PSIR Optional · Paper II · Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
United Nations Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for United Nations (Paper II, Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Envisaged role and actual record; specialised agencies; the need for UN reforms.
35
Solved answers
1991–2026
Years covered
37
Questions listed
8
Free notes
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper II · Unit 09
United Nations 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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ECOSOC and the Specialised Agencies of the United Nations
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Envisaged Role and Actual Record of the United Nations
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Formation and Structure of the United Nations
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International Court of Justice
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Reform of the UN Security Council
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The Need for UN Reforms
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UN Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
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UN Security Council Structure Powers and the Veto
Free practice
Previous year questions: United Nations
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: United Nations
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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What is UNCLOS? Explain its salient features.
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The withdrawal of the United States of America from the World Health Organization is set to have far-reaching impacts on global health. Reimagining the existing WHO is vital for the global health agenda. Discuss.
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Discuss the structure and functions of UN Security Council?
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What is the structure and functions of International Court of Justice?
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Describe the composition of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Discuss its voluntary jurisdiction.
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What measures have been undertaken by the United Nations for its reforms? (150 words)
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Discuss the significance and urgency of the UN Security Council reforms. Explain the relevance of the reform proposals made by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for the developing countries.
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In what way does the predominance of the USA in the UN funding affect its decision-making?
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Do you think that sustainable development goals are really attainable by 2030?
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Evaluate the role of the International Court of Justice in inter-State disputes.
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Discuss the relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on the security of women in conflict zones.
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Do you agree with the view that despite the limitations in the functioning of the UN, it has distinguished and unique achievements to its credit?
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Do you endorse that the United Nations needs major changes in its structures and functioning? Suggest the changes for efficient improvements.
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How far are the world governance mechanisms, dominated by IMF and World Bank, legitimate and relevant? What measures do you suggest to improve their effectiveness in global governance?
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Has the reform of the economic and social arrangements of the United Nations been effective?
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What are the real objectives of Millennium Development Goals (MDG)? Do you think that millennium development goals have been able to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation and sustainable development?
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Do you agree that the U.N. has failed to contain transnational terrorism? Elaborate your answer with examples.
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Argue a case for U.N. reform in the context of changing global milieu.
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How far the efforts to maintain international order in the post-Cold War period by the UN have been successful?
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What are the major impediments to UN Security Council reform?
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“The UN today is more of a social service organisation than an exclusively security-oriented body.” Critically examine.
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Analyse critically the major changes in the role of the United Nations (UN) since the onset of the new millennium.
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Comment: International Court of Justice.
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“Few agencies of International co-operation have been more successful in tending to the welfare of humanity than the I.L.O.” Discuss the organisation and activities of the International Labour Organisation in the light of the above statement.
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Comment: The compulsory jurisdiction clause under the statute of the International Court of Justice.
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Comment: The U.N. General Assembly Millennium Summit Sep-2000.
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Write a critical essay on the role of the Third World in international relations, especially in the United Nations.
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Analyse the challenges and prospects of the UNO in becoming a world state.
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Judged from the past, UN does not hold much promise to free the Third World from the clutches of neo-imperialism. Elucidate.
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“From the start, the United Nations become a microcosm of world politics, with developments within the institution tending to mirror the atmosphere and happenings outside its walls.” Comment.
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Comment: Role of international Law in international cooperation.
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Comment: UN’s peacekeeping role in domestic conflicts.
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Comment: Case for a permanent UN peace keeping force.
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The United Nations is not political system acting in a vacuum: nor does it operate above international system. Comment.
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‘The UN has done well but not well enough. Comment.
PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
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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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Other units in Paper II · Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- State in Comparative Perspective
- Politics of Representation and Participation
- Globalisation
- Approaches to the Study of International Relations
- Key Concepts in International Relations
- Changing International Political Order
- Evolution of the International Economic System
- Regionalisation of World Politics
- Contemporary Global Concerns