Here, we are providing UPSC CSE Mains detailed syllabus of GS Paper-II. Topics covered in the GS Paper-II are Governance, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
Various subjects are included in UPSC GS mains syllabus and it is important to analyse and well versed with the syllabus before beginning the preparation of UPSC CSE Mains.
The UPSC CSE Mains Examination 2020 will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission from 8 January, 2021. The Mains Syllabus of UPSC consists of four GS Papers, Essay and two Optional papers. All the Mains papers are descriptive.
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UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II Syllabus
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 disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.
Comparison of the Indian Constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and State legislatures – structure, functioning, the 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 the 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 neighbourhood- 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.
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UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II Detailed Syllabus (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 the 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
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UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II Detailed Syllabus (Governance)
Government Policies
Government Policies & Interventions in Various Sectors
Critical Assessment of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)
Rationalisation of CSS
Analysis of Main Schemes
Non-Governmental Organisations
Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Societies, Trusts and Cooperatives
Good Governance
E-Governance
Citizens Charters
Accountability and Transparency
Role of Civil Services
Role Played By Civil Services
Bureaucratic Reforms
Citizen-Centric Administration
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UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II Detailed Syllabus (Social Justice)
Various Schemes for the Vulnerable Sections
Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted for Protection of Vulnerable Sections
SCs & STs
Minorities
Children
Elderly
Disabled
Women
Transgender
Developmental Issues of Social Sectors
Status of Literacy in India
Education Structure in India
Challenges Faced by the Education Sector in India
Reforms
India’s Performance on Various Health Indicators
Weaknesses of Indian Healthcare System
Health Infrastructure in India
Universal Health Coverage
Universal Health Coverage
Health Insurance
National Family Health Survey
National Health Policy
National Health Mission
Maternal & Adolescent Health
Antimicrobial Resistance
Disease Burden in India
Measures to Ensure Good Health Outcomes
UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II Detailed Syllabus (International Relations)
India and its Neighbourhood – 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.
UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II: Structure
– UPSC CSE GS Mains Paper-II consists of 20 questions and needs to be attempted in a time frame of 3 hours.
– The total paper is of 250 marks with 10 and 15 marks weightage questions.
– For 10 marks questions, the word limit is 150 and for 15 marks questions word limit is 250.
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