GS paper 2 along with paper dynamic papers where all the questions are current based. It also is a test of analytical skills of the students as many indirect questions are asked. The main topics consist of Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.

The basic knowledge of polity helps in concept building and is bedrock for Paper II preparation. The students before starting GS-II must read either the NCERT’s of X, XI, XII of political science or the NIOS material which is available on the internet.
For constitution topic knowing basic structure of constitution is essential. Most of the students have studied Lakshmikanth during their prelims which are enough. However one can also study first few chapters of DD basic (Chapter 1-5) for further clarity. This topic is static, any changes or amendments made/proposed in the constitution should also be covered. This is generally published in India Year Book every year.

The topic like issues related to federal structure, devolution of power and finances, redressal mechanism public grievieance are complete current based tpics and are best prepared from various newspaper and magazines. Reading ARC reports is very useful for this topic. One should continuously browse the internet to locate any good editorials for the related topics in order to prepare.

For comparative constitution S Chand book select Constitution of the world is very useful. Since this topic is very vast and not always questions are asked one should go in detail of this topic .However one should keep a check on some of the peculiar points of various constitutions, changes made in other constitutions, changes made in other important countries and new constitutions or reformed constitutions like Nepal and Pakistan.
For functioning of parliament-Subhash Kashyap’s book our parliament is a good resource. However questions were not asked from this topic in last two years. Laxmikanth again is a mandatory book both for polity in prelims and other small topics in mains. Newspaper supplements preparation of this topic. Some of the websites like (Centre of Budget and policy studies, National Institute of public finance and policy, Indian Institute of Public administration and PRS) should be referred.

Other topics like centre state relationships and performance of various schemes can be checked from the internet. Again websites of various ministries like (MWCW, MSJ, MRD and Ministry of Tribal affairs) should be regularly visited.

Candidates should also keep a check on various reports which are published. Data from economic survey and India Year Book should in inculcated in the answers.
International Relations are a break off topic in paper II which is completely different from polity and governance. Only common point in the two points in the two areas is that current based questions are asked. Candidate can build a base by reading a basic book on International Relations. Any book either IR by Rajiv Sikri on book by pant should be the reference book. Students should definitely refer to the website of ministry of external affairs and Institute of Defence studies and Analysis.

The editorial of newspapers and articles from World Focus magazines are also quiet useful. Candidates should only stick to newspapers and websites for IR and International organisations.