UPSC Mains GS Paper-2 – Last Minute Strategy & Answer Writing Tips by Anush Sir

Dear Aspirants,

As you step into the examination hall tomorrow, remember that GS Paper-2 is not just about recalling constitutional articles or schemes—it is about thinking like a policymaker and writing like a future civil servant. This paper demands precision, analytical depth, and integration of Articles, case laws, commissions, reports, schemes, and current events.

In this detailed note, I am sharing my last-minute strategy for GS Paper-2. Read it slowly, absorb the flow, and practice mentally structuring your answers.

Polity – The Backbone of GS Paper-2

Polity is the most predictable yet scoring part of GS Paper-2. The key is to always anchor answers in the Constitution.

• Articles as Anchors: Every answer must begin with a relevant Article. For instance, Right to Privacy → Article 21, Judicial Independence → Article 50, Freedom of Speech → Article 19(1)(a).
• Case Laws for Justification:
  • Judicial Review → Kesavananda Bharati (1973).
  • Free Speech → Shreya Singhal (2015).
  • NJAC → SC striking down 2015 Act.
    These names show maturity in your answers.
• Principles of Constitutionalism: Federalism, Separation of Powers, Rule of Law—use them as evaluative tools.
• Commissions: Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations, National Commission to Review the Constitution for reforms.

Format for Polity answers: Article + Case Law + Principle + Commission = High Marks in GS Paper-2.

Governance – The Practical Dimension of GS Paper-2

Governance questions test your awareness of administrative principles and current reforms.

• Core Principles: Accountability, Transparency, Responsiveness, Inclusiveness—structure answers around these.
• Current Affairs Examples:
  • JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) for financial inclusion.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for leak-proof subsidies.
  • CoWIN platform as a model of digital governance.
• Static Reports: 2nd ARC Report is your strongest ally. Quote from its volumes on Ethics in Governance, Citizen-Centric Administration, RTI Implementation.
• Best Practices: Citizen Charters (Sevottam Model), e-Governance in states like Andhra Pradesh’s MeeSeva.

Governance in GS Paper-2 is not about theory—it’s about principles linked with present-day innovations.

Social Justice & Welfare – The Ethical Core of GS Paper-2

This section overlaps with society but focuses more on schemes, rights, and welfare.

• Schemes to Mention: Ayushman Bharat, MGNREGA, PM Poshan, PMAY, Ujjwala Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
• Data Anchors:
  • NFHS-5 → maternal/child health.
  • NCRB → crime against women/SC-ST.
  • UNDP HDI & NITI SDG Index.
  • Oxfam Inequality Report → wealth disparity.
• Best Practices:
  • Kudumbashree (Kerala) → women empowerment.
  • KALIA (Odisha) → farmer welfare.
  • Global inspiration: Brazil’s Bolsa Familia.
• Constitutional Anchors: Article 21 (Right to Life), Article 39 (Directive Principles), Article 45 (education), Article 47 (nutrition & health).

In GS Paper-2, social justice answers shine when you show scheme + data + constitutional provision together.

International Relations – The Global Side of GS Paper-2

This section is dynamic and heavily current-affairs oriented.

• Start With a Current Event: India’s G20 Presidency, QUAD Summit, BRICS expansion, India-Nepal energy cooperation, India-US iCET partnership.
• Use Strategic Vocabulary: multi-polarity, Indo-Pacific, strategic autonomy, Global South leadership. These terms give intellectual depth.
• Maps for Impact:
  • India’s extended neighbourhood (ASEAN, Central Asia).
  • Indian Ocean chokepoints (Hormuz, Malacca).
  • China’s Belt & Road vs. India’s SAGAR & IMT Corridor.
• India’s Lenses:
  • Act East Policy (linking to ASEAN).
  • SAGAR vision (maritime).
  • Balancing US–Russia relations.
  • Role in BRICS, SCO, UN reforms.
• Contemporary Hooks: Climate diplomacy, Vaccine Maitri, Digital Public Infrastructure, Chabahar Port.

Remember: IR in GS Paper-2 should follow this flow → Event → Strategic Context → India’s Role → Way Forward.

Last Hour Answer-Writing Mantras for GS Paper-2

1. Word Limit Discipline: 10 markers (~150 words in 7 minutes), 15 markers (~250 words in 11 minutes).
2. IBC Structure:
   • Intro → Constitutional Article/definition.
   • Body → 3–5 sub-points with examples/data.
   • Conclusion → futuristic line (reform, cooperation, innovation).
3. Underline Key Anchors: Articles, case laws, reports, schemes.
4. One Value Add Per Answer: Map, table, report, or case law.
5. Polity: Always quote an Article + case.
6. Governance: Bring in ARC reports & current platforms.
7. Social Justice: Drop 1 scheme + 1 data point + 1 Article.
8. IR: Start with a current headline, end with India’s strategic vision.

Last 30-Minute Quick Revision for GS Paper-2

• Polity: Revise 10 key Articles (14, 19, 21, 32, 50, 72, 110, 123, 262, 368).
• Case Laws: Kesavananda Bharati, Shreya Singhal, NJAC.
• Governance: ARC keywords (ethics, RTI, citizen-centric).
• Social Justice: Recall 3 data anchors (NFHS-5, UNDP HDI, Oxfam Report).
• IR: 3 headlines (G20, QUAD, India-Middle East Corridor).

Final Words from Team La Excellence:

Tomorrow in GS Paper-2, do not write like a student reproducing content. Write like a civil servant in the making—structured, aware, precise, and reform-oriented.

Each answer should look like this:
Intro with Article/case → Body with principles/examples/data → Conclusion with reforms/way forward.

Stay calm, use your pen to express confidence, and remember: clarity beats quantity.

You have worked hard. Now is the time to present it well.

Share this to your friends and well wishers to help them in last minute.

— With best wishes,
Anush Sir

For more such preparation strategies, you can read here: https://laex.in/category/preparation-strategy/

La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.

▶️ FOLLOW US ON:
◉ Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/

▶️ GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140

▶️ OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar : 1524,  Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040