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 | 2646 | 0 |
Following are the IR questions asked in the UPSC Prelims 2025.
Q) Consider the following countries:
Austria
II. Bulgaria
III. Croatia
IV. Serbia
V. Sweden
VI. North Macedonia
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
Q) India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect:
(a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
(b) India to Central Asia via China
(c) India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
(d) India to Europe through Azerbaijan
Q) Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.
Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.
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
Q) The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C. Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above-said report?
Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.
II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Q) Consider the following statements in respect of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD):
It provides loans and guarantees to middle income countries.
II. It works single-handedly to help developing countries to reduce poverty.
III. It was established to help Europe rebuild after World War II.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III
Q) Consider the following countries:
United Arab Emirates
II. France
III. Germany
IV. Singapore
V. Bangladesh
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
Q) Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:
It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of ‘tourism’ is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) I and IV
(d) I only
Q) Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025:
Co-chaired by India, the event builds on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit held in 2023 and the Seoul Summit held in 2024.
II. Along with other countries, the US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Q) Consider the following pairs:
International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026
II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027
III. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025
IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Q) Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) I and III
(d) I only
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.
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
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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