SYLLABUS

Section 1: Polity and governance

Indian polity and governance-constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, rights issues, etc.

Indian constitution
- Historical underpinnings
- Evolution
- Features
- Amendments
- Significant provisions
- Basic structure
Centre-state
- 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.
Separation of powers between various organs
Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and state legislatures
- Structure
- Functioning
- Conduct of business
- Powers & privileges and issues.
Executive and the judiciary
- Structure
- Organization
- Functioning
- Ministries and departments of the government
- Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the polity.
Salient features of the representation of people’s act.
Constitutional posts
- Appointment
- Powers
- Functions
Responsibilities of various constitutional bodies.
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Important aspects of governance
- Transparency and accountability
- E-governance applications
- Models
- Successes
- Limitations
- Potential
- Citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Role of civil services in a democracy.

India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- Bilateral
- Regional
- Global
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on
- India’s interests
- Indian diaspora
Important international institutions, agencies and forums.
- Structure
- Mandate