General Studies-II

23 Jul 2018
17 min read

(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
Significant
Regulating Act (1773) to Independence Act Provisions
(1947)
Constituent Assembly Fundamental
Rights
 Objective Resolution Directive
Enactment & Enforcement of Constitution Principles of
State Policy
Features Judicial Review
Universal Adult
Written
Franchise
Flexible & Rigid
Single
Federal & Unitary
Citizenship
Parliamentary Form of Government
Separation of
(Presidential vs. Parliamentary Type of
Powers
Government)
Basic Structure
Amendments
The Doctrine
List of Significant Amendments & Their
Judgments &
Provisions
Cases
Procedure for Amending Constitution

Functions & Responsibilities of the Union and the States

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

Issues & Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Federal Structure in India - Is
India truly Federal? Inter-State Councils
Public Acts, Records and
Cooperative & Competitive
Judicial Proceedings
Federalism
Inter-State Trade and
Centre-State Relations Commerce
Zonal Councils
Legislative Relations
Administrative Relations Emergency Provisions
Financial Relations
Role of Governor
Trends in Centre-State
Relations Reports of Various Commissions
Inter-State Relations 2nd ARC, Punchhi, Sarkaria,
etc.
Inter-state Water Disputes
Devolution of Powers & Finances to Local Levels & Challenges
Therein
Role of State Reasons for Ineffective Performance
Government Panchayat Devolution Index ( NITI
Role of State Finance Aayog)
Commission Steps That Can Be Taken to Improve
11th & 12th Schedule Their Performance

Separation of Powers Between Various Organs

Doctrine of
Separation of
Power
Provisions for Checks & Balances in Indian
Separation of
Constitution
Power in
Related Judgments - Golaknath case,
Indian
Kesavananda Bharati, Indira Gandhi Vs Raj
Constitution
Narain, Ram Jawaya vs Punjab
Doctrine of
Checks &
Balances

Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions

RTI
Tribunals, etc.
PIL

Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme With That of Other

Countries Parliament & State Legislatures
Structure, Functioning, Conduct of
Business, Powers & Privileges
Secular State
Written Constitution
Universal Adult
Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility
Franchise
Federal System with Unitary Bias
Single Citizenship
Parliamentary Form of Government
Emergency Provisions
Synthesis of Parliamentary
Three-tier Government
Sovereignty and Judicial
Due Process of Law vs.
Supremacy
Procedure Established
Integrated and Independent
by Law
 Judiciary Impeachment of
Fundamental Rights, Directive President, etc.
Principles of State Policy,
Fundamental Duties

Structure, Organization & Functioning of the Executive and the

Judiciary
Executive

Union:
President Judiciary
Prime Minister
Council of Ministers Three-Tier Structure
Cabinet Secretariat Chief Justice of India
State: SC & HC Judges
Governor Jurisdiction
Chief Minister
Council of Ministers
Secretariat

Ministries and Departments of the Government

Cabinet Ministries
Parliamentary Secretaries
Other Ministries

Pressure Groups & Formal/informal Associations & Their Role in

Polity
Characteristics of
Pressure Groups Functions, Role & Importance of
Pressure Groups & Pressure Groups
Political Parties Techniques/Methods of Pressure
Pressure Groups & Groups
Interest Groups Pressure Groups in India
Types of Pressure Shortcomings of Pressure Groups
Groups

Salient Features of Representation of People's Act

Appointment to Various Constitutional Posts

Appointment, Powers, Functions & National Commission for
Responsibilities of: STs
Special Officer for
Election Commission Linguistic Minorities
Union Public Service Commission Comptroller and Auditor
State Public Service Commission General of India
Finance Commission Attorney General of India
National Commission for SCs Advocate General of the
State

Statutory, Regulatory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies

NITI Aayog
RBI
National Human Rights
Commission
State Human Rights Central Pollution Control Board
Commission Medical Council of India
Central Information Inland Waterways Authority of
Commission India
Central Vigilance Central Ground Water Authority
Commission Directorate General of Civil
Central Bureau of Aviation
Investigation Pension Fund Regulatory and
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Development Authority
National Commission for Food Safety and Standards
Women Authority of India
National Commission for Bar Council of India
Backward Classes University Grants Commission
National Commission for Financial Stability and
Minorities Development Council
Insurance Regulatory and All India Council for Technical
Development Authority Education
Securities and Exchange National Green Tribunal
Board of India Competition Appellate Tribunal
Competition Commission of Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal
India Cyber Appellate Tribunal
Telecom Regulatory Intellectual Property Appellate
Authority of India Board
Central Electricity Regulatory
Commission
 Atomic Energy Regulatory
Board

