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HowToPrepareUPSCCivilServicesMainsPaperIII(GS2)INSIGHTS

HowToPrepareUPSCCivilServicesMainsPaperIII(GS2)
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INSIGHTS

7/23/2013

ClickHereForMoreDetailedStrategiesForOtherPapersandMore!
HowtoprepareGS1(i.ePaperII)
HowtoprepareGS3(i.ePaperIV)
HowtoprepareGS4(i.ePaperV)
UPSChasbroughtchangestotheCivilServicesMainsexaminationinboththepatternandthesyllabus.Weknow
thatnowthereare4GeneralStudiesPapersapartfromoneEssayandOptionalpapereach.
ThisarticlediscussespreparationstrategyforGeneralStudies2(i.ePaperIII)
Beforeyoustartreadingfurther,pleaserememberthefollowingimportantmantragivenbytheAlmightyUPSC:

Thequestionsarelikelytotestthecandidatesbasicunderstandingofallrelevantissues,andability
toanalyze,andtakeaviewonconflictingsocioeconomicgoals,objectivesanddemands.The
candidatesmustgiverelevant,meaningfulandsuccinctanswers.

Thissentenceistheguidinglightforyourpreparation.Youdonthavetomasterthetopics,allyouneedisBASIC
UNDERSTANDINGandtheabilitytoanalyze.
Basicunderstandingcomesfromreadingandrereading.Abilitytoanalyzewhatyouhaveunderstoodfromreading
comesfromWRITINGPRACTICE.

Twoimportantthingsfundamentaltoyourexampreparation:

Getfamiliarwithallthetopicsandsubtopicsbywritingthemmanytimestheyshouldbe
stronglyetchedinyourmemory.

Keepacopyofthesyllabusalwaysnearyounomatterwhereyouare.

Now,howtodealwithGS2?
AssumingyouarenowfamiliarwiththesyllabusofGS1,wewilldiscussatopicbytopicwhattoread,fromwhereto
readandwhatnottoreadforthesetopics.
BroadSyllabusOfGS2is:

Governance,Constitution,Polity,SocialJusticeandInternationalrelations.
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Beforeyoustartpreparingforthispaper,pleasereadfollowingNCERTtexts,whichmighttake23daysofyour
time.

1.

NCERTClassXIIndiaConstitutionAtWork

2.

NCERTClassXIIPoliticalScienceII

3.

NCERTClassXDemocraticPolitics

TOPIC1

IndianConstitutionhistoricalunderpinnings,evolution,features,amendments,significantprovisions
andbasicstructure.

ThispartisveryusefulbothforPrelimsandMains.BestbooktostudythissectionisD.D.BasusIntroductionTo
TheConstitutionOfIndiaFirst5chaptersinthisbookexclusivelydealwiththispartofthesyllabus.
ForBasicStructure,Thesetwoarticlesmighthelpyou.
1)BasicStructureoftheconstitutionrevisitedTheHindu(PDF)
2)TheBasicStructureoftheconstitution(PDF)
TOPIC2

FunctionsandresponsibilitiesoftheUnionandtheStates,issuesandchallengespertainingto
thefederalstructure,devolutionofpowersandfinancesuptolocallevelsandchallengestherein.

OnegoodsourcetogetthecriticalperspectiveaboutthesetopicsisReportofthe2ndAdministrativeReforms
Commission,namedOrganizationalStructureOfGovernmentofIndia(13thReport)
Fordevolutionoffinancestolocalbodies,ReadThis..(Dontlookanywhereelse)
FortheconceptpartreadLaxmikantsIndianPolity.Buythenewupdated4thedition.(Chapters12,1314and
30).
ButMainsdemandsnotonlybasicunderstandingofthesetopics,butyourcriticalandanalyticabilitiestoanswer
questionsonthesetopics.So,trytorelatetheseconceptstocurrenteventtopicsandwritesmallarticles.ARC
reportswillhelpyouinthisregard.
Eg.Thoughdevolutionoffunds,functionariesandfunctionsistakingplaceinthelocalgovernments,development
isstillamirageinmanypartsofIndia.Criticallyanalyze.(youcanframemanyquestionslikethis)
TOPIC3

