CSS International Relations Past Papers: Solved MCQs from 1991 to 2025

Welcome to the ultimate resource for CSS aspirants specializing in International Relations. This dedicated page provides a complete, year-wise collection of all past paper Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from 1991 to the present. Navigate effortlessly through buttons for each year to access the MCQs. Find everything from the consolidated ‘International Relations’ papers (1991-2015) to the specialized ‘International Relations I & II’ papers (2016-2025). Use this page to test your knowledge, identify important trends, and solidify your preparation for one of the most competitive CSS subjects.

Repeated MCQs of International Relations I (1991–2025)

Trend Analysis: International Relations I

IR I shows a strong and persistent trend focusing on foundational IR history, core theories, and Cold War milestones.

1. Realist Theory Dominance: Questions on key realist texts and figures are highly recurrent. The authorship of “Theory of International Politics” (Kenneth Waltz) is tested in almost every recent paper. Similarly, the specific variants of realism, like Offensive Realism, are frequently examined.

2. Historical Constants: The modern state system’s establishment via the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) is a staple question. Major Cold War events like the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) and the end of the Cold War signaled by Perestroika/Glasnost are critical non-negotiable facts.

3. US Foreign Policy Benchmarks: Core U.S. doctrines, especially the Monroe Doctrine, and strategic shifts like the “Pivot to Asia”, are consistently revisited, requiring knowledge of US geopolitical strategy.

Repeated MCQs of International Relations II (2016–2025)

Trend Analysis: International Relations II

IR II focuses on the application of theory, arms control, and contemporary organizations, often involving quantifiable facts and specific years of diplomatic milestones.

1. Security and Disarmament: Facts concerning WMD and major arms control treaties like the INF Treaty are highly recurrent, reflecting the importance of proliferation and non-proliferation regimes.

2. Organization Structure and Purpose: Questions frequently test knowledge of IOs and regional blocs, focusing on founding dates (NATO, SAARC, SCO) and their core mandates (e.g., NSG).

3. Strategic Concepts and IPE: Concepts linking economics and power, such as Hegemonic Stability Theory, show continuity. The application of IR theory, evidenced by the repeated question on “The Tragedy of Great Power Politics”, remains central.