GENERAL STUDIES-II

 1- Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,  significant provisions and basic structure, Role of Supreme Court in evolution of basic  provisions of Constitution. 2- 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.  3-Role of Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations. 4-Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Emergence and  use of alternative dispute redressal mechanisms. 5- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other major democratic  countries. 6- Parliament and State legislatures-structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers  and privileges and concerned issues. 7- 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, Public Interest Litigation (PIL). 8-Salient features of the Reperesentation of People's Act. Appointment to various  Constitutional posts, Powers, functions and their responsibilities. 10- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies including NITI Aayog, their  features and functioning. 11- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design, implementation and Information Communication Technology (ICT). 12- Development processes- the role of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self  Help Groups (SHGs), various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional  and other stakeholders. 13-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. 14-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to  Health, Education, Human Resources. 15-Issues relating to poverty and hunger, their implication on body politic. 16- Important aspects of governance. Transparency and accountability, e-governance  applications, models, successes, limitations and potential, citizens, charters and  institutional measures. 17-Role of Civil Services in a democracy in the context of emerging trends. 18-India and its relationship with neighbouring Countries. 19- Bilateral, Regional and Global groupings and agreements involving India and/ or  affecting India's interest. 20- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's  interests-Indian diaspora. 21- Important International Institutions, Agencies their structure, mandate and  functioning. 22-Current affairs and events of Regional, National and International importance