Syllabus: GS 2 – Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
| The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate. | 2013 |
| Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid used for sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss the merits of such terms and it, there exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context. | 2014 |
| India has recently signed to become a founding member of the New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). How will the role of the two Banks be different? Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India. | 2014 |
| WTO is an important international institution where decisions are taken to affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security. | 2014 |
| Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. | 2015 |
| “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seems doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective. | 2016 |
| What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? | 2016 |
| What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. | 2017 |
| What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? | 2018 |
| ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leave UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of the US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti- Israel bias’. | 2019 |
| Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020 |
| Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. | 2022 |
| ‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’. Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. | 2023 |