Political Instability and Democratic Transitions in South Asia
The article illustrates a case of political instability in Bangladesh, marked by a government's overthrow, an interim administration, the banning of a major ...
Bangladesh issues countrywide alert fearing unrest on anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League
Bangladesh has issued a nationwide security alert ahead of the founding anniversary of the now-disbanded Awami League, fearing unrest. The Awami League, led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was banned after its government was toppled in August 2024 following student protests. The current interim government, which came to power after elections in February 2026, views the Awami League as a 'mafia organisation' and has directed law enforcement to prevent any acts of sabotage or disruption. Police have already arrested over 100 Awami League leaders and activists, primarily on charges of plotting sabotage and holding unauthorized marches. The Awami League, Bangladesh's oldest political party, led the 1971 Liberation War.
Syllabus mapping
Mains syllabus topics
Government Policies Interventions
International Institutions
Government Budgeting
Prelims takeaways
- Bangladesh is a neighboring country to India, and its internal political stability is crucial for regional geopolitics.
- Key political parties in Bangladesh include the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
- The Awami League has historical significance, having led the 1971 Liberation War.
- Recent political developments in Bangladesh include the toppling of Sheikh Hasina's government, the formation of an interim government, and subsequent elections.
- The 'July Uprising' refers to student-led protests that led to a change in government in Bangladesh.
Elimination traps
- Confusing the current ruling party with the previously ruling Awami League.
- Misremembering the timeline of events (July Uprising, elections, ban on Awami League).
- Attributing Bangladesh's internal political issues to India's domestic politics.
Static concepts
- July Uprising (Bangladesh)
- 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
- Political parties (Bangladesh)
- Interim government
Probable question areas
Question areas
- Questions on India's relations with neighboring countries, specifically Bangladesh.
Question areas
- Questions on the historical context of Bangladesh's formation and key political figures.
Question areas
- Questions on recent political developments in Bangladesh and their potential impact on regional stability.
Question areas
- Matching political parties with their respective countries (e.g., Awami League - Bangladesh).
UPSC concepts in this story
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
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 IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct answer
A. 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: The Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) was hosted in New Delhi in October 2015. The first and second summits were held in 2008 (New Delhi) and 2011 (Addis Ababa), respectively, making the 2015 event the third edition. Statement 2 is incorrect: The India-Africa Forum Summit was institutionalized in 2008 to serve as the official platform for African-Indian relations. While Jawaharlal Nehru was a pioneer of Afro-Asian solidarity (e.g., the Asian Relations Conference of 1947), the IAFS is a distinct 21st-century initiative and was not established in 1951.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 1 and 3 only
All 6 participants of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation are member countries bordering the basins of the Mekong and Ganga rivers, aiming to collaborate on various initiatives. These countries are: - India - Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam Hence, China & Bangladesh are not part of the Mekong-Ganga Corporation.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I :Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
Statement-II :The 'Arab Peace Initiative' Mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Correct answer
C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
* Statement I is correct: Several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have established diplomatic relations with Israel. * Statement II is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative, mediated by Saudi Arabia, was endorsed by the Arab League but not signed by Israel. It outlines a path towards peace in exchange for Israeli concessions, but Israel has not formally accepted all its terms.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?
Explanation
Correct answer
A. The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
Explanation
Correct answer
B. Israel
The Two-State Solution is used in the context of the Israel-Palestine issue. It envisages an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel west of the Jordan River.
International Relations
Current Affairs
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Explanation
Correct answer
D. 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is correct. The United Nations General Assembly may grant non-member states, international organizations, and other entities Permanent Observer Status. Statement 2 is correct. The General Assembly decided that observer status would be confined to States and intergovernmental organizations whose activities cover matters of interest to the Assembly. Statement 3 is correct. Permanent Observers may participate in the sessions and workings of the General Assembly and maintain missions at the UN Headquarters.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
Explanation
Correct answer
A. Iran
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, originally (and still colloquially) known as the Gulf Cooperation Council, is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf except Iran. Its member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Charter of the Gulf Cooperation Council was signed on 25 May 1981, formally establishing the institution. Hence, option A is the correct answer.
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from
Explanation
Correct answer
D. Tunisia
* The Arab Spring uprisings originally started in Tunisia. * In December 2010, a young Tunisian street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest of police harassment. This act of desperation sparked widespread demonstrations throughout Tunisia, demanding an end to corruption, unemployment, and political repression. * The success of the Tunisian revolution, which eventually led to the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, inspired similar protests across the Arab world, becoming known as the Arab Spring.
International Relations
Current Affairs
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Consider the following statements:
1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north -western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct answer
D. 2 and 3
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in northwestern Uganda, not Kenya. Statement 2 is Correct: People fleeing the civil war in South Sudan have been hosted in the Bidibidi settlement. Statement 3 is Correct: The Dadaab refugee complex is located in Kenya and houses refugees, including those who fled the civil war in Somalia. Therefore, the correct statements are 2 and 3 only.
International Relations
Geography
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Physical & Regional Geography
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 States?
Explanation
Correct answer
C. 2 and 5
The Organization of Turkic States, formerly called the Turkic Council or the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, is an international organization comprising prominent independent Turkic countries - Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan - Turkey
- Uzbekistan
International Relations
Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
"The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India
Policies of developed/developing countries and Indian diaspora
Important International institutions, agencies and fora
View Mains PYQ
"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?
Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India
Important International institutions, agencies and fora
View Mains PYQ
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the issue.
Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies
Government policies and interventions
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections
View Mains PYQ
"In contemporary development models, decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities are not located close to the source of information and execution defeating the objectives of development." Critically evaluate.
Governance, transparency, accountability and e-governance
Government policies and interventions
Development processes, NGOs, SHGs and stakeholders
View Mains PYQ
Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?
Union and States — federal structure and devolution
Government policies and interventions
View Mains PYQ
Explain how the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) can be used as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of states in India. In what way would it encourage the states to adopt prudent and sustainable fiscal policies?
Indian Economy — planning, resources, growth, development, employment
Government Budgeting
View Mains PYQ
According to the provided article, which political party came to power in Bangladesh following the elections in February 2026?
Explanation
The article states, 'The Bangladesh Nationalist Party came to power and Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the prime minister of Bangladesh' after the elections in February 2026.
The Awami League, a political party mentioned in the article, is historically significant for its role in which of the following events?
Explanation
The article explicitly states, 'The Awami League is Bangladesh’s oldest political party, founded in 1949 and led its 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan.'
What was the primary reason cited in the article for the toppling of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024?
Explanation
The article mentions, 'Hasina’s government was toppled on August 5, 2024, following a violent student-led street protest dubbed the July Uprising.'
The recent political developments in Bangladesh, including the toppling of the Awami League government and the subsequent ban on the party, highlight significant internal instability. Analyze the potential implications of such political turmoil in Bangladesh for India's security and regional foreign policy objectives.
Introduce the context of instability in Bangladesh, discuss implications for border security, potential refugee influx, rise of extremist elements, impact on bilateral trade, and India's strategic interests in maintaining regional stability.
The interim government in Bangladesh has disbanded the Awami League, banned it from elections, and labeled it a 'mafia organisation'. Critically examine these actions in the context of democratic principles and the role of political parties in a multi-party system.
Define democratic principles and the importance of political parties. Analyze the interim government's actions against these principles, discussing potential justifications (e.g., maintaining order) versus concerns about suppression of dissent and undermining democratic institutions.