UPSC Mains PYQs on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora (GS Paper 2)
Every UPSC Mains question on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 16 questions on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora (syllabus item 19 of GS Paper 2) between 2013 and 2025, worth 195 marks in all, about 1.6 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Geo-politics affecting India's Interest (9), Energy × Foreign Policy (3), Indian Diaspora (3). The busiest year was 2017 (3 questions, 40 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 2, item 19: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora: questions year-wise with marks
2025 2 questions · 25 marks
-
"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?
-
With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism. Elucidate.
2024 1 question · 10 marks
-
The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China's supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China's political and economic dominance.' Explain this statement with examples.
2023 2 questions · 25 marks
-
'The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well in India.' What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.
-
Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India.
2022 1 question · 15 marks
-
Clean energy is the order of the day. Describe briefly India's changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.
2021 1 question · 10 marks
-
"The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union." Explain.
2020 1 question · 10 marks
-
'Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries'. Comment with examples.
2019 1 question · 15 marks
-
"The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised Nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order". Elaborate.
2018 2 questions · 25 marks
-
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.
-
In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?
2017 3 questions · 40 marks
-
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.
-
'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.
-
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
2013 2 questions · 20 marks
-
The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests.
-
What do you understand by 'The String of Pearls'? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 2, item 19 (International Relations) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 16 (2013-2025), about 1.6 a year |
| Total marks | 195 marks |
| Last five years | 7 questions, 85 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (9 questions) |
| Directive words | Explain (2), Discuss (2), Elucidate (1), Comment (1) |
| Busiest year | 2017 (3 questions, 40 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2023 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2018 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2017 | 3 | 40 marks |
| 2013 | 2 | 20 marks |
| Total | 16 | 195 marks |
Microthemes in Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Geo-politics affecting India's Interest 9 · 105 marks
- Energy × Foreign Policy 3 · 45 marks
- Indian Diaspora 3 · 35 marks
- Miscellaneous 1 · 10 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 2
- 01. Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features 18 · 235 marks
- 02. Union and States: Federal Structure 16 · 195 marks
- 03. Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal 10 · 117.5 marks
- 04. Devolution to Local Levels 8 · 97.5 marks
- 05. Comparison with Other Constitutions 9 · 115 marks
- 06. Parliament and State Legislatures 13 · 162.5 marks
- 07. Executive, Judiciary and Pressure Groups 17 · 197.5 marks
- 08. Representation of the People's Act 11 · 137.5 marks
- 09. Constitutional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies 23 · 282.5 marks
- 10. Government Policies and Interventions 9 · 112.5 marks
- 11. NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry 14 · 177.5 marks
- 12. Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections 9 · 110 marks
- 13. Health, Education and Human Resources 18 · 215 marks
- 14. Poverty and Hunger 10 · 127.5 marks
- 15. Transparency, Accountability and E-Governance 18 · 215 marks
- 16. Role of Civil Services 5 · 60 marks
- 17. India and Its Neighbourhood 7 · 75 marks
- 18. Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings 19 · 230 marks
- 20. International Institutions and Agencies 15 · 187.5 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora?
16 questions on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 between 2013 and 2025, worth 195 marks in all. That is about 1.6 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora are Geo-politics affecting India's Interest (9), Energy × Foreign Policy (3), Indian Diaspora (3). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora was 2017 (3 questions, 40 marks). The lightest was 2024 (1 questions, 10 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora questions carry?
Of the 16 questions on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora, 7 of 15 marks, 9 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora?
The directive words in the 16 questions on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora are Explain (2), Discuss (2), Elucidate (1), Comment (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 7 questions on Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora, worth 85 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 5, worth 60 marks.
Which GS paper does Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora belong to?
Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 2, titled Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules