GS Paper II · Global Relations
UN & Global Bodies Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests; effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests; Indian diaspora; important international institutions
Why it matters: Institutional reform debates and multilateral rule making bodies are scrutinized to test your views on global governance equity.
In the news
October 2026
13 Oct 2026
IMF upgrades global growth but warns of fiscal strainThe IMF's latest World Economic Outlook has upgraded its 2026 growth forecast while cautioning that developing nations must prioritize fiscal consolidation. Despite these projections, the Fund highlighted that high debt levels and...
13 Oct 2026
Global South Pushes for Inclusivity as IPCC Faces Reporting DeadlockThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) faced procedural disagreements as developing nations, including India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and China, demanded extended timelines for the Seventh Assessment Report cycle. These...
12 Oct 2026
Navi Pillay awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace PrizeNavanethem Navi Pillay, a South African judge of Indian origin, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026. The Nobel Committee praised her lifelong dedication to international human rights, judicial independence, and...
08 Oct 2026
Global Cooperation to Combat Transnational TerrorismExercising its Right of Reply at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee, India strongly criticized Pakistan's statements on international terrorism. India reminded the global community of major terror attacks including 9/11, 26/11, and...
08 Oct 2026
India's Strategic Role in the Global Pandemic AgreementAs negotiations continue under the World Health Organization, India's strategic leadership is critical to bridging differences between developed and developing nations in the draft Global Pandemic Agreement. The key debates focus on...
06 Oct 2026
ICC unseals arrest warrants for Taliban leadersThe International Criminal Court (ICC) has unsealed arrest warrants for four prominent Taliban leaders on charges of gender persecution in Afghanistan. Since taking control in 2021, the Taliban has systematically deprived women of...
02 Oct 2026
Ebola Death Toll Surpasses 4,000 in Democratic Republic of CongoThe World Health Organization (WHO) has raised a high-level alert over the rapid geographical spread of the Ebola virus into new health zones within the Democratic Republic of Congo. The death toll from the current outbreak has crossed...
02 Oct 2026
Multilateral Trading System Vital for Sustainable Export Growth: DEAA report by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) has warned that regional trade pacts and bilateral arrangements that bypass multilateral frameworks could distort trade flows and hamper long-term global growth. The report emphasized...
01 Oct 2026
Multilateralism Must Remain Core to Trade Strategy: Finance Ministry ReportA report by the Department of Economic Affairs highlighted that trade pacts bypassing multilateral frameworks could undermine long-term global growth and export competitiveness. It emphasized that while India continues to pursue...
September 2026
29 Sep 2026
UN General Assembly Session Triggers Calls for Structural Multilateral ReformsThe opening of the United Nations General Assembly session has rekindled intense global debate on reforming international multilateral institutions. Discussions emphasized the need to address Security Council paralysis, reduce...
27 Sep 2026
India Highlights Security and Indus Treaty at UN General AssemblyExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, reiterating that cross-border terrorism remains a primary threat to regional and global peace. He firmly rejected claims made by...
25 Sep 2026
OECD Upgrades India's Growth Forecast to 7.1 PercentThe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised its economic growth projection for India for 2026-27 upward to 7.1 percent. This revision follows similar positive outlook upgrades from major global credit...
25 Sep 2026
Debate Intensifies Over UNSC Veto ReformDiscussions at the United Nations have intensified over restructuring the UN Security Council, with developing nations reiterating calls to abolish or reform the veto power of permanent members. Critics argue that frequent veto usage...
20 Sep 2026
U.S. Space Weapons Deployment Raises Strategic and Regulatory ConcernsThe deployment of space control weapons designed to disrupt or disable adversary satellites has renewed debate over outer space militarization. While existing international agreements like the 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibit nuclear...
17 Sep 2026
BRICS framework proposes alternative model for global AI cooperationThe BRICS forum has proposed developing a multilateral framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance as an alternative to western-dominated technological paradigms. The policy initiative aims to ensure equitable access to...
17 Sep 2026
18th BRICS Summit Emphasizes Local Currency SettlementThe 18th BRICS Summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, calling for structural reforms in global governance and multilateral bodies. A core objective emphasized was expanding local currency trade among member...
16 Sep 2026
European Union Proposes "KIDS Act" for Social MediaThe European Commission has announced plans to present the "KIDS Act," proposing a blanket ban on social media access for children under 13 years of age. For adolescents between 13 and 15 years, the framework introduces strictly curated...
