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UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations Syllabus

The General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations syllabus for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) in full: 4 chapters, 13 topics and 18 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 50 General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations flashcards with answers.

4Chapters
13Topics
18Sub-topics
50Flashcards

General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations syllabus: all 4 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Internal Security

     4 topics
    • Security Challenges
      • Left-wing extremism and insurgency
      • Terrorism and radicalisation
    • Border and Coastal Security
      • Management of land and maritime borders
    • Cyber and Money Laundering
      • Cyber security threats and architecture
      • Money laundering and organised crime
    • Security Forces and Agencies
      • Mandate of central armed police and intelligence agencies

  2. India's Foreign Policy and Bilateral Relations

     3 topics
    • Evolution of Foreign Policy
      • Non-alignment to multi-alignment
    • Neighbourhood Relations
      • India and South Asian neighbours
      • Neighbourhood First and SAGAR
    • Relations with Major Powers
      • India-US, India-Russia and India-China ties

  3. India and the World — Groupings and Diaspora

     3 topics
    • Regional and Global Groupings
      • SAARC, BIMSTEC, ASEAN and QUAD
      • BRICS, G20 and SCO
    • International Institutions
      • UN and its agencies
      • IMF, World Bank and WTO
    • Indian Diaspora
      • Role and contribution of diaspora

  4. National and International Current Affairs

     3 topics
    • National Developments
      • Major policies, schemes and reports
    • International Developments
      • Bilateral and multilateral events of significance
    • Reports, Indices and Awards
      • Global indices and major awards

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations flashcards — 50 questions with answers

  1. What is the difference between traditional and non-traditional security threats?

    Traditional threats are military/external (war, armed aggression between states). Non-traditional threats are non-military and transnational (terrorism, cyber attacks, climate change, pandemics, money laundering, organized crime, human trafficking).

  2. What are the four main internal security challenges listed in the UPSC syllabus (GS-III)?

    (1) Terrorism and its linkages with organized crime; (2) Left-Wing Extremism (Naxalism); (3) Insurgency in the Northeast and J&K separatism; (4) Communalism and the role of external state and non-state actors.

  3. What is 'Left-Wing Extremism' (LWE) in India, and what was the Naxalbari uprising?

    LWE (Naxalism/Maoism) is an armed Maoist insurgency seeking to overthrow the state. It is named after the 1967 Naxalbari (West Bengal) peasant uprising; the main outfit today is the CPI (Maoist), active in the 'Red Corridor.'

  4. What is the AFSPA, and which authority can declare an area 'disturbed' under it?

    The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 grants special powers (search, arrest, use of force) to armed forces in 'disturbed areas.' The Governor of a state or the Central Government can declare an area 'disturbed.'

  5. Which agency is the nodal body for counter-terrorism investigation in India, and under which Act was it created?

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA), created by the NIA Act, 2008 after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. It investigates terror and other scheduled offences across states without state permission.

  6. How long is India's land border and coastline, and how many countries does India share land borders with?

    Land border: about 15,106.7 km; coastline: about 7,516.6 km (mainland ~6,100 km). India shares land borders with 7 countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Afghanistan.

  7. Which forces guard India's borders with Pakistan/Bangladesh, China, Nepal/Bhutan, and Myanmar respectively?

    Pakistan & Bangladesh: Border Security Force (BSF). China: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Nepal & Bhutan: Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Myanmar: Assam Rifles.

  8. What is the Line of Control (LoC) versus the Line of Actual Control (LAC)?

    The LoC is the military control line between India and Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir (originally the 1949 ceasefire line, renamed under the 1972 Shimla Agreement). The LAC is the disputed, undemarcated effective boundary between India and China.

  9. Which force is responsible for India's coastal and maritime border security in territorial waters, and which act governs it?

    The Indian Coast Guard, established under the Coast Guard Act, 1978; it secures maritime zones and the EEZ. After 26/11, coastal security is layered: Coast Guard, marine police (state) and Indian Navy.

  10. What is the breadth of India's territorial sea and its Exclusive Economic Zone under UNCLOS?

    Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles from the baseline. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 200 nautical miles, within which India has sovereign rights over resources.

  11. What is money laundering, and what are its three classic stages?

    Money laundering is making illegally obtained money appear legitimate. Three stages: (1) Placement (introducing cash into the financial system); (2) Layering (complex transactions to obscure the origin); (3) Integration (returning 'clean' money to the holder).