Governance
Government Policies & Interventions for Development
Analysis of Main
Government Policies & Interventions in Schemes:
Various Sectors Beti Bachao
Beti Padhao
Health, Gender, Education, Poverty, Smart City
Economic etc Swachh
Bharat
Issues Arising Out of Their Design & Abhiyan
Implementation MGNERGA
Digital India
Concerns/Issues Make in India
Suggestions for Improvement Skill India
Critical Assessment of Centrally PM Jan Dhan
Sponsored Schemes (CSS) Yojana
Rationalisation of CSS Start-up India
etc.

Development Processes & the Development Industry

Role of Social Capital
Organisations
Indian Context
Challenges
Classification
Measures to Make SHGs
Provisions for the Third
Effective
Sector in the Indian
Case Studies: Kudumbashree
Constitution
(Kerala), Mahila Arthik Vikas
National Policy on the
Mahamandal (Maharashtra)
Voluntary Sector 2007
Societies, Trusts and Cooperatives
Non-Governmental
Organisations Societies
Trust
Role and Impact of Non-
Religious Endowments
 governmental Organizations Cooperatives –
Issue Areas: Accreditation, Need for Cooperatives
Legitimacy & Accountability, Constitutional Provisions
Foreign Funding etc. National Policy on Co-
operatives, 2002
Self Help Groups (SHGs) Issues and Challenges in
the Cooperatives Sector
Need for SHGs
Benefits of SHGs
Weaknesses of SHGs

Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency & Accountability

Governance

Dimensions of Governance Features of CC

Good Governance (GG) Six Principles of CC
Aspects of GG Shortcomings of CC
Barriers to GG Measures to Make CC
Necessary Pre-conditions for Effective
GG Sevottam Model
How to Ensure GG
Aspects of Transparency
E-Governance
Elements & Types of
Applications Accountability
Models
Successes Means to ensure Transparency
Limitations & Accountability
Potential
Recent e-governance RTI
Initiatives by Government Social Audit
Whistleblower Protection Bill
Citizens Charters (CC) Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act

Components of CC

Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

Relationship Between Civil
Service And Democracy Arbitrary & Whimsical
Transfers
Role Played By Civil Services Political Interference &
 Advisory Role in Policy Making Administrative Acquiescence
Institutionalise Socio- Gradual Erosion in Values &
economic change Ethics
Discharge Delegated Redtapism
Functions Elitist in Nature
Administer Law of the Land Poor Pay
Watchdogs Tendency to Capture Power
Continuity in times of Political
Instability Reforming Bureaucracy to
Record-Keeping Strengthen Democracy
Channel of Communication
Setting Right the Asymmetry
Ailments/Issues Afflicting Indian of Power
Civil Services Insulating Civil Servants from
Undue Political Interference
Lack of Professionalism & Poor Professionalisation with
Capacity Building Stability of Tenure &
Inefficient Incentive Systems Competition
Outdated Rules & Procedures Citizen-Centric
Systemic Inconsistencies in Administration
Promotion Accountability
Lack of Adequate Outcome Orientation
Transparency & Accountability Promoting Public Service
Procedures Values & Ethics

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections
STs:
National Commission
for Scheduled Tribes
Tribal Sub Plan
TRIFED
Scheduled Tribes and
Schemes for the Following Other Traditional
Vulnerable Sections Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of
SCs & STs Forest Rights) Act
 Minorities Minorities:
Children National Commission
Elderly for Minorities
Disabled National Commission
Women for Religious and
Transgender Linguistic Minorities

