India & Neighbours — Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar

What should you study in India & Neighbours?

• Pakistan — Indus Water Treaty, cross-border terrorism, no-trade situation
• China — LAC dispute, Galwan (2020), Disengagement talks, trade asymmetry
• Bangladesh — Sheikh Hasina ouster (2024), Teesta waters, connectivity
• Nepal & Sri Lanka — MCC controversy, debt trap concerns, political shifts

How often is India & Neighbours asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 6 of 10 years, including 3 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

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

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