  12. Which Indian law is the principal statute against money laundering, and which agency enforces it?

    The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, enforced primarily by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

  13. What is the FATF, and what are its 'grey list' and 'black list'?

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global standard-setter against money laundering and terror financing (formed 1989, G7). Grey list = jurisdictions under increased monitoring; Black list = high-risk, non-cooperative jurisdictions (e.g., Iran, North Korea).

  14. What is CERT-In, and what is its statutory basis?

    The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the national nodal agency for cyber security incident response, designated under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

  15. Which body coordinates India's overall cyber security policy at the national level under the PMO?

    The National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC), under the National Security Council Secretariat. The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) protects critical information infrastructure under the NTRO.

  16. What are India's three main intelligence agencies and their domains?

    Intelligence Bureau (IB): internal/domestic intelligence (under MHA). Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW): external intelligence (under Cabinet Secretariat). National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO): technical/signals intelligence.

  17. List the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) of India.

    The seven CAPFs: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, and the NSG (National Security Guard). All are under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

  18. What is the role of the CRPF and the NSG?

    CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force): India's largest paramilitary force, for internal security and anti-Naxal operations. NSG (National Security Guard / 'Black Cats'): elite counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue force.

  19. What is the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and when was the post created?

    The CDS is the single-point military adviser to the government and head of the Department of Military Affairs, created in 2019/2020 (first CDS: Gen. Bipin Rawat, took charge Jan 1, 2020) to integrate the three armed services and theatre commands.

  20. What are the core principles of India's foreign policy ('Panchsheel')?

    The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel, 1954): (1) Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty; (2) Mutual non-aggression; (3) Mutual non-interference; (4) Equality and mutual benefit; (5) Peaceful coexistence.

Show the other 30 General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations flashcards

  1. What was the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and who were its founders?

    NAM (formally founded 1961, Belgrade) is a movement of states not formally aligned with any major power bloc during the Cold War. Founders: Nehru (India), Tito (Yugoslavia), Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia) and Nkrumah (Ghana).

  2. What is the 'Gujral Doctrine'?

    A 1996-97 set of five principles by Foreign Minister I.K. Gujral emphasizing non-reciprocal accommodation toward smaller South Asian neighbours (e.g., Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) to build trust and goodwill.

  3. What does India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy emphasize?

    Prioritizing relations with immediate South Asian neighbours through enhanced connectivity, trade, development assistance and people-to-people ties, with a non-reciprocal, generous approach.

  4. What is the difference between India's 'Look East' and 'Act East' policies?

    'Look East' (1991, P.V. Narasimha Rao) focused on economic integration with Southeast Asia. 'Act East' (2014) is the upgraded version, adding strategic, security and connectivity dimensions and extending to East Asia and the Pacific.

  5. What is the Indus Waters Treaty, and how are the rivers allocated?

    A 1960 water-sharing treaty between India and Pakistan brokered by the World Bank. Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) allocated to India; Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) largely to Pakistan.

  6. What is the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for India?

    CPEC is the flagship of China's Belt and Road Initiative connecting Kashgar (China) to Gwadar Port (Pakistan). India opposes it because it passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (Gilgit-Baltistan), violating India's sovereignty.

  7. What is the 'Quad', and which four countries comprise it?

    The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad): India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. It is a strategic forum focused on a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

  8. What is the AUKUS pact, and which countries are members?

    AUKUS is a 2021 trilateral security pact among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, centrally involving sharing of nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia.

  9. What is the 2+2 dialogue, and with which major countries does India hold it?

    A ministerial dialogue format combining Foreign and Defence Ministers of two countries. India holds 2+2 dialogues with the USA, Japan, Australia, and Russia (among others).

  10. What are the major India-US foundational defence agreements (LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA)?

    LEMOA (2016): logistics exchange/mutual access to bases. COMCASA (2018): secure communications interoperability. BECA (2020): exchange of geospatial intelligence/maps.

  11. What is SAARC, when was it formed, and who are its members?

    South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, founded 1985 (Dhaka). Eight members: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan.

  12. What is BIMSTEC, and how does it differ from SAARC?

    Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (1997): India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan. Unlike SAARC, it bridges South and Southeast Asia and excludes Pakistan, gaining favor as Pakistan stalls SAARC.

  13. What is BRICS, and which countries joined in its 2024 expansion?

    BRICS originally = Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. From January 2024 it expanded ('BRICS+') to add Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE (Saudi Arabia invited; Argentina declined).

  14. What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and when did India join as a full member?

    The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic and security organisation founded in 2001 (China, Russia, Central Asian states). India and Pakistan became full members in 2017.

