Syllabus: GENERAL STUDIES – II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

 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.
 POLITY

Indian Constitution
Historical Underpinning & Evolution Significant Provisions

 Regulating Act (1773) to Independence  Fundamental Rights

Act (1947)
 Directive Principles of State Policy
 Constituent Assembly
 Judicial Review
 Objective Resolution
 Universal Adult Franchise
 Enactment & Enforcement of
 Single Citizenship
Constitution
 Separation of Powers
Features
Basic Structure
 Written
 The Doctrine
 Flexible & Rigid
 Judgments & Cases
 Federal & Unitary
 Parliamentary Form of Government
(Presidential vs. Parliamentary Type of
Government)
Amendments

 List of Significant Amendments &

Their Provisions
 Procedure for Amending Constitution

Functions & Responsibilities of the Union and the States

 7th Schedule  Financial Functions

 Legislative Functions  Administrative & Quasi-Judicial
Functions

Issues & Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Federal Structure in India - Is India  Inter-State Councils

truly Federal?
 Public Acts, Records and Judicial
Proceedings
Cooperative & Competitive Federalism
 Inter-State Trade and Commerce
Centre-State Relations
 Zonal Councils
 Legislative Relations Emergency Provisions
 Administrative Relations
Role of Governor
 Financial Relations
Reports of Various Commissions
 Trends in Centre-State Relations
Inter-State Relations  2nd ARC, Punchhi, Sarkaria, etc.

 Inter-state Water Disputes

Devolution of Powers & Finances to Local Levels & Challenges Therein

 Role of State Government  Reasons for Ineffective Performance
 Role of State Finance Commission  Panchayat Devolution Index ( NITI
Aayog)
 11th & 12th Schedule
 Steps That Can Be Taken to Improve
Their Performance

Separation of Powers Between Various Organs

 Doctrine of Separation of Power  Provisions for Checks & Balances in

Indian Constitution
 Separation of Power in Indian
Constitution  Related Judgments - Golaknath case,
Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Gandhi
 Doctrine of Checks & Balances
Vs Raj Narain, Ram Jawaya vs Punjab

Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions

 RTI  Tribunals, etc.

 PIL

Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme With That of Other Countries

Parliament & State Legislatures

Structure, Functioning, Conduct of  Secular State

Business, Powers & Privileges
 Universal Adult Franchise
 Written Constitution  Single Citizenship
 Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility  Emergency Provisions
 Federal System with Unitary Bias  Three-tier Government
 Parliamentary Form of Government  Due Process of Law vs. Procedure
Established by Law
 Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty
and Judicial Supremacy  Impeachment of President, etc.
 Integrated and Independent Judiciary
 Fundamental Rights, Directive
Principles of State Policy, Fundamental
Duties

Structure, Organization & Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Executive Judiciary

 Union:  Three-Tier Structure

o President  Chief Justice of India
o Prime Minister  SC & HC Judges
o Council of Ministers  Jurisdiction
o Cabinet Secretariat
 State:
o Governor
 o Chief Minister
o Council of Ministers
o Secretariat

Ministries and Departments of the Government

 Cabinet Ministries  Parliamentary Secretaries

 Other Ministries

Pressure Groups & Formal/informal Associations & Their Role in Polity

 Characteristics of Pressure Groups  Functions, Role & Importance of

Pressure Groups
 Pressure Groups & Political Parties
 Techniques/Methods of Pressure
 Pressure Groups & Interest Groups
Groups
 Types of Pressure Groups
 Pressure Groups in India
 Shortcomings of Pressure Groups

Salient Features of Representation of

People's Act

Appointment to Various Constitutional Posts

Appointment, Powers, Functions &  National Commission for STs

Responsibilities of:
 Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
 Election Commission  Comptroller and Auditor General of
India
 Union Public Service Commission
 Attorney General of India
 State Public Service Commission
 Advocate General of the State
 Finance Commission
 National Commission for SCs

Statutory, Regulatory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies

 NITI Aayog  Central Pollution Control Board

 RBI  Medical Council of India
 National Human Rights Commission  Inland Waterways Authority of India
 State Human Rights Commission  Central Ground Water Authority
 Central Information Commission  Directorate General of Civil Aviation
 Central Vigilance Commission  Pension Fund Regulatory and
Development Authority
 Central Bureau of Investigation
 Food Safety and Standards Authority
 Lokpal and Lokayuktas
of India
 National Commission for Women  Bar Council of India
 National Commission for Backward  University Grants Commission
Classes
 Financial Stability and Development
 National Commission for Minorities Council
 Insurance Regulatory and  All India Council for Technical
Development Authority Education
 Securities and Exchange Board of  National Green Tribunal
India
 Competition Appellate Tribunal
 Competition Commission of India
 Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal
 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
 Cyber Appellate Tribunal
 Central Electricity Regulatory
 Intellectual Property Appellate Board
Commission
 Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

