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Important Topics in Polity for UPSC

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  • Last Updated : 27 Sep, 2022
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Important Topics in Polity for UPSC: If you are preparing for the UPSC civil services exam, you would be aware that political science is an unavoidable and most looked-upon section of the UPSC syllabus – both for the IAS UPSC prelims and the mains. It is also available as an optional subject in the UPSC main exams. This article discusses the most important topics of political science for UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains, and General Studies Paper 2. GeeksforGeeks has brought Important Topics of Political Science to you which can help you get your political science queries solved.

Polity Syllabus for UPSC Preliminary Examination

The UPSC examination syllabus for Polity Prelims is given here:

  • Political system
  • Indian polity and governance- Constitution
  • Rights Issues, Panchayati Raj Public Policy, etc. 

Below you can find the comprehensive topics of the UPSC Preliminary Polity Syllabus:

TopicsPolity Syllabus
Preamble
  • Terms in the Preamble
  • 42nd Amendment
  • Swaran Singh committee
Constitution of India
  • Historical Background
  • Drafting committee and making scheme of the Constitution
  • Influence of other constitutions
  • Its salient features
  • Union and its Territory (Basic idea about Article 1-4, Federal nature, State reorganization, and different Commissions, Recent issues)
Citizenship
  • Basic idea about Article 5-11
  • PIO, NRI, OCI, FRsFDs
  • Citizenship Amendment Act 2016
  • Schemes, new policies, and recent changes in voting.
Fundamental Rights
  • Basic idea about Article 12-35
  • 44th amendment act
  • Different types of Writs
  • Enforcement and Exceptional cases with regard to FR
  • Recent issues related to FR
Fundamental Duties
  • Article 51A
  • Difference between FR and FD
  • Significance and Criticism
  • Enforcement of FD
  • Recent issues with, FD
Directive Principles of State Policy
  • Basic idea about Article 36-51 and Article 368
  • Sources and key features of DPSP
  • Classification of DPSP
  • Comparison or conflicts between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
  • Keshavananda Bharati, Golaknath Case, Minerva Mills, Maneka Gandhi case.
  • Important Amendments- 42nd Amendment, 44th Amendment, and 97th amendment
Union
  • Basic idea about Article 52-73
  • Qualification and Election of President and vice-president
  • Function and Powers of the president- (Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial, Diplomatic, Military and Emergency Powers)
  • Prime minister and council of minister
  • Resignation and impeachment of the president
  • Role and responsibilities of Prime minister, Cabinet ministers, Council of Ministers.
  • Resignation and Removal of vice president
  • Powers and Functions of the law-making STsCouncil of ministers
  • Attorney general
Parliament
  • Basic idea about Articles related to Role and functions of the Parliament
  • Motions, Sessions, Parliamentary procedure – Zero Hour, Summoning, Prorogation, and Joint sitting.
  • Parliamentary proceedings like Adjournment Motion, Question Hour etc.
  • Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,
  • Special powers of Rajya Sabha
  • Anti-defection law and 10th schedule
  • Parliamentary Privileges
  • Bill and law making procedure
  • Budget, funds and its summary
  • Parliamentary Committees
Judiciary
  • Basic idea about the judiciary.
  • Powers of High Court and Supreme court
  • Qualification and appointment
  • Removal procedure
  • Recent controversy, verdicts, and constitutional provisions.
State Government- State Executive
  • Governor- appointment, and special powers.
  • Executive, Legislative, Financial, Judicial powers and discretionary powers of the governor
  • 7th constitutional amendment
  • Chief minister and the council of ministers
  • Power of chief minister
State Legislature
  • State legislature compared to the Parliament with regard to powers, composition, and functions.
  • Bicameral legislature
  • Creation and abolition of the Legislative councils
Administration of Special Areas
  • Basic idea about 5thSchedule and 6th Schedule
  • Recent problems related to Administration of Special Areas
  • Special provision for states Article 371
Emergency Provisions
  • National emergency- Article 352
  • President’s rule or State emergency- Article 356
  • Financial emergency- Article 360
  • 44th amendment act
  • Effects and implications of emergency
  • Role of President in emergency time
  • The State of FR, Lok sabha, and Rajya sabha
  • Revoking emergency
Panchayati raj and municipalities
  • Elections, auditing, powers and authority of panchayats
  • 3 tier structure
  • 73rd Amendment Act and 74th Amendment Act
  • Relation with FR and DPSP
  • Schemes introduced
  • Metropolitan planning committee and urban development
  • Reservation
Constitutional Bodies
  • Election Commission
  • UPSC
  • SPSC
  • JPSC
  • Finance Commission
  • National Commission for SCs and STs,
  • Composition, Powers and functions, Removal of the Constitutional bodies
Current Affairs
  • Recent issues related to the above-mentioned categories
  • Important schemes, programs, missions, laws, and policies launched by the government.
  • Recent Government Bills and Governance- actions