Separationofpowersbetweenvariousorgans,disputeredressalmechanismsandinstitutions.
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BASICS:PublicGrievancesandRedressalMechanism
ThistopicisadynamicportionwereadlotaboutconflictbetweentheJudiciaryandtheExecutivetoanswer
dynamictopics,oneshouldfirstunderstandtheconstitutionalprovisions,redressalmeasureswiththeconstitution,
checksandbalancesprovidedintheconstitutionetc.
ARCreportscometotherescueagain.7threportof2ndARCnamedCapacityBuildingforConflictResolution
talkselaboratelyonvariousissuessuchasLeftWingExtremism,RegionalDisparities,LandandWaterrelated
issues,SCandSTissues,ReligiousconflictsandNorthEastconflictswhichinvolvenumerousinstitutionsinthe
conflictmanagementandresolution.
Later,scancurrenteventsandfindanylatestinstancesofconflictbetweenanyconstitutionalbodies,orbetweena
constitutionalbodyandstatutorybody.
Again,conceptscanbestudiedeitherfromD.D.BasuorLaxmikat..
TOPIC4

ComparisonoftheIndianconstitutionalschemewiththatofothercountries

AbookbyS.ChandSelectConstitutionsoftheworldisfamousamongLawstudents.Thiscoversthistopic
comprehensively.Oneshouldbecarefultonottostudythistopicindepth.
IncaseyoucanaffordtobuycostlybookD.D.BasusClassicontheIndianConstitutionShorterConstitutionOf
Indianotonlycoversallabovetopics,italsocoversthepresenttopic.
Fewlinksthatmighthelp:
Constitutionsaroundtheworld
EvolutionofIndianConstitution(Itiscomparedwithotherconstitutionsyouhavetosearchinbetween)
DifferencebetweenUSandEUconstitutions.
TrytoknowsomebasicsabouttheNewConstitutions/reformsbeingframed/broughtoutinNepal,Bhutan,Myanmar
andPakistan.

(Again,emphasisshouldbeonrelatingallthesetopicstothecurrentevents)

TOPIC5

ParliamentandStateLegislaturesstructure,functioning,conductofbusiness,powers&
privilegesandissuesarisingoutofthese.

Tocoverthistopic,onestopsourceisSubhashKashypsOurParliament.(Whythisbook?Becauseitiswrittenby
someonewhoworkedinsidetheParliamentformostofhiscareer,andthisbookgivesadetailedideaaboutthe
functioningofourParliamentastheabovetopicsuggests,youshouldbefamiliarwithallaspectsofour
Parliament.Thisbooksischeap,andishighlyreadablewithlotofinsights)
TOPIC6
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Structure,organizationandfunctioningoftheExecutiveandtheJudiciaryMinistriesand
DepartmentsoftheGovernmentPressureGroupsandformal/informalassociationsandtheirrolein
thePolity.

BASICS:
UnionExecutive
ParliamentofIndia
SupremeCourtofIndia
ExecutiveintheStates
StateLegislature
HighCourtsandSubordinateCourts
LocalGovernment:UrbanandRural
PressureGroups
Again,Laxmikantisenoughforthistopic.Regardingpressuregroups/informalassociationsrecentactivism
shownbyCivilsociety,conflictwiththegovernmentandothersuchtopicsshouldbestudiedindepth.
TOPIC7

SalientfeaturesoftheRepresentationofPeoplesAct.

FirstreadthisbeautifularticlebyYogendraYadav.(PDF)
Thistopichasgeneratedmoreheatinthepastandpresenteg,officeofprofitbill,antidefectionbill,electoral
reformsbilletc.
Thistopicshouldbe
RecentsupremecourtrulingdisqualifyingMPsandMLAswithcriminalbackground,andcurrenttopicslikethis
shouldbestudiedcarefully.
TOPIC8and9

AppointmenttovariousConstitutionalposts,powers,functionsandresponsibilitiesof
variousConstitutionalBodies.
.Statutory,regulatoryandvariousquasijudicialbodies

ReadLaxmikantforthispart.PartVII,VIIIandIXofthisbookcompletelycoversthesetopics.
Thispartofthesyllabushasgivenrisetosomecontentiousissuessuchaspoliticalinterferenceintheappointment
tovariousconstitutionalpostsandstatutorybodies.EgEC,CBI,CVC,CAG,SC,Governors,Lokayukta,Lokpal(ifit
comesintoexistence)etc.So,readthistopickeepinginmindtheseaboveissues.
AsIsaidbefore,youneedtoreadalltheabovetopicswithananalyticalperspective.Toprovideyouwiththis,there
isawonderfulbookpublishedbyOxfordUniversityPressandauthoredbyPratapBhanuMehta,namedPublic
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InstitutionsinIndiaPerformanceandDesign,willbeimmenselyuseful.
Asitsbackcoversays,Thisvolumeanalyticallyassessesthedesign,performance,andadaptabilityoftheprincipal
institutionsofgovernanceinIndiaandtheircriticalroleinademocraticpolity.Thatiswhatyouneedforthispaper.
TOPIC10

Governmentpoliciesandinterventionsfordevelopmentinvarioussectorsandissuesarisingout
oftheirdesignandimplementation.

