General Studies- II syllabus

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.

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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.