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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

PYQs

10

Articles

2

Momentum

27

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding international organizations, their mandates, India's foreign policy (especially regarding nuclear energy and non-proliferation), and the role of global governance in crisis management.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an autonomous international organization established in 1957, reporting to the UN General Assembly and Security Council. It serves as the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field, working to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear technologies and to prevent their diversion to military purposes.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Establishment

Founded in 1957 under the 'Atoms for Peace' initiative.

Reporting

Reports annually to the UN General Assembly and, when appropriate, to the UN Security Council.

Key Functions

Nuclear safeguards (non-proliferation), nuclear safety, nuclear security, and promotion of peaceful nuclear applications.

Headquarters

Vienna, Austria.

Mandate

Promotes peaceful uses of nuclear energy, ensures nuclear safety and security, and verifies that nuclear material is not diverted for military purposes (non-proliferation).

Relationship with UN

Reports to UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Current Role

Actively monitors and assesses the safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations
Conceptual areaInternational Organizations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
United Nations (UN)Parent organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)Regulates, monitors, promotes
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Established 1957, 'Atoms for Peace' initiative.
  • Promotes peaceful nuclear use, prevents military diversion.
  • Key roles: safeguards, safety, security, technology transfer.
  • Monitors nuclear facilities globally, including in conflict zones.
  • Reports to UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Elimination traps

Body vs treaty — Distinguish IAEA (the organization) from treaties it oversees, like the NPT, though it's closely linked.

Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

International RelationsOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs : Country | Reason for being in the news| |- | -| |1. Argentina | Worst economic crisis| |2. Sudan | War between the country's ...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

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
2020Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

International RelationsOpen question
2018Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?

International RelationsOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations. 2. The International Panel o...

International RelationsOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

International RelationsInternational Organizations
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations. 2. The International Panel o...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Policy measures

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?

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, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

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

Consider the following pairs : Country | Reason for being in the news| |- | -| |1. Argentina | Worst economic crisis| |2. Sudan | War between the country's ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

Open question

Drone attack struck turbine building at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, IAEA says

31 May 2026 · The IAEA is a UN-affiliated body promoting peaceful nuclear use while ensuring safety, security, and non-proliferation. Its monitoring role, particularly in conflict zones like Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, is crucial for global stability and preventing nuclear disasters.

Read article

Ukraine's nuclear plant has lost power supply: IAEA

30 Aug 2026 · The IAEA is the UN's nuclear watchdog, promoting peaceful nuclear energy, ensuring safety/security, and verifying non-proliferation, playing a crucial role in monitoring nuclear facilities in conflict zones like Zaporizhzhia.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Often confused with

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Open notesOften confused with

Nuclear Safety and Security in Conflict Zones

Open notesOften confused with

Nuclear Safety and Security

Open notesOften confused with

India's Nuclear Energy Program

Open notesOften confused with

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime and Iran

Open notesOften confused with

Nuclear Energy Policy and Regulatory Framework in India

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 10 linked questions on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

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

In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?

2018·International Relations
Solve

In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?

2020·Science & Technology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations. 2. The International Panel o...

2017·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative...

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

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

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

2025·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Country | Reason for being in the news| |- | -| |1. Argentina | Worst economic crisis| |2. Sudan | War between the country's ...

2024·International Relations
Solve

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the follow...

2019·International Relations
Solve

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