PAPER-V: GENERAL STUDIES-II- Polity and International Relations

PAPER-V: GENERAL STUDIES-II (200 MARKS)
UNIT–I
SUB UNIT–1

 Constitution of India: Historical underpinning, evolution, salient features.
 Significant provisions including Fundamental Rights & Fundamental Duties., Directive Principles of State Policy,
 Amending process and important Constitutional Amendments and theory of basic structure.

SUB UNIT-2

 Parliament and State legislatures, Structure, Organization and functioning of the Union Executive and State Executive and the Judiciary.
 Functions and responsibilities of Union and States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up-to local level and challenges therein.
 Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
 Appointments to various constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies in India.

SUB UNIT-3

 Reorganization and politics of statehood.
 Development of political parties, major Political parties and their support base and performance in the Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Himachal Pradesh.
 Politics of sub-regionalism and pressure groups in the Himachal Pradesh.
 Structure, organization and functioning of Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi- Judicial bodies in Himachal Pradesh.

Note:— All the topics / subjects covered under SUB UNIT-3 are relevant to the State of Himachal Pradesh.
UNIT-II

SUB UNIT-1

 Institutional framework, Policies and Interventions for development in various sectors in India.
 Governance, Good governance, Citizen Charters, effective public service delivery, transparency, accountability and ethics in governance in India.
 District Administration: Changing role of Deputy Commissioner.
 Local self-government in urban and rural areas in India.

SUB-UNIT-2

 Role of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs),
 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Civil Society in Governance in India.
 Bodies constituted, Policies, Programmes and Schemes for welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes,
 Women, Minorities, Backward classes, Differently-abled persons, and children in India.
 Issues relating to quality of life: livelihood, poverty, hunger, disease and social inclusiveness.

SUB UNIT-3

 Governance in Himachal Pradesh:
 The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Guarantee Act 2011;
 Right to Information Act, 2005 and rules made thereunder by the Himachal Pradesh Government.
 Administrative reforms for effective public service delivery in Himachal Pradesh.
 Implementation of 73 & 74 Constitutional amendments in Himachal Pradesh.
 Issues and Challenges. Programmes and policies for the welfare of differently-abled persons, women and children in Himachal Pradesh.

Note:— All the topics / subjects covered under SUB UNIT-3 are relevant to the State of Himachal Pradesh.

UNIT-III

SUB UNIT-I

 Bilateral, Regional and Global groupings and agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests.
 India’s look east policy.
 India’s relations with United States of America (U.S.A.), Russia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Maldives and Middle East Countries.

SUB UNIT-2

 Effects of the policies of developed and developing countries on India’s interest, Indian Diaspora.
 Important international Institutions, agencies and fora, their structure and mandate.

SUB UNIT-3

 Cyber crime and drug menace – mechanism to detect and control it in Himachal Pradesh.
 Enactments made by Himachal Pradesh Government to protect and promote the interests of agrarian society.
 Various policies framed by the Government of Himachal Pradesh for the socioeconomic development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the State.
 Tribal welfare administration, Tribal sub plan and Single line administration in Himachal Pradesh.

Note:— All the topics / subjects covered under SUB UNIT-3 are relevant to the State of Himachal Pradesh.

FAQs on PAPER-V: GENERAL STUDIES-II- Polity and International Relations of Himachal Pradesh

What are the key topics covered in the “Constitution of India” section?

This section covers the historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure of the Constitution of India. It also includes topics like functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues andchallenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels, and challenges therein.

What topics are included under “Public Administration”?

This section covers the meaning, nature, and scope of Public Administration, administrative thought (Weber, Taylor, and Fayol), theories of organization, new public administration, public choice approach, good governance, and e-governance. It also includes topics like citizen charters, transparency and accountability, institutional strengthening, and administrative reforms.

What aspects of Indian politics are covered in the syllabus?

The syllabus covers the nature and features of the Indian political system, political parties and pressure groups, elections and voting behavior, the role of social media in politics, and challenges to the electoral system. It also includes the role of caste, religion, and ethnicity in Indian politics.

What topics are covered in the “India and the World” section?

This section covers Indian foreign policy and its determinants, India’s relations with major powers (USA, China, Russia, EU, and Japan), India’s relations with neighboring countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Myanmar), and India’s role in regional and global groupings (SAARC, ASEAN, BRICS, G-20, and SCO). It also includes recent developments in international relations and India’s position on various global issues.

What are the main topics under “Important International institutions, agencies, and fora- their structure, mandate”?

This section covers the United Nations and its specialized agencies (UNESCO, WHO, ILO, UNICEF, and UNCTAD), as well as other international institutions like the World Bank, IMF, WTO, and the International Court of Justice.

What is the weightage of Paper-V in the HPAS Mains exam?

Paper-V carries 200 marks out of a total of 1400 marks for the HPAS Mains exam.

What are some recommended resources for preparing for Paper-V?

• Indian Polity:
  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
  • Governance in India by M. Karthikeyan
• International Relations:
  • India’s Foreign Policy: Coping with the Changing World by Muchkund Dubey
  • Does the Elephant Dance? Contemporary Indian Foreign Policy by David M. Malone
  • NCERT textbooks on Political Science (Class 11th and 12th)

How should I approach the preparation for Paper-V?

• Understand the syllabus: Thoroughly go through the syllabus and make a note of the topics covered.
• Refer to standard textbooks: Start with NCERTs for basic concepts and then refer to standard textbooks for in-depth understanding.
• Make notes: Prepare concise notes on each topic for quick revision.
• Practice answer writing: Practice writing answers to previous years’ questions and model papers within the time limit.
• Join a test series: Enrolling in a test series will help you evaluate your preparation and identify areas for improvement.
• Stay updated: Keep yourself updated on current affairs related to Indian polity and international relations.