Governance, Constitution, Polity and Inter-state 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, Odisha Right to Public Services Act and Odisha Lokayukta Act.
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional bodies.
• Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
• 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 Central and State Civil services in a democracy.
• Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs) in Odisha.
• Odisha and its neighborhood – relations.
Social Justice
• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation – India and Odisha.
• Development processes and the development industry – the role of MSMEs & women SHGs.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the State and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections- India and Odisha.
• Issues relating to development and management of social sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources – India and Odisha.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger – Sustainable Development Goals.