14 Sep 2026
Iran Criticizes Access Restrictions at Global IAEA ConferenceIran criticized the denial of access to senior officials attending the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference. Iranian representatives warned that restricting delegate access undermines global multilateralism and...
14 Sep 2026
UN Clarifies Map Borders Following Sovereignty ConcernsUnited Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated that there is no official UN map with defined international boundaries. The statement followed concerns raised by India regarding anomalies in cartographic representations used in...
09 Sep 2026
UNEP Releases 'Limiting Overshoot' Report on Global Climate TargetsThe United Nations Environment Programme released a report titled Limiting Overshoot, emphasizing the severe ecological risks of temporarily surpassing the 1.5 degree Celsius warming limit set under the Paris Agreement. The report...
06 Sep 2026
UN Approves Resolution Supporting Equal Earth Map ProjectionThe United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution endorsing the Equal Earth map projection to replace traditional depictions that distort continent sizes. Spearheaded by Togo and supported by the African Union, the move...
06 Sep 2026
India Co-Sponsors UN Resolution on Eliminating Child MarriageIndia has co-sponsored a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly proclaiming November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The initiative seeks to mobilize coordinated...
04 Sep 2026
UN Warns of Severe El Nino Threatening Global Weather ExtremesThe United Nations has issued a warning that an impending El Nino event could rank among the strongest in recent decades, amplifying global climate shock events. While El Nino is a naturally occurring ocean-atmosphere phenomenon...
03 Sep 2026
UNEP Outlines Overshoot Pathway to Address Climate Warming LimitsThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report detailing an "overshoot, peak and decline" pathway to manage the breach of the 1.5 degree Celsius global warming limit. The strategy focuses on keeping the peak...
03 Sep 2026
India Reaffirms Commitments During UN CERD Human Rights ReviewDiscussions regarding India's compliance reporting under the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) have highlighted the country's international treaty commitments. The committee reviews legislative...
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September 2026
01 Sep 2026
India Rejects Hague Arbitration Ruling on Indus Waters TreatyIndia has reiterated its position rejecting a ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration concerning the Indus Waters Treaty. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India does not recognize the jurisdiction of this...
August 2026
31 Aug 2026
UN CERD Advocates Reparations for Transatlantic Slave TradeThe UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) issued recommendations stating that nations must consider reparations for the historical transatlantic slave trade. The committee highlighted that the forced...
31 Aug 2026
UN CERD Report Raises Concerns Over Discrimination in IndiaThe UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) released its observations on India, urging the country to address structural inequalities and prevent the normalization of discrimination. The report highlighted...
30 Aug 2026
External Power Loss at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Prompts IAEA AlarmThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sounded an urgent alarm after Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost its main external power supply lines. The facility, which requires continuous electricity to cool its six...
26 Aug 2026
India rejects UN Committee remarks on law enforcement actionsIndia has strongly rejected references made by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) regarding alleged violations by law enforcement personnel against ethnic populations. The Ministry of External Affairs...
26 Aug 2026
Environment Minister addresses UNCCD conference on global drought resilienceAt the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) conference in Mongolia, India highlighted drought as a defining developmental challenge. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav urged global stakeholders to...
26 Aug 2026
UN and Red Cross demand binding rules on lethal autonomous weaponsThe United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have intensified calls for legally binding international regulations on autonomous weapons systems, commonly called killer robots. The organizations warned that...
22 Aug 2026
UN Welcomes Sri Lankan Initiative to Facilitate Return of Refugees from IndiaThe United Nations welcomed initiatives launched by the Sri Lankan government to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Tamil refugees residing in India. The process aims to streamline documentation, citizenship verification, and...
16 Aug 2026
South Asian Diplomacy Influenced by Extradition ProtocolsSenior diplomatic discussions indicate that high-level bilateral visits between India and Bangladesh remain tied to ongoing legal and political developments surrounding extradition requests. The situation underscores how international...
July 2026
26 Jul 2026
Venezuela announces withdrawal from International Criminal CourtVenezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The government of Venezuela justified this step by alleging a systemic geographical bias within the tribunal. It...
24 Jul 2026
India Dispatches Ebola Preparedness Medical Aid to KenyaIndia has dispatched 4.5 tonnes of medical aid to Kenya to strengthen its public health preparedness against potential Ebola outbreaks. The consignments include essential medicines, protective gear, and medical equipment, reinforcing...
23 Jul 2026
India Counters Pakistan on Kashmir at the UN Security CouncilIndia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, strongly rejected Pakistan's attempt to raise the Kashmir issue during a High-Level Open Debate at the UN Security Council. India reiterated that...
