Polity Notes for UPSC – Indian Polity Notes PDF
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 20th, 2023
Polity Notes for UPSC should be covered while preparing for the Civil Services Exam. It is important that aspirants devote ample time to study and comprehend Indian Polity in-depth. The Indian Polity and Constitution hold significant weightage in both the Prelims and Mains examinations. It is highly recommended to thoroughly read Indian Polity Notes for UPSC as it enables a better understanding of the interconnection between different concepts.
In this article, we will delve into the UPSC Polity Notes, with a special focus on UPSC GS Paper 2, while highlighting vital topics such as Salient Features of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights, and Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), Centre-State Relations, among others. To assist aspirants in their preparation, we have also provided an Indian Polity UPSC Notes PDF at the end for their convenience.
Table of content
Polity Notes for UPSC
The Polity Notes for UPSC covers the Indian Polity section of GS Papers, and it can be crucial for those who have opted for optional subjects in UPSC related to polity for example- Public Administration, Law, Political Science, and Anthropology optional subject.
Polity Notes for UPSC PDF
The UPSC Polity Notes would surely aid in the preparation by providing a complete understanding of the subject. The polity section can be high-scoring if prepared well, and if one takes the help of these Indian polity notes then it would definitely help them to prepare in an efficient manner.
Polity Notes for UPSC – Topics to Cover
While covering the Polity Notes for UPSC you need to adopt a strategic approach. Without planning ahead, you may end up losing your precious time. So, let’s analyze the topics you need to cover from UPSC Polity Notes.
- Indian Constitution – Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges about the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels, and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs disputes redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the 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.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising from their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions, and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Indian Polity UPSC Notes
The Indian Polity UPSC Notes provided here are extensive and clear all the major doubts one has regarding the topics and sub-topics of Polity Notes. The topics one needs to study to prepare the Polity Notes include:
Evolution of the Constitution
- Regulating Act 1773
- Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- Charter Act 1813
- Charter Act 1833
- Charter Act 1853
- Crown Rule in India
- Government of India Act 1858
- Indian Councils Act, 1861
- Government of India Act 1919
- Simon Commission
- Government of India Act 1935
- Indian Independence Act 1947
Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
- Types of Government
- Parliamentary form of government
- Types of Majorities as per the Indian Constitution
- Preamble and Values in the Constitution
- Amendment of the Constitution
- Doctrine of Eclipse
Major Features and Amendments of the Constitution
- Judicial Review
- Amendments of Indian Constitution
- 101 Constitutional Amendment Act
- 102 Constitutional Amendment Act
- 103 Constitutional Amendment Act
- 104 Constitutional Amendment Act
- 105 Constitutional Amendment Act
- 123 Constitutional Amendment Act
- 127 Constitutional Amendment Act
- Parliamentary & Presidential System
- Salient Features of the Constitution
- 42nd Amendment of Indian Constitution
- 44th Amendment of Indian Constitution
System of Governance
- Center-state Relations
- Sarkaria Commission
- Administrative Relations Between State and centre
- Administrative Relations Between Union and State
- Union Functions to the States
- Financial relations
- Inter-state water dispute
- National Emergency
- Financial Emergency
Union Executive Polity Notes for UPSC
- President of India
- Pardoning Power of President
- Ordinance Issuing Power of President
- Veto Power of President
- Vice President of India
Union Legislature – Polity Notes for UPSC
- Lok Sabha
- Lok Sabha Speaker
- Power of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Rajya Sabha
- Ordinary Bill and Money Bill
- Money Bill
- Constitution Amendment Bill
- Parliamentary committees
Judiciary Notes for Polity
- Supreme Court of India
- Chief Justice of India
- Appointment and Removal of Supreme Court Judges
- Ad hoc Judges
- Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
- High Courts of India
- Powers and Function of High Courts
- List of High Courts in India
- Lok Adalat
- E-governance
- Evolution Objectives And Features of Fundamental Rights
- Right to Equality
- Right to Freedom
- Right against Exploitation
- Right to Freedom of Religion
- Cultural and Educational Rights
- Right to Constitutional Remedies
- Article 33
Fundamental Duties UPSC Polity Notes
- Difference between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties
- List Of Fundamental Duties
- Fundamental Duties
- National Anthem of India
- Uniform Civil Code
- MGNREGA: Right to Work
Significant Provisions of the Constitution – UPSC Polity Notes
- Preamble of the Constitution
- Citizenship in Indian Constitution
- Data protection
- Sedition Law
- Right To Information Act 2005.
- Reservation in India
Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Bodies
- Constitutional Bodies
- Finance Commission
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- Attorney-General of India
- Central Information Commission
- Lokpal and Lok Ayukta
- National Human Rights Commission
- CVC (Central Vigilance Commission)
Governance and Major Schemes of the Government
- Self Help Groups
- NGOs
- Child Labour
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO)
- Swachch Bharat Abhiyan
- Atal Innovation Mission
- National Health Mission
- Ujjawala Scheme
- Atal Pension Yojana
- Amrut (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation)
- Stand Up India Scheme
- Panchayati Raj
- Digital India
Statutory, Regulatory, and Various Quasi-Judicial Bodies
International Relations – Indian Polity UPSC Notes
- Indian Foreign Policy
- India-China Relations
- India-Pakistan Relations
- India-Russia Relations
- India Srilanka Relations
- International Relations
- India- Bangladesh Relations
- India-US Relations
- SAARC
- India-ASEAN Cooperation
- Indian Diaspora
How to Prepare Polity Notes for UPSC?
Preparing effective UPSC Polity notes is an important aspect of Civil Services Exam preparation. Here are a few tips to help you prepare Polity notes for UPSC effectively:
- Start by reading the NCERT textbooks thoroughly, as it will give you a solid foundation and a clear understanding of basic concepts.
- Follow current affairs related to polity and constitution. It is important to stay updated on the latest developments in this area.
- Identify the key topics and sub-topics from the syllabus and make notes on each of them.
- Make sure to add important concepts, case laws, and relevant examples in your notes. This will help you remember and recall the information during the exam.
- Create mind maps that would help you visualize the relationships between different concepts.