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Paper

General Studies II

What this covers

GS II spans the Constitution, institutions, governance, social justice and international relations. Its many topics often ask how a formal design works in practice and who is affected by a policy choice.

Key ideas

  • constitutional design
  • institutions and accountability
  • welfare and governance
  • international relations

Topics 20

  1. 01Indian ConstitutionStudy the Constitution as the legal framework for public power and rights, its historical formation, design, change and judicially articulated limits…5 subtopics
  2. 02Federal structure and devolutionStudy how Union, State and local responsibilities and resources are allocated, coordinated and contested, keeping constitutional assignment distinct…5 subtopics
  3. 03Separation of powers and dispute redressalStudy institutional roles, checks and methods of resolving public and private disputes while distinguishing constitutional jurisdiction from…4 subtopics
  4. 04Comparative constitutional schemesCompare constitutional institutions by equivalent questions and legal effects, separating formal text, conventions and actual practice.4 subtopics
  5. 05Parliament and State legislaturesStudy the composition, procedure, powers and accountability functions of Parliament and State legislatures, distinguishing constitutional rules from…5 subtopics
  6. 06Executive judiciary and political associationsStudy the organization and functions of executive and judicial institutions alongside the distinct political role of pressure groups and associations.5 subtopics
  7. 07Representation of the People's ActStudy the salient statutory framework for constituencies, electoral rolls, qualifications, election conduct, parties and petitions while keeping the…4 subtopics
  8. 08Constitutional posts and bodiesCompare constitutional offices and commissions by establishment, appointment, mandate, safeguards and accountability without treating unlike bodies…4 subtopics
  9. 09Statutory regulatory and quasi-judicial bodiesCompare bodies created by legislation, bodies regulating a sector, and bodies deciding disputes or rights through assigned procedures;4 subtopics
  10. 10Development policies and interventionsAnalyze a public development intervention from problem definition and design through sectoral delivery, outcomes and course correction.5 subtopics
  11. 11Development processes and stakeholdersMap the public, community, nonprofit and funding actors in development, distinguishing their authority, contribution and accountability.5 subtopics
  12. 12Welfare and protection of vulnerable sectionsConnect welfare delivery and legal protection for diverse vulnerable groups while evaluating access, outcomes and institutional remedies separately.5 subtopics
  13. 13Social sector servicesConnect health, education and human-resource development as service systems while distinguishing policy intent, delivery and measured outcomes.4 subtopics
  14. 14Poverty and hungerLink poverty and hunger through resources, access, health and social exclusion while separating concepts, measurement and policy response.4 subtopics
  15. 15Governance transparency and accountabilityConnect decision authority, information, service standards, digital delivery, grievance and oversight while keeping transparency distinct from remedy.5 subtopics
  16. 16Civil services in a democracyConnect the continuing administrative executive to elected direction, lawful implementation, citizen service and institutional accountability.5 subtopics
  17. 17India and its neighbourhoodStudy India's neighbouring relationships through geography, bilateral institutions, regional connectivity, trade, people and security without…5 subtopics
  18. 18Groupings and agreements affecting IndiaClassify bilateral, regional and global arrangements, their legal status and their effects on India's interests.4 subtopics
  19. 19Foreign policies politics and Indian diasporaTrace foreign policies and politics through cross-border exposure to Indian interests, and study diaspora engagement and protection separately.5 subtopics
  20. 20International institutions agencies and foraClassify international organizations, agencies and forums by founding basis, organs, mandate, decision rules and actual authority.4 subtopics

Official wording is from UPSC's Civil Services Examination 2026 notification, the current baseline for CSE 2027 preparation. Always check the latest notification at upsc.gov.in. Scopes and key ideas are CSE One's study map and are being expanded.

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