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Indian Polity Notes for UPSC Prelims 2024, Check in Detail

One of the key topics for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is Indian politics. All three levels of the Civil Services exam have included questions that directly relate to the constitutional framework. This article contains a topic-by-topic table of the curriculum for Indian politics for the UPSC, which may greatly assist you in covering Indian polity. You can also download our micro themes syllabus PDF of Indian polity to keep your UPSC preparation syllabus focused.

Indian Polity Notes for UPSC Prelims and Mains

UPSC Indian Polity: The entire constitutional framework and the operation of our political system are encapsulated in Indian politics. To make your preparation easier, we have divided the Indian Polity themes included in the UPSC notification into smaller subtopics. To prepare for the UPSC exam, go over each of these topics in depth. Indian Polity is a vast and complex subject, but there are a few key concepts that are essential for understanding the Indian political system. Here is a brief overview of some of the most important Indian polity notes:

Constitutional Framework Indian Polity Notes

Evolution of the Constitution

Making of Constitution

Features of the Indian Constitution

Indian Union and its Territory

Citizenship

Fundamental Rights

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

Fundamental Duties

Amendment of Constitution

System of Government

Executive Bodies

Union Legislature

Parliamentary Devices, Procedures and Working

Parliamentary Groups and Committees

Emergency Provisions In Indian Constitution

State Government and its Machineries 

Central State Relations

Union Territories and Special Areas

Local Government

Supreme Court

High Court and Subordinate Court

Other Judicial Bodies and Services

Constitutional Bodies

Non-Constitutional Bodies

Political Dynamics

Important Bills, Laws, and Acts

Governance

International Relations

Indian Polity Current Affairs for UPSC & PSC

  • Lok Sabha Election 2024, Started Form 19 April in 7 Phases April 27, 2024India’s national election 2024 started from April 19 to June 1, 2024. With seven phases over 44 days, 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha will be elected. Incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third term. Approximately 970 million out of a population of 1.44 billion are eligible to ...Read More
  • Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution Articles12-35 April 24, 2024Fundamental Rights, enshrined in Articles 12-35 of the Indian Constitution, constitute a cornerstone of India’s democratic framework. Comprising six key rights including the Right to Life, Right to Dignity, and Right to Education, these rights are regarded as inviolable privileges bestowed upon Indian citizens. In the context of the UPSC ...Read More
  • Union Territories of India with Capital List and History April 24, 2024 Union territories are areas that are directly controlled and administered by the Central Government. They are also known as “centrally administered territories”. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were the first union territory of India after independence.  Check Out details on Union Territories of India 2024. Union Territories of India 2024 There are 8 ...Read More
  • BR Ambedkar Birth Anniversary, Biography, Legacy, Contribution April 15, 2024Ambedkar Jayanti, celebrated on April 14th each year, commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, fondly known as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’. This day holds immense significance as it pays tribute to Dr. Ambedkar’s lifelong dedication to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality. Born in 1891, Dr. Ambedkar ...Read More
  • Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Power, Significance April 11, 2024Context: The Calcutta High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate a preliminary investigation into reported recruitment irregularities of teachers under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (a regional autonomous body). What is the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)? The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is a semi-autonomous council (45 members) for the ...Read More
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA), Objectives, Amendments April 9, 2024Context: India’s money laundering law aimed at drug money has grown broader, raising concerns about fairness and its true targets. Delhi court is set to decide Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha’s plea for bail on this ground in the Delhi excise scam case. More In News The “Nyay Patra” manifesto for the ...Read More
  • Election Symbols in India, Types, Allocation, Criteria April 8, 2024Context: The Election Commission of India refused to allocate the ‘Top’ symbol to the MDMK party in the current Lok Sabha elections. The Naam Tamilar Katchi has been allotted a new common symbol and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi has been denied a common symbol, raising questions on the allotment of symbols ...Read More
  • National Symbols of India with Name and its Significance April 8, 2024National Symbols of India: Our nation’s heritage and pride are represented by its symbols. These 17 national symbols of India symbolize the culture and tradition of the country, which we Indians spread around the globe. National Symbols of India are also required since they are national significance and must be known by ...Read More
  • Delimitation Commission of India Objectives and Meaning April 5, 2024The Delimitation Commission, also known as the Boundary Commission of India, was established by the Indian government in accordance with the guidelines given by the Delimitation Commissions Act. This commission, which the President of India specifically established, collaborates with the Election Commission of India to uphold the fictitious boundaries of ...Read More
  • Reservation in Tamil Nadu and 103rd Constitutional Amendment April 4, 2024Context: The Tamil Nadu government informed the Madras High Court that since 89% of its population qualifies for the existing 69% reservation in education and public jobs, it cannot be obligated to apply the extra 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Reservation in Tamil Nadu 1983 Ambasankar Commission Findings: Identified ...Read More

UPSC Syllabus For Indian Polity

The Civil Services Exam includes a section on politeness. Both the Prelims and Mains exams cover Indian politics. 16 questions from the UPSC Polity curriculum were directly asked in the 2020 Prelims. All three Civil Services Examination phases included questions on Polity.

