Shri. N. Ram at Shankar IAS Academy: “World Order Will Swing Back to Liberal Orientation”

Date: February 26, 2026
Event: The Hindu Year Book Distribution to UPSC Toppers
Venue: Shankar IAS Academy, Chennai

Event Highlights

Shankar IAS Academy hosted an exclusive event on February 26, 2026, featuring Shri N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group of Publications, who addressed our UPSC toppers during The Hindu Year Book distribution ceremony. Academy Director Vaishnavi S.D. participated in the
event.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

1. The Shift from Realpolitik to Liberal World Order
N. Ram observed that the current global order, dominated by realpolitik (nations prioritizing self-interest), will eventually swing back towards a liberal international orientation based on cooperation and multilateralism.
“I think it will change… It will come back to a more liberal political orientation.”
– N. Ram
UPSC Relevance: GS Paper 2 (International Relations) – Understanding the cyclical nature of global political ideologies. Explore our GS preparation resources

2. India’s Foreign Policy & The Palestine Question
Addressing India’s stance on Israel-Gaza, N. Ram highlighted the shift in India’s historical position:
“It is very hard to defend, given India’s historical position on the Palestine question… a realpolitik world view that ‘my national interest will be served only if I do this.'”
He noted this shift began before the current government, indicating a bipartisan evolution in India’s foreign policy approach.
UPSC Relevance: GS Paper 2 – India’s foreign policy evolution, West Asia relations, India-Israel-Palestine dynamics.

3. Trump, Tariff Wars & U.S. Mid-Term Outlook
On the United States’ withdrawal from international institutions and ongoing tariff wars, N. Ram shared his assessment

• Trump faces potential challenges in mid-term elections
• If Democrats gain control of Congress, impeachment proceedings could follow
• Some Republican members may also turn against extreme policies
• The current term is already being called a “lame duck term”

“I see some setbacks for Trump, and it will come back in some States, to a more liberal political orientation.”
UPSC Relevance: GS Paper 2 – US politics, impact on India-US relations, global trade dynamics.

5. Importance of Credible Media & Critical Thinking
Emphasizing the role of credible journalism, N. Ram stressed that young people must develop critical faculty to form independent judgments, rather than passively consuming information.
“There is a need for credible news media that promotes critical faculty, for young people to form their own judgement.”
UPSC Relevance: GS Paper 1 (Society) & Essay – Media’s role in democracy, information literacy.

Why This Matters for UPSC 2026

About the Event

This event is part of Shankar IAS Academy’s commitment to connecting aspirants with thought leaders and providing real-world perspectives on current affairs. The Hindu Year Book remains a trusted resource for UPSC preparation, and this distribution ceremony honoured our top-performing students.

Read the full coverage in The Hindu →

Prepare with Shankar IAS Academy

Want to develop the analytical skills needed to tackle such contemporary issues in UPSC?

• Join UPSC Foundation Course 2026
• Explore Current Affairs Programme
• Meet Our Expert Faculty