🌟 1.
Polity & Constitution
🔹 Functions and Responsibilities of Union and States
Intro: Indian Constitution provides for a quasi-federal structure with a clear demarcation of powers
under the Seventh Schedule (Art. 246). Body:
Union List: Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency
State List: Police, Public Health
Concurrent List: Education, Forests (Article 254 resolves conflict)
Case: Delhi Ordinance Act (2023)
Committee: Sarkaria Commission Conclusion: Strengthening cooperative federalism through
institutional dialogue and financial autonomy is vital.
🔹 Separation of Powers between Organs of Government
Intro: Doctrine of separation of powers underpins constitutional democracy and checks and
balances. Body:
Legislative, Executive, Judiciary – distinct but interdependent
Judicial Review: Kesavananda Bharati Case
Tensions: Judicial activism vs judicial overreach
Committee: 2nd ARC on Governance Conclusion: A harmonious balance ensures
accountability without paralysis.
🔹 Role of Constitutional Bodies
Intro: Constitutional bodies ensure democratic accountability and governance. Body:
ECI: Conducts free and fair elections (Art. 324)
CAG: Guardian of public purse (Art. 148)
UPSC: Ensures merit-based recruitment (Art. 315)
Issue: Independence and funding Case: SC ruling in Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India (2023)
on ECI appointments Conclusion: Need to safeguard autonomy of constitutional institutions
for institutional integrity.
🌍 2. Governance
🔹 Government Policies and Interventions
Intro: Welfare policies are instruments to address socio-economic challenges. Body:
Examples: PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Mission Shakti
Issues: Policy design vs ground implementation gaps
Solution: Data-driven governance, local capacity building Case: Aspirational Districts Program
– use of real-time data for monitoring Conclusion: Policy must be participatory, transparent,
and adaptive.
🔹 Role of Civil Services
Intro: Civil services are the steel frame of governance. Body:
Functions: Policy implementation, continuity, public service delivery
Challenges: Political interference, lack of innovation
Reforms: Mission Karmayogi, lateral entry Quote: Paul Appleby called Indian civil services
"the backbone of administrative machinery" Conclusion: Reforms must balance stability with
performance.
🔹 Transparency, Accountability & Citizen Charters
Intro: Transparency and accountability are pillars of good governance. Body:
RTI Act (2005), e-governance (Digital India), CPGRAMS
Issues: RTI dilution, data privacy
Citizen Charters: Define service standards, redressal mechanisms Case: Seva Sindhu platform
(Karnataka) – streamlining service delivery Conclusion: Citizens must be empowered with
information and tools for accountability.
⚖️3. Judiciary & Executive Relations
🔹 Appointment to Constitutional Posts
Intro: Appointment processes affect institutional integrity. Body:
CJI Appointment: Collegium vs NJAC (struck down in 2015)
Governor's appointment (Art. 155): Issues of partisanship
SC recommendation: Transparent, merit-based processes Case: SC in Shiv Sena case (2023)
on Governor's discretion Conclusion: Transparent processes reinforce public trust in
institutions.
🔹 Role of Quasi-Judicial Bodies
Intro: These bodies combine judicial and administrative functions. Body:
Examples: NHRC, CIC, NGT, TRAI
Issues: Understaffing, lack of enforcement power
Reforms: Autonomy, better funding, digitization Case: NGT’s role in Vedanta Sterlite Plant
closure Conclusion: Must be strengthened to ensure faster and specialized justice.
🗰️4. Social Justice & Welfare
🔹 Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections
Intro: Welfare schemes are critical to achieving inclusive growth. Body:
SCs/STs/OBCs: Stand Up India, SC Pre-Matric Scholarship
Women: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Maternity Benefit Act
Issues: Leakages, awareness, targeting errors Case: JSY (Janani Suraksha Yojana) improving
maternal health outcomes Conclusion: Needs holistic, intersectional, and community-based
approach.
🔹 Education & Health Policies
Intro: Human capital development is vital for economic growth. Body:
Education: NEP 2020 – flexibility, vocational training
Health: Ayushman Bharat, National Digital Health Mission
Issues: Teacher absenteeism, health infrastructure gaps Case: Mohalla Clinics – decentralized
primary care Conclusion: Investment must match policy ambition.
