About this pillar

What's covered

General Studies Paper II covers the Constitution, governance, social justice and international relations. It is the paper where static theory and current affairs are hardest to separate, and where the same event can be asked as law, as policy, or as diplomacy.
The paper rewards precision about institutions. Knowing that a body exists earns little; knowing how it is appointed, what it can and cannot do, and where its powers have been contested is what carries marks. Judgments matter here more than in any other GS paper, and so does the ability to state both sides of a governance question before taking a position.
Use the Polity, Governance, Social Justice and International Relations pillars for depth within each half.

Official UPSC CSE syllabus

UPSC Syllabus for GS II

Main Examination — 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 / 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 neighbourhood — 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.