ThispartiscoveredwellinthesamebookImentionedabove:PublicInstitutionsinIndiaPerformanceand
Design
Also,referEconomicSurveyforgovernmentpoliciesandPIBsiteregularly.
TOPIC11

DevelopmentprocessesandthedevelopmentindustrytheroleofNGOs,SHGs,variousgroups
andassociations,donors,charities,institutionalandotherstakeholders

[PleasenotethephraseDevelopmentIndustryitreferstoaidindustrydevelopedaroundNGOs,UNbodies,
Charitiesetcandtheirroleinthedevelopmentprocess.]
Planningcommissionhasvariousarticlesonthesetopics.
ThisreportgivescriticalaccountofsuccessandfailureofSHGsinIndia.(justreadthesummary,conclusionand
recommendationsNEVERreadfullreport)
ArticleonNGOtheirevolutionandrole.

TOPIC12

WelfareschemesforvulnerablesectionsofthepopulationbytheCentreandStatesand
theperformanceoftheseschemesmechanisms,laws,institutionsandBodiesconstitutedfor
theprotectionandbettermentofthesevulnerablesections.

NotethewordSTATEschemesbythestatesarealsoimportant.
FocusontheschemesbeingimplementedbytheMinistryofWomenandChildwelfare,MinistryofSocial
Justice,MinistryofRuralDevelopmentandMinistryofTribalaffairs.
ListOfGovernmentSchemesIndiaWikipedialink.
ListofAllstateandcentralschemeGovt.ofIndiaWebsite(hereyoucanfilterqueriesbytheministryitisnoteasy
though,govtsiteyouknow..)
OnemoreoptionisvisitthislinkonmysitetogotothesiteofanyMinistryandfindschemesthere.
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TOPICS12and13

IssuesrelatingtodevelopmentandmanagementofSocialSector/Servicesrelatingto
Health,Education,HumanResources.
.Issuesrelatingtopovertyandhunger.

Wereadlotaboutthisthesedays:Foodsecuritybill,PDSreform,Povertyreductionschemes,Povertyline
controversy,Malnutritionfigures,reportonmalnutrition(rememberHungMareport?)etc.
TOPIC13

Importantaspectsofgovernance,transparencyandaccountability,egovernance
applications,models,successes,limitations,andpotentialcitizenscharters,transparency&
accountabilityandinstitutionalandothermeasures

Thisintroductoryarticleon2ndARCsiteand2ndARCreporton PromotingeGovernance:TheSMARTWay
Forwardwillbeveryusefultocoverthistopic.
EgovernanceConceptandSignificance(IGNOU)
TOPIC14

Roleofcivilservicesinademocracy

Again,2ndARCreport(10threport)RefurbishingofPersonnelAdministrationhaswholechapter(ch4)onthis
topic.

InternationalRelations

TOPIC15

Indiaanditsneighborhoodrelations.

Twosourcesforthistopic:
1.IndiaanditsneighboursMEAWebsite
IndiaAfghanistan
IndiaPakistan
IndiaNepal
IndiaBhutan
IndiaBangladesh
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IndiaSrilanka
IndiaMaldives
IndiaChina
IndiaMyanmar
2.ForcriticalanalysisThisBookbyRajivSikriChallengeandStrategyRethinkingIndiasForeignPolicyis
mustforreadingthispartofthesyllabus.
TOPIC16

Bilateral,regionalandglobalgroupingsandagreementsinvolvingIndiaand/oraffecting
Indiasinterests

ForIndiasrelationswiththeothercountries,clickhere.(readonlyimportantcounriesUSA,UK,EU,SA,Brazil,
Japan,Russia,Australiaetc)
MinistryofExternalAffairshasbriefsonallbilateralrelationsofIndiawithregionalandglobalgroupings:
AndeanCommunity(CAN)February2013
ASEANRegionalForumAugust2012
AsiaEuropeMeeting(ASEM)May2013
BRICSApril2013
CaribbeanCommunityandCommonMarket(CARICOM)January2013
CentralAmericanIntegrationSystem(SICA)February2013
CommonMarketforEasternandSouthernAfrica(COMESA)August2012
CommonwealthAugust2011
CommunityofLatinAmericanandCaribbeanStates(CELAC)August2012 eractionandConfidenceBuilding
MeasuresinAsia(CICA)August2012
EastAfricanCommunityApril2011
EastAsiaSummitJanuary2013
G20August2012
GulfCooperationCouncilFebruary2013
IndiaAfricanUnionRelations
IndiaASEANRelationsApril2013
IndiaEURelationsJuly2013
IndianOceanRimAssociationforRegionalCooperation(IORARC)March2013
IndiaUnitedNationsRelations,January,2013
MekongGangaCooperation(MGC)May2013
PanAfricaneNetworkProjectJanuary2013
SouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunityCooperationApril2012
TOPIC18
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EffectofpoliciesandpoliticsofdevelopedanddevelopingcountriesonIndiasinterests,
Indiandiaspora

