MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER - III

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

TOPICS BOOKS & JOURNALS

  1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

References:

11th NCERT Indian Constitution at work & Indian Polity by M. Lakshmi Kant, Constitution of India By PM Bakshi.

Journals/ Websites:

THE HINDU, PIB Yojana, Kurukshetra, The Indian Express, Economic & Political Weekly, Frontline.

  1. 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.
  2. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

References:

Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu. IGNOU MPS-003 India: Democracy and Development, Indian Public Administration 3rd Edition by Rajni & Goyal.

Journals/ Websites:

THE HINDU, PIB Yojana, Kurukshetra, The Indian Express, Economic & Political Weekly, Frontline.

  1. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
  2. Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. References:

Political Science by ND Arora, Public Administration By Lakshmi Kant.

  1. Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.

References:

12th NCERT: Politics in India After Independence, 2nd ARC REPORT, Sarkaria Commission Report. Punchi Commission Report.

  1. Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
  2. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
  3. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
  4. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

References:

8th NCERT- Law & Social Justice, 9th NCERT- Economics, 11th NCERT- Economics: Indian Economic Development. 12th Five Year Plan 2012- Planning Commission.

Journals/ Websites :

Kurukshetra, The Indian Express, Economic & Political Weekly, Frontline.

  1. Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.

References:

IGNOU MPS-003 India: Democracy and Development.

  1. 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.

References:

Indian Year Book, Economic Survey, Annual Reports: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Journals/ Websites:

THE HINDU, PIB Yojana & Kurukshetra.

  1. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
  2. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
  3. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance - applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
  4. Role of civil services in a democracy. References:

Governance In India By Lakshmi Kant, 2nd ARC REPORT, Development Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya, New Horizons of Public Administration 7th Edition by Mohit Bhattacharya, Indian Public Administration 3rd Edition by Rajni & Goyal.

Journals/ Websites :

THE HINDU, PIB Yojana, Kurukshetra, The Indian Express, Economic & Political Weekly, Frontline.

  1. India and its neighborhood- relations.

References:

IGNOU - EPS- 07- International Relations, IGNOU -MP-001-India & the World, IGNOU – MPS-002- International Relations: Theory and problems.

Journals/ Websites:

THE HINDU, PIB World Focus, The Indian Express, Frontline.

  1. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

References:

NCERT Class 12th: Political Science Contemporary World Politics, India’s Foreign Policy- Retrospect and prospect By Sumit Ganguly.

  1. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

References:

Foreign Policy of India By V N Khanna, India’s Foreign Policy- Retrospect and prospect By Sumit Ganguly.

  1. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

References:

Manorama Year Book , Ministry of External Affairs, Online Website.

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