PCS GS 2 - UPSC Preparation Made Easy

PCS General Studies 2 INDIAN CONSTITUTION& POLITY, GOVERNANCE AND
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS(250 marks)

Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of 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, the 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
District Administration – Evolution of District Administration; Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.

Books:- NCERTs (Sixth to Twelfth) & M Laxmikanthor or Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu (Author)

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 organizations- the role of NGOs, SHGs, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
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; Changing trends in Governance
Values and Ethics in Governance- Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding.
Probity in Governance: Concept of Governance; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; corporate governance; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

Books:-

Governance (Governance) by Ganesa Subramanian S (Author). Or Rao Roy Chowdhury

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 their structure and mandate.

Book:- V P Dutt or V N Khanna