Syllabus:CSE Mains General Studies Paper - II

CSE Mains General Studies Paper - II

(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 or 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.