India’s Foreign Policy

The Indian subcontinent has healthy and diplomatic relations with approximately 201 states worldwide. India has approximately 199 missions and posts operating worldwide and plans to open more new missions hosted by 11 UN Member States.

The Indian government has a special wing or ministry – The Foreign ministry or Ministry of External Affairs that regulates the foreign policies and relations with other countries. Indian foreign policy aims to widen its influence and enhance its roles worldwide, making its presence like an emerging global power. Today, with the world’s fifth-largest economy by GPD, India is considered a growing international influence and prominent voice in international affairs.

The Indian government conducts the Indian foreign service examinations every year to appoint eligible and deserving candidates to the Indian foreign service officer’s post. The Indian foreign service officer plays an essential role in framing and implementing foreign policies.

In this article, we will learn about Indian foreign policy, Indian foreign service, Indian foreign service exam and syllabus.

Indian Foreign Policy – Features & Explanation

As discussed above, India has diplomatic relations with many states worldwide. India’s foreign policy and service can be traced back to the British era when the government created a foreign affairs department for maintaining trade relations with European countries.

After Independence, the Indian government created a wing and appointed ministers and officials to strengthen the foreign relations of India. The MEA or Ministry of External Affairs, also known as the Foreign Ministry, is entrusted with maintaining the foreign relation and framing the foreign policies.

The Indian foreign policy has encouraged widening operations in foreign states and maintaining a healthy relationship. Today, more than forty million people work in foreign states with the help of India’s efficient foreign policies and relations management. 

Indian Foreign Service

Indian Foreign Service post is as old as the British rule in India. The roots of the Indian Foreign Service can be traced back to 1783 when the British officials created the post to appoint an officer to maintain healthy trade relations with European Powers.

Again in 1843, the Governor-General of the British Empire carried out administrative reforms and divided the Government into four central operational units, including Finance, Foreign, Home, and Military. The Foreign Ministry was appointed to form policies and maintain the external and internal relations of the Government.

The idea of creating a diplomatic post and service for maintaining foreign relations was implemented after the Independence of India. The post was named Indian Foreign Service, and every year the Government conducts the Indian Foreign Service exams to appoint deserving candidates to the post.

Indian Foreign Service Exam

The Indian Foreign Service officers are appointed through the Civil Services examinations conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission. The exam for the IFS post takes place in three consecutive stages, including the preliminary exam, main exam, and interview.

The candidates can achieve the Indian Foreign Service officer post after passing the exams. The exam assesses a candidate’s ability to maintain the dignity of the post. It also judges the candidates on their knowledge of current affairs.

After successfully completing the exams, the selected candidates are sent for training and skill enhancement courses at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. After successfully completing the training, the candidates are appointed at different locations under the Central Government.

Indian Foreign Service Exam Syllabus

As we learned above, the IFS or Indian Foreign Service exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission every year. The Civil services exam is conducted in three stages: the preliminary exam, the main exam, and the interview.

The Indian Foreign Service Exam has different syllabus sets for different stages of the examination. The Preliminary exam syllabus is designed to judge the candidate’s knowledge of current affairs and aptitude. It consists of all the compulsory topics, and one has to qualify for the exams to get into the second stage.

The Mains exam syllabus assesses the candidate’s expertise in specific subjects and fields. The main exam targets to test the candidates’ reasoning and fact presentation skills.

The prelims and mains exams are written examinations, and the candidates who pass the written tests are called for Interviews by the UPSC officials.

Functions And Responsibilities Of Indian Foreign Service Officer

The primary functions and responsibilities of an Indian Foreign Service Officer include the following:

• They represent India on International platforms, including its Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates
• Protecting India’s National interest in countries of their posting
• Encouraging healthy relations with receiving states and their people
• Reporting all events in the countries of their posting, making policy formulation easy for the Ministry of External Affairs
• Negotiating on agreements of International issues with the receiving states