General Studies- 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/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.

Recommended Books

POLITY & GOVERNANCE

• NCERT BOOKS
  • Society, State And Government – Class XI(OLD)
  • Organs of Government –Class XI(OLD)
  • Democracy In India – Class XII(OLD)
  • Major Concept In Political Science – XII(OLD)
  • Indian Constitution At Work- Class XI(NEW)
  • Politics In India Since Independence- Class XII(NEW)
• Indian Polity – M.Laxmikanth
• Our Constitution- Subhash Kashyap

ADVANCED READINGS

• Our Parliament- SUBHASH KASHYAP
• Introduction To The Constitution Of India- D.D.BASU
• Constitutional Law Of India- J.N.PANDEY
• Governance in India- M. Laxmikanth
• International Relation – J.N. DIXIT

ADDITIONAL READINGS: THE HINDU & FRONTLINE