GS-2 Important areas, Strategy and Sources
With the strategy of GS-1 done and dusted, it’s time to move on to the big guy, GS-02 paper. GS-02 paper is the most dynamic of all the papers and usually very difficult to score due to the paucity of resources and it’s dynamic nature. I remember I use to score around 80-100 marks during my mocks and never actually cleared the 100 mark stand. But luckily, I kept on working over my weak areas and scored a decent average score in my Mains.
Let’s begin with MINDMAPS for a deeper understanding of topics/sub-topics.
Since they were not clear on uploading hence I’ve uploaded them on my drive. You can download them from there. (Link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OJcbMGxAoX0CzamhpBu442UxoTwFGQZv)
Now with that sorted out, let’s move on to Important areas, Sources to follow and Strategy.
GS-2 broadly covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
Some indispensable books and material for gs-02 are as follows: -
NCERT: class8th/10th/11th/12th(pol-science-II)
M Laxmikanth(bhagwaan hai ye book)
DD Basu(only selective chapters)
Public Institutions in India: Pratap Bhanu Mehta
Vajiram notes: SHGs, Role of civil servants, Transparency, accountability, E-Governance
Now let’s begin with step-by-step...
Topic-1: Indian Constitution– historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Very easy topic, most of it content is static driven hence no problem in dealing with answers. This part is necessary for both Pre/Mains so prepare it well.
For this section you can either prefer Laxmikanth or DD Basu. DD Basu(first 5 chapters only) are written more from analytical perspective , hence better for mains.
Topic-2: 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.
For content part, you can refer either Laxmikanth or Basu. But for better critical perspective on these topics, refer Report of the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission, named – Organizational Structure Of Government of India (13th Report) (VERY IMPORTANT)
For devolution of finances to local bodies: Local governance-arc (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OJcbMGxAoX0CzamhpBu442UxoTwFGQZv)
Mains demands not only basic understanding of these topics, but your critical and analytic abilities to answer questions on these topics. So, try to relate these concepts to current event topics and write small articles. ARC reports will help you in this regard.
Topic-3: Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. (Important topic)*
This topic is very dynamic. you’ve to refer Internet, Current Affairs(The Hindu), Vision booklets alot. For content portion, Laxmikanth, Basu are sufficient.
ARC reports come to the rescue again. 7th report of 2nd ARC named “Capacity Building for Conflict Resolution” talks elaborately on various issues such as Left Wing Extremism, Regional Disparities, Land and Water related issues, SC and ST issues, Religious conflicts and North East conflicts – which involve numerous institutions in the conflict management and resolution.
Topic-4: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Not that important. You can refer sources online.
Topic-5: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
For this portion, Subhash Kashyap, Our parliament book is apt(good source)
Refer sources from Editorials, The hindu for this topic.
Topic-6: 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.
For this topic, Laxmikanth is sufficient. Answering these questions with Reports, committees recommendations etc helps alot. Regarding pressure groups/ informal associations – recent activism shown by Civil society, conflict with the government and other such topics should be studied in depth.
Important newspaper articles, reports, government schemes, special reports (Only Summary Reported in Newspaper) by WEF, UN, IMF,WB etc.
Also many scheme/policy based questions are asked directly or indirectly. Always whenever you write tests/answers, connect these schemes and reports with question.
Topic-7: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Seeing the dynamism show by UPSC, these topics have become quite important in recent times. For ex: Office of profit bill, anti-defection bill, electoral reforms bill etc. Recent supreme court ruling disqualifying MPs and MLAs with criminal background, and current topics like this should be studied carefully.
Refer DD Basu for this topic.if you’re able
Keep track of parliamentary bills.
Topic-8-9: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
This part of the syllabus has given rise to some contentious issues such as political interference in the appointment to various constitutional posts and statutory bodies. Eg EC, CBI, CVC, CAG, SC, Governors, Lokayukta, Lokpal (if it comes into existence) etc. So, read this topic keeping in mind these above issues.
you need to read all the above topics with an analytical perspective. To provide you with this, there is a wonderful book published by Oxford University Press and authored by Pratap Bhanu Mehta, named – “Public Institutions in India – Performance and Design“, will be immensely useful.
Vajiram notes can also come in handy.
Topic-10-11: 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
For topic-10, economic survey and PIB will come in handy. Also, the phrase “Development Industry” – refers to aid industry developed around NGOs, UN bodies, Charities etc and their role in the development process.Planning commission has various articles on these topics..
Always whenever reading any report. Just read its introduction and conclusion portions. Don’t waste time in covering it all.
Topic-12-13-14: 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.
For covering social sector schemes and this portion, refer Vajiram materials. I especiallly loved their approach in these sections. Also, Yojana, Eco-survey, The Hindu, pib will come in handy. You just need to select the articles important for specific topics.
Pay special attention towards poverty allevaiation programs and PDS and all.
For E-governanece portion: 2nd ARC report on “Promoting e-Governance: The SMART Way Forward” will be very useful to cover this topic. Also IGNOU material on e-governance is succinct.
For Role of Civil services in democracy : refer The hindu editorials and 2nd ARC report (10th report) – Refurbishing of Personnel Administration has whole chapter (ch-4) on this topic.
For Remaining Topics on: IR and Indian Diaspora etc.
I strictly referred Vajiram and VisionIAS materials. They were more than enough when coupled with online sources like, IDSA, The Hindu Editorials, MEA Websites,
Keep track of All Global groupings, Bilateral relations etc. Make notes out of the proceedings concerning India and India’s interests. You should have brief notes on every grouping and every bilateral relations, importance, way forwards, challenges etc.
Please analyse multidimensionality of any issue – strategic, geographical, economic, political, environmental etc. Also future aspects need to be prepared like relevance of important bodies like SAARC, WTO, UN. Keeping few points ready for such important organizations always helps as IR questions.
For the question on role of non state actors, use role of voluntary sector and NGOs, role of non state actors in Defence sector (Dhirendra singh committee report), role of non state actors in Track 2 initiatives in IR etc and conclude with points from National policy on voluntary sector)
I think i’ve covered all i can think of(with help of Insights and Tanay Sulatania Sir’s) Due to time-crunch,Maybe I was not able to cover every aspect. But, I’d love to know your views. Please, let me know your queries here: https://www.quora.com/profile/Virat-Mittal-4
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