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(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
7th 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 11th & 12th 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
STs:
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Tribal Sub Plan TRIFED
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act
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
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.