UPSC Mains 2025 GS2 Paper pdf Download (Governance, Polity & IR)

📘 UPSC Mains 2025 GS-II Paper

Governance, Polity, International Relations & Social Justice — your roadmap to mastering GS-II starts here.

⬇ Download GS-II Paper (PDF)

UPSC Mains 2025 — GS Paper II Analysis

GS-II tests you on the pillars of governance: Constitution, polity, social justice, and India’s role on the world stage. It’s where your readiness for leadership takes shape—structured, law-based, globally aware.

Why GS-II Matters

This paper validates your grasp over the constitutional framework, governance mechanisms, rights-based policies, and global diplomacy. Excelling here signals maturity, legal clarity, and global outlook—traits expected in an IAS officer.

📢Download other Papers : 📘 GS Paper 1 📘 GS Paper 2 📘 GS Paper 3 📘 GS Paper 4 📘 Essay Paper 📘 Optional Papers

📚 Essential GS2 Resources

Laxmikanth - Indian Polity

Governance in India

ARC Reports (Official)

India Year Book

IGNOU / NIOS Notes

IR – Pavneet Singh

🛠 Recommended Study Resources for GS-II

Foundational documents, policy portals, and mentor-backed classics to build a robust GS-II structure.

📜 Constitution of India (Bare Act) 🏛 PRS Legislative Research 🌏 Ministry of External Affairs 📰 Press Information Bureau

📋 Official UPSC GS-II Syllabus

• Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
• Functions and responsibilities of Union and States; federal structure issues.
• Separation of powers, Parliament & State legislatures; working and accountability issues.
• Structure and functioning of Executive and Judiciary; Ministries and Departments.
• Welfare schemes; issues of design & implementation.
• Role of NGOs, SHGs, pressure groups, and civil services.
• Poverty, hunger, and inclusive development issues.
• India’s relations with neighbouring countries; bilateral, regional & global groupings.
• Effect of policies & politics of developed and developing countries.

🧩 Remember GS-II with the “GOV-IRStory”

Visualize India as a dynamic state—the Constitution is its identity. Governance machinery executes laws. Social Justice ensures inclusive citizen protection. International Relations is India’s voice on the world stage. This GOV-IRStory links constitutional law, policies, rights frameworks, and diplomacy.

🗺 GS-II Flowchart

Constitution

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Governance

Polity

Social Justice

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International Relations

Answer Drill: Apply the 4F Method

Structure every answer as Intro → Body → Way Forward with 4Fs:

• Fact: Constitutional article, scheme data, or policy provision.
• Feeling: Why does this matter for citizens/democracy?
• Failure: Where has implementation fallen short?
• Fix: Institutional or policy-driven solution with timelines.

Practice Strategy: What You Do Next

• Write 5 GS-II questions under timed conditions using the PDF.
• Use flowcharts or diagrams—they score easily.
• Include one constitutional article or scheme in each answer.
• Audit your answer: Balanced tone? Way forward realistic?

Think Like an IAS Officer

As a collector: (1) How will you strengthen Gram Sabhas using constitutional tools? (2) Pilot welfare delivery without leakages? (3) Navigate diplomatic challenges in neighborhood conflicts? Write brief SOPs—responsive, rights-based, and law-grounded.

© 2025 — UPSC2026 Countdown. Precision. Balance. Officer mindset.