Mains GS2
General Studies-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations
UPSC's own syllabus for this paper, topic by topic, with our notes under each. 18 of 20 topics have at least one note behind them. A topic listing chapters with no link is mapped but not yet written.
1.The Constitution24 of 24 written
Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Subtopics (24)
- 1.1Amendment of the ConstitutionPolity
- 1.2Basic Structure of the ConstitutionPolity
- 1.3CitizenshipPolity
- 1.4Co-operative SocietiesPolity
- 1.5Concept of the ConstitutionPolity
- 1.6Constitutional Developments in British IndiaHistory
- 1.7Directive Principles of State PolicyPolity
- 1.8Emergency ProvisionsPolity
- 1.9Foreign PolicyPolity
- 1.10Fundamental DutiesPolity
- 1.11Fundamental RightsPolity
- 1.12Historical BackgroundPolity
- 1.13Important Doctrines of Constitutional InterpretationPolity
- 1.14Making of the ConstitutionPolity
- 1.15Making of the ConstitutionHistory
- 1.16National Commission to Review the Working of the ConstitutionPolity
- 1.17National SymbolsPolity
- 1.18Official LanguagePolity
- 1.19PreamblePolity
- 1.20Rights and Liabilities of the GovernmentPolity
- 1.21Salient Features of the ConstitutionPolity
- 1.22Schedules of the ConstitutionPolity
- 1.23Special Provisions for Some StatesPolity
- 1.24Union and Its TerritoryPolity
2.Union and States, federal structure, devolution10 of 10 written
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.
Subtopics (10)
3.Separation of powers and dispute redressal2 of 4 written
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Subtopics (4)
- 3.1Lok Adalat and Other CourtsPolity
- 3.2Parliamentary SystemPolity
- 3.3Judicial ReviewPolitysoon
- 3.4Public Interest LitigationPolitysoon
4.Comparison with other constitutions1 of 1 written
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Subtopics (1)
5.Parliament and State legislatures4 of 5 written
Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Subtopics (5)
- 5.1ParliamentPolity
- 5.2Parliamentary CommitteesPolity
- 5.3Parliamentary GroupPolity
- 5.4State LegislaturePolity
- 5.5Anti-Defection LawPolitysoon
6.Executive and Judiciary, ministries, pressure groups19 of 22 written
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.
Subtopics (22)
- 6.1Central Council of MinistersPolity
- 6.2Chief MinisterPolity
- 6.3Coalition GovernmentPolity
- 6.4Custody, Parole and Public-Order Penal LawPolity
- 6.5GovernorPolity
- 6.6High CourtPolity
- 6.7Judicial ActivismPolity
- 6.8Landmark Judgements and Their ImpactPolity
- 6.9Nodal Ministries for Sanitation, Health and Forest RightsPolity
- 6.10Political PartiesPolity
- 6.11PresidentPolity
- 6.12Pressure GroupsPolity
- 6.13Prime MinisterPolity
- 6.14Role of Regional PartiesPolity
- 6.15State Council of MinistersPolity
- 6.16Subordinate CourtsPolity
- 6.17Supreme CourtPolity
- 6.18TribunalsPolity
- 6.19Vice-PresidentPolity
- 6.20Cabinet CommitteesPolitysoon
- 6.21Judicial ReviewPolitysoon
- 6.22Public Interest LitigationPolitysoon
7.Representation of People's Act4 of 4 written
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
Subtopics (4)
8.Constitutional posts and bodies12 of 13 written
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Subtopics (13)
- 8.1Advocate General of the StatePolity
- 8.2Attorney General of IndiaPolity
- 8.3Comptroller and Auditor General of IndiaPolity
- 8.4Constitutional PrescriptionsPolity
- 8.5Election CommissionPolity
- 8.6Goods and Services Tax CouncilPolity
- 8.7National Commission for BCsPolity
- 8.8National Commission for SCsPolity
- 8.9National Commission for STsPolity
- 8.10Special Officer for Linguistic MinoritiesPolity
- 8.11State Public Service CommissionPolity
- 8.12Union Public Service CommissionPolity
- 8.13Finance CommissionPolitysoon
9.Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies14 of 16 written
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Subtopics (16)
