International Relations Specialist
Analyses and manages relations between countries and international bodies to build cooperation, promote peace and tackle global issues.
Overview
An International Relations Specialist is a professional with expertise in analyzing and managing relationships between countries and international entities. Their primary focus is on understanding how global political, economic, cultural, and social factors influence diplomacy and international cooperation. They work to foster positive relationships, promote peace, and develop strategies to address global issues such as trade, security, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
Where they work
- Governments
- International organizations
- Multinational companies
- Development consulting firms
- NGOs
- Think tanks
Work environment
This work includes travel. You will generally work for 8/9 hours a day and for 5/6 days per week. Working from different time zones may be common.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have strong communication skills, especially fluent in English
- You like to analyze and solve problems
- You are interested in learning a foreign language
- You like to work in a team
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream, preferably in Arts/Humanities with Political Science.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Political Science/International Relations/Defence and Strategic Studies/Area Studies/History/Geography/Economics/Sociology, followed by a Master's degree in the same or related field.
Alternative route 2
- 1After completing both graduate and postgraduate degrees, pursue a Ph.D. in International Relations/International Affairs.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Political Science/International Relations. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying.
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts, Symbiosis International, Pune, Maharashtra
- Adamas University, Barasat, West Bengal
- Amity University (multiple states)
- St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka
- Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Kalinga University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Campaign Worker
- 2International Relations Analyst
- 3Political Analyst
Expected income
₹70,000 – ₹1,20,399 per month
These figures are indicative and subject to change. The card's source is a SalaryExpert estimate for international affairs analysts.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Indian Foreign Service
Career diplomat with the Ministry of External Affairs, representing India's interests abroad.
Public Policy Advisor
Analyses how policies work in practice in government or private organisations and advises on improving or changing them.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Arts, Languages, Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to researching.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Avinash Paliwal — Described in the source as senior lecturer in International Relations and Deputy Director of the SOAS South Asia Institute. Before this he taught Defence Studies at King's College London and was the Defence Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the Regional Security Research Centre at King's. He specialises in foreign and security policy analysis with a regional focus on South Asia, Afghanistan and Myanmar. He holds an MA and PhD in International Relations from King's College London, and a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Delhi.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 769 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/international-affairs-analyst/india
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card's government institute list repeats, name for name, the law-school list printed on the Corporate Legal Advisor/Compliance Officer card (National Law School of India University, the National Law Universities and others), which does not match a political science or international relations course, so it is not reproduced — check the political science or international relations departments of government universities directly. The card prints the working week as '5/6 hours per week', corrected to days.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.