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UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus, Download General Studies 2 Syllabus PDF

PWOnlyIAS September 08, 2023 12:30 9229 0

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus: UPSC aspirants can check the Genral Studies Paper 2 Syllabus for UPSC Mains. UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus PDF has also provided in the given article.

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus, Download General Studies 2 Syllabus PDF

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus

The UPSC GS 2 syllabus is a crucial part of the UPSC Mains Exam, which consists of nine papers in total. The UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 focuses on subjects like Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. Unlike General Studies Paper 1, where questions are more straightforward, UPSC GS 2 section demands critical thinking and the ability to connect different aspects to provide a well-rounded answer. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the GS Paper 2 Syllabus, offering detailed insights into the topics you need to cover to excel in the IAS Exam.

UPSC Aspirants can check the UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Studies in the given below table:

UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 Syllabus

UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 Syllabus

UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 Syllabus

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus PDF

The UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus PDF includes various topics related to governance, polity, social justice, international relations, and other current issues. The UPSC aspirants need to have a good understanding of these topics to score well in this paper. Aspirants can check the UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus PDF given below.

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus PDF

UPSC Mains General Studies 2

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 2 delves into various subjects such as Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. In contrast to General Studies Paper 1, this paper doesn’t offer many straightforward, single-topic questions. Instead, it challenges candidates to think critically and make connections between different subjects since questions often touch on interconnected topics.

UPSC Syllabus 2024

General Studies 2 involves a more holistic approach to answering questions, making it essential for UPSC aspirants to understand the intricate relationships between these subjects.

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Focus Area

Aspirants preparing for UPSC Mains Genral Studies Paper 2 must focus on topics including Indian Constitution, its features, and amendments, as well as the roles of constitutional and non-constitutional bodies. Additionally, governance, government policies, transparency, and accountability are examined, along with the application of e-governance. Social justice, involving the management of social sector/services and issues related to poverty and hunger, is another critical aspect.

Lastly, international relations, including bilateral and regional/global groupings and agreements affecting India’s interests, demand thorough understanding. Proficiency in these subjects is essential for success in the GS Paper 2.”

Focus Areas in GS Paper-II

Subject Topics
Polity Indian Constitution

Features of Indian Constitution

Amendments in Indian Constitution

Provisions

Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies

Governance Government policies and interventions

Governance

Transparency

Accountability

E-governance applications

Social Justice Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services

Issues relating to poverty and hunger

International Relations Bilateral Groupings

Regional and global groupings

Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

UPSC GS Paper 2 Structure

The UPSC General Studies II Mains paper holds several key characteristics:

  1. There are 20 mandatory questions, provided in both Hindi and English. Candidates must respond in the language they chose during the application process; answers in any other language will not be assessed.
  2. This paper carries a total of 250 marks, reflecting its importance in the overall examination.
  3. For 10-mark questions, the word limit is set at 150 words, while 15-mark questions allow for up to 250 words.
  4. The GS Paper II places significant emphasis on governance and polity-related topics. Notably, there is a substantial overlap with subjects like social justice and international relations. Polity questions primarily focus on the practical application of constitutional amendments, individual rights, and the significance of various sections of the Constitution.

UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus

Aspirants can check the detailed UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus in the given below table:

UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus
Topic Sub-Topics
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

Check Previous Years’ Constitution Questions from UPSC Mains GS 2 in the linked article.

Governance & Polity 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

Candidates can get the relevant Polity Notes for UPSC from the linked article.

Governance 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

Check the compilation of old Governance Questions from UPSC Mains GS 2 in the linked article.

Social Justice 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

The Social Justice Questions in UPSC Mains GS 2 are mentioned in the linked article.

International Relations 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

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus Subject Wise Preparation Tips

Polity

  • Start with ‘Indian Polity’ by M. Laxmikanth; read it at least three times to build a strong foundation.
  • Complement your study with Class 11 NCERT book ‘Indian Constitution at Work’ for fundamental understanding.
  • Focus on the applicability of constitutional amendments, individual rights, and the significance of various sections of the constitution.

Governance

  • Prioritize daily reading of ‘The Hindu’ newspaper to stay updated on government policies and current affairs.
  • Study the Economic Survey for insights into government policies, economic trends, and governance-related data.
  • Refer to Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases and selectively study Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) reports for governance-related topics.
  • Understand transparency, accountability, and the application of e-governance.

Social Justice

  • Continue your newspaper reading routine, paying special attention to articles discussing social justice issues.
  • Deepen your understanding of issues related to poverty, hunger, and the development and management of social sector/services.

International Relations

  • Visit the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) website for official government perspectives on international relations.
  • Read ‘The Hindu’ for articles covering international relations, bilateral relations, and global developments.
  • Stay updated on bilateral and regional/global groupings and agreements affecting India’s interests.

General Tips

  • Craft a well-structured study plan, allocating time for each subject and source. Adhere to it consistently.
  • Maintain a notebook or digital document for current affairs notes and insights.
  • Regularly practice answer writing, focusing on clarity, precision, and adhering to word limits.
  • Take full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions and gauge your progress.
  • Allocate sufficient time for revision, reviewing your notes and essential topics.
    Stay vigilant about any changes in the UPSC syllabus or exam pattern.
  • This comprehensive preparation strategy offers a clear roadmap for tackling GS Paper 2 effectively, ensuring a strong grasp of the subjects and their intricacies.

Best Books for UPSC Mains GS Paper 2

In GS Paper 2 of the UPSC exam, candidates tackle critical topics such as Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations, collectively worth 250 marks. The score in this paper significantly impacts the UPSC Marksheet and, by extension, the final results. To excel in this section, aspirants can refer to a range of essential GS 2 Books for UPSC, including NCERTs from Class XI and XII. Additionally, these recommended books provide valuable insights:

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Books
Books Author
NCERT for Class 11th and 12th NCERT
‘Public Institutions in India: Performance and Design’ Devesh Kapur & Pratap Bhanu Mehta
‘Introduction to the Constitution of India’ Durga Das Basu
‘India and the World: Through the Eyes of Indian Diplomats’ Surendra Kumar
‘Pax Indica’ Shashi Tharoor
‘Governance in India’ M. Laxmikanth
‘Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations’ M. Laxmikanth

UPSC Exam Pattern

The UPSC Exam Pattern involves three key stages in the IAS Selection Process, and candidates need to successfully clear each stage to progress. Those who pass the Prelims Exam qualify for the Mains Exam, and after clearing the Mains, they move on to the Personality Test round.

UPSC Exam Pattern

UPSC Exam Stages Papers Total Marks Exams Nature
UPSC Exam Pattern for Prelims 2 Papers – GS Paper 1 & CSAT 400 Objective Type
UPSC Exam Pattern for Mains 9 Papers 1750 Descriptive Test
IAS Interview 275 Personality Test
UPSC Total Marks Mains Marks + Interview Marks = 2025 Marks

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus FAQs

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 Syllabus comprises of Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.

Laxmikant's book is crucial for UPSC Prelims and Mains basics but may not cover the extensive content of GS 2 papers, which require a broader approach encompassing Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.

For UPSC Mains General Studies 2, candidates need to score score at least 33% or 66 marks in the exam.

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 Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!  PWOnlyIAS is NOW at three new locations Mukherjee Nagar ,Lucknow and Patna , Explore all centers     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC 2022 Final Result🔥5 out of Top 10 from PW OnlyIAS Community. UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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