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International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC frequently examines international laws, conventions, and their violations in the context of global conflicts and humanitarian crises. Understanding IHL is crucial for analyzing state conduct, accountability, and the ethical dimensions of warfare.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), also known as the laws of armed conflict, is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare, aiming to strike a balance between military necessity and humanitarian considerations.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Prohibited Tactics

Prohibits 'scorched-earth policy' if it serves no military necessity and causes widespread, long-term, and severe damage to the natural environment.

Protection of Civilians

Prohibits collective punishment, which targets individuals or groups for acts they did not commit.

Key Treaties

Key treaties include the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols.

Applicability

Applies in situations of armed conflict, whether international or non-international.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaGeopolitics & International Conflicts

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)Promotes and monitors
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Terminology-based question

Quick revision

  • Governs conduct during armed conflict.
  • Protects civilians and those no longer fighting.
  • Prohibits collective punishment and certain destructive tactics.
  • Geneva Conventions are foundational.
  • Aims to balance military necessity with humanity.

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
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

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
2022Statement-based questions, 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

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 l...

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

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 l...

International RelationsOpen question
2018Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

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

International RelationsOpen question

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

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

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

International RelationsOpen question
2015Factual recall, Terminology-based question

The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:

International RelationsOpen question

The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’ recently in the news, is related to the affairs of:

International RelationsOpen question
2015Factual recall, Terminology-based question

The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:

International RelationsOpen question

The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’ recently in the news, is related to the affairs of:

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Terminology-based question

The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:

Open question

The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’ recently in the news, is related to the affairs of:

Open question
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Terminology-based question

The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:

Open question

The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’ recently in the news, is related to the affairs of:

Open question
Prelims 2018· Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

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

Open question

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

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

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

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, 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

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 l...

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

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 l...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

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 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

Lebanon PM denounces Israeli campaign as fresh strikes hit south

31 May 2026 · IHL sets rules for armed conflict to protect non-combatants and limit suffering, prohibiting acts like collective punishment and indiscriminate 'scorched earth' tactics.

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