The following subjects are covered in the Mains General Studies Paper-II of UPSC CSE:
- Governance
- Constitution
- Polity
- Social Justice
- International relations
Like General Studies I, General Studies II has very few direct questions which are related to one topic. This paper needs a fair bit of critical thinking to answer the questions correctly as many times; interrelated topics will appear.
| Subject | Topics |
| Polity | • Indian Constitution • Features of Indian Constitution • Amendments in Indian Constitution • Provisions • Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies |
| Governance | • Government policies and interventions • Governance • Transparency • Accountability • E-governance applications |
| Social Justice | • Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services • Issues relating to poverty and hunger |
| International Relations | • Bilateral Groupings • Regional and global groupings • Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests |
Focus Areas in GS 2 Paper
The table below gives the focus areas in Mains GS Paper-II, which an aspirant should focus on:
| Focus Areas in GS Paper-II | |
| Subject | Topics |
| Polity | • Indian Constitution • Features of Indian Constitution • Amendments in Indian Constitution • Provisions • Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies |
| Governance | • Government policies and interventions, • Governance, • Transparency • Accountability • E-governance applications |
| Social Justice | • Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services • Issues relating to poverty and hunger |
| International Relations | • Bilateral Groupings • Regional and global groupings • Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests |
How to approach UPSC CSE Mains General Studies Paper 2
The following table will mention the important sources which an aspirant can refer to prepare for UPSC Mains GS-II:
| Subject | Sources |
| Polity | • Polity’ by Laxmikanth (Do read this book at least three times) • Class 11 NCERT – ‘Indian Constitution at Work’ |
| Governance | • Daily reading of newspaper to be complemented with: Select articles from ‘The Hindu’ • Economic Survey • Press Information Bureau (PIB) • ARC reports |
| Social Justice | Select articles from ‘The Hindu’ newspaper |
| International Relations | • MEA Website • Select articles from ‘The Hindu’ |
GS-II Syllabus – Detailed Syllabus of Mains GS Paper 2
The detailed syllabus for UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II (UPSC GS 2 syllabus) is tabulated below:
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
| Indian Constitution | • Historical underpinnings of the constitution • Evolution of the Constitution • Salient features • Basic structure • Amendments • Significant provisions • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the states • Issues and challenges related to the Federal Structure • Devolution of powers and finances up to local government level • Challenges in the devolution of power • Separation of powers between various organs of the government • Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions • Comparison of India’s constitutional scheme with other countries |
| Governance & Polity | Parliament and State Legislatures • Structure • Functioning • Conduct of Business • Powers & Privileges • Issues arising out of Powers & Privileges of legislative bodies Executive and Judiciary •Structure • Organization • Functioning • Ministries and departments of the government Pressure groups Formal & Informal associations and their role in the polity Salient features of the People’s Representation Act |
| Governance | • 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 the development of various sectors • Issues arising out of design and implementation of government intervention • Development processes and the development of industry • The role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders • 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 |
| Social Justice | • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by centre and states • The performance of welfare schemes • Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections of the population • Issues related to the development and management of the social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources • Issues related to poverty and hunger |
| International Relations | • India and its neighbourhood • Relations between India and neighbouring countries • 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 for a • Structure • Mandate |
