This post is a compilation of our most viewed notes on Indian Polity, which ClearIAS thinks our readers should not miss.
Learn Indian Polity: Must-read study materials
ClearIAS recommends aspirants learn Indian Polity by dividing it into three heads:
- Indian Polity Concepts (Eg: State, Organs of the state etc)
- Indian Constitution (All the important parts and articles)
- Day-to-Day Indian Polity (Eg: Important Acts, Important Judgments etc)
The below-mentioned notes are a must-read for aspirants preparing for various exams.
Indian Constitution (basic concepts)
- Historical background of the Indian Constitution.
- Constitution of India: List of All Articles (1-395) and Parts (1-22).
- Indian Constitution Parts and Articles.
- Parts of Indian Constitution: A brief overview.
- Schedules of Indian Constitution: A brief overview.
- Must-Know Articles of Indian Constitution: A brief overview.
Indian Constitution
The below-mentioned posts follow the same order of the Constitution of India and hence we strongly suggest all aspirants follow the same for easy comprehension. Then build your concepts with respect to the three organs of the state, ie Executive, Legislature and Judiciary by reading the posts below.
- The Preamble of the Constitution.
- Union and its Territory.
- Citizenship.
- Fundamental Rights.
- Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Fundamental Duties.
- President.
- Vice-president.
- Prime Minister, CoM and Attorney General.
- Parliament.
- Supreme Court.
- Governor.
- Chief Minister and CoM.
- State Legislature.
The 3 organs of the State
The 3 organs of the state – Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary are very important. Also, understand the Fundamental Rights and DPSPs.
Legislature
- Sessions of Parliament: Adjournment, Prorogation, Dissolution etc.
- When Does a Bill Lapse in Indian Parliament?
- Types of Majorities Used in the Indian Parliament.
- Parliamentary Committees in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Important Parliamentary Committees in Detail.
- Election to Rajya Sabha: The Procedure.
- Government Budgeting in India – The Process and Constitutional Requirements.
- Budget Documents Made Simple: Key to Budget Documents.
- Difference between Full Budget and Vote on Account.
- Cut Motions: Policy Cut, Economy Cut, and Token Cut.
Executive
Judiciary
- Basic Structure Doctrine
- Indian Judicial Doctrines – Principles of Constitutional Law Explained
- Procedure Established by Law vs Due Process of Law.
- Special Leave Petition vs Review Petition vs Curative Petition vs Mercy Petition
- Capital Punishment, Mercy Pleas and the Supreme Court.
- Judicial Review vs Judicial Activism vs Judicial Overreach.
- Contempt of Court: Time for a relook?
- The Problem of Pending Cases in Indian Courts: How to tackle?
- The Problem of Excessive Government Litigation
- Arbitration in India – Mechanism and Challenges
- Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right – Implications of the Verdict
- Gram Nyayalayas: Village Courts in India
Fundamental Rights
- Procedure Established by Law vs Due Process of Law.
- Fundamental Rights vs Directive Principles: What if there is a conflict?
- Fundamental Rights Available Only to Citizens of India
- Reservation in India – Explained in Layman’s Terms
- Encounter Killings – Can the ‘Extra-Judicial Killings’ be Justified?
- Article 35A of the Indian Constitution – Should it be Scrapped?
- Defamation in India – IPC Section 499/500 vs Freedom of Speech
- Transgender Rights – Legal Recognition: The need of the hour
Centre-State Relations
- Inter-State Council vs National Development Council.
- NITI Aayog: The new ‘think-tank’ to replace the Planning Commission.
- All-India Judicial Services (AIJS): Should it be formed?
- Indian Federalism – 15 Issues that Challenge the Federal Structure of India
- Inter-State River Water Disputes in India: Is it time for a new mechanism rather than tribunals?
- Simultaneous Elections: Will this be good for India?
Local Self Government
Constitutional Bodies and Non-Constitutional Bodies in India
- Constitutional Bodies in India – Detailed List with Explanation
- Non-Constitutional Bodies in India (Statutory and Non-Statutory Bodies)
Non-Constitutional Bodies (Examples)
Policies, Bills and Acts (Statutes)
- Representation of Peoples Act 1950 and 1951.
- Right To Information Act 2005.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005.
- Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) 2013.
- Indian Companies Act 2013.
- Anti-Defection Law: Is it time for reconsideration?
- SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act – Recent Issues and Court Rulings
- Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Pros and Cons in a nutshell
- FRBM Act – Guidelines, Targets, and Escape Clause
- National Security Act (NSA)
Governance
- 100+ Government Schemes and the Implementing Ministries.
- Role of Civil Services in a Democracy.
- Functions of an IAS Officer.
- IAS/IPS Allocation Overhaul Proposal by PMO – An Impractical Move to Create A ‘Loyal’ Bureaucracy?
- Lateral Entry into Civil Services – Should the Government Allow It?
- Police Reforms in India – Against the backdrop of T P Senkumar Case
- Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies for Vulnerable Sections.
- Sevottam Model.
- Jallikattu: History, Court Rulings, and Controversy
- The Problems of Medical Education in India – Should the Medical Council of India (MCI) be Scrapped?
- Right To Recall – Can this clean up the Indian Political System?
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): Can they be tampered with?
Social Justice
- North India-South India Divide – Is there a Growing Regional Divide in India?
- Modern Slavery – Why Contemporary Slavery in India Should Be an Urgent Concern?
- Criminal Justice System of India – Is it time to implement the Malimath Committee Report?
- Major Tribes in India: State-wise compilation.
- SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act – Recent Issues and Court Rulings
- Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) – Understand the 10% Quota Bill
- Sabarimala Temple Issue – Should Women of All Ages Be Allowed To Enter?
Indian Polity: Recent Issues
- Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 – Government’s Clarification on CAA
- Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2019 – Why is it controversial?
- National Population Register (NPR) – How is it different from the National Register of Citizens (NRC)?
Indian Polity Notes (Latest Updates)
- Issues relating to the development and management of the Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
- Development Processes and the Development Industry: The role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
- Economic Nationalism
- Lokpal and Lokayukta
- De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)
- Tribunals in India
- Government Policies And Interventions For Development And Issues Arising Out Of Their Implementation And Design
- Post Office Bill 2023
- Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels
- Appointment to Various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of Various Constitutional Bodies
- Functions and responsibilities of union and the states
- Right to Health
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
- Issues and challenges pertaining to federal structure
- Indian Constitution: Features
- Gender Justice
- Flag code of India
- Dispute Redressal Mechanisms And Institutions
- Women’s Reservation Bill
- Indian Constitution: Historical underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant provisions and Basic structure
- Separation of powers between various organs
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayat Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Statutory, Regulatory, and Various Quasi-judicial Bodies
- Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
- Writs in Indian Constituion
- Motions in Parliament
- Supreme Court Verdict on ECI Appointments
- Right to be Forgotten
- Multi State Cooperative Societies Amendment Bill 2022
- Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA)
- Indian Penal code
- Special Category Status
- Sealed Cover Jurisprudence
- Transparency & Accountability and Institutional and other measures
- Important Aspects of Governance
- Namsai declaration
- Separation of Powers
- Classical Languages of India
- Punchhi Commission Report
- Judicial infrastructure in India
- Delimitation Commission
- Parliamentary System
- Social Audit
- Centre-State Relations
- Sarkaria Commission
- Political Parties in India
- Women in Judiciary
- Inter-State Trade and Commerce
- Parliamentary Forums
- Lok sabha
- Borrowed Features of The Indian Constitution
- Quality of Legal Education in India: All you need to know
- Delegated Legislation
- Foreigners Tribunal
- Anti conversion laws: All you need to know
- Rajya Sabha: All You Need To Know
- Pardoning Powers of President
- National Commission for Women (NCW)
- Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
- Transparency and Accountability: All you need to know
- Amendments of Indian Constitution
- Leader of Opposition
- Constitution Day
- NCST: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
- 74th Constitutional Amendment Act
- Panchayati Raj (73rd Constitutional Amendment Act)
- Important Acts that Transformed India 2 Edition Released
- National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
- University Grants Commission
- Finance Commission of India
- First Amendment Act 1951
- Attorney General
- Grievance Redressal
- Office of Profit
- e-Governance – applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential
- Good Governance
- Custodial Violence
- Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas (Article 244)
- Preventive Detention
- Public Interest Litigation
- Inner Party Democracy
