3-Month (12-Week) Study Plan – International Relations for UPSC
Month 1 – Basics & India’s Foreign Policy
📅 Week 1: Foundations of International Relations
- Meaning, Scope, and Significance of IR
- Key Theories of International Relations (Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism)
- Cold War and Post-Cold War World Order
- Important International Events Timeline (1945–Present)
📅 Week 2: Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy
- Historical Background (Pre-Independence & Nehruvian Phase)
- Panchsheel and Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)
- India’s Nuclear Policy
- Continuity and Change in India’s Foreign Policy
📅 Week 3: India and Its Neighbourhood – Part 1
- India–Pakistan Relations
- India–China Relations
- India–Nepal Relations
- Border Issues and Water Disputes
📅 Week 4: India and Its Neighbourhood – Part 2
- India–Bangladesh Relations
- India–Sri Lanka Relations
- India–Myanmar and India–Bhutan Relations
- Role of SAARC, BIMSTEC, BBIN
Month 2 – Global Relations & Multilateralism
📅 Week 5: India and Major Powers – Part 1
- India–USA Relations (Defense, Trade, Technology, QUAD)
- India–Russia Relations (Strategic Partnership, Energy Cooperation)
- India–Japan Relations
📅 Week 6: India and Major Powers – Part 2
- India–European Union Relations
- India–Israel Relations
- India–Middle East (Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia) Relations
📅 Week 7: India’s Role in Global Organizations
- United Nations and India’s Role in Peacekeeping
- India’s Bid for Permanent UNSC Seat
- WTO, IMF, World Bank, BRICS, G20, SCO, ASEAN
- India and Global South Cooperation
📅 Week 8: India’s Soft Power & Diaspora
- Cultural Diplomacy, Yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood
- Indian Diaspora’s Role in Foreign Relations
- Track II Diplomacy & Public Diplomacy
Month 3 – Current Affairs & Answer Writing Practice
📅 Week 9: India’s Defence, Security & Maritime Policy
- India’s Maritime Strategy (Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific)
- Border Management and Internal Security Linkages
- Defence Agreements and Military Exercises
📅 Week 10: Global Issues & India’s Stand
- Climate Change Negotiations (Paris Agreement, COP Summits)
- Terrorism & Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
- Refugees, Migration, Human Rights Issues
- Global Economic Issues (Trade Wars, Sanctions, Energy Security)
📅 Week 11: Current Affairs & Case Studies
- Recent Bilateral Visits and Summits
- Current Global Conflicts (Israel–Palestine, Ukraine War, Indo-Pacific Tensions)
- India’s Global Image in 21st Century
📅 Week 12: Revision & Practice
- Revision of All Notes
- Practice 5–10 Mains-Level Questions
- Attempt 1 Full-Length Mock Test (IR & Current Affairs)
- Analyze Mistakes and Prepare Summary Notes
📚 Study Tips
- Use MEA website, IDSA, PIB, and The Hindu’s Diplomatic Pages for updates.
- Follow Raja Mohan, C. Raja Ram, and Shashi Tharoor for conceptual clarity.
- For Mains – practice GS Paper 2 IR questions from previous 10 years.