3-Month Weekly Study Plan — Governance & Social Justice (UPSC)
Month 1 – Understanding Basics & Governance Structure
Week 1: Introduction to Governance
- Meaning, nature, and importance of Governance
- Good Governance: Principles & Features
- Role of Government in a welfare state
- E-Governance: Meaning, Components, Advantages
- Case Studies: Digital India, e-Kranti, MyGov
Revision & Practice:
- Revise notes
- Attempt 10 MCQs from this topic
- Watch one government case study (YouTube / PIB)
Week 2: Transparency, Accountability & Ethics
- Transparency in governance
- RTI Act, 2005 — key provisions, importance
- Citizen’s Charter
- Social Audit
- Role of NGOs and Civil Society
Revision Task:
- Prepare short notes on RTI & Social Audit
- Read recent examples of transparency issues in India
Week 3: Role of Civil Services
- Role of Civil Services in Democracy
- Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Integrity
- Challenges before Civil Services
- Reforms in Civil Services (ARC Recommendations)
Practice:
- Write short answers on “Civil Services Reforms”
- Watch summary of 2nd ARC Report on YouTube
Week 4: Accountability & Institutional Mechanisms
- Lokpal & Lokayukta
- CVC (Central Vigilance Commission)
- CBI: Structure and Issues
- Supreme Court Guidelines on Accountability
Revision Task:
- Create a flowchart of institutional mechanisms
- Revise Month 1 topics through one-line notes
Month 2 – Social Justice & Welfare Schemes
Week 5: Social Justice – Overview
- Concept of Social Justice
- Constitutional provisions for social justice
- Role of Judiciary in ensuring social justice
- Key issues: Poverty, Inequality, Unemployment
Practice:
- Write a short note: “Social Justice as envisioned in the Preamble”
Week 6: Vulnerable Sections – SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities
- Constitutional safeguards
- Important Schemes:
- Scheduled Caste Sub Plan
- Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana
- Nai Manzil Scheme
- National Commissions: SC, ST, OBC
Revision:
- Make comparative chart of constitutional articles related to these groups
Week 7: Women and Child Welfare
- Gender Equality in India
- Laws for Women: Maternity Benefit Act, POCSO, Domestic Violence Act
- Schemes: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, ICDS, Mission Shakti
- Issues related to child labor, malnutrition, trafficking
Task:
- Write 1 essay on “Empowerment of Women in India”
Week 8: Differently Abled, Elderly & Other Vulnerable Groups
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- Schemes: Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
- Issues of Elderly – Social Security, Pension Schemes
- Role of NGOs & Civil Society
Revision:
- Make a chart of all welfare schemes (group-wise)
Month 3 – Contemporary Issues & Reforms
Week 9: Government Policies & Implementation
- Policy formulation & implementation process
- Role of NITI Aayog
- Centrally Sponsored vs Central Sector Schemes
- Role of pressure groups and SHGs
Practice:
- Case Study: Aspirational Districts Programme
Week 10: Social Sector Initiatives
- Health: Ayushman Bharat, NHM, NHP 2017
- Education: NEP 2020, Samagra Shiksha
- Housing & Sanitation: PMAY, Swachh Bharat Mission
- Rural Development: MGNREGA, NRLM
Task:
- Prepare current data and reports (NFHS, NITI Aayog Indexes)
Week 11: Issues in Governance
- Corruption: Causes, Effects, and Remedies
- Role of Media and Social Media in Governance
- Global Indices: Corruption Perception Index, World Governance Indicators
- Recent reforms for accountability
Revision:
- Make mind map for each issue
- Practice 10 UPSC-style questions
Week 12: Final Revision & Answer Writing
- Comprehensive revision of all months
- Practice previous year UPSC GS-2 questions (2013–2024)
- Focus on case studies & value addition (Reports, Data, Examples)
- Mock Test (GS Paper-2 – Governance & Social Justice section)
🧩 Bonus Tips
- Follow PIB, Yojana, Kurukshetra, PRSIndia for current updates.
- Link static topics with current government schemes or policies.
- Maintain one-page summaries for each theme.
- Practice 2 answer writings per week (250 words each).