- Election Commission of India
- Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
- Parliamentary Privileges
- Whip
- Inter-State Council-Everything You Need To Know
- State Funding of Elections
- Emergency Provisions: Everything You Need to Know
- Cabinet Committees
- Model Code of Conduct for Elections
- High Courts in India
- Reorganisation of States
- Quality Council of India (QCI)
- Cooperative Societies in India: History, Types and Importance
- PESA Act of 1996
- Section 144 of CrPC
- Bail: Laws in India
- NHRC: All About National Human Rights Commission
- Lok Sabha Speaker
- Protection of Animals: Important Laws in India
- 40 Important Judgments that Transformed India
- Important Judgments that Transformed India 2 Edition Released
- Judicial Appointments In India: Collegium System vs NJAC
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- Central Information Commission (CIC)
- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Padma Awards
- POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Harassment Act, 2012)
- POSH Act (Protection of women from Sexual Harassment Act, 2013)
- Non-Constitutional Bodies in India (with video explanation)
- Constitutional Bodies in India – Detailed List with Explanation
- ClearIAS Indian Polity Notes (New Study Materials)
Varun says
Dear Sir,
I am a regular reader of Clear IAS.com for the last one year and I eagerly wait each month for the magazine. It is a highly commendable magazine because of its most updated, informative and extensive coverage of all sections related to every field of life. Current Affairs is a key to success in various competitive examinations. In Clear IAS my favorite section is Current Affairs. It carries burning topics related to the State, National and International affairs. Other than current affairs, the articles are worthy to read which reflect insights about the issues. Another encouraging factor is write-ups on English communication skills, which helps us to improve much needed effective communication. I express my gratitude to the Editorial Board.
VARUN
Ashutosh says
Hi,
U have not included emergency provisions and constitutional, statutory and non constitutional bodies. Please provide them as well.
Ravinder.m says
I want rights issue and public policy notes
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi Ravinder, we shall soon write on Rights issue and Public Policy. Appreciate your interest.
shilpa sharma says
sir ,for what duration we are suppose to prepare for current affairs /?
Franciss says
Simultaneously
Maya Meena says
Where is rights issues and public policy … Please upload it .
amaran says
ok
deepak says
can i get new constitution with 448 articles
सागर says
हिंदी में भी आर्टिकल्स provide करे। हिंदी माध्यम के विद्यार्थी के लिए
Nepoliyan says
If 12 Rajyasaba nominated members enter to ministry? Is it possible?
Kailash samal says
Sir,can I download these articles as PDF ?
Ragav says
Hi, can I download this article as pdf
Ritesh Upadhyay says
Sir please update it. There are total 448 articles and you provide only the information of 365 articles.
Sai Teja ips says
It’s clause and sub clause of articles which will be added in articles
Sandhya says
Hello sir,
This may be a silly question but I want to know few things..
1) Indian polity is in optional subject list for upsc or not?
2) indian polity and public administration different or same?
3) which subject is really easy optional for upsc?
Ayush saini says
As per your first question Indian polity is good for optional subject but it is so vast also if you can do it then you must take this subject as your optional subject also it helps in prelim and mains examination
Indian polity and public administration is two different subject.
All subject is good for optional as per the basic feature of a good subject I think Geography is best option to select optional subject further all that all subject are good that they helps you In preliminary examination and also mains examination
saraswathi says
ANS 1 – Polity is just a part from PSIR. (political science and international relation, its not a optional)
ANS 2 – Both the subject are totally different
ANS 3 – PSIR (political science and international relation) is easy but dynamic subject
Lavanya says
How can I get current affairs magzine
Poonam Bisen says
Hindi medium not available…sir
Y.amrutha says
Sir we want an brief notes to prepare for sachivalayam exam
Vaidik Sharma says
How to prepare for interview of ias examination
Sir suggest me by your knowledge
Shilpa.c says
Sir
For what duration we are supposed to cover the current affairs for 2020 prelims exam?
MOHD AATIF ANSARI says
اردو زبان میں ہمیں اہمیت دیں ، شکریہ
Nisha Chauhan says
I m new at this we sight and found the sight very useful for me to crack IAS exam. I just want to ask thats where do we get magazine to study
Goutam says
Dear sir respected
I am Goutam Reading so interest so constitution stady sir so please my email massage in articles thanks
Aanand sharma says
sir what is protem speaker
Sachinkumar says
Which are the topics most important in exam
Reuben says
Very helpful thank you💕
Tushar says
Help to to download pdf of standard book sir plz
Tara Chand says
I am a banker and our schedule is very tough. But I want to prepare Civil services exam. Kindly suggest me How to study.