General Studies 2 : Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.

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.