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GS 2 Mains 2020

How to score 140+ Marks in Mains 2020

By CA Rahul Kamar

2019 ANALYSIS, STRATEGY, SOURCES AND ANSWER WRITING

About GS II

Indian Constitution and Polity (90-115 Marks)

Governance and Social Issues (80-110 Marks)

International Relations (40-60 Marks)

Indian Constitution and Polity- 115 Marks (4 – 10 markers and 5- 15 markers)

Governance and Social Issues- 85 Marks (4- 10 Markers and 3 -15 Markers)

International Relations- 50 Marks (2- 10 Markers and 2 -15 Markers)

2019 subject wise breakup

Indian Polity & Constitution

Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions

and basic structure.

Union-state relations, federalism and local bodies

Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

Separation of powers ,

Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

Executive, Legislature and Judiciary

Pressure groups and other informal groups

Representation of People s Act.

All constitutional ,Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies and issues

related to their functioning

Indian Polity- Syllabus Key Areas

2019 Observation

Polity questions from static portion but need dynamic understanding Separation of powers, Supreme Court on Basic structure

debate

RPA 1951(Direct topic)

Amending power under Art.368

Powers of Attorney General

Issues largely in news are covered like Framer’s movements

Comparative constitutional Study (Federal lessons for France)

2019 Observation

Do you think that constitution of India does not accept principle of

strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of

‘checks and balance’? Explain.(10)

“The Central Administration Tribunal which was established for

redresal of grievances and complaints by or against central

government employees, nowadays is exercising its powers as an

independent judicial authority.” Explain.(10)

From the resolution of contentious issues regarding distribution of

legislative powers by the courts, ‘Principle of Federal Supremacy’

and ‘Harmonious Construction’ have emerged. Explain.(10)

Indian Polity – Questions 2019

What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism?(10)

On what grounds a people’s representative can be disqualified under the Representation of People Act, 1951? Also mention the remedies available to such person against his disqualification.(15)

“Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power.” In the light of this statement explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure of the Constitution by expanding its amending power?(15)

Indian Polity- Questions 2019

“The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.” Comment.(15)

“The Attorney-General is the chief legal adviser and lawyer of the Government of India.” Discuss.(15)

Individual Parliamentarian’s role as the national lawmaker is on a decline, which in turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss.(15)

Indian Polity- Questions 2019

Major constitutional features like Secularism and Federalism

and debates around them ( Also in comparison with other

major democracies)

Major debates in the functioning of parliament, debates, role of

parliamentarians in democracy,

Judgments of supreme Court like Judicial review (2016),

Important Bills like Aadhar Act(2016), 101st AA in 2017

Issues and debates which are consistently in news.

Focus Areas - Low hanging fruits

Laxmi Kant for Static Knowledge

Complementing with new like SC/HC Judgements, Bills, political debates from Newspapers

2nd ARC

PRS Website

Various commissions

Indian Polity- Resources

Important Const Article Numbers

Preamble

Imp Supreme court judgements

Neutral view on controversial issuses

Don’t unnecessarily criticize government

initiatives

Update your notes

Answer writing - Polity

Governance and Social Issues- Key areas

Human Development, Inclusiveness, Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition

Health, Education, Women.

Government Policies, welfare schemes for vulnerable sections and issues in their implementation

Role of NGO, SHGs

E-governance, ICT and other aspects of governance, Citizens Charter, RTI, Civil services and Issues related to the,

Governance and Social Issues- Key areas

What are the methods used by the Farmers organizations to influence thepolicy- makers in India and how effective are these methods? (10)

Despite Consistent experience of High growth, India still goes with thelowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that makebalanced and inclusive development elusive.(10)

There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty andhunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the governmentis forcing the poor to spend more on Non- Food essential items squeezingtheir food – budget.- Elucidate.(10)

Governance and Social- Questions 2019

Implementation of information and Communication Technology (ICT)

based Projects / Programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital

factors. Identify these factors, and suggest measures for their effective

implementation.(10)

‘In the context of neo-liberal paradigm of development planning, multi-

level planning is expected to make operations cost effective and remove

many implementation blockages.’-Discuss.(15)

Governance and Social- Questions 2019

The need for cooperation among various service sector has been aninherent component of development discourse. Partnership bridgesbring the gap among the sectors. It also sets in motion a culture of‘Collaboration’ and ‘team spirit’. In the light of statements aboveexamine India’s Development process (15)

Performance of welfare schemes that are implemented for vulnerablesections is not so effective due to absence of their awareness andactive involvement at all stages of policy process – Discuss.(15)

Governance and Social - Questions 2019

Governance issues from recent debates-

Issues like Implementation of ICT,

Multi level Planning.

1 Question from Women (Reservation in LSG was in news),

Human Development, etc.

Issues related to health, education not covered rather broader issues like performance of welfare schemes

2019 Observation

Not particular book → Practical mindset

Schemes implementation → Critically analysis

Linked to GS 1 Society

Yojna & Kurukshetra

Economic Survey & Budget

EVERGREEN ISSUES –

SHG, NGO, RTI,

E-governnce,

Police reforms

Civil services role

Resources & Focus areas

Facts

Case studies

Practical examples

Answer writing & Resources

International Relations

India’s foreign relation and with major regions like West Asia, Central Asia, etc.

All International Organizations and Bodies

India’s increasing role in world affairs,

India’s maritime sphere,

Indian diaspora

International Relations- Key areas

‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment (10)

‘Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’.(10)

IR- Questions 2019

‘ “The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised Nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order” Elaborate(15)

“What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self- esteem and ambitions” Explain with suitable examples.(15)

IR- Questions 2019

US quitting UNESCO was a major international event,

India-US Relations,

India-Japan (Repeated),

Role in India in World Affairs.

2019 Observation

Not much role of static books

Fundamentals be clear – 12th NCERT – Democracy of India – issues &

Challenges

Cover international organization’s in News

Mostly internet IDSA

Newspaper editorial

IR- Resources

Important visits

Organizations in news

Summits

Make short notes on important countries and regions

MEA Website

IR- Resources

Cover heated debates throughout the year

Eg. Questions on Simultaneous election asked in 2017,

NJAC Issue in 2017,

Right to Privacy in 2017, etc.

Don’t think that high profile topics can’t be asked.

Bodies- at least one question every year-

NCSC(due to reservation issue),

ECI, and

CAG in 2018,

ECI and

NCW in 2017,

Must Cover topics – I.R.

Do not Ignore International organizations-

UNESCO in 2019

WTO in 2018

ECOSOC in 2017,

Must Cover topics

Diplomatic aspects & Historical Aspects

Security

Energy

Ocean

S&T

Economy

Covid Management

Answer writing – I.R.

MASTERING GS 2

Short synopsis on all long term heated debates.

Jot down ARGUMENTS and FACTS

What is required?

Have read Laxmi Kant many times

IR about country to country relations

Ignoring the broader debates and challenges in governance

Pitfalls and Traps

Interlinking of Laxmikant chapters with major political debates

(Only static Knowledge won’t work)

Keenly watching major loopholes in governance and

implementation of government schemes

Interlinking topics with ARC Report and covering it (Topics like

federalism related issues)

Linking of International news to dynamic changes in world affairs

Most ignored Areas

Value Addition Topics like Inclusive Development, federalism, Health, education,

etc. can be covered from NITI AAYOG 3 YEAR AGENDA- Jot

down imp points and take an edge

Analysis of bills, issues related to democracy can be covered well

from PRS Legislative research website

Governance issues like Federalism, Citizen’s Charter, and others

should be covered from II ARC REPORT.