- 9.1Bar Council of IndiaPolity
- 9.2Central Bureau of InvestigationPolity
- 9.3Central Information CommissionPolity
- 9.4Central Vigilance CommissionPolity
- 9.5National Commission for MinoritiesPolity
- 9.6National Commission for Protection of Child RightsPolity
- 9.7National Commission for WomenPolity
- 9.8National Consumer Disputes Redressal CommissionPolity
- 9.9National Disaster Management AuthorityPolity
- 9.10National Human Rights CommissionPolity
- 9.11National Investigation AgencyPolity
- 9.12State Human Rights CommissionPolity
- 9.13State Information CommissionPolity
- 9.14TribunalsPolity
- 9.15Delimitation Commission of IndiaPolitysoon
- 9.16Lokpal and LokayuktasPolitysoon
10.Government policies and interventions8 of 8 written
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Subtopics (8)
- 10.1Commodity and Sector Boards and Their MinistriesPolity
- 10.2Digital Governance ProgrammesCurrent Affairs
- 10.3Enforcement, Revenue and Financial-Crime AgenciesPolity
- 10.4Law Commission of IndiaPolity
- 10.5Livelihood and Rural Welfare SchemesCurrent Affairs
- 10.6National Sports and Civilian Honours: Purpose and EligibilityCurrent Affairs
- 10.7NITI AayogPolity
- 10.8Sporting Institutions: Rules and Trophies, Not ResultsCurrent Affairs
11.Development processes, NGOs and SHGsno notes yet
Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Nothing mapped here yet.
12.Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections12 of 12 written
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.
Subtopics (12)
- 12.1India's Immunisation ProgrammeScience & Technology
- 12.2Livelihood and Rural Welfare SchemesCurrent Affairs
- 12.3Maternal and Child Health SchemesCurrent Affairs
- 12.4National Commission for BCsPolity
- 12.5National Commission for MinoritiesPolity
- 12.6National Commission for Protection of Child RightsPolity
- 12.7National Commission for SCsPolity
- 12.8National Commission for STsPolity
- 12.9National Commission for WomenPolity
- 12.10Scheduled and Tribal AreasPolity
- 12.11Special Officer for Linguistic MinoritiesPolity
- 12.12Special Provisions Relating to Certain ClassesPolity
14.Poverty and hungerno notes yet
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Nothing mapped here yet.
15.Governance, transparency, e-governance4 of 5 written
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Subtopics (5)
16.Role of civil services1 of 1 written
17.India and its neighbourhood1 of 1 written
India and its neighborhood- relations.
Subtopics (1)
18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings7 of 7 written
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.
Subtopics (7)
- 18.1Africa's Political Instability: Sahel and the HornCurrent Affairs
- 18.2BRICS, G20 and Regional GroupingsCurrent Affairs
- 18.3Europe and Eurasia: Ukraine and NATOCurrent Affairs
- 18.4India's International Memberships and Commodity BodiesCurrent Affairs
- 18.5International Economic Organisations and IndiaEconomy
- 18.6Political Geography: Regions and Towns in the NewsCurrent Affairs
- 18.7West Asia: Israel-Palestine and Regional RealignmentCurrent Affairs
19.Policies of other countries, and the diaspora1 of 1 written
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
Subtopics (1)
20.International institutions and fora9 of 9 written
Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Subtopics (9)
- 20.1International Climate Change FrameworkEnvironment
- 20.2International Economic Organisations and IndiaEconomy
- 20.3International Environmental Organisations and ConventionsEnvironment
- 20.4Maritime Zones and the Law of the SeaPolity
- 20.5Multilateral Climate Finance and Research NetworksEnvironment
- 20.6The European Union: Institutions and PolicyCurrent Affairs
- 20.7The United Nations System: Procedures and PracticeCurrent Affairs
- 20.8UNESCO World Heritage SitesArt & Culture
- 20.9UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural HeritageArt & Culture