Civils Mains: GS Paper II Preparation Plan

General Studies Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.

The very title of the paper reflects the mixed nature of the content, namely, Public Administration with reference to India, the political System in India and the International Relations. Candidates opting for Public Administration or Political Science will have an added advantage in answering the questions of this paper. It is a bonus for them. Now, let us take a look into each of the chapters, explain briefly, the core issue and suggest required readings.

1. Indian Constitution: Historical underpinnings, evolution, etc. An over view of constitutional development beginning with Government of India Act, 1858 to Indian Independence Act 1947. Focus shall be on Government of India Acts 1919 and 1935. Preamble and the basic features of the constitution, important provisions such as Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Schedules V, VI, VII, X XI and XII. As to the development of Constitutional Law, Kesavananda Bharathi and Minerva Mills Cases are to be examined to understand the ‘Doctrine of Basic Structure.’ (Ref: Introduction to the Constitution of India, 20th edition. D. D. Basu.)
   
2. Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and States: The division of powers between the union and the states, the quasi-federal nature of the Indian polity, the devolution and legislative, executive and financial powers. The impact of 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments on the devolution of powers from the states to local bodies. (Ref: Introduction to the Constitution of India, 20th edition.)
   
3. Separation of Powers between Various Organs: A brief view of Montesquie’s Theory of Separation of Powers and its applicability to a parliamentary form of government practiced in countries, like, India. The evolution of legal and informal mechanisms evolved over a period of time to redress the conflicts that may arise among legislature, executive and judiciary. (Ref: Introduction to Political Theory, (4th Edition), Gauba.)
   
4. Comparison of Indian Constitutional Scheme: The constitution of India provided for a parliamentary, republican, quasi-federal state with judicial supremacy. It emphasizes on welfare state concept through directive principles, bills of rights, among others. USA has presidential form of government, though it has an emphasis on bills of rights, and a rigid constitution with an emphasis laissez faire concept. UK has no formal constitution and has a constitutional monarchy, parliamentary form of government and a unitary state. The French constitutional scheme preferred a mixture of parliamentary and presidential type of government. The Canadian, Australian and the German constitutional schemes are very close to that of Indian arrangement. Making a comparative study of major constitutional polities is desirable. The Swiss constitutional scheme prefers a collegiate executive, granting maximum autonomy to cantons (provinces) and actively practicing direct democratic devices, like, initiative, referendum, recall, etc. (Ref: Comparative Government and Politics, 8th edition, Rod Haque and Martin Harrop.)
   
5. Parliament and State Legislatures: The bicameral nature of Indian parliament and some of the state legislatures; the distinction between the lower house and the upper house; the powers and privileges of the legislature. (Ref: Our Parliament, National Book Trust.)
   
6. Structure, Organisation and Functioning of the Executive and Judiciary: The organisation of political executive: the President, the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, the cabinet, cabinet committees, empowered group of ministers. The permanent executive: bureaucracy, The role of pressure groups such as political parties, trade unions, chambers of commerce, farmers associations in the policy making and implementation. The organisation of Judiciary –the structure and functions of Supreme Court, High Courts, Subordinate courts; judicial review, judicial activism, etc. (Re: Indian Administration, Fadia and Fadia)
   
7. Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act: The provisions of this act gives us an idea about elections, the qualifications for the contestants, privileges of the elected representatives, disqualifications, etc. (Ref: Gazette of India)
   
8. Appointment to various Constitutional Posts, Powers and Functions: The mode of appointment, service conditions and the removal of Governors, Attorney General, Advocate General, members of Election Commission, State Election Commissioners, C&AG, Chairman of Finance Commission, Chairman and members of State Finance Commissions, National SC & ST Commissions, the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions, etc. (Ref: Indian Administration)
   
9. Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies: Distinction between statutory (eg. UGC) and non-statutory body (eg. Planning Commission). Organizational setup of regulatory bodies, like, RBI, SEBI, IRDA, Bar council of India, Medical council of India, AICTE, etc. (Ref: Daily newspapers, magazines).
   
10. Government Policies and Interventions for Development: Industrial Policy, Agricultural Policy, Imports and Exports, Coal and Spectrum allocation, FDI, etc. (Ref: Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Evaluation, R. K. Sapru.)
    
11. Development Processes and the Development Industry: The role of national and international NGOs in ushering in development, the role of SHGs in empowering the poor, Corporate Social Responsibility; individual donors and charitable institutions involvement in developmental activities. (Ref: Development Administration, R. K. Sapru.)
    
12. Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections: The scores of welfare schemes launched and implemented by the Union and state governments for the benefit of poor, women, children, orphans, sick, etc. Focus on Rural Housing Scheme, Old Age Pension, Fee reimbursement for poor students and free distribution of food grains for persons below poverty line. (India Yearbook, 2013 – Chapter on Welfare Programmes.)
    
13. Issues relating to Development and Management of Social Sector Services: Students shall study the scenarios of health, education and infrastructural facilities such as roads, transportation, housing and electricity. They shall also ponder over the issues such as paucity of funds, lethargy of the people in public offices, lack of awareness on the part of stakeholders and the corruption, among others. It is imperative to focus on National Health Mission and Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (News papers, magazines).
    
14. Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger: Lack of employment opportunities, lack of skills, illiteracy, malnutrition, lack of commitment on the part of government in eradicating poverty and elimination of hunger. Students shall focus on success and failure of MGNREGA. (News papers, TV programmes.)
    
15. Important aspects of Governance: Transparency and Accountability: The traits of good governance such as transparency and accountability. E-governance – an effective tool for good governance; but the limitations include lack of digital knowledge, illiteracy, absence of infrastructural facilities such as electricity and broadband facility. Multiplicity of languages and lack of coordination among different service providers are some other limitations. (Ref: Public Administration, Avasthi & Maheswari.).
    
16. Role of Civil Service in a Democracy: The importance of civil service in modern state, its role in provider of stability to the society, serving as an integrating force, provider of basic services and undertaking nation building activities. (Public Administration)
    
17. India and its Neighborhood Relations: In South Asia, India is the leading player. The rest of the countries in the region look towards it. But at the same time, given its largeness in size and population, it has become the envy of its neighbors. Not surprisingly most of its neighbors are uncomfortable with it. Equally, India’s troubled relations with China and Pakistan are an issue to be pondered upon. An examination of India’s relations with neighboring countries with a special focus on Indo-Sino relations and Indo-Pakistan relations is advised. (Ref: India’s Foreign Policy, Sumit Ganguly.)
    
18. Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements Involving India: Study of NAM, SAARC, BRICS, G20... etc. (Ref: News papers, TV, Magazines.)
    
19. Effects of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India: Impact of globalization on India in general and the influence of Indian Diaspora on India’s foreign policy, among others. (News papers, magazines.)
    
20. Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora: UN and its specialized agencies like UNDP, WHO, UNESCO and other world bodies like World Bank, IMF, WTO, etc. (Ref: International Organizations, Clive Archer.)

Published date : 13 Jun 2013 07:40PM