GOVERNANCE

Government Policies & Interventions for Development

Government Policies & Interventions in  Analysis of Main Schemes:

Various Sectors
o Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
 Health, Gender, Education, Poverty, o Smart City
Economic etc
o Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Issues Arising Out of Their Design &
o MGNERGA
Implementation
o Digital India
 Concerns/Issues
o Make in India
 Suggestions for Improvement
o Skill India
 Critical Assessment of Centrally
o PM Jan Dhan Yojana
Sponsored Schemes (CSS)
o Start-up India etc.
 Rationalisation of CSS

Development Processes & the Development Industry

 Role of Social Capital Organisations  Challenges

 Indian Context  Measures to Make SHGs Effective
 Classification  Case Studies: Kudumbashree (Kerala),
Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal
 Provisions for the Third Sector in the
(Maharashtra)
Indian Constitution
Societies, Trusts and Cooperatives
 National Policy on the Voluntary
Sector 2007
 Societies
Non-Governmental Organisations
 Trust
 Role and Impact of Non-governmental  Religious Endowments
Organizations
 Cooperatives –
 Issue Areas: Accreditation, Legitimacy
o Need for Cooperatives
& Accountability, Foreign Funding etc.
o Constitutional Provisions
Self Help Groups (SHGs)
o National Policy on Co-operatives,
 Need for SHGs 2002
 Benefits of SHGs o Issues and Challenges in the
Cooperatives Sector
 Weaknesses of SHGs

Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency & Accountability

Governance  Features of CC
 Six Principles of CC
 Dimensions of Governance
 Shortcomings of CC
 Good Governance (GG)
 Measures to Make CC Effective
 Aspects of GG
 Sevottam Model
 Barriers to GG
Aspects of Transparency
 Necessary Pre-conditions for GG
 How to Ensure GG Elements & Types of Accountability
E-Governance
Means to ensure Transparency &
Accountability
 Applications
 Models  RTI
 Successes  Social Audit
 Limitations  Whistleblower Protection Bill
 Potential  Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act
 Recent e-governance Initiatives by
Government
Citizens Charters (CC)

 Components of CC

Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Relationship Between Civil Service And  Arbitrary & Whimsical Transfers

Democracy
 Political Interference & Administrative
Acquiescence
Role Played By Civil Services
 Gradual Erosion in Values & Ethics
 Advisory Role in Policy Making
 Redtapism
 Institutionalise Socio-economic change
 Elitist in Nature
 Discharge Delegated Functions
 Poor Pay
 Administer Law of the Land
 Tendency to Capture Power
 Watchdogs
Reforming Bureaucracy to Strengthen
 Continuity in times of Political Democracy
Instability
 Setting Right the Asymmetry of Power
 Record-Keeping
 Insulating Civil Servants from Undue
 Channel of Communication
Political Interference
Ailments/Issues Afflicting Indian Civil
 Professionalisation with Stability of
Services
Tenure & Competition
 Lack of Professionalism & Poor  Citizen-Centric Administration
Capacity Building
 Inefficient Incentive Systems  Accountability
 Outdated Rules & Procedures  Outcome Orientation
 Systemic Inconsistencies in Promotion  Promoting Public Service Values &
Ethics
 Lack of Adequate Transparency &
Accountability Procedures

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

Schemes for the Following Vulnerable  STs:

