Mains GS Paper IIInternational Relations

Energy & Economic Diplomacy — Oil, Critical Minerals, Green Hydrogen, FTAs

ऊर्जा और आर्थिक कूटनीति — तेल, महत्वपूर्ण खनिज, हरित हाइड्रोजन

Energy & Economic Diplomacy — Oil, Critical Minerals, Green Hydrogen, FTAs is part of the UPSC Mains GS Paper II syllabus, under International Relations. It appeared in Mains GS Paper II question papers in 3 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 (2019, 2022, 2024).

What should you study in Energy & Economic Diplomacy?

  • Energy diplomacy — discounted Russian oil, diversification push
  • Critical minerals — lithium from Argentina, cobalt from Congo; India's strategy
  • Green hydrogen — partnerships (Germany, Denmark, Australia)
  • FTAs — UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, UK FTA ongoing

How often is Energy & Economic Diplomacy asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 3 of 10 years, including 2 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

  1. 2016: not asked
  2. 2017: not asked
  3. 2018: not asked
  4. 2019: asked
  5. 2020: not asked
  6. 2021: not asked
  7. 2022: asked
  8. 2023: not asked
  9. 2024: asked
  10. 2025: not asked

About the Mains GS Paper II paper

GS Paper II is a 250-mark descriptive Mains paper covering governance, the Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations. See all 40 Mains GS Paper II topics.

Related topics to study next

Syllabus: UPSC Civil Services notification. Topic breakdown, subtopics and PYQ years: GS Score UPSC Syllabus 2026-27 booklet. Sources & credits

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