UPSC Mains 2025 GS2 Q20: model answer
“The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance.” Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.
What the question wants
Explain why UN reform is stuck, how great-power rivalry blocks it, and whether that is the only reason.
How to structure it
Intro: UN at 80. Body: (1) East-West confrontations; (2) Critical evaluation: it is not only East vs West; (3) Small steps forward; (4) India's position. Conclusion: The rivalry explains the deadlock but not all of it.
- 1(1) East-West confrontations
- 2(2) Critical evaluation: it is not only East vs West
- 3(3) Small steps forward
- 4(4) India's position
Model answer
The UN turned 80 in 2025, but its Security Council still reflects the power balance of 1945. Reform has been discussed since the 1990s and in Intergovernmental Negotiations since 2009, without result.
| Group | Position |
|---|---|
| G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan) | New permanent and non-permanent seats |
| Uniting for Consensus | Only non-permanent seats; no new permanent members |
| African Union (Ezulwini) | Two permanent seats with veto, five non-permanent |
| P5 | Talk of reform, resist dilution of veto |
East-West confrontations
- Veto paralysis: Russia vetoed resolutions on Ukraine (2022); Russia and China blocked action on Syria many times; the US has vetoed resolutions on Gaza.
- Each camp backs reform only if it helps its side: the US supports India's and Japan's bid in words; China opposes Japan and is cool on India.
- Competing visions: Western focus on human rights and sanctions versus Russian and Chinese stress on sovereignty and non-interference.
- Rival forums: G7 versus BRICS and SCO, weakening the UN's central role.
Critical evaluation: it is not only East vs West
- Regional rivalries matter as much: the Uniting for Consensus group (Italy, Pakistan, Argentina) opposes new permanent seats for G4 members.
- The African Union's Ezulwini Consensus demands two permanent seats with veto.
- Amending the Charter needs two-thirds of the General Assembly and all five permanent members (Art. 108).
- The Global South's own divisions.
Small steps forward
- General Assembly 'veto initiative' (2022) requires a debate whenever a veto is cast.
- Pact for the Future (2024) committed to reform the Council.
India's position: G4 member, seeks permanent seat, backs text-based negotiations and 'reformed multilateralism'.
The rivalry explains the deadlock but not all of it. Reform will come only when major and middle powers see the UN's decline as a greater threat than a shared Council.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
IGN veto G4 Uniting for Consensus Ezulwini Consensus Art. 108 Pact for the Future
Where most answers lose marks
- Blaming only the P5 rivalry.
- Ignoring the Charter amendment procedure.
Same theme in Prelims
Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi :
- 1. The Summit’s intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress.
- 2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
- 3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Answer (d) & explanation
Only statement 3 is correct (d). Statement 3 is right: the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was built around seven chakras (pillars), including access for social empowerment, AI for science and secure and trusted AI. Statement 1 is wrong: the three sutras were People, Planet and Progress, not "Planning". Statement 2 is wrong: the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI is voluntary, not binding. So options (a), (b) and (c) fail.
Notice the event: the AI Impact Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in February 2026, the first global AI summit in the Global South. It followed the summits at Bletchley Park (2023), Seoul (2024) and Paris (2025). At home, the IndiaAI Mission (2024) funds shared GPU computing.
Statement 1 changes one word, Planet to Planning. Statement 2 changes voluntary to binding.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ?
- 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
- 2. IMT Trilateral Highway
- 3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line
Select the answer using the code given below :
Answer (a) & explanation
Projects 1 and 2 involve ASEAN members (a). Item 1 is right: the Kaladan Multi-Modal project links Kolkata to Sittwe port and on to Mizoram through Myanmar. Item 2 is right: the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway runs from Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand. Myanmar and Thailand are both ASEAN members. Item 3 is wrong: the Agartala–Akhaura rail line links Tripura with Bangladesh, which is not in ASEAN. So options (b), (c) and (d) fail.
Notice the policy: these projects are the backbone of India's Act East Policy (2014), which upgraded the Look East Policy (1991). ASEAN has 11 members since Timor-Leste joined in 2025. Bangladesh links fall under BBIN and BIMSTEC instead.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (Project Supported by India) | List II (Country)
| A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project | 1. Maldives
| B. Restoration of Stor Palace | 2. Afghanistan
| C. District Hospital at Dickoya | 3. Bhutan
| D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies | 4. Sri Lanka
Code :
Answer (b) & explanation
The correct match is A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1 (b). Mangdechhu (720 MW) is an India-built hydro project in Bhutan (A-3). India restored the Stor Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan (B-2), opened in 2016. The Dickoya hospital is in the hill country of Sri Lanka (C-4), serving the Indian-origin Tamil community. The Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies was built for the Maldives police (D-1). Options (a), (c) and (d) mix these up.
Notice the pattern: India's Neighbourhood First policy relies on such development partnership projects. In Afghanistan, India also built the Parliament building and the Salma Dam (Afghan–India Friendship Dam). Bhutan's hydropower, including Chukha and Tala, sells surplus power to India.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Fresh examples from current affairs
Rubio in Mumbai: India–US trade deal ‘very, very close’; energy and defence on the table
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his second India visit of the year in Mumbai on 20 October 2026 and met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on trade, energy, technology and defence. Rubio said the two sides are ‘very, very close’ to a trade deal with ‘a small number of items left’, and praised India’s progress in diversifying energy supplies.
UPSC angle: Prelims: I2U2, Jamnagar, key office holders. · Mains GS-II: India-US partnership, tariffs and strategic autonomy.
20 Oct 2026
India rejects OIC’s Baghdad resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir as ‘malicious, biased and false’
On 19 October 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs rejected references to India in resolutions adopted at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad on 17–18 October. It called them ‘malicious, biased and false’, said Pakistan orchestrated them, and said the OIC has no locus standi on India’s internal matters.
UPSC angle: Prelims: OIC facts, J&K Reorganisation Act, UN Charter Article 2(7). · Mains GS-II: India, OIC and Pakistan.
19 Oct 2026
India to host 61st CIML meeting on legal metrology in New Delhi, 26–28 October
India will host the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) for the first time, in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026. The Department of Consumer Affairs is organising it with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), and more than 100 delegates are expected, PIB said on 19 October.
UPSC angle: Prelims: OIML, CIML, Legal Metrology Act 2009, Union List Entry 50. · Mains GS-III: standards and trade.
19 Oct 2026
PM addresses Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi
On 13 October 2026 the Prime Minister addressed the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi, welcomed Bloomberg's plans to expand in India, spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the Strategic Partnership, and met former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the Forum.
UPSC angle: Prelims/Mains: India's economic diplomacy and bilateral meetings at multilateral business forums.
14 Oct 2026Learn the concept
Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-II-QP-CSM-25-010925.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.