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UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II 2021 Pdf

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 Mains GS 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.

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