UPSC IAS Mains 2020: Important Questions for GS II (International Relations & Social Justice Section)
UPSC: The UPSC Mains syllabus comprises four GS Papers, Essay, and two Optional papers. All the mains papers are descriptive in nature. GS II paper is divided into four sections. It is necessary for aspirants to prepare each section dedicatedly as the question paper covers questions from each topic. Solving previous years’ papers can prove to be of great help as they will help the aspirants to analyze the pattern as well as the type of questions asked in the paper from each section. For the aspirants’ convenience, we have compiled the questions from International Relations and Social Justice sections from the past 5 years’ previous years’ papers. It is advised that the aspirants should attempt the questions as per the word limit prescribed by UPSC.
Also Read: Tips for Writing Better Answers in UPSC IAS Mains 2020
UPSC IAS Mains 2020: Important Questions for GS II International Relations
| 2019 |
Ques 1. ‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnerships that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment.
Ques 2. ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leave UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of the US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’.
Ques 3. “The long sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its newfound role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate
Ques 4. What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s national self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples.
Also Check: Important Questions for GS Paper II (Polity & Governance Section)
| 2018 |
Ques 1. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.
Ques 2. A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.
Ques 3. Indian and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
Ques 4. What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of the ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?
Ques 5. In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation?
| 2017 |
Ques 1. ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor.
Ques 2. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.
Ques 3. The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (250 words)
Ques 4. Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context (250 words)
| 2016 |
Ques 1. “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seems doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective.
Ques 2. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario.
Ques 3. “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples.
Ques 4. What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of UNESCO? What is India’s position on these?
| 2015 |
Ques 1. Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.
Ques 2. Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
Ques 3. Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.
Ques 4. Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples.
Also Check: UPSC IAS Mains 2020: Strategy to Prepare GS Paper II
UPSC IAS Mains 2020: Important Questions for GS II Social Justice
| 2019 |
Ques 1. Despite Consistent experience of high growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive.
Ques 2. There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food-budget – Elucidate.
| 2018 |
Ques 1. Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
Ques 2. Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case.
Ques 3. The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters.
| 2017 |
Ques 1. How do pressure groups influence the Indian political process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as more powerful than formal pressure groups in recent years? (150 words)
Ques 2. ‘The emergence of Self Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities’. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs. (250 words)
Ques 3. Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment (250 words)
| 2016 |
Ques 1. Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?
Ques 2. In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India.
Ques 3. “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment.
Ques 4. “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?
| 2015 |
Ques 1. How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to the protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.
Ques 2. The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss.
Ques 3. Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest?
Ques 4. Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.
Candidates need to ambitiously follow their study time table and practice writing answers on alternate days. This will help them in keeping the track of their progress. We wholeheartedly hope for your success in the UPSC IAS Mains exams with the desired marks and rank.
Also Check: UPSC IAS Mains GS II Book List & Important Resources