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UPSC Polity Syllabus: Indian Polity Syllabus for UPSC Prelims and Mains

By Balaji

Updated on: March 3rd, 2023

UPSC Polity Syllabus must be thoroughly analyzed by the UPSC aspirants as polity is an integral part of the Civil Services Exam. Indian polity is a part of both UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains. In UPSC Prelims 2020, 16 questions were directly asked from the polity syllabus for UPSC. Questions related to polity were asked in all three stages of the Civil Services Examination.

In this article, we have covered the polity syllabus for UPSC, which you need to cover properly for the upcoming UPSC exam. In addition, we will cover the best strategy to cover the syllabus of Indian polity for UPSC. candidates can also download the UPSC polity syllabus PDF and kickstart their preparation.

Table of content

(more)
  • 1. UPSC Polity Syllabus (more)
  • 2. UPSC Polity Syllabus PDF (more)
  • 3. Topic-Wise Polity Syllabus for UPSC (more)
  • 4. Polity Syllabus for UPSC Prelims (more)
  • 5. UPSC Polity Syllabus for Mains (more)
  • 6. Strategy to Prepare for UPSC Polity Syllabus (more)
  • 7. Best Books for UPSC Polity Syllabus (more)

UPSC Polity Syllabus

The system of government is called polity, and it is midway between democracy and oligarchy. Polity deals with the government functioning in the country.

It gives an understanding of the country’s executive, legislative, various constitutional authorities, judicial systems, etc. The UPSC Polity Syllabus covers a wide range of topics, namely:

  • Constitutional Framework
  • System of Government
  • State Government
  • Central Government
  • Constitutional Bodies
  • Union Territories of India & Local Government
  • Non-Constitutional Bodies
  • Emergency Provisions
  • Miscellaneous
  • Current Affairs

Below, we will provide the Indian Polity Syllabus for UPSC in a more detailed manner.

UPSC Polity Syllabus PDF

Candidates must keep a copy of the Indian polity syllabus for UPSC to ensure they don’t miss out on crucial topics. To get a good score under this section, it is suggested to analyze the entire syllabus and have a thorough understanding of the important topics.

UPSC Polity Syllabus PDF

That is why below we have provided the Indian polity syllabus for UPSC PDF, which the candidates can take a printout and start their preparation for the upcoming UPSC exam.

Topic-Wise Polity Syllabus for UPSC

Indian Polity sums up the entire constitutional framework and function of the political system. Below we have broken down the UPSC Polity Syllabus into smaller sub-topic, which would make your preparation easier.

Make sure you go through all these topics in detail with the help of the best Polity Books for UPSC and other NCERT Books for UPSC.

Topic Wise UPSC Polity Syllabus
Topic 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

Center-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

UPSC

Comptroller & Auditor General of India

National Commission for SCs

National Commission for STs

Attorney General of India

Advocate General of State

State PCS

Finance Commission

Union Territories & Local Government Union Territories

Municipalities

Scheduled & Tribal Areas

Panchayati Raj System

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

The 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 & State)

Polity Syllabus for UPSC Prelims

The UPSC CSE general studies-paper-I Indian polity and governance syllabus is very precise. But it covers a wide range of important concepts and issues to understand.

Indian polity is also a part of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus, and below, we have provided the Prelims Polity syllabus for UPSC.

  • Indian polity and governance – Constitution
  • Political system
  • Panchayati Raj Public Policy, Rights Issues etc. The syllabus for the preliminary examination is epigrammatic.

UPSC Polity Syllabus for Mains

The General Studie Paper-II of the UPSC Mains Syllabus includes the Indian Polity section. Candidates must go through the UPSC Polity Syllabus for Mains before starting their preparation.

  • Indian Constitution
  • 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, 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

Strategy to Prepare for UPSC Polity Syllabus

Polity is an important subject for the competitive examination, especially for UPSC CSE. That’s why candidates must follow a strategic approach when it comes to the preparation of the Polity syllabus for UPSC.

Below we have mentioned some effective tips that would help the candidates covering the Indian Polity syllabus for UPSC in an efficient manner.

  • Make sure to read NCERTs of Political Sciences for Classes XI and XII to strengthen your foundation of the Polity UPSC syllabus.
  • Read the basic Polity books, including M. Laxmikanth and Introduction to Indian Constitution by D.D Basu, to develop a deep understanding of the subject.
  • Prepare short notes highlighting the important points which would be helpful during the revision period.
  • Go through the Previous Year’s Question Papers to get an idea about the types of questions asked from the syllabus of polity for UPSC in recent years.
  • Give as many mock tests as possible, which would help to make necessary rectifications.
  • Lastly, read the newspapers as many questions are asked from the recent scheme.

Best Books for UPSC Polity Syllabus

UPSC Books are a must for the UPSC Exam preparation. Below we have added the best books for the Polity syllabus for UPSC that you must have.

  • Indian Constitution at Work- Class 11
  • Political Theory- Class 11
  • Contemporary World Politics- Class 12
  • Politics in India Since Independence- Class 12
  • Indian Polity book for UPSC- M Laxmikanth
  • Introduction to Constitution of India- Durga Das Basu
  • Important Acts that Transformed India- Alex Andrews George
  • Important judgments that Transformed India- Alex Andrews George.
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