February 4, 2025 1:00 am
(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.
General Studies-II Syllabus: Expanded Breakdown
1. Indian Constitution, Polity, and Governance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Historical Underpinnings of the Constitution | – Acts Before 1857: Regulating Act (1773), Pitt’s India Act (1784), Charter Acts (1793, 1813, 1833, 1853) focused on centralizing British control and commerce in India. – Post-1857: India Councils Act (1861), Minto-Morley Reforms (1909), Government of India Acts (1919, 1935) established greater provincial autonomy and limited Indian representation. |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | – The blueprint for the Constitution; created Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent lists, established Diarchy in Provinces. – Significance: Laid the foundation for Indian federalism and influenced the structure of the Constitution. |
| Constituent Assembly Debates | – Themes: Federalism, Fundamental Rights, Minority Rights, Language, Role of Judiciary. – Prominent Debates: Abolition of Untouchability, Official Language, Role of President vs. Prime Minister, Uniform Civil Code. |
| Salient Features of the Indian Constitution | – Length and Detail: Incorporates provisions from various global constitutions, ensuring adaptability. – Single Citizenship: Strengthens unity and national integrity, contrasting with federal systems like the USA where dual citizenship is prevalent. |
| Federal System with Unitary Bias | – Emergency Powers: During emergencies, the structure leans towards a unitary system, with the Centre gaining control over states (Articles 352, 356, 360). – Centralized Planning: Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) reflects centralized economic planning. |
| Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles | – Articles 12-35 (Fundamental Rights): Safeguards against State action, includes Right to Equality (Article 14-18), Right to Freedom (Article 19-22), Right against Exploitation. – DPSP: Non-justiciable principles to promote social welfare and economic democracy. |
| Parliamentary System of Government | – Collective Responsibility: Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, strengthening democratic accountability. – Cabinet Committees: Specialized decision-making bodies within the Cabinet for efficient governance (e.g., Political Affairs, Economic Affairs). |
| Secularism in the Indian Context | – Positive Secularism: Indian secularism is different from the Western model, as it allows state intervention in religious matters to promote equality and social reform (e.g., abolition of Sati, regulation of temple management). |
| Amendment Process of the Constitution | – Key Amendments: 52nd (Anti-Defection Law), 61st (Voting Age reduced to 18), 73rd and 74th (Local Governance), 86th (Right to Education). – Methods: Simple, Special, and Special with State Ratification depending on the part of the Constitution being amended. |
| Doctrine of Basic Structure | – Judicial Safeguard: Prevents Parliament from altering the Constitution’s core principles. – Cases Reinforcing Doctrine: Minerva Mills (1980) reaffirmed judicial review, Waman Rao (1981) upheld earlier amendments but restricted future changes. |
| Union-State Legislative and Financial Relations | – Legislative Relations: Matters on Union, State, and Concurrent Lists (7th Schedule). – Financial Relations: Tax-sharing provisions (Article 280), GST Council, role of Finance Commission. – Administrative Relations: State cooperation in implementing Central laws, delegation of duties. |
| Devolution of Powers to Local Governments | – 11th and 12th Schedules: Outline the functional domain of Panchayats and Municipalities respectively. – State Finance Commissions: Recommendations for resource allocation to Local Bodies. – Challenges: Inadequate funds, limited autonomy, state control. |
2. Parliament, State Legislatures, Executive, and Judiciary
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary Procedures and Privileges | – Money Bills vs. Financial Bills: Money Bills (Article 110) are certified by the Speaker and only introduced in Lok Sabha, unlike Financial Bills. – Special Majority Requirements for certain bills, like Constitutional Amendments. |
| Legislative Committees and Their Functions | – Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Scrutinizes government expenditures to ensure financial accountability. – Committee on Public Undertakings: Evaluates the performance of public sector enterprises. |
| Structure and Role of the Executive | – Cabinet Secretariat: Provides assistance to the Council of Ministers and coordinates government policies and decision-making. – Council of Ministers: Includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers. |
| Role of the Vice President | – Ex-Officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha: Facilitates the legislative process and maintains order. – Role in Presidential Succession: Acts as President in case of vacancy until a new President is elected. |
| Judicial System and Independence | – Collegium System for Appointment of Judges: SC and HC judges appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Collegium, composed of senior judges, to ensure judicial independence. |
| Judicial Review and Landmark Cases | – Judicial Review: Power to review laws and strike them down if unconstitutional. – Landmark Cases: Kesavananda Bharati (1973), Maneka Gandhi (1978), Right to Privacy Judgment (2017). |
| Judicial Activism and Public Interest Litigation (PIL) | – PILs: Enhance access to justice for marginalized sections. – Examples of Judicial Activism: Vishaka Guidelines for sexual harassment, CNG conversion in Delhi to tackle air pollution, decriminalization of homosexuality (Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India). |
| Role and Impact of Pressure Groups | – Types and Functions: Business (FICCI, ASSOCHAM), Labour (Akhil Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh), Student Unions, Caste-based groups. – Influence on Policy: Advocate for specific interests, influence legislative processes, and public opinion. |
| Representation of People’s Act and Electoral Reforms | – Important Provisions: Qualifications for candidature, voting age, rules around election expenses, disqualification grounds. – Electoral Reforms: NOTA, introduction of VVPAT, limits on campaign spending, eligibility criteria. |
3. Governance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Government Policies for Development | – Health: National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY). – Education: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Mid-Day Meal Scheme. – Employment: Skill India, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana. |
| Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | – Schemes for SC/STs: Stand-Up India, SC/ST Sub-Plan. – For Women: Ujjwala Yojana, Mahila E-Haat. – For Disabled: Accessible India Campaign, Deen Dayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS). |
| E-Governance Models and Examples | – G2C (Government to Citizen): E-Seva Kendras, Common Service Centers. – G2B (Government to Business): MCA21 for corporate filings, eBiz. – G2G (Government to Government): National Informatics Centre (NIC), e-Office Suite. |
| Digital India and Technology Initiatives | – Components: Digital Infrastructure, Digital Literacy, Digital Services. – Initiatives: DigiLocker, BHIM App, Aadhaar-enabled services, UMANG App for accessing multiple government services. |
| Transparency, Accountability, and Anti-Corruption | – Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: Enhances transparency, recent amendments and their impact on the autonomy of information commissioners. – Social Audit: Mandatory for schemes like MGNREGA; increasing citizen participation. |
4. Social Justice
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Welfare Programs for Vulnerable Groups | – SC/ST: Special provisions under Articles 15, 16, 17, 46. – Minorities: Linguistic, Religious, Economic Empowerment schemes like Nai Manzil, Hamari Dharohar. – Transgender Rights: Transgender Persons Act, 2019. |
| Protection Mechanisms for Women and Children | – Women: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act (2013). – Children: Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act, Anganwadi Services for child nutrition and early childhood care. |
| Policies and Programs for Poverty Alleviation | – MGNREGA: Right to work, addressing rural poverty and underemployment. – National Food Security Act: Access to subsidized food grains. – Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana: Promotes livelihood opportunities for urban and rural poor. |
5. International Relations
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| India’s Bilateral Relations with Key Countries | – USA: Trade relations, Defense agreements (LEMOA, BECA), Strategic Convergence in Indo-Pacific. – Russia: Energy Cooperation, Strategic Partnership, BRICS, SCO. – Japan: Investments, Collaborations under Act East Policy, Quad grouping. |
| India’s Relations with Immediate Neighbors | – China: Border disputes (LAC), Economic ties, Rivalry in South Asia. – Pakistan: Kashmir conflict, Cross-border terrorism, Indus Waters Treaty. – Nepal: Cultural ties, border issues, economic dependence on India. |
| Regional and Global Groupings Impacting India | – SAARC: Regional integration challenges, role of India in South Asia. – BRICS: New Development Bank, India’s aspirations for multipolar world order. – SCO: Counterterrorism cooperation, engagement with Central Asia. |
| Multilateral Agreements and India’s Interests | – UN and Agencies: Role in peacekeeping, WHO, UNSC reform efforts. – Trade Agreements: RCEP, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN, EU negotiations. – Nuclear Export Control Regimes: NSG membership aspirations, Wassenaar Arrangement, MTCR. |
| Global Policy Issues Impacting India | – Climate Change and India’s Commitments: Paris Agreement, INDCs, National Solar Mission. – Trade Policies: US-China trade war impact on India’s exports, WTO reforms. – Diaspora Engagement: OCI, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Remittances from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. |
Click Here For UPSC Mains Syllabus – General Studies-I
-
Economic Survey Chapter -2 : India’s Monetary and Financial Sector Developments
India’s Monetary and Financial Sector Developments: Cart and Horse The Economic Survey Chapter -2 provides an in-depth assessment of India’s monetary and financial sector developments, outlining key trends, challenges, and the evolving policy landscape. As India continues to consolidate its position as a global economic powerhouse, the monetary and financial ecosystem is undergoing significant transformation.…
-
Economic Survey 2024-25
The Economic Survey 2024-25 serves as a crucial document for understanding India’s economic landscape, providing a detailed analysis of macroeconomic trends, fiscal policies, sectoral performance, and policy recommendations. The report, published by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, outlines key economic indicators, financial market developments, and India’s growth trajectory in the coming years. Introduction…
-
Economic Survey Chapter 1: STATE OF THE ECONOMY
STATE OF THE ECONOMY: GETTING BACK INTO THE FAST LANE The Economic Survey Chapter 1 explains that global economy in 2024 is like a car stuck in traffic—some regions are moving ahead smoothly, while others face roadblocks. India, however, is navigating through the challenges efficiently, maintaining a steady pace of growth. What’s happening? In this…