Thisisadynamicparteffectsofglobalization,WTOpolicies,domesticpoliciesofdevelopedcountriesandtheir
effectonothercountries(lotofexamplesfromUSA,UKcanbegivenvisarow,waronterrorism,immigration
policies,economicpoliciesetc)
IndiandiasporatheircontributiontoIndia,Indiascontributiontothem,Theircontributiontotheworldetc.Their
problemsintheresidingcountries,theirrightsinIndiaconstitutional/statutoryprovisionsifany,theirparticipationin
tracktwodiplomacy,theirroleinIndianeconomyetcetc.
NewspaperisthebestsourceIguess.Formoreinfo,visittheofficialsite.
TOPIC19

ImportantInternationalinstitutions,agenciesandforatheirstructure,mandate.

UNOanditsvariousbodies,agenciesmustbestudiedwithrespecttotheirstructure,role,relevanceandreforms.
UNreformsisthehottopic.
InternationalOrganizations(noUNbodies)suchasAPEC,ADB,ASEAN,OECD,NATOshouldbestudied.
Forlinkstoalltheseorganizations:clickhere.
Finally,forsomearticlesfromYojanamagazines(2013)thatarerelatedtomanytopicsfromthisPaper,clickhere.

FiveIndispensableBooksForpaperIII

1.

D.D.BasuIntroductiontotheConstitutionofIndia20Edition

2.

IndianPolityforCivilServicesExaminations4thEditionLaxmikanth

3.

SelectConstitutions:16thEditionSChand

4.

ChallengeAndStrategy:RethinkingIndiasForeignPolicyRajivSikri

5.

PublicInstitutionsinIndia:PerformanceandDesignPratapBhanuMehta

TWORECOMMENDEDBOOKS(OnlyIfYouHaveMoreTimeAtYourDisposal)BothByGranvilleAustin
ClassicsOnIndianPolity
1)TheIndianConstitution:CornerstoneofANation(ClassicReissue)Review
2)WorkingaDemocraticConstitution:AHistoryoftheIndianExperienceReview
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ASMALLLECTURE

Untilnowwesawwhatbookstoread.Nowthequestionishowtoremembermostofthethingswereadandhowto
translatethemintobetteranswers.
Acommonmistakemostoftheaspirantscommitisreadingsomanybooksforasingletopic.Thismistake
costsbothyourtimeandabilitytorememberthingsclearlyandconcisely.
Sticktoasinglesourceandreaditagainandagain.RememberTheSameSource.Avoidthetemptationof
doingResearchonatopic.
AlwaysRememberUPSCtestsBasicUnderstanding.Notmasteryoveratopic.
Makeshortnotesoneachtopic.ItiswhilemakingnotesthatreaderstendtodoRESEARCHandscout
varioussources.Sticktoonebookevenifyouarenot100%satisfiedwithit.
Rememberthatoldsaying?Jackofalltrades,masterofNONE.IfyoutrytodoResearch,mostprobably
yournamewontappearintheFinalList.Iguaranteeit.
ForPaperII(i.eGS1)beingthoroughwithCurrentEventsplaysacrucialroleinenablingyoutoacquire
analyticalskills.
VeryImportantPartInThePreparation
Writing.Writing.Writing.
Butwhat?OnemustpracticeanswerwritingtoPreviousyearquestions,ortakeaMockTest.Whatever,
beforeyouenterexaminationhall,youmusthavespentlotoftimeonanswerwriting.
MostImportantPartInThePreparation
Revision.Revision.ReRevision.
YoudothisandyouappearforthePersonalityTest.
IfyoudontRevisewhatyoureadallthesemonthsyouslightlymissthePersonalityTest,orYounarrowly
missappearingintheFinalList.
Well,tosumup.Togettheinterviewcallallyouneedtodois:Read,Rereadthesamesource,WriteandRevise.
Preparationforthispapercanbefinishedin20daysprovidedyouarefocusedanddetermined.
Ofcourse.Eatwell,SleepwellandKeepagoodhealth.Ifyougetarunningnoseonthedayoftheexam,2hours
outof3hoursgoesindrainingitanddryingit.

STRATEGYFORGENERALSTUDIESPAPERII

Copyright(C)INSIGHTSACTIVELEARNING

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