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General Studies-II | 23 Jul 2018

(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.

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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 Provisions

Regulating Act (1773) to Independence Act (1947) Fundamental Rights

Constituent Assembly Directive Principles of State Policy
Objective Resolution Judicial Review
Enactment & Enforcement of Constitution Universal Adult Franchise
Single Citizenship
Features Separation of Powers
Written Basic Structure
Flexible & Rigid
Federal & Unitary The Doctrine
Parliamentary Form of Government (Presidential vs. Parliamentary Type of Judgments & Cases
Government)

Amendments

List of Significant Amendments & Their Provisions

Procedure for Amending Constitution

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Functions & Responsibilities of the Union and the States

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

Issues & Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure

Federal Structure in India - Is India truly Federal? Inter-State Councils
Public Acts, Records and Judicial Proceedings
Cooperative & Competitive Federalism Inter-State Trade and Commerce
Zonal Councils
Centre-State Relations
Emergency Provisions
Legislative Relations
Administrative Relations Role of Governor
Financial Relations
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 Government Reasons for Ineffective Performance
Role of State Finance Commission Panchayat Devolution Index ( NITI Aayog)
th th
11 & 12 Schedule Steps That Can Be Taken to Improve Their Performance

Separation of Powers Between Various Organs

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

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
Universal Adult Franchise
Written Constitution
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Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility Single Citizenship

Federal System with Unitary Bias Emergency Provisions
Parliamentary Form of Government Three-tier Government
Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial Supremacy Due Process of Law vs. Procedure Established by Law
Integrated and Independent Judiciary Impeachment of President, etc.
Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental
Duties

Structure, Organization & Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Executive Judiciary

Union: Three-Tier Structure

President Chief Justice of India
Prime Minister SC & HC Judges
Council of Ministers Jurisdiction
Cabinet Secretariat
State:
Governor
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 Groups
Pressure Groups & Interest Groups Pressure Groups in India
Types of Pressure Groups Shortcomings of Pressure Groups

Salient Features of Representation of People's Act

Appointment to Various Constitutional Posts

Appointment, Powers, Functions & Responsibilities of: National Commission for STs
Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
Election Commission Comptroller and Auditor General of India

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Union Public Service Commission Attorney General of India

State Public Service Commission Advocate General of the State
Finance Commission
National Commission for SCs

Statutory, Regulatory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies

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

Governance

Government Policies & Interventions for Development

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

Development Processes & the Development Industry

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

Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency & Accountability

Governance Features of CC
Six Principles of CC
Dimensions of Governance Shortcomings of CC
Good Governance (GG) Measures to Make CC Effective
Aspects of GG Sevottam Model
Barriers to GG
Necessary Pre-conditions for GG Aspects of Transparency
How to Ensure GG
Elements & Types of Accountability
E-Governance
Means to ensure Transparency & Accountability
Applications
Models RTI
Successes Social Audit
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Limitations Whistleblower Protection Bill

Potential Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act
Recent e-governance Initiatives by Government

Citizens Charters (CC)

Components of CC

Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

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

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

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

Performance of These Schemes Women & Children

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

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Weaknesses of Indian Healthcare System Education Structure in India

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

Issues Relating to Poverty & Hunger

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

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India and its Neighborhood – Relations

India’s Relations With Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
China Afghanistan
Pakistan Nepal
Myanmar Maldives
Bhutan

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Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India’s Major Foreign Policy Doctrines Since 1947 BBIN & BCIM
BIMSTEC
Non-aligned Movement (NAM) IBSA
Nuclear Doctrine ASEAN & RCEP
Gujral Doctrine India-Africa Forum
Look East to Act East SCO
Think West, etc. Ashgabat Agreement
FIPIC
Bilateral Relations With IOR-ARC
Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
Major Powers Like – USA, Russia, Japan Raisina Dialogue
Central Asian Countries Heart of Asia Conference
West Asian Countries East Asia Summit
African Countries G-20
Australia & New Zealand Asian Development Bank
EU & European Countries National Security Summit
Latin American Countries Multilateral Nuclear Export Regulatory Regimes: Wassenar, MTCR,
Pacific Countries Australia Group
Asian Development Bank
Regional & Global Groupings APEC, etc
SAARC
BRICS

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

Indian Diaspora
Spread of Indian Diaspora LM Singhvi High Level Committee on the Diaspora
India’s Diaspora Policy & Engagement Initiatives Role played by Indian Diaspora
OCI Issues Concerning the Diaspora:

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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Dual Nationality

Know India Programme, etc. Remittances, etc.

Important International Institutions

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

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