Performance of These Schemes Women & Children

Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions & The Immoral Traffic

Bodies Constituted for Protection & (Prevention) Act
Betterment of These Vulnerable The Indecent
Sections Representation of Women
(Prevention) Act
SCs: The Dowry Prohibition Act
The Protection of Civil The Commission of Sati
Rights Act (Prevention) Act
The Scheduled Castes and The Prohibition of Child
the Scheduled Tribes Marriage Act
(Prevention of Atrocities) Protection of Women from
Act Domestic Violence Act
National Commission for Juvenile Justice (Care and
Scheduled Castes Protection of Children) Act
Scheduled Castes Sub Plan Central Adoption Resource
Disabled: Agency (CARA)
The Rehabilitation Council The Protection of Children
of India Act from Sexual Offences
The Persons with (POCSO) Act
Disabilities (Equal Sexual Harassment of
Opportunities, Protection of Women at Workplace
Rights and Full (Prevention, Prohibition
Participation) Act and Redressal)
Mental Retardation and Pre-Conception and Pre
Multiple Disabilities Act Natal Diagnostic
The National Trust for Techniques (PC&PNDT)
Welfare of Persons with Act
Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Gender Budgeting
Mental Retardation and National Policy for Women
Multiple Disabilities Act Domestic Violence Act
Rights of the Persons with Maternity Benefit
Disabilities Act (Amendment) Act
 Elderly

Maintenance and Welfare

of Parents and Senior
Citizens Act

Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social

Sector/Services
Health Education

India’s Performance on Status of Literacy in India

Various Health Indicators
Weaknesses of Indian Education Structure in India
Healthcare System
Challenges Faced by Education
Health Infrastructure in India
Sector in India
Universal Health Coverage
Reforms Required
12th FYP Strategy
Government Initiatives
Universal Health Coverage
ASER Report
Health Insurance
Financing Education
National Family Health
Subramanian Panel Report
Survey
National Health Policy Human Resource
National Health Mission
Maternal & Adolescent Need For Skill Development
Health Skill Development Initiatives
Child Health Challenges in Skilling
Antimicrobial Resistance Landscape in India
Disease Burden in India Shortcomings of Current Skill
Measures to Ensure Good Development Initiatives
Health Outcomes Reforms Required
Government Initiatives Steps that can Be Taken

Issues Relating to Poverty & Hunger

Relation
between
Poverty &
Hunger
Distribution of
Poverty & MDGs & SDGs
 Hunger Food and nutrition insecurity - a
Magnitude & consequence of structural inequities
Trends of Constraints in Reducing Poverty & Hunger
Poverty & Measure to Reduce Poverty & Hunger –
Hunger National Food Security Act, Mid-day Meal
Causes of Scheme, MGNREGA etc.
Poverty &
Hunger
Cost/Impact of
Poverty &
Malnutrition

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
India and its Neighborhood – Relations
India’s Relations With Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
China
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Nepal
Myanmar
Maldives
Bhutan

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 BBIN & BCIM
Gujral Doctrine BIMSTEC
Look East to Act East IBSA
Think West, etc. ASEAN & RCEP
India-Africa Forum
Bilateral Relations With SCO
Ashgabat Agreement
Major Powers Like – FIPIC
USA, Russia, Japan
 Central Asian IOR-ARC
Countries Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
West Asian Raisina Dialogue
Countries Heart of Asia Conference
African Countries East Asia Summit
Australia & New G-20
Zealand Asian Development Bank
EU & European National Security Summit
Countries Multilateral Nuclear Export Regulatory
Latin American Regimes: Wassenar, MTCR, Australia
Countries Group
Pacific Countries Asian Development Bank
APEC, etc
Regional & Global
Groupings

SAARC
BRICS

Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on

India's Interests
One Belt One
Road
International
WTO Reforms
North–South
South China Sea Conflict
Transport
Brexit
Corridor
Deglobalisation & Protectionism – US
Global Trade
Sanctions on Iran, US Pullout from Paris
War
Agreement, H-1B Visa Issue etc.
Global
OPEC Oil Prices Manipulation, etc.
Currency War
Syrian Crisis
UN Reforms

Indian Diaspora

Spread of Indian Diaspora LM Singhvi High Level

India’s Diaspora Policy & Committee on the Diaspora
Engagement Initiatives Role played by Indian Diaspora
OCI Issues Concerning the
 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Diaspora:
Know India Programme, Dual Nationality
etc. Remittances, etc.

Important International Institutions

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