UPSC GS Paper-2 Syllabus

GS-2 in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam focuses on Polity, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations. To excel in this paper, a candidate needs to blend conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and factual knowledge with current affairs. Below is a detailed strategy for each section of the syllabus.

GS-Paper 2
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations		सामान्य अध्ययन प्रश्नपत्र-2
शासन व्यवस्था, संविधान, शासन प्रणाली, सामाजिक न्याय तथा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंध
S.No.Topicक्र.सं.विषय
1.Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.1.भारतीय संविधान- ऐतिहासिक आधार, विकास, विशेषताएँ, संशोधन, महत्त्वपूर्ण प्रावधान और बुनियादी संरचना।
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.2.संघ एवं राज्यों के कार्य तथा उत्तरदायित्व, संघीय ढाँचे से संबंधित विषय एवं चुनौतियाँ, स्थानीय स्तर पर शक्तियों और वित्त का हस्तांतरण और उसकी चुनौतियाँ।
3.Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.3.विभिन्न घटकों के बीच शक्तियों का पृथक्करण, विवाद निवारण तंत्र तथा संस्थान।
4.Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.4.भारतीय संवैधानिक योजना की अन्य देशों के साथ तुलना।
5.Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.5.संसद और राज्य विधायिका- संरचना, कार्य, कार्य-संचालन, शक्तियाँ एवं विशेषाधिकार और इनसे उत्पन्न होने वाले विषय।
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.6.कार्यपालिका और न्यायपालिका की संरचना, संगठन और कार्य- सरकार के मंत्रालय एवं विभाग, प्रभावक समूह और औपचारिक/अनौपचारिक संघ तथा शासन प्रणाली में उनकी भूमिका।
7.Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.7.जन प्रतिनिधित्व अधिनियम की मुख्य विशेषताएँ।
8.Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.8.विभिन्न संवैधानिक पदों पर नियुक्ति और विभिन्न संवैधानिक निकायों की शक्तियाँ, कार्य और उत्तरदायित्व।
9.Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.9.सांविधिक, विनियामक और विभिन्न अर्द्ध-न्यायिक निकाय।
10.Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.10.सरकारी नीतियों और विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में विकास के लिये हस्तक्षेप और उनके अभिकल्पन तथा कार्यान्वयन के कारण उत्पन्न विषय।
11.Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.11.विकास प्रक्रिया तथा विकास उद्योग- गैर-सरकारी संगठनों, स्वयं सहायता समूहों, विभिन्न समूहों और संघों, दानकर्ताओं, लोकोपकारी संस्थाओं, संस्थागत एवं अन्य पक्षों की भूमिका।
12.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.  12.  केन्द्र एवं राज्यों द्वारा जनसंख्या के अति संवेदनशील वर्गों के लिये कल्याणकारी योजनाएँ और इन योजनाओं का कार्य-निष्पादन; इन अति संवेदनशील वर्गों की रक्षा एवं बेहतरी के लिये गठित तंत्र, विधि, संस्थान एवं निकाय।
13.Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.13.स्वास्थ्य, शिक्षा, मानव संसाधनों से संबंधित सामाजिक क्षेत्र/सेवाओं के विकास और प्रबंधन से संबंधित विषय।
14.Issues relating to poverty and hunger.14.गरीबी एवं भूख से संबंधित विषय।
15.Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.15.शासन व्यवस्था, पारदर्शिता और जवाबदेही के महत्त्वपूर्ण पक्ष, ई-गवर्नेंस- अनुप्रयोग, मॉडल, सफलताएँ, सीमाएँ और संभावनाएँ; नागरिक चार्टर, पारदर्शिता एवं जवाबदेही और संस्थागत तथा अन्य उपाय।
16.Role of civil services in a democracy.16.लोकतंत्र में सिविल सेवाओं की भूमिका।
17.India and its neighborhood- relations.17.भारत एवं इसके पड़ोसी- संबंध।
18.Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.18.द्विपक्षीय, क्षेत्रीय और वैश्विक समूह और भारत से संबंधित और/अथवा भारत के हितों को प्रभावित करने वाले करार।
19.Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.19.भारत के हितों पर विकसित तथा विकासशील देशों की नीतियों तथा राजनीति का प्रभाव; प्रवासी भारतीय।
20.Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.20.महत्त्वपूर्ण अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संस्थान, संस्थाएँ और मंच- उनकी संरचना, अधिदेश।
UPSC GS Paper-2 Syllabus

1. Polity

Important Focus Areas:

  • Indian Constitution: Understand its historical context, evolution, key features, and amendments.
  • Federal Structure and Separation of Powers: Analyze issues like Centre-State relations, cooperative federalism, and intergovernmental disputes.
  • Parliament, Executive, and Judiciary: Study their functioning, powers, and challenges.
  • Comparative Analysis: Compare the Indian Constitution with other major constitutions like the US, UK, and France.

