UPSC CSE Mains General Studies Paper II Syllabus
Paper III – General Studies II covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations. The paper evaluates a candidate’s understanding of India’s constitutional framework, governance, public administration, welfare initiatives, and global affairs.
Marks: 250
Official Syllabus
- 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 and 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 the 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, the performance of these schemes, and mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for their protection and betterment.
- 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 and accountability, and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighbourhood 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 and the Indian diaspora.
- Important international institutions, agencies and fora—their structure and mandate.