Explore a detailed analysis of Ancient Questions in UPSC Prelims 2025. Understand the number of questions, their difficulty level, and how to prepare effectively for this critical section.
theIAShub | 27 May, 2025 | 2352 | 0 |
IR (International Relations) has remained a key area of focus in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. In 2025, the trend held firm. The paper featured several well-structured and concept-driven questions from the IR segment. These tested not only memory but also conceptual clarity and interpretative ability. This article offers a close analysis of the questions, the themes they covered, the difficulty level, and what aspirants need to know to prepare well.
Also Read: UPSC Prelims 2025 Marks Calculator
A review of candidate feedback and paper analysis reveals that 10 questions were directly drawn from International Relations. This number reflects the consistent emphasis placed on the ancient period by UPSC in recent years. Some questions were stand-alone while others integrated with broader historical or cultural questions.
This makes it clear: candidates cannot afford to ignore International Relations in their preparation strategy. Whether the number varies slightly year to year, the section continues to hold weight.
Also Read: UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Answer Key
Following are the IR questions asked in the UPSC Prelims 2025.
How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?
(a) Only three
(b) Only four
(c) Only five
(d) All the six
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
How many countries amongst the above are there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI?
(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All the five
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Also Read: UPSC Prelims 2025 CSAT Answer key
Following were the areas from which questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2025:
| Category | Topics Covered | Key Insights & Preparation Tips |
| Global Institutions and Groupings | NATO, BRICS, IBRD, BIMSTEC (member states, founding years, roles) | Focus on structure, evolution, and functions of organizations. |
| Multilateral Summits and Declarations | AI Action Summit, INSTC (outcomes, participants, alignments) | Read official declarations and summit summaries for updated insights. |
| Geostrategic Corridors & Infrastructure | INSTC, UPI’s global outreach (India’s connectivity, fintech diplomacy) | Track bilateral/multilateral projects and India’s strategic role. |
| Climate and Global Risk Reports | Wet-bulb temperatures, World Bank reports (climate terms, human impact) | Understand applied climate science and institutional findings. |
| International Year Declarations | UN-designated years (themes, objectives) |
Each of these areas requires a cross-functional reading of current affairs, international reports, and static portions from standard IR texts. No single source offers complete coverage, so aspirants must rely on a mix of daily news analysis, monthly compilations, and official releases.
Also Read: UPSC Prelims GS Question Paper 2025
The IR UPSC Prelims difficulty level in 2025 ranged from moderate to slightly high. Some questions were direct and factual, but many required contextual understanding. For example, candidates needed to compare different groups or identify causes behind international shifts.
The options in multiple-choice questions were also close, making it harder to guess correctly. This reinforced the need for clarity and in-depth reading, not just surface-level preparation.
IR preparation does not need to be overwhelming. A focused and consistent approach is key. Here’s a structured plan:
| Step | Action | Resources/Tools | Key Benefits |
| 1 | Build Conceptual Clarity | – Class 12 NCERT (Political Science, World Politics) | – Foundational understanding of global institutions, India’s foreign policy |
| – Basic IR textbooks | – Simplifies complex concepts | ||
| 2 | Refer to Standard IR & Current Affairs | – Monthly magazines (EPW, Yojana) | – Updated knowledge on multilateral orgs, summits |
| – Government releases (MEA website, UN reports) | – Ensures factual accuracy | ||
| – Standard IR books (e.g., “India’s Foreign Policy” by Rajiv Sikri) | – Comprehensive coverage of global groupings | ||
| 3 | Solve Previous Year Papers | – UPSC Prelims past papers (2010–2023) | – Identifies recurring themes (India’s global role, new partnerships) |
| – Familiarizes with question framing | |||
| 4 | Maintain Updated Fact Sheets | – Tables/charts for: | – Quick revision of key facts (members, mandates) |
| – NATO, BRICS, BIMSTEC, IBRD | – Tracks evolving geopolitical alignments | ||
| – INSTC, climate reports, UN declarations | |||
| 5 | Take Theme-Based Mock Tests | – Tests on: | – Improves speed and accuracy |
| – International organizations | – Simulates exam pressure | ||
| – Trade corridors (INSTC), climate summits | – Reinforces topic-wise weak areas | ||
| 6 | Use Visual Tools | – World maps (geostrategic corridors) | – Spatial understanding of partnerships |
| – Flowcharts (India’s bilateral/multilateral ties) | – Simplifies complex engagements for retention |
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UPSC Prelims 2025 IR questions confirmed one thing: this section is here to stay. While the number may vary, the depth and importance remain constant. For serious aspirants, IR should not be treated as optional or secondary.
The difficulty level ranged from moderate to high, with a mix of factual and concept-based questions requiring contextual understanding.
Key topics include political history, religion, philosophy, art, architecture, literature, and social structures.
Yes, IR is a vital part of the syllabus and carries consistent weight in the Prelims, making it essential for success.
Start with NCERTs, use standard reference books, solve previous year papers, and revise regularly with a topic-wise approach.
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