Practice Writing:

  • Analyze the impact of constitutional amendments like GST, Right to Education, and 73rd/74th Amendments.
  • Debate issues like judicial activism, judicial overreach, and the balance of power between organs of the state.

2. Governance and Social Justice

Important Focus Areas:

  • Government policies, transparency, accountability, and the role of civil services.
  • Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections and their performance.
  • Development processes and stakeholder roles in health, education, and human resources.

Practice Writing:

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of schemes like MNREGA and DBT in reducing poverty and hunger.
  • Analyze governance challenges like corruption, red-tapism, and lack of accountability in public administration.

3. International Relations

Important Focus Areas:

  • India’s relations with neighbors like China, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
  • Role in global groupings (e.g., G20, QUAD, BRICS).
  • India’s soft power and diaspora contributions.

Practice Writing:

  • Analyze India’s role in global organizations like the UN and WTO.
  • Evaluate the impact of policies like “Act East Policy” and “Neighborhood First.”

General Strategy for All Sections

1. Integrated Current Affairs Preparation:—

● Use newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and magazines (Yojana, EPW).
● Follow government reports (Economic Survey, NITI Aayog, India Yearbook).
● Prepare topic-wise notes to integrate static and dynamic portions.

2. Answer Writing Practice:—

● Join a test series or write answers regularly on past UPSC GS-2 questions.
● Focus on structuring answers: Introduction, Body (with subheadings), and Conclusion.

3. Use Diagrams and Flowcharts:—

● Illustrate concepts like the separation of powers, welfare schemes, or international relations using flowcharts.

4. Revision and Consolidation:—

● Revise frequently using concise notes.
● Maintain a separate notebook for judgments, amendments, and key terms.

UPSC GS 2 Previous Year Question Paper (2013 – 2024)
S. No.YearDownload Link
1.GS 2 Paper 2024Click Here
2.GS 2 Paper 2023Click Here
3.GS 2 Paper 2022Click Here
4.GS 2 Paper 2021Click Here
5.GS 2 Paper 2020Click Here
6.GS 2 Paper 2019Click Here
7.GS 2 Paper 2018Click Here
8.GS 2 Paper 2017Click Here
9.GS 2 Paper 2016Click Here
10.GS 2 Paper 2015Click Here
11.GS 2 Paper 2014Click Here
12.GS 2 Paper 2013Click Here
13.GS 2 Paper 2012Click Here
14.GS 2 Paper 2011Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about General Studies Paper II (GS-II) Preparation for UPSC Mains

1. How should I start preparing for GS-2?

Answer:—

Start with foundational resources like:

  • NCERTs (Class XI Political Science) for basics.
  • Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity for in-depth understanding of Indian Constitution and governance.
  • Follow daily current affairs from newspapers (The Hindu or Indian Express).
  • Gradually move to advanced resources like ARC reports, government schemes, and international relations materials.

2. How important is current affairs for GS-2?

Answer:—

Extremely important. Many GS-2 questions are derived from contemporary issues like:

  • Landmark judgments, governance policies, or new welfare schemes.
  • Global developments (e.g., India’s role in G20, QUAD, or the Russia-Ukraine conflict).
  • Integrate current affairs with static topics to make answers multi-dimensional.

3. How do I prepare for the Polity section?

Answer:—
  • Understand the Constitution’s framework: Features, amendments, and significant doctrines like the Basic Structure.
  • Study the structure and functioning of institutions: Parliament, Judiciary, and Executive.
  • Focus on landmark judgments, such as Kesavananda Bharati and Vishaka Guidelines.
  • Compare the Indian Constitution with others, like the US, UK, and South Africa.