Sections
o National Commission for
Scheduled Tribes
 SCs & STs
o Tribal Sub Plan
 Minorities
o TRIFED
 Children
o Scheduled Tribes and Other
 Elderly
Traditional Forest Dwellers
 Disabled (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act
 Women  Minorities:
 Transgender o National Commission for
Minorities
Performance of These Schemes
o National Commission for Religious
Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions & and Linguistic Minorities
Bodies Constituted for Protection &
Women & Children
Betterment of These Vulnerable
Sections
 The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act
 SCs:  The Indecent Representation of
Women (Prevention) Act
o The Protection of Civil Rights Act
 The Dowry Prohibition Act
o The Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of  The Commission of Sati (Prevention)
Atrocities) Act Act
o National Commission for  The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
Scheduled Castes
 Protection of Women from Domestic
o Scheduled Castes Sub Plan Violence Act
 Disabled:  Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection
of Children) Act
o The Rehabilitation Council of India
Act  Central Adoption Resource Agency
(CARA)
o The Persons with Disabilities
(Equal Opportunities, Protection of  The Protection of Children from Sexual
Rights and Full Participation) Act Offences (POCSO) Act
o Mental Retardation and Multiple  Sexual Harassment of Women at
Disabilities Act Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal)
o The National Trust for Welfare of
Persons with  Pre-Conception and Pre Natal
Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act
Retardation and Multiple
 Gender Budgeting
Disabilities Act
 National Policy for Women
o Rights of the Persons with
Disabilities Act  Domestic Violence Act
 Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act
 ElderlyMaintenance and Welfare of
Parents and Senior Citizens Act

Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social Sector/Services

Health Education

 India’s Performance on Various Health  Status of Literacy in India

Indicators  Education Structure in India
 Challenges Faced by Education Sector
 Weaknesses of Indian Healthcare
in India
System
 Reforms Required
 Health Infrastructure in India
 Government Initiatives
 Universal Health Coverage
 ASER Report
 12th FYP Strategy
 Financing Education
 Universal Health Coverage
 Subramanian Panel Report
 Health Insurance
Human Resource
 National Family Health Survey
 National Health Policy  Need For Skill Development
 National Health Mission  Skill Development Initiatives
 Maternal & Adolescent Health  Challenges in Skilling Landscape in
India
 Child Health
 Shortcomings of Current Skill
 Antimicrobial Resistance
Development Initiatives
 Disease Burden in India
 Reforms Required
 Measures to Ensure Good Health
 Steps that can Be Taken
Outcomes
 Government Initiatives

Issues Relating to Poverty & Hunger

 Relation between Poverty & Hunger  MDGs & SDGs

 Distribution of Poverty & Hunger  Food and nutrition insecurity - a
consequence of structural inequities
 Magnitude & Trends of Poverty &
Hunger  Constraints in Reducing Poverty &
Hunger
 Causes of Poverty & Hunger
 Measure to Reduce Poverty & Hunger –
 Cost/Impact of Poverty & Malnutrition
National Food Security Act, Mid-day
Meal Scheme, MGNREGA etc.
 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India and its Neighborhood – Relations

India’s Relations With  Bangladesh

 Sri Lanka
 China
 Afghanistan
 Pakistan
 Nepal
 Myanmar
 Maldives
 Bhutan

Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or
Affecting India's Interests

India’s Major Foreign Policy Doctrines  BBIN & BCIM

Since 1947
 BIMSTEC
 Non-aligned Movement (NAM)  IBSA
 Nuclear Doctrine  ASEAN & RCEP
 Gujral Doctrine  India-Africa Forum
 Look East to Act East  SCO
 Think West, etc.  Ashgabat Agreement
Bilateral Relations With  FIPIC
 IOR-ARC
 Major Powers Like – USA, Russia,
Japan  Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
 Central Asian Countries  Raisina Dialogue
 West Asian Countries  Heart of Asia Conference
 African Countries  East Asia Summit
 Australia & New Zealand  G-20
 EU & European Countries  Asian Development Bank
 Latin American Countries  National Security Summit
 Pacific Countries  Multilateral Nuclear Export Regulatory
Regimes: Wassenar, MTCR, Australia
Regional & Global Groupings
Group
 SAARC  Asian Development Bank
 BRICS  APEC, etc

Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India's

Interests

 One Belt One Road  WTO Reforms

 International North–South Transport  South China Sea Conflict
Corridor
 Brexit
 Global Trade War
 Deglobalisation & Protectionism – US
 Global Currency War Sanctions on Iran, US Pullout from
Paris Agreement, H-1B Visa Issue etc.
 Syrian Crisis
 UN Reforms  OPEC Oil Prices Manipulation, etc.

Indian Diaspora

 Spread of Indian Diaspora  LM Singhvi High Level Committee on

the Diaspora
 India’s Diaspora Policy & Engagement
Initiatives  Role played by Indian Diaspora
o OCI  Issues Concerning the Diaspora:
o Pravasi Bharatiya Divas o Dual Nationality
o Know India Programme, etc. o Remittances, etc.

Important International Institutions

 UN & its Agencies  IMF

 WTO  World Economic Forum
 World Bank  Commonwealth of Nations, etc.