International Relations

PAPER-III

 General Studies- 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 neighborhood- 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.