4. What should be my approach to the Governance section?

Answer:—
  • Focus on welfare schemes, transparency, accountability, and e-governance initiatives like Digital India.
  • Analyze the performance of policies like MNREGA or Ayushman Bharat using data from reports like NITI Aayog and PRS Legislative Research.
  • Study examples of best practices from ARC Reports.
  • Understand the role of civil services and challenges in public administration.

5. How can I improve my preparation for International Relations (IR)?

Answer:—
  • Study India’s relations with its neighbors and global powers (e.g., US, China, Russia).
  • Focus on India’s foreign policies, such as Act East Policy and Neighborhood First Policy.
  • Track developments in global institutions like the UN, WTO, and IMF.
  • Use the MEA website and international events to supplement your preparation.

6. What role does answer writing play in GS-2 preparation?

Answer:—

Answer writing is crucial to:

  • Present multi-dimensional perspectives (political, legal, economic, and social).
  • Showcase knowledge of current affairs and examples.
  • Develop a clear structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion.
  • Regular practice with previous year’s questions and mock tests is essential.

7. How do I structure answers in GS-2?

Answer:—

Introduction:

  • Start with a definition, fact, or contextual statement.

Body:

  • Address the demand of the question in subheadings (e.g., challenges, solutions).
  • Use examples, diagrams, or flowcharts for clarity.

Conclusion:

  • End with a balanced viewpoint, suggestion, or reference to constitutional values.

8. What are some common mistakes to avoid in GS-2 preparation?

Answer:—
  • Ignoring current affairs: Static knowledge alone is insufficient.
  • Lack of focus on schemes and policies: These are frequently asked.
  • Writing vague answers without data, examples, or case studies.
  • Not revising foundational concepts of polity and governance.

9. How do I manage time effectively while preparing for GS-II?

Answer:—
  • divide your time between Polity, Governance, and IR based on weightage and your strengths.
  • Spend 2-3 hours daily on GS-2, including reading, note-making, and answer writing
  • Use a weekly schedule to focus on different subtopics.

10. How can I remember multiple welfare schemes and policies?

Answer:—
  • Create short notes or tables summarizing.
  • Scheme name, target group, ministry, and objectives.
  • Group schemes by sector (e.g., health, education, agriculture).
  • Use acronyms or mnemonics to recall details.

11. Is it necessary to compare the Indian Constitution with others?

Answer:—

Yes, comparative analysis is often asked. Focus on:

  • Features like federalism, judicial review, and separation of powers.
  • Differences in political systems (e.g., presidential vs. parliamentary systems).
  • Use examples from constitutions like the US, UK, or South Africa to enrich answers.l.

12. What are the important reports and judgments to focus on for GS-II?

Answer:—

Reports:

  • 2nd ARC Reports
  • NITI Aayog Reports
  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS)

Judgments:

  • Kesavananda Bharati (Basic Structure Doctrine)
  • S.R. Bommai (Federalism)
  • Vishaka Guidelines (Workplace harassment)
  • Navtej Singh Johar (LGBTQ+ rights)

13. How do I evaluate my preparation level for GS-2?

Answer:—
  • Take mock tests and analyze your performance.
  • Compare your answers with model answers or those provided by coaching institutions.
  • Ensure you address all parts of the syllabus and integrate current affairs.

14. How can I handle dynamic topics like transparency and accountability?

Answer:—
  • Use current examples, like the implementation of RTI or the Lokpal Act.
  • Study case studies on corruption and e-governance initiatives like Aadhar or JAM Trinity.
  • Relate these topics to institutional reforms and good governance practices.

15. Can GS-II preparation overlap with other GS papers?

Answer:—

Yes, GS-II overlaps with:

  • GS-IV (Ethics): Governance, accountability, and civil services.
  • GS-1: Social issues and historical underpinnings of the Constitution.
  • Essay Paper: Topics like democracy, governance, or India’s role in world affairs.

16. How can I incorporate examples into my answers?

Answer:—
  • Use real-life case studies or events.
  • Refer to schemes, judgments, or constitutional provisions for credibility.
  • Include global comparisons where relevant (e.g., comparison with Scandinavian welfare models).

17. What should I prioritize during the last month before the Mains?

Answer:—
  • Revise key topics: Constitutional amendments, landmark judgments, governance models, and IR developments.
  • Practice answer writing with a focus on time management.
  • Go through past year questions and refine your content using examples and diagrams.
GS PAPER-1
GS PAPER-3

Official PDF UPSC GS Paper-2 Syllabus