UPSC Main Examination

General Studies II
Mains Syllabus

250
Total Marks
3 Hours
Duration

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Syllabus

  • • Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
  • • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
  • • Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
  • • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
  • • Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
  • • Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
  • • Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
  • • Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
  • • Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
  • • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
  • • Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
  • • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
  • • Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
  • • Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
  • • Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
  • • Role of civil services in a democracy.
  • • India and its neighborhood- relations.
  • • Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
  • • Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
  • • Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.