UPSC Mains 2026 Revision Checklist: Top 15 International Relation topics aspirants shouldn’t miss

1. Arctic Council: The Parliamentary committee on External Affairs has recommended that India should appoint a Polar Ambassador and seek full-fledged membership in the Arctic Council. Key dimensions to cover include the significance of India's status as an observer, the strategic importance of the Arctic region, and India's Arctic Policy, 2022.

2. Pax Silica: India signed a US-led initiative called Pax Silica, which aims to build trusted and resilient supply chains for artificial intelligence technologies. Important aspects to cover are the objectives of Pax Silica, its significance in the changing geopolitics of technology and critical minerals, and its implications for India's strategic autonomy.

3. European Union and India: India and the European Union have reached a free trade agreement and signed various agreements to deepen economic ties and "drive shared prosperity." Key topics to cover include the history of India-EU relations, the key takeaways of the 16th India-EU summit, and the significance of the India-EU trade deal. Additionally, discuss the challenges in implementing the agreement and the concerns associated with the Carbon Border Tax.

4. BRICS and India: India assumed the presidency of the BRICS bloc on January 1, 2026. Significant aspects to cover are the evolution of BRICS, the Fortaleza Declaration, BRICS economy features, and the significance of BRICS for India. The context of BRICS presidency and the recent developments should also be discussed.