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Indian Polity Notes Which You Shouldn’t Miss!

Indian PolityThis post is a compilation of our most viewed notes on Indian Polity, which we think our readers should not miss.

Readers can download each of the notes as PDF for free using the ‘print-pdf’ option.

Check Indian Polity notes category, if you want to read the complete archives.

Learn Indian Polity: Must-read study materials

The below-mentioned notes are a must-read for aspirants preparing for various exams.

Indian Constitution (basics)

  • 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 (topics in the same order)

The below-mentioned posts follow the same order of Constitution of India and hence we strongly suggest all aspirants to 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.

Also, read…

The 3 organs of the state – Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary are very important. Also, understand the Fundamental Rights and DPSPs.

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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

  • President of India – Discretionary Powers You Never Knew Existed!

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 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

  1. Inter-State Council vs National Development Council.
  2. NITI Aayog: The new ‘think-tank’ to replace the Planning Commission.
  3. All-India Judicial Services (AIJS): Should it be formed?
  4. Indian Federalism – 15 Issues that Challenge the Federal Structure of India
  5. Inter-State River Water Disputes in India: Is it time for a new mechanism rather than tribunals?
  6. Simultaneous Elections: Will this be good for India?

Local Self Government

  • Evolution of Local Self-Government (Panchayati Raj System) in India

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)

Non-Constitutional Bodies

  • National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

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)?

What should you understand by the term Polity?

For ease of convenience, it’s always mentioned as polity, but UPSC syllabus for Prelims elaborate these topics in a few more words, ie. “Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.” Undoubtedly, the Constitution is the most important topic under Indian Polity. Apart from those new bills, laws, governance issues etc. should also be studied.

Books to learn Indian Polity and Constitution

  1. Indian Polity – by M. Laxmikanth (Click to buy from Amazon)
  2. Important Acts that Transformed India – by Alex Andrews George (Click to buy from Amazon)
  3. Important Judgments that Transformed India – by Alex Andrews George (Click to buy from Amazon)

Note: Important Judgments that transformed India – Alex Andrews George: This book perfectly compliments Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity. The approach used in this book is to present Indian Polity and Constitution from the perspective of Indian Judiciary – through several landmark judgments.

Indian Polity Books for extra reference

  • Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu
  • Constitution of India: A handbook for students by Subhash Kashyap
  • Our Parliament by Subhash Kashyap.
  • India Year Book.
  • Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbook of Political Science.
  • Governance in India – Laxmikanth

Our approach and advice!

ClearIAS has prepared a lot of free online resources to supplement your Indian polity preparation. If you want to get a comprehensive idea about the Indian Constitution and its 395 articles, start from the mega-post: Constitution of India: List of All Articles (1-395) and Parts (1-22). We have tried to cover in detail, each article of the Indian Constitution, explaining the non-constitutional or current affairs associated with each article.

Then, browse our posts which will help you to build concepts regarding the three organs of state – executive, legislature and judiciary. Apart from Indian Polity notes, check the tag ‘notes for IAS Mains GS2 paper‘ which includes study materials written especially from the UPSC CSE main exam point of view.

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Comments

  1. Varun says

    March 15, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    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

    Reply
  2. Ashutosh says

    November 19, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Hi,

    U have not included emergency provisions and constitutional, statutory and non constitutional bodies. Please provide them as well.

    Reply
  3. Ravinder.m says

    January 30, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    I want rights issue and public policy notes

    Reply
    • ClearIAS.com says

      January 30, 2017 at 7:56 pm

      Hi Ravinder, we shall soon write on Rights issue and Public Policy. Appreciate your interest.

  4. shilpa sharma says

    May 7, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    sir ,for what duration we are suppose to prepare for current affairs /?

    Reply
    • Franciss says

      December 27, 2017 at 5:10 am

      Simultaneously

  5. Maya Meena says

    May 19, 2017 at 11:26 am

    Where is rights issues and public policy … Please upload it .

    Reply
    • amaran says

      March 11, 2018 at 2:18 pm

      ok

  6. deepak says

    July 3, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    can i get new constitution with 448 articles

    Reply
  7. सागर says

    September 6, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    हिंदी में भी आर्टिकल्स provide करे। हिंदी माध्यम के विद्यार्थी के लिए

    Reply
  8. Nepoliyan says

    October 12, 2017 at 7:51 am

    If 12 Rajyasaba nominated members enter to ministry? Is it possible?

    Reply
  9. Kailash samal says

    May 5, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    Sir,can I download these articles as PDF ?

    Reply
  10. Ragav says

    December 1, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    Hi, can I download this article as pdf

    Reply
  11. Ritesh Upadhyay says

    December 20, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    Sir please update it. There are total 448 articles and you provide only the information of 365 articles.

    Reply
  12. Sandhya says

    April 19, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    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?

    Reply
  13. Lavanya says

    August 3, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    How can I get current affairs magzine

    Reply
  14. Poonam Bisen says

    August 11, 2019 at 4:03 pm

    Hindi medium not available…sir

    Reply
  15. Y.amrutha says

    August 21, 2019 at 12:25 pm

    Sir we want an brief notes to prepare for sachivalayam exam

    Reply
  16. Vaidik Sharma says

    October 30, 2019 at 8:18 pm

    How to prepare for interview of ias examination
    Sir suggest me by your knowledge

    Reply
  17. Shilpa.c says

    December 29, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    Sir
    For what duration we are supposed to cover the current affairs for 2020 prelims exam?

    Reply
  18. MOHD AATIF ANSARI says

    April 1, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    اردو زبان میں ہمیں اہمیت دیں ، شکریہ

    Reply
  19. Nisha Chauhan says

    April 28, 2020 at 6:28 pm

    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

    Reply
  20. Goutam says

    June 16, 2020 at 12:58 pm

    Dear sir respected

    I am Goutam Reading so interest so constitution stady sir so please my email massage in articles thanks

    Reply
  21. Aanand sharma says

    September 6, 2020 at 10:02 am

    sir what is protem speaker

    Reply

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