Mains

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

Regulating Act (1773) to Independence Act (1947)
Constituent Assembly
Objective Resolution
Enactment & Enforcement of Constitution

Features

Written
Flexible & Rigid
Federal & Unitary
Parliamentary Form of Government (Presidential vs. Parliamentary Type of Government)

Amendments

List of Significant Amendments & Their Provisions
Procedure for Amending Constitution

Significant Provisions

Fundamental Rights
Directive Principles of State Policy
Judicial Review
Universal Adult Franchise
Single Citizenship
Separation of Powers

Basic Structure

The Doctrine
Judgments & Cases

Functions & Responsibilities of the Union and the States

7^th Schedule
Legislative Functions
Financial Functions
Administrative & Quasi-Judicial Functions

Issues & Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Federal Structure in India - Is India truly Federal?

Cooperative & Competitive Federalism

Centre-State Relations

Legislative Relations
Administrative Relations
Financial Relations
Trends in Centre-State Relations

Inter-State Relations

Inter-state Water Disputes
Inter-State Councils
Public Acts, Records and Judicial Proceedings
Inter-State Trade and Commerce
Zonal Councils

Emergency Provisions

Role of Governor

Reports of Various Commissions

2nd ARC, Punchhi, Sarkaria, etc.

Devolution of Powers & Finances to Local Levels & Challenges Therein

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

Separation of Powers Between Various Organs

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

Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions

RTI
PIL
Tribunals, etc.

Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme With That of Other Countries Parliament & State Legislatures

Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges

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

Structure, Organization & Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Executive

Union:
- President
- Prime Minister
- Council of Ministers
- Cabinet Secretariat
State:
- Governor
- Chief Minister
- Council of Ministers
- Secretariat

Judiciary

Three-Tier Structure
Chief Justice of India
SC & HC Judges
Jurisdiction

Ministries and Departments of the Government

Cabinet Ministries
Other Ministries
Parliamentary Secretaries

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

Characteristics of Pressure Groups
Pressure Groups & Political Parties
Pressure Groups & Interest Groups
Types of Pressure Groups
Functions, Role & Importance of Pressure Groups
Techniques/Methods 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 & Responsibilities of:

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

Statutory, Regulatory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies

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

GOVERNANCE

Government Policies & Interventions for Development

Government Policies & Interventions in Various Sectors

Health, Gender, Education, Poverty, Economic etc

Issues Arising Out of Their Design & Implementation

Concerns/Issues
Suggestions for Improvement
Critical Assessment of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)
Rationalisation of CSS
Analysis of Main Schemes:
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Smart City
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
- MGNERGA
- Digital India
- Make in India
- Skill India
- PM Jan Dhan Yojana
- Start-up India etc.

Development Processes & the Development Industry

Role of Social Capital Organisations
Indian Context
Classification
Provisions for the Third Sector in the Indian Constitution
National Policy on the Voluntary Sector 2007

Non-Governmental Organisations

Role and Impact of Non-governmental Organizations
Issue Areas: Accreditation, Legitimacy & Accountability, Foreign Funding etc.

Self Help Groups (SHGs)

Need for SHGs
Benefits of SHGs
Weaknesses of SHGs
Challenges
Measures to Make SHGs Effective
Case Studies: Kudumbashree (Kerala), Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (Maharashtra)

Societies, Trusts and Cooperatives

Societies
Trust
Religious Endowments
Cooperatives –
- Need for Cooperatives
- Constitutional Provisions
- National Policy on Co-operatives, 2002
- Issues and Challenges in the Cooperatives Sector

Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency & Accountability

Governance

Dimensions of Governance
Good Governance (GG)
Aspects of GG
Barriers to GG
Necessary Pre-conditions for GG
How to Ensure GG

E-Governance

Applications
Models
Successes
Limitations
Potential
Recent e-governance Initiatives by Government

Citizens Charters (CC)

Components of CC
Features of CC
Six Principles of CC
Shortcomings of CC
Measures to Make CC Effective
Sevottam Model

Aspects of Transparency

Elements & Types of Accountability

Means to ensure Transparency & Accountability

RTI
Social Audit
Whistleblower Protection Bill
Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act

Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Relationship Between Civil Service And Democracy