Indian Polity for UPSC Prelims 2024

The UPSC Prelims Syllabus includes information on Indian politics, and we have included the UPSC Polity Syllabus 2024 for the IAS Prelims Exam below. Indian polity is an important subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, both Prelims and Mains. It is a vast and complex subject, but there are a few key topics that are particularly important for the UPSC Prelims syllabus 2024.

  • Polity and Governance in India
  • Government of India
  • Constitution of India
  • Indian Political System
  • Local Government
  • Indian Parliament
  • Indian Judiciary
  • Fundamental Rights and Duties
  • Centre-State Relations

Indian Polity Syllabus for UPSC Mains

The Indian Polity component is part of the General Studies Paper-II of the UPSC Mains Syllabus. The UPSC Polity Syllabus 2024 for the IAS Mains Exam must be read by candidates before they begin the course of study.

  • Constitution of India
  • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States
  • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
  • Parliament and State Legislatures
  • Appointment to various Constitutional posts
  • Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive
  • Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act
  • Government policies and interventions
  • Health, Education, and Human Resources
  • Development Processes and the development industry
  • Issues relating to Poverty and hunger
  • Role of civil services in a Democracy
  • Important aspects of governance.

Indian Polity Syllabus for UPSC Topic-Wise

Here you can check the Indian Polity Syllabus 2024 in detail:

Topic Wise UPSC Polity Syllabus 2024
Important Polity Topics Polity Sub-topic
Constitutional Framework
  • Historical Background
  • Fundamental Duties
  • Amendment of the Constitution
  • Basic Structure
  • Constitutional Development
  • Making of the Constitution
  • Features of the Constitution
  • Preamble of India
  • The Union & Its Territories
  • Citizenship
  • Fundamental Rights
  • Directive Principles of State Policy
System of Government
  • Parliamentary System
  • Inter-state Relations
  • Federal System
  • Centre-state Relations
State Government
  • Governor of India
  • State Council of Ministers
  • State Legislature
  • Chief Minister
  • High Courts
  • Subordinate Courts
  • Special Provisions for Some States
Central Government
  • President of India
  • Vice-President
  • Parliament
  • Central Council of Ministers
  • Cabinet Committee
  • Parliamentary Committee & Forums
  • Supreme Court
  • Prime Minister
Constitutional Bodies
  • Election Commission
  • Comptroller & Auditor General of India
  • National Commission for SCs
  • National Commission for STs
  • Attorney General of India
  • Advocate General of State
  • Union Public Service Commission
  • State PCS
  • Finance Commission
Union Territories & Local Government
  • Union Territories
  • Scheduled & Tribal Areas
  • Panchayati Raj System
  • Municipalities
Non-Constitutional Bodies
  • Planning Commission
  • National Development Council
  • Lokpal & Lokayukta
  • NITI Aayog
  • Central Information Commission
  • Central Vigilance Commission
  • National Human Rights Commission
  • State Human Rights Commission
  • Central Bureau of Investigation
Emergency Provisions
  • National Emergency
  • Role of President in the Time of Emergency
  • Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
  • Financial Emergency
  • 44th Amendment Act
  • Effects and Implications of Emergency
  • Revoking Emergency
  • President’s Rule or State Emergency
Miscellaneous
  • Cooperative Societies
  • Official Language
  • Tribunals
Current Affairs
  • Important Schemes (both Central and State)

Indian Polity Books For UPSC Preparation

You can refer this book for this for the UPSC Preparation :-

UPSC Books for Indian Polity
Indian Polity
  • Democratic Politics – I and II – NCERT class 9th and 10th respectively (only cursory reading needed)
  • Indian Constitution at Work – NCERT class 11th
  • Indian Constitution by M Laxmikanth

 

FAQs

How can I study Indian polity?

The major tip is to focus on how to prepare polity for UPSC including reading NCERT books from IX to XII to have better insights into the topics as the NCERT books are more lucid and comprehensive.

Is polity easy for UPSC?

It depends on the understanding of the candidates, although it is a static subject with some technical aspects.

What do you mean by the term polity?

Polity refers to a political group of any size or shape — it can be a government, a state, a country, or even a social group.

Is Laxmikant enough for UPSC?

Laxmikant is essential for UPSC Mains preparation, but it is not sufficient.

What is difference between polity and constitution?

Constitution is a formal legal document defining the basic structure of the system/organisation/country. Polity is the constitution in run, i.e actual functioning of the constitution.

Which website is best for polity for UPSC?

Study IQ is without a doubt the best site for preparing Polity and other subjects as asked in UPSC.

Can a very weak student crack UPSC?

Yes there are several aspirants who were “average” students and yet cleared the exam proving that you need not be a topper to crack the IAS Exam.

How many questions come from Indian polity in UPSC?

On an average 18 to 20 questions are asked in UPSC from Polity

How much time is required to prepare Polity for UPSC?

At maximum 1 to 2 months are required to cover the entire syllabus of Polity

Is NCERT needed for UPSC polity?

Yes NCERT strengthened the foundation of Polity as a subject.

Which subjects are included in the UPSC General Studies Paper 2?

The GS Paper 2 includes Polity and Governance, International Relations and Social Justice.

How to start preparing for Indian polity?

One should first go through the Previous Year Questions for understanding the demand of Polity as a subject in UPSC Exam.