  15. What is the G20, and what theme/motto did India use during its 2023 presidency?

    The G20 is a forum of 19 countries plus the EU and the African Union (added 2023) covering major economies. India's 2023 presidency theme was 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future.'

  16. What is the I2U2 grouping?

    I2U2 is a grouping of India, Israel, the UAE, and the USA (sometimes called the 'West Asian Quad'), launched 2021/2022 to cooperate on water, energy, transport, space, health and food security.

  17. What are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and what special power do they hold?

    China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (P5). They hold veto power over substantive resolutions. India seeks permanent membership through UNSC reform (the G4: India, Japan, Germany, Brazil).

  18. What is the difference between the IMF and the World Bank?

    Both founded at Bretton Woods (1944). The IMF promotes monetary stability and provides short-term balance-of-payments support; the World Bank provides long-term loans for development and poverty reduction.

  19. What are the four UN nuclear/export-control regimes India seeks to join, and which has it not yet joined?

    MTCR (joined 2016), Wassenaar Arrangement (joined 2017), Australia Group (joined 2018), and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) — which India has NOT yet joined, mainly due to China's objection.

  20. What is the WTO, and what does the 'Peace Clause' protect for India?

    The World Trade Organisation (1995) governs global trade rules. The 'Peace Clause' (Bali, 2013) protects developing countries like India from being legally challenged for breaching the agricultural subsidy cap (10% of production value) on food security/public stockholding programs.

  21. Who are 'NRIs', 'PIOs', and 'OCIs' in the context of the Indian diaspora?

    NRI: Non-Resident Indian (Indian citizen living abroad). PIO: Person of Indian Origin (foreign citizen with Indian ancestry). OCI: Overseas Citizen of India card (lifelong visa/benefits, but not full citizenship; the PIO scheme was merged into OCI in 2015).

  22. What is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, when is it observed, and why that date?

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Day) celebrates the contribution of the overseas Indian community, observed on January 9 — marking Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa in 1915.

  23. Which country has the largest Indian diaspora, and what is India's global rank in remittances received?

    The Indian diaspora is the world's largest (over 32 million NRIs and PIOs). India is the world's top recipient of remittances, crossing USD 100+ billion annually (USA, UAE and Saudi Arabia being major sources).

  24. What is the difference between bilateral, plurilateral, and multilateral diplomacy?

    Bilateral: between two states. Plurilateral: among a limited group of select states (e.g., Quad). Multilateral: among many states, usually through institutions like the UN or WTO.

  25. What is 'soft power' and which instruments does India use to project it?

    Soft power (coined by Joseph Nye) is the ability to influence through attraction rather than coercion. India projects it via yoga (International Yoga Day, June 21), Bollywood, cuisine, Ayurveda, democracy and its diaspora.

  26. What does the Global Hunger Index measure, and who publishes it?

    The Global Hunger Index measures hunger via four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. It is published jointly by Concern Worldwide (Ireland) and Welthungerhilfe (Germany).

  27. What is the Human Development Index (HDI), who publishes it, and what three dimensions does it cover?

    The HDI is published by the UNDP (Human Development Report). It measures three dimensions: a long and healthy life (life expectancy), knowledge (education/schooling), and a decent standard of living (GNI per capita).

  28. What is India's highest civilian award, and what is the highest peacetime gallantry award?

    Highest civilian award: Bharat Ratna. Highest peacetime gallantry award: Ashok Chakra. (Highest wartime gallantry award: Param Vir Chakra.)

  29. What is the difference between the Nobel Peace Prize and the Right Livelihood Award, and name an Indian Nobel Peace laureate.

    The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee; the Right Livelihood Award (Sweden) is the 'Alternative Nobel.' Indian Nobel Peace laureate: Kailash Satyarthi (2014, shared with Malala Yousafzai) for children's rights.

  30. What does the Corruption Perceptions Index measure and who publishes it?

    The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries by perceived levels of public-sector corruption on a 0–100 scale (0 = highly corrupt, 100 = very clean). It is published annually by Transparency International.

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations FAQ

What is in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations syllabus?

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations is split into 4 chapters: Internal Security, India's Foreign Policy and Bilateral Relations, India and the World — Groupings and Diaspora and National and International Current Affairs. Together they contain 13 topics and 18 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations?

4 chapters, containing 13 topics and 18 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Internal Security, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations?

Yes — a 50-card General Studies Paper V — Current Affairs, Security and International Relations deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.