covered
62
Questions listed
5
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Paper II · Unit 05
India and the Global Centres of Power notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
Free practice
Previous year questions: India and the Global Centres of Power
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 the Global Centres of Power
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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“The mother of all deals” is a transformative milestone in Indo-EU trade relations. Elaborate on the new Security and Defence partnership.
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Critically evaluate India-Russia relations in the 21st century. How have both the countries responded to America meddling in their relations in the recent times.
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India continues to invoke its time-tested policy of strategic autonomy vis-à-vis both the United States of America and Russia by rejecting US’ offer of mediation on Kashmir issue and by refusing to criticize Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Comment.
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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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The tariff threats have pushed India and the European Union closer. Evaluate the India-EU partnership.
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Historical ties between India and Japan grew into a ‘special strategic and global partnership’. Comment.
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“India and USA have become such strong strategic partners that they need not become formal allies.” Comment.
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Does the idea of the 21st century as ‘Asian century’ continue to remain feasible given the growing friction between India and China?
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Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) performs an important role in India’s strategic balancing act to withstand the dominance of China in Asia. Discuss.
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Arms trade, economic ties and congruent geo-political interests are no longer the three pillars of India – Russia relationship in the emerging strategic context. Comment.
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Explain the significance of Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement (BECA) for Indo-US strategic relations.
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What are the main drivers of India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership?
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Explain India’s relations with the European Union in the context of Brexit.
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Examine the Geo-strategic points of contention in the bilateral relationship between India and China.
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‘Relations between India and Russia are rooted in history, mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.’ Discuss.
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Discuss the significance of Indo-US strategic partnership and its implications for India’s security and national defence.
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What are the notable features of the recently concluded pact or the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) between India and Japan? How is it likely to address the security concerns of India?
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Explain the defence and foreign policy options of India to address the challenges emerging out of the current India-China standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
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Describe briefly China’s ‘One Belt One Road (OBOR)’ Initiative and analyze India’s major concerns.
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What are the current issues in Brahmaputra River water sharing between India and China?
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Critically examine India’s position on South China Sea Dispute.
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Discuss the role of Indian diaspora in promoting Indo-US relations.
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Do you agree that the growing assertiveness of China is leading to multilayered Indo-Japan relations? Comment.
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Critically assess the evolving convergence of India and China in the areas of trade and environment.
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The natural behaviour of India and the United States is likely to serve each other’s interests. Hence, a deliberate strategy of dovetailing their efforts will obviously benefit both. Elaborate.
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Do you subscribe to the idea that in the new evolving Asian dynamics, Japan and India have not only moved closer in economic cooperation, but also in strategic partnership?
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How is the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ of China going to affect India-China relations?
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The recent differences between India and Russia are the result of misconceptions than facts. Elucidate.
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Comment on India’s growing relationship with USA in the background of constrained relations between India and China.
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Explain Britain’s ouster from EU and bring out its consequences on world economy in general and India in particular.
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Illustrate the main causes of tension between India and China. Suggest the possibilities of improving relationship.
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Before the year 2000, the Indo-U.S. relationship has been marked more with estrangement than cordiality. Why?
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Do you agree with the view that the USA is of late willing to treat India as a partner rather than merely a camp-follower? Give reasons for your answer.
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“EU – India relations have a long way to go before they can purposely be termed strategic.” Discuss.
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Evaluate the recent changes in Indo – Japan relations.
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“Some of the major changes that occurred in India’s foreign policy after the Sino – India war in 1962 were within the larger framework of continuity.” Discuss.
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Analyse the drivers of Indo-Russian relations in the post-Cold-War era.
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Is there any linkage between a shift in China’s relations with Japan to a perceived shift in her relations with India? Examine in the light of China’s so- called ‘anti- encirclement struggle’. (150 words)
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Explain the role of the Parliament in the shaping of 123 Agreement between India and the US on Civil-nuclear Cooperation.
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Do you think that India should sign a treaty with China on water sharing of Brahmaputra River, similar to what she did with Nepal and other neighbouring states?
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Examine India’s response to the Af-Pak policy of the US.
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Examine the nature of the issues currently being debated with the European Union.
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‘The relationship between India and China is characterised by high levels of conflict and cooperation.’ Comment.
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Comprehensively examine the major developments/trends in Indo-US relations since the early 1990s. Do you visualise the strengthening of ties between the two nations? Substantiate.
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Examine the trends in India’s relations with the European Union.
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Discuss the present state of Indo-Russian relations.
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Comment: Emerging areas of co-operation between India and Japan.
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Examine the areas of cooperation and conflict in the Indo-American relations.
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Comment: Impact of Sino-Indian conflict of 1962 on International Politics.
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Comment: Areas of cooperation between India and Russia.
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Examine the recent developments in Sino-Indian relations.
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Examine Pakistan as a factor in Indo-American relations during the Cold War.
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Comment: Indo-Russian Summit 1997.
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Comment: Diego Garcia.
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Examine the changes in China’s India policy in 1990’s. Do you attribute these changes to the altered global environment or to the domestic factors?
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What, in your option, is the objective of the US policy in South Asia-status quo or peaceful change? Examine the strategies adopted by Washington in this regard.
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Despite some problems which USA is facing in Asia, it is unlikely that pressures on India over the nuclear issue, Kashmir and missile programme will be released. Discuss.
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Analyse the developments in the Indo-US relations since the end of the Gulf War. Give the reasons for changes, if any, in the South Asia policy of USA.
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| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
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| Paper 1 notes — Political Theory + Indian Government and Politics | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Paper 2 notes — Comparative Politics and India and the World | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Topic-wise PYQ bank | 1986–2026, with trend analysis and probables by Dec 2026 | 1991–2025 question papers, free with every notes pack |
| Practice question set for timed answer writing | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
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