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Geopolitics of AI and Cyber Capabilities

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Essential for understanding India's strategic challenges in the global technological race, its foreign policy choices, and the implications for national security and economic development in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.

The rapid advancement and concentration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities in a few leading nations are creating a significant geopolitical imbalance, profoundly impacting national security, strategic autonomy, and international power dynamics, particularly in the domain of cyber warfare and defence.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Concentration of AI capabilities

AI capabilities (foundational models, GPUs, chip design, data centres) are concentrated in a few countries like the US and China.

Strategic advantage

Leading AI ecosystems gain a greater ability to conduct sophisticated cyber campaigns and to defend against them, creating a strategic divide.

India's indigenous AI ecosystem

India's indigenous AI ecosystem lags behind major powers, leading to dependence on technologically advanced countries for critical cyber capabilities.

Implications for national security

This imbalance poses significant challenges for national security, strategic autonomy, and the protection of critical infrastructure for lagging nations.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaScience & Technology
Conceptual areaInternational Relations
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Quick revision

  • AI capabilities concentrated in few nations (US, China).
  • Creates a divide in offensive/defensive cyber abilities.
  • India lags in indigenous AI stack (GPUs, chips, foundational models).
  • Leads to dependence and strategic vulnerability for India.
  • Requires agile adoption, supply-chain scrutiny, and strategic partnerships (e.g., Pax Silica).

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question
2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

International RelationsOpen question

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and w...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

International RelationsOpen question

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and w...

International RelationsOpen question
2018Factual recall, Terminology-based question

The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -

International RelationsOpen question
2015Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

Science & TechnologyInternational Relations
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Terminology-based question

The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

Open question

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and w...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

Open question

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and w...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

India is one of the most cyber-attacked nations. Here’s how AI adds another layer to the threat

24 Aug 2026 · The global AI ecosystem is highly concentrated, creating a geopolitical divide where a few nations dominate advanced cyber capabilities. This imbalance poses strategic challenges for countries like India, which lag in indigenous AI development, impacting their national security and technological sovereignty.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Geopolitics of AI and Cyber Capabilities

Often confused with

Digital Sovereignty

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Geopolitics of AI and Cyber Capabilities in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Geopolitics of AI and Cyber Capabilities

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

2024·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

2026·International Relations
Solve

The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -

2018·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

2026·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and w...

2022·International Relations
Solve

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