PSIR Optional · Paper II · Section B: India and the World
Indian Foreign Policy Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Indian Foreign Policy (Paper II, Section B: India and the World), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Determinants of foreign policy; institutions of policy-making; continuity and change.
40
Solved answers
1991–2025
Years covered
40
Questions listed
7
Free notes
On this page
Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper II · Unit 01
Indian Foreign Policy notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
-
Continuity and Change in Indian Foreign Policy
-
Determinants of Foreign Policy: Concept and Framework
-
Determinants of Indian Foreign Policy
-
Informal Actors, Public Diplomacy and Soft Power in Indian Foreign Policy
-
Institutions of Indian Foreign Policy Making: The Executive Core
-
Parliament, States and Democratic Accountability in Indian Foreign Policy
-
Strategic Autonomy, Multi-Alignment and India’s Contemporary Foreign Policy
Free practice
Previous year questions: Indian Foreign Policy
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
-
UPSC PSIR Optional Question Paper 2026
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2025
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2024
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2023
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2022
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2021
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2020
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2019
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2018
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2017
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2016
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2015
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2014
-
PSIR Optional Question Paper 2013
Solved answers
Solved PYQ answers: Indian Foreign Policy
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
-
Critically analyze the different phases of India’s foreign policy since independence. How justified, do you think, is S. Jaishankar’s classification of the current phase as the phase of ‘energetic diplomacy’?
-
Would you agree with the contention that India’s inclination to lean on a ‘more aggressive hyper-realist posture’ has gained a new momentum in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist strike? Comment.
-
India maintains strong ties with countries that will assure a free and open Indo-Pacific and guarantee greater connectivity with rest of the world. Analyze.
-
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.
-
For India, a multipolar world order would also mean a multipolar Asia. Comment.
-
Would you concur with the view that of late, India’s foreign policy has been in a transition mode from Nehruvianism to Neoliberalism? Support your answer with the help of suitable examples.
-
What are the external determinants of the Foreign Policy of a State?
-
Explain the major features of India’s foreign policy in the 21st century.
-
Critically examine the major factors responsible for a turnaround in the trajectory of India’s foreign policy in the post-cold war period.
-
Discuss the role of public diplomacy in the enhancement of India’s global standing.
-
Peaceful co-existence remains the cornerstone of India’s foreign policy. Comment.
-
Explain the philosophical foundations of India’s foreign policy. (150 words)
-
How do the constituent states influence the foreign policy making process in India?
-
Describe the structure and function of the National Security Council of India. What role does it play in the formulation of Indian foreign policy.
-
Examine the role of ‘parliamentary diplomacy’ in India’s foreign policy.
-
How is India responding to the idea of Indo-Pacific?
-
Examine the increasing significance of maritime security in India’s foreign policy.
-
Do you agree with the view that the Indian Foreign Policy is increasingly being shaped by the Neoliberal outlook? Elaborate.
-
“India is often said to have a rich strategic culture.” Discuss.
-
“India’s current foreign policy marks significant qualitative shifts from that of the previous regimes.” Discuss.
-
Discuss the role of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in promoting India’s soft power abroad.
-
Examine the Indian National Movement and geographical location of India as determinants of India’s foreign policy.
-
Which determinant factors play an important role in making India’s foreign policy? Illustrate with examples.
-
The social structure of a country influences its foreign policy-making. How does the social structure of India impact the course and direction of its foreign policy?
-
How does the Parliament determine and influence the making of India’s foreign policy?
-
Economic interest has emerged as the main component of India’s foreign policy.’ Discuss the statement in the light of India’s initiatives to improve relations with China, Japan and the Central Asian republics.
-
“Federal units are critical in the making of India’s foreign policy.” Examine this statement with reference to the role of West Bengal vis-a-vis Bangladesh.
-
The Ministry of External Affairs is losing its importance in the making of India’s foreign policy with the parallel rise of the P.M.O. Explain.
-
Identify the elements of change in India’s Foreign Policy. (150 words)
-
The economic content of India’s Foreign trade is increasingly growing.’ Substantiate the statement with economic diplomatic engagements of India in the last decade. (200 words)
-
What have been the main challenges to India’s foreign policy in the last two decades? Are these essentially ‘concerns’ with domestic politics or ‘strategic’ issues? (200 words)
-
Comment on the essential elements of India’s foreign policy that are required to secure energy and security in the Indian Ocean region. (150 words)
-
Assess the scope and importance of setting up the Public Diplomacy Division in the Ministry of External Affairs in strengthening India’s Foreign Policy.
-
Explain the following statement and elucidate its implications: “India’s policy in post-Cold War era is tilted towards pragmatism and wisdom.”
-
Explain the impact of coalition politics on India’s Foreign Policy since late 1990s.
-
“Domestic problems and historic legacies, apart from other factors, constitute major strains on Indian foreign policy.” Discuss this statement with suitable examples.
-
“India’s Foreign Policy could have matched with the fast-changing international system.” Discuss it.
-
Comment: Pre-independence origins of India’s foreign policy.
-
Evaluate the foreign policy of India with special reference to Pakistan and China in the present context.
-
Present a critique of India’s foreign policy.
PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
Two ways to prepare with us — the full self-study system, or just the notes you need right now.
| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ❌ |
| Answer toolkit — intros, conclusions, frameworks, thinker and example banks | By Dec 2026 | ❌ |
| Revision booklets for the last 60 days | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Format | Online articles + PDF | PDF download |
| Access | Valid until UPSC CSE Mains 2027 | Instant download after payment |
| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
| Best for | Aspirants who want the whole system in one place | Aspirants who want the notes now, in the parts they need |