General Studies (Mains) Paper – 2 Syllabus for IAS UPSC Mains Exam


  • Indian Constitution– historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries| Tag | #IndianConstitutionQuestions
  • 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. | #UnionandStatesQuestions | Tag
  • Separation of powers between various organs;Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions | Tags | #SeperationofPowersQuestions
  • Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these | #ParliamentQuestions
  • Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary, Ministries and Departments  of the Government; | #ExecutiveJudiciaryQuestions | Tag
  •  Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. | #PressureGroupsQuestions | Tag
  • Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. | #RPAQuestions | Tag
  • Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various
    Constitutional Bodies; Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies  | #ConstitutionalPostsQuestions | Tag
  • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.  | #DevelopmentPoliciesQuestions | Tag
  • Development processes and the development industry– the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders  | #DevelopmentIndustryQuestions | Tag
  • 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.  | #WelfareSchemesQuestions | Tag
  • Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.  | #DevelopmentManagementQuestions | Tag
  • Issues relating to poverty and hunger.  | #PovertyQuestions | Tag
  • Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency &accountability and institutional and other measures.  | #GovernanceTransperancyQuestions | Tag
  • Role of civil services in a democracy.  | #CivilServicesQuestions | Tag
  • India and its neighborhood- relations. | #IRNeighboursQuestions | Tag
  • Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests  | #IRBilateralQuestions | Tag
  • Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,| #IRPoliciesQuestions | Tag
  • Indian Diaspora.  | #DiasporaQuestions | Tag’
  • Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.  |  #IRInstitutionsQuestions | Tag