GS Paper-2 Syllabus for UPSC Main Exam

GS Paper-2  Syllabus for UPSC Main Exam

(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.

UPSC Main Exam: GS Paper-2  Syllabus

1.Governance

1.1. Government Policies & Interventions for Development

(a) Government Policies & Interventions in Various Sectors

• Health, Gender, Education, Poverty, Economic etc

(b) Issues Arising Out of Their Design & Implementation

• Concerns/Issues
• Suggestions for Improvement
• Critical Assessment of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)
• Rationalization 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.

1.2. Development Processes & the Development Industry

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

(a) Non-Governmental Organizations

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

(b) 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)

(c) 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

1.3. Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency & Accountability

(a) Governance

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

(b) E-Governance

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

(c) Citizens Charters (CC)

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

(d) Aspects of Transparency

(e) Elements & Types of Accountability

(f) Means to ensure Transparency & Accountability

• RTI
• Social Audit
• Whistleblower Protection Bill
• Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act

1.4. Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

(a) Relationship Between Civil Service And Democracy

(b) Role Played By Civil Services

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

(c) 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

(d) Reforming Bureaucracy to Strengthen Democracy

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

2. CONSTITUTION AND INDIAN POLITY

2.1. Indian Constitution

(a) Historical Underpinning & Evolution

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

(b) Features

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

(c) Amendments

• List of Significant Amendments & Their Provisions
• Procedure for Amending Constitution

(d) Significant Provisions

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

(e) Basic Structure

• The Doctrine
• Judgments & Cases

2.2. Functions & Responsibilities of the Union and the States

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

2.3. Issues & Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

(a) Federal Structure in India – Is India truly Federal?

(b) Cooperative & Competitive Federalism

(c) Centre-State Relations

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

(d) Inter-State Relations

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

(e) Emergency Provisions

(f) Role of Governor

(g) Reports of Various Commissions

• 2nd ARC, Punchhi, Sarkaria, etc.

2.4. 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

2.5. 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

2.5. Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions

• RTI
• PIL
• Tribunals, etc.

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

(a) 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.

2.7. Structure, Organization & Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

(a) Executive

  (i) Union:

• President
• Prime Minister
• Council of Ministers
• Cabinet Secretariat

  (ii) State:

• Governor
• Chief Minister
• Council of Ministers
• Secretariat

(b) Judiciary

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

2.8. Ministries and Departments of the Government

• Cabinet Ministries
• Other Ministries
• Parliamentary Secretaries

2.9. 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

2.10. Salient Features of Representation of People’s Act

2.11. Appointment to Various Constitutional Posts

(a) 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

2.12. 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

3. SOCIAL JUSTICE

3.1. Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

(a) Schemes for the Following Vulnerable Sections

• SCs & STs
• Minorities
• Children
• Elderly
• Disabled
• Women
• Transgender

(b) Performance of These Schemes

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

 (i) 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

(ii) 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

(iii) STs:

• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
• Tribal Sub Plan
• TRIFED
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act

(iv) Minorities:

• National Commission for Minorities
• National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities

(d) 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

(e) Elderly

• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act

3.2. Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social Sector/Services

(a) 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

(b) 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

(c) 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

3.3. 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.

4. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

4.1. India and its Neighbor Relations

• China
• Pakistan
• Myanmar
• Bhutan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Afghanistan
• Nepal
• Maldives

4.2. Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests

(a) India’s Major Foreign Policy Doctrines Since 1947

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

(c) 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

(d) 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

4.3. 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.

4.4. 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.

4.5. Important International Institutions

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