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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.


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.