🌐 5. International Relations
🔹 India and Its Neighborhood
Intro: Regional stability is key to India’s strategic interests. Body:
Relations: India–Nepal (border issues), India–China (LAC tensions), India–Bhutan (hydro
cooperation)
Initiatives: SAGAR, Neighbourhood First Policy Case: India’s Vaccine Maitri to neighboring
nations Conclusion: Balancing strategic autonomy with neighborhood cooperation is vital.
🔹 Bilateral and Multilateral Groupings
Intro: These groupings shape global and regional geopolitics. Body:
QUAD, SCO, BIMSTEC – strategic significance
Issues: China's aggression, trade barriers, policy coherence Case: India’s Act East Policy via
BIMSTEC and ASEAN engagement Conclusion: Multi-alignment and strategic partnerships
help India preserve autonomy.
🔹 Role of International Institutions
Intro: Institutions influence global governance norms. Body:
UN, WHO, WTO, IMF – structure, India’s role
Reforms needed: Security Council expansion, WTO dispute body restoration Case: India at
G20 Presidency (2023): Voice of Global South Conclusion: Must push for reform while
leveraging institutions for national interest.
🌟 1. Polity & Constitution
Topic Case Study / Example Quote / Committee Use in Answer
GST Council disputes (e.g., "India is an indestructible
Federal For challenges in fiscal
compensation cess delay union of destructible states." –
Structure federalism
during COVID-19) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Punchhi Commission Report: Use to show need for
Union-State
Delhi vs LG conflict (2023) Recommend clear delineation clarity in functional
Relations
of power-sharing federalism
Forest governance Sarkaria Commission: Highlights practical
Concurrent
overlapping with mining Suggested respecting state disputes on
List Issues
licenses autonomy in practice concurrent subjects
🌍 2. Governance
Topic Case Study / Example Quote / Committee Use in Answer
Aspirational Nandurbar, Use to show cooperative
NITI Aayog: Data-driven,
Districts Maharashtra saw rise in governance and local
district-level development
Programme institutional deliveries empowerment
Seva Sindhu Evidence of success in e-
Digital 2nd ARC: Tech-led citizen-
(Karnataka), e-Sewa governance and
Governance centric administration
(Telangana) transparency
Quote: “Bureaucracy is the
Mission Launched for civil handmaiden of For modernizing and
Karmayogi service capacity building development.” – Paul reforming civil services
Appleby
⚖️3. Judiciary & Executive Relations
Topic Case Study / Example Quote / Committee Use in Answer
Law Commission: Use to critique lack of
Collegium NJAC Act struck down
Recommended transparent accountability in judicial
System Critique (2015)
mechanism appointments
Governor's Punchhi Commission: Illustrates federal friction
Maharashtra Political
Discretion Advocated apolitical role for through constitutional
Crisis (2022–23)
Misuse Governor offices
NGT orders: Sterlite “Justice delayed is justice
Quasi-Judicial Shows role and limits of
Copper plant closure denied” – William E.
Body bodies like NGT and NHRC
(TN) Gladstone
🗰️4. Social Justice & Welfare
Topic Case Study / Example Quote / Committee Use in Answer
Demonstrates
Health Mohalla Clinics in Delhi 15th Finance Commission: Focus
decentralised and
Policy improved OPD access on primary healthcare
accessible healthcare
NEP 2020 pilot Kothari Commission: “Education Value addition on
Education implementation in and national development are progressive education
Karnataka inseparable.” policy
Use to show changing
Women Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Economic Survey 2022-23:
mindset and targeted
Welfare success in Haryana Gender budget trends
schemes
🌐 5. International Relations
Topic Case Study / Example Quote / Committee Use in Answer
Vaccine Maitri Initiative Quote: “India’s destiny is
Neighborhood Demonstrates India's
(2021) to SAARC and intimately linked with that of
First Policy regional leadership
Africa her neighbors.” – Nehru
QUAD Malabar Naval Exercise PM Modi: “QUAD is a force for Use to show strategic
Engagement (2023) global good.” depth and balancing act
India’s G20 Presidency UNGA Speech by PM Modi: Reinforces India’s
Global South
(2023) focus on Global “We are the voice of the multilateral and moral
Leadership
South voice Global South.” leadership
🧠 Extra Quotes for Value Addition
Theme Quote Usage
Good “Minimum government, maximum
Use in administrative reforms
Governance governance.” – PM Modi
Civil Services “Reform, perform, transform.” – PM Modi Use in civil service reform context
“Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” – Justice
Accountability RTI, transparency topics
Louis Brandeis
“Cooperative federalism is the way forward.” – Federal relations, policy
Federalism
NITI Aayog implementation