19 Jul 2026
United States Tightens Visa Rules for Indian Scholars and MediaThe US Department of Homeland Security has introduced significant regulatory modifications within the F, J, and I visa categories, citing heightened national security concerns. These changes will lead to tighter scrutiny and revised...
18 Jul 2026
China Pitches AI Governance Model for Global SouthChina is proposing a new artificial intelligence governance model specifically tailored for countries in the Global South. President Xi Jinping announced that Beijing will offer 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs...
14 Jul 2026
India reiterates support for Palestine's UN membershipDuring a ministerial meeting of the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels, India officially restated its support for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized stability in West Asia and a...
13 Jul 2026
First UN scientific report on Artificial Intelligence urges global state actionThe United Nations has released its first-ever comprehensive scientific report on Artificial Intelligence, warning that fast-evolving algorithms pose risks to labor markets, public discourse, and human agency. The report urges member...
12 Jul 2026
Global Coalition Reaffirms 2016 South China Sea RulingThe United States, the United Kingdom, and 12 other nations have issued a joint statement reaffirming the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling. The historic ruling had invalidated China's expansive "nine-dash line" claims in the...
07 Jul 2026
Amnesty Report Details Ethnic Cleansing in SudanAmnesty International has released a comprehensive report documenting systemic ethnic cleansing and severe conflict-related abuses in Sudan's North Darfur state. Based on an eight-month investigation involving interviews with 247...
07 Jul 2026
Hamas Dissolves Gaza Government to Hand Power to UN-Backed CommitteeHamas has announced the dissolution of its government in the Gaza Strip, expressing intent to hand over administrative power to a UN-backed technical committee. The Hamas-run Government Media Office confirmed that only technical and...
07 Jul 2026
India's Ongoing Concerns Over Global Sovereign Credit Rating MethodologiesIndia continues to raise concerns with major global credit rating agencies, which have consistently placed the country just a notch or two above 'junk' status. Despite robust macroeconomic indicators, high GDP growth rates, and external...
06 Jul 2026
UNICEF Reports High Child Casualties in Sudan WarUNICEF has reported that more than 300 children have been killed or injured in the Sudan conflict over the last six months. The ongoing war has displaced 13 million people and pushed various regions into famine, creating a massive...
05 Jul 2026
International Panel Urges Multilateral Coordination Against Unchecked AI AdvancementsThe Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI has warned global policymakers against letting generative artificial intelligence develop without structured regulatory guardrails. While celebrating AI's...
04 Jul 2026
WHO Places Bundibugyo Ebola Molecular Test under Emergency Use ListingThe World Health Organization (WHO) has granted its first Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for a molecular diagnostic test designed for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. Concurrently, clinical trials have commenced in the Democratic Republic of...
04 Jul 2026
Global Antitrust and Regulation of Big Tech: ECJ Confirms €4.1 Billion Fine on GoogleThe Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) confirmed a landmark €4.1 billion antitrust penalty against Google, originally imposed in 2018. The court upheld the European Commission's findings that Google abused its dominant...
04 Jul 2026
Climate Patterns: WMO Warns of Strong El Nino and Below-Normal RainsThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has cautioned that a "strong" El Nino phase during the June-September period of 2026 could result in below-normal rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. El Nino, characterized by the warming...
03 Jul 2026
Global AI Governance: Preliminary Report of the Independent Scientific PanelThe Independent International Scientific Panel on AI has released its Preliminary Report, raising concerns about unchecked artificial intelligence expansion. The editorial highlights the urgent need for international consensus,...
Practise UN & Global Bodies
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 54).
Question 1 of 10
What is the primary concern of the IMF regarding developing countries in the current global economic climate?
Mains practice
Global governance architectures and domestic policy frameworks are facing significant pressures to balance economic expansion with sustainability and institutional equity. Analyze how multilateral trade, sustainable finance mechanisms, and global security reforms must adapt to support developing economies like India.
15 marks
Global sovereign credit rating agencies have been criticized for employing subjective and opaque methodologies that put developing nations like India at a disadvantage despite strong macroeconomic indicators. Critically analyze the structural biases in international rating methodologies and suggest reforms to make global financial assessments more equitable.
15 marks
Global credit rating agencies have often been criticized for their biased methodologies toward emerging economies like India. Discuss the impact of sovereign credit ratings on India's economic growth and suggest measures to advocate for a more transparent and objective global rating framework.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.