Role Played By Civil Services

Advisory Role in Policy Making
Institutionalise Socio-economic change
Discharge Delegated Functions
Administer Law of the Land
Watchdogs
Continuity in times of Political Instability
Record-Keeping
Channel of Communication

Ailments/Issues Afflicting Indian Civil Services

Lack of Professionalism & Poor Capacity Building
Inefficient Incentive Systems
Outdated Rules & Procedures
Systemic Inconsistencies in Promotion
Lack of Adequate Transparency & Accountability Procedures
Arbitrary & Whimsical Transfers
Political Interference & Administrative Acquiescence
Gradual Erosion in Values & Ethics
Redtapism
Elitist in Nature
Poor Pay
Tendency to Capture Power

Reforming Bureaucracy to Strengthen Democracy

Setting Right the Asymmetry of Power
Insulating Civil Servants from Undue Political Interference
Professionalisation with Stability of Tenure & Competition
Citizen-Centric Administration
Accountability
Outcome Orientation
Promoting Public Service Values & Ethics

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

Schemes for the Following Vulnerable Sections

SCs & STs
Minorities
Children
Elderly
Disabled
Women
Transgender

Performance of These Schemes

Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted for Protection & Betterment of These Vulnerable Sections

SCs:
- The Protection of Civil Rights Act
- The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- Scheduled Castes Sub Plan
Disabled:
- - The Rehabilitation Council of India Act
  - The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act
  - Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act
  - The National Trust for Welfare of Persons with
    Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act
  - Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Act
- STs:
  - National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
  - Tribal Sub Plan
  - TRIFED
  - Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act
- Minorities:
  - National Commission for Minorities
  - National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities

Women & Children

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act
The Indecent Representation of Women (Prevention) Act
The Dowry Prohibition Act
The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act
Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA)
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal)
Pre-Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act
Gender Budgeting
National Policy for Women
Domestic Violence Act
Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act

Elderly

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act

Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social Sector/Services

Health

India’s Performance on Various Health Indicators
Weaknesses of Indian Healthcare System
Health Infrastructure in India
Universal Health Coverage
12th FYP Strategy
Universal Health Coverage
Health Insurance
National Family Health Survey
National Health Policy
National Health Mission
Maternal & Adolescent Health
Child Health
Antimicrobial Resistance
Disease Burden in India
Measures to Ensure Good Health Outcomes
Government Initiatives

Education

Status of Literacy in India
Education Structure in India
Challenges Faced by Education Sector in India
Reforms Required
Government Initiatives
ASER Report
Financing Education
Subramanian Panel Report

Human Resource

Need For Skill Development
Skill Development Initiatives
Challenges in Skilling Landscape in India
Shortcomings of Current Skill Development Initiatives
Reforms Required
Steps that can Be Taken

Issues Relating to Poverty & Hunger

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

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India and its Neighborhood – Relations

India’s Relations With

China
Pakistan
Myanmar
Bhutan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Afghanistan
Nepal
Maldives

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

India’s Major Foreign Policy Doctrines Since 1947

Non-aligned Movement (NAM)
Nuclear Doctrine
Gujral Doctrine
Look East to Act East
Think West, etc.

Bilateral Relations With

Major Powers Like – USA, Russia, Japan
Central Asian Countries
West Asian Countries
African Countries
Australia & New Zealand
EU & European Countries
Latin American Countries
Pacific Countries

Regional & Global Groupings

SAARC
BRICS
BBIN & BCIM
BIMSTEC
IBSA
ASEAN & RCEP
India-Africa Forum
SCO
Ashgabat Agreement
FIPIC
IOR-ARC
Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
Raisina Dialogue
Heart of Asia Conference
East Asia Summit
G-20
Asian Development Bank
National Security Summit
Multilateral Nuclear Export Regulatory Regimes: Wassenar, MTCR, Australia Group
Asian Development Bank
APEC, etc

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

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

Indian Diaspora

Spread of Indian Diaspora
India’s Diaspora Policy & Engagement Initiatives
- OCI
- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
- Know India Programme, etc.
LM Singhvi High Level Committee on the Diaspora
Role played by Indian Diaspora
Issues Concerning the Diaspora:
- Dual Nationality
- Remittances, etc.

Important International Institutions

UN & its Agencies
WTO
World Bank
IMF
World Economic Forum
Commonwealth of Nations, etc.