GS 2

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


Constitution, Polity

  • 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, the 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.


Governance

  • 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.


Social Justice

  • Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and 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.


International relations

  • 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