UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II (the second stage of the selection process) has 9 examinations in total followed by a personality test in the end.
The tentative date is September 17-22, 2021 and the Prelims will be conducted on June 27, 2021. General Studies Paper-II is a mandatory paper for appearing candidates. This paper is completely based on Polity, Governance, and International Relations which makes it a scoring paper.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper II: Topic-wise division
The first step of preparing UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II is dividing it into 4 sections. When students go through previous years’ question papers and sample questions, can get a significant idea about the expected number of questions that comes from each section of this paper:
Sections
No. of Questions (10 marks)
No. of Questions
(15 marks)
Indian Polity and Constitution
4 – 5
3-4
Governance
0 -2
1 – 3
International Relations Section
2 – 3
2- 3
Social Justice
1 – 2
1 – 2
There were 20 questions. 10 questions were of 10 marks each, while the remaining 10 questions were of 15 marks each.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper II 2021- Instructions
Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
There are 20 questions printed both in ENGLISH and HINDI.
All questions are compulsory.
Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
No marks will be given for answers written in the medium other than the authorized one.
Answers to questions no. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to questions no. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.
Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
Focus Areas in UPSC MainsGS Paper-II
Subject
Topics
Polity
1. Indian Constitution
Historical underpinnings of the constitution
Evolution of the Constitution
Salient features
Basic structure
Amendments
Significant provisions
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the states
Issues and challenges related to the Federal Structure
Devolution of powers and finances up to local government level
Challenges in the devolution of power
Separation of powers between various organs of the government
Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
Comparison of India’s constitutional scheme with other countries
2. Features of Indian Constitution
Amendments in Indian Constitution
Provisions
Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies
Books that you can refer:
‘Indian Polity’ by Laxmikanth (Do read this book at least three times)
Class 11 NCERT – ‘Indian Constitution at Work’
Governance
Parliament and State Legislatures
Structure
Functioning
Conduct of Business
Powers & Privileges
Issues arising out of Powers & Privileges of legislative bodies
Executive and Judiciary
Structure
Organization
Functioning
Ministries and departments of the government
Pressure groups
Formal & Informal associations and their role in the polity
Salient features of the People’s Representation 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 the development of various sectors
Issues arising out of design and implementation of government intervention
Development processes and the development of industry
The role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, 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
Daily reading of newspaper to be complemented with:
Select articles from ‘The Hindu’
Economic Survey
Press Information Bureau (PIB)
ARC reports
Social Justice
Issues relating to poverty and hunger
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by centre and states
The performance of welfare schemes
Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections of the population
Issues related to the development and management of the social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Issues related to poverty and hunger
International Relations
Bilateral Groupings
India and its neighbourhood
Relations between India and neighbouring countries
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
Structure
Mandate
Overview of UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II 2021 Syllabus:
There is a high degree of overlap between subjects which should be kept in mind while preparing the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II 2021. A thorough analysis of current affairs (national and international) related to UPSC GS 2 as well as a good understanding of the constitution and its structure along with the structure of the government should be a major focus part of preparation. UPSC aspirants can also refer to UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II pdf to better understand the exam structure on the official website of the government.
