Introduction:
The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is known for its dynamic and evolving question pattern. To identify any shifts in UPSC's approach to framing questions related to global security challenges, conflicts, and strategic affairs in Political Science and International Relations (PSIR), one can utilize previous years' papers. By analyzing the nature of questions over the years, one can gain insights into any changes or trends in the examination pattern.

Methodology:
To effectively utilize previous years' papers, one can follow the steps outlined below:

- Collecting previous years' papers: Gather the question papers of the past few years that specifically pertain to global security challenges, conflicts, and strategic affairs in PSIR. These papers can be obtained from various sources, including educational websites such as EduRev.

- Organizing the questions: Categorize the questions based on their content and themes. Sort them into subcategories such as conflicts, strategic affairs, global security challenges, etc. This will help in identifying patterns and shifts in the approach over the years.

- Analysis: Analyze the questions in each subcategory to identify any changes or trends. Look for variations in the level of difficulty, the depth of knowledge required, and the focus areas within each topic. Pay attention to the phrasing of questions, whether they are more conceptual, analytical, or application-based.

- Identifying shifts: Compare the questions from different years to identify any shifts in the UPSC's approach. Look for changes in the emphasis on specific topics, inclusion of new themes, or alterations in the question pattern. Note any significant variations that may indicate a shift in the examination pattern.

- Additional research: Supplement the analysis with additional research on current global security challenges, conflicts, and strategic affairs. Stay updated with recent developments and scholarly articles in these areas. This will help in identifying if the UPSC is incorporating emerging issues or shifting its focus in line with global trends.

Conclusion:
By utilizing previous years' papers and analyzing the questions related to global security challenges, conflicts, and strategic affairs in PSIR, one can identify any shifts in the UPSC's approach. This analysis will provide valuable insights for candidates preparing for the examination, allowing them to align their study strategy with the evolving patterns and focus areas. Remember to rely on reliable sources like EduRev for accessing previous years' question papers.