APSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus 2025 – Governance, Polity, IR & Social Justice Topics PDF

General Studies Paper 2 (GS-2) is a crucial part of the APSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Mains. It focuses on assessing a candidate’s understanding of Indian governance, polity, constitution, social justice and international relations. The topics covered in this paper are vast and multidimensional, requiring both factual knowledge and analytical depth.

Below is the APSC Mains Paper 3 syllabus as officially prescribed by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

General Studies-II complete syllabus

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

• Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.
• 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 Arising out of these.
• 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.
• Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.
• Appointment to various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
• Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.
• Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
  Development Processes and the Development Industry — the Role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• 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.
• Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger.
• Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability, E-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; Citizens Charters, Transparency & Accountability and institutional and other measures.
• Role of Civil Services in a Democracy.
• India and its Neighborhood- Relations.
• Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
• Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.
• Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate.

APSC Mains General Studies-II

APSC Mains Paper-III mainly consists of the following core subjects:

• Governance
• Constitution
• Polity
• Social Justice
• International relations

Similar to General Studies Paper I, General Studies Paper I also has very few direct, one-dimensional questions. The paper demands a good grasp of concepts and the capability to think critically and analytically. The questions are largely interlinked — merging subjects such as governance, polity, international relations, and social justice. Candidates must be able to connect current affairs with key subjects to pen detailed answers. If you are preparing for APSC Mains in 2025, make sure you read the corresponding article for the detailed syllabus along with the core areas that you need to focus on.

Focus Areas in Mains General Studies-II

Below are the key focus areas in Mains General Studies Paper-II that every aspirant should concentrate on during their preparation:

• Candidates can get the Previous Year Questions for APSC Mains GS 2 in the linked article.