International Relations, the United Nations, Disarmament and Arms Control
This domain tests IR concepts, the UN system, peacekeeping principles and the architecture of arms control. Questions often ask you to distinguish disarmament from arms control, identify a treaty, or explain India's position.
Core rules and institutions
- Realism stresses power and self-help; liberalism emphasises institutions and cooperation; constructivism focuses on norms and identity.
- The UN Charter was signed in 1945. The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power; General Assembly resolutions are generally non-binding.
- UN peacekeeping rests on consent of parties, impartiality, and minimum use of force except in self-defence or defence of the mandate. India is a major troop contributor and has deployed an all-women police unit.
- Disarmament aims at eliminating weapons categories; arms control limits numbers, types or deployment. Treaties include the NPT, CTBT, BWC, CWC, MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, Australia Group and New START.
- India is not an NPT party, tested nuclear weapons in 1998, maintains a moratorium on testing, and joined MTCR in 2016, Wassenaar in 2017 and the Australia Group in 2018; it is not in the NSG.
Worked example
A question asks whether India's MTCR membership guarantees access to high-end armed drones. Reasoning: membership removes a major political hurdle and supports adherence to missile-technology export norms, but supplier states still apply their own export controls and bilateral approvals. Membership is enabling, not automatic.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing disarmament with arms control.
- Assuming India is an NPT or NSG member.
- Treating UN General Assembly resolutions as legally binding.
- Ignoring the consent and impartiality principles of peacekeeping.