Compared to History and Geography, freshers who attempt the UPSC Civil Services Exam might not be well aware initially, about the intricacies of Indian Polity. Topics under polity, though are touched in a basic level in school classes, that depth is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the UPSC Indian Polity section, either for Prelims or Mains. Hence Indian Polity needs separate in-depth study, and we feel almost all aspirants spend most of their UPSC preparation time understanding Indian Polity, that too reading the most popular text on Indian Polity –
Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth. The book is a deserving name for the distinction – ‘the Bible of Civil Services Aspirants’
. There are many toppers who recommend this book for civil services aspirants.
Topics covered under Indian Polity
For ease of convenience it’s always mentioned as polity, but UPSC syllabus for Prelims elaborate this topics in a few more words, ie. “Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.” Undoubtedly, Constitution is the most important topic under Indian Polity.
How To Study Indian Polity For IAS Exam?
There are no NCERT texts which can be suggested as a comprehensive material for the Indian Polity, but Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbook of Political Science – ‘Indian Constitution at work’ is a good starting point.
Books to Prepare Indian Polity for UPSC IAS Exam
Additional Books for Mains
For polity, governance, social justice and foreign relations topics for mains, certain new books are available in the market. Links for them are given below:
- Social Problems In India – Ram Ahuja. (Indian Society – GS1)
- Development & Developmental Processes (Social Justice – GS2)
- Issues Relating to Social Development (Social Justice – GS2)
- Pax Indica – Shashi Tharoor. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
- India’s Foreign Policy by Muchkund Dubey. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
Important topics in Indian Polity : Priority List
- Making of the Constitution
- Salient Features of the Constitution
- Preamble of the Constitution
- Union and its Territory
- Citizenship
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Fundamental Duties
- President
- Vice-president
- Prime Minister
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
- Governor
- Chief Minister
- State Legislature
- High Court
- Subordinate Courts
- Federal System
- Centre-State Relations
- Inter-State Relations
- Union Territories
- Scheduled and Tribal Areas
- Panchayati Raj
- Urban Local Governments
- Emergency Provisions
- Special Status of Jammu & Kashmir
- Election Commission
- Union Public Service Commission
- Finance Commission
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- Attorney General and Solicitor General of India
- Advocate General of the State
- Subjects of Union, State and Concurrent Lists
- Table of Precedence
- Oath by the Constitutional and other Authorities
- Definitions under the Constitution
- Constitutional Amendments at a Glance.
