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Two-State Solution and Palestinian Statehood

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

It is a core, long-standing international relations issue with significant geopolitical implications for global stability, energy security, and international law. India's consistent support for the two-state solution reflects its foreign policy principles and regional interests.

The Two-State Solution is a proposed framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, based on the 1967 borders with mutually agreed land swaps, ensuring both peoples can live in peace and security.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Balfour Declaration (1917)

British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, limiting indigenous Arab rights.

UN Partition Plan (1947, Resolution 181)

Proposed separate Arab and Jewish states, rejected by Arab leaders.

Oslo Accords (1993)

Landmark agreement between Israel and PLO, leading to mutual recognition and creation of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Current Obstacles

Israeli opposition, continued conflict (e.g., Gaza war), internal Palestinian divisions, and lack of a credible pathway to statehood.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
United Nations Security CouncilAdopts resolutions related to the conflict and statehood
Palestinian Authority (PA)Created by oslo accords, envisioned as caretaker government
United StatesActs as a key mediator and influential player
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Terminology-based question

Quick revision

  • Core idea: Independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
  • Historical milestones: Balfour Declaration, UN Partition Plan, Oslo Accords.
  • Key actors: Israel, Palestine (PA, Hamas), US, UN, regional powers (Iran, Hezbollah).
  • Current challenges: Israeli opposition, Gaza conflict, lack of unified Palestinian leadership.
  • India's stance: Consistent support for a negotiated two-state solution.

High-confidence PYQs

2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

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

International RelationsOpen question

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

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

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

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

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, 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

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

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

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

Consider the following countries 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia 4. Romania 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic S...

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

Consider the following countries 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia 4. Romania 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic S...

International RelationsOpen question
2022Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

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

Consider the following countries 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia 4. Romania 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic S...

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
2016Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): 1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS. 2. The IAF...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

International Relations
Prelims 2016· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): 1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS. 2. The IAF...

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, 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

Consider the following countries 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia 4. Romania 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic S...

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

Consider the following countries 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia 4. Romania 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic S...

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

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

Consider the following countries 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia 4. Romania 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic S...

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

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

Open question

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

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

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

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

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, 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

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

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

Open question

A Palestinian state is the foundation for regional peace

20 Aug 2026 · The two-state solution aims to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by creating an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Historical events like the Balfour Declaration, UN Partition Plan, and Oslo Accords shaped its trajectory, while current conflicts and political stances pose significant challenges to its realization, impacting regional and global peace.

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Related topics

Current topic

Two-State Solution and Palestinian Statehood

Often confused with

Geopolitics of West Asia

Open notesOften confused with

International Mediation in Conflict Resolution

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Two-State Solution and Palestinian Statehood in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Two-State Solution and Palestinian Statehood

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

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

2018·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

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

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): 1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS. 2. The IAF...

2016·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following countries 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Croatia 4. Romania 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic S...

2022·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

Consider the following pairs : Area of conflict mentioned in news Country where it is located 1. Donbas : Syria 2. Kachin : Ethiopia 3. Tigray : North Yem...

2023·International Relations
Solve

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