Important Topics in Polity for UPSC 

It is important that you have a strong interest in the topic before selecting it as an option. If you are interested in political science, read the UPSC political science topic-wise important questions thoroughly.

  1. Election Deposit Rule in India
  2. Types of Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
  3. Fundamental Rights of Foreigners in India
  4. Mahalanobis Plan
  5. An Analysis of 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA 1976)
  6. Solicitor General of India
  7. State Finance Commission
  8. Election of the Vice President
  9. Key Challenges and Strategies for Municipal Governance
  10. Cabinet Secretary of India
  11. Ordinance Making Power of President and Governor
  12. Indian Constitution Twenty Fourth Amendment Act, 1971
  13. The Competition Commission Of India ( CCI)
  14. Eighty-Sixth Amendment Act 2002
  15. The 92nd Amendment of the Indian Constitution
  16. Power of Election Commission of India
  17. Right To Speedy Trial
  18. Ninety-Seventh Amendment Act 2011 In Indian Constitution
  19. Fundamental Rights And Writs Of India
  20. Functions of Election Commission
  21. Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India
  22. Indian Preamble and its Objectives
  23. Sixty-First Amendment Act, 1989 in Indian Constitution
  24. The Inter-State Council
  25. Digital India Mission
  26. Indradhanush Scheme
  27. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
  28. Which Fundamental Rights Can Never Be Suspended During National Emergency?
  29. Can an Indian citizen be punished for violation of Fundamental Duties?
  30. Jan Dhan Yojana
  31. When was the Planning Commission set up?
  32. Attorney General Of India
  33. Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Reservation
  34. National Commission For Scheduled Tribes
  35. At present how many Fundamental Duties are in the Constitution of India?
  36. What is Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana?
  37. Why Was Right to Property Removed From Fundamental Rights?
  38. What is PM Ujjwala Yojana?
  39. What is the 88th Amendment Act 2003 of the Indian Constitution?
  40. Why Fundamental Duties Are Not Enforceable By Law?
  41. Role and Functions of NGOs
  42. National Commission For Scheduled Castes
  43. Public Interest Litigation
  44. The Government of India Act 1935
  45. Special Provisions for Some States
  46. Electoral Reforms in India
  47. The Constituent Assembly of India: Features & its Committees
  48. Urban Local Bodies in India
  49. Role of Judicial Activism in Fundamental Rights
  50. Causes for Widespread Poverty in India
  51. Types of Government’s Funds
  52. The Office of Speaker of Lok Sabha
  53. Amendment in Indian Constitution: Procedure, Modes, and Types
  54. Cultural & Educational Rights – Articles 29 and 30
  55. Major Sources of Indian Constitution
  56. Fund Mismanagement in NGOs
  57. Directive Principles of State Policy
  58. Philosophy of the Indian Constitution
  59. E-Governance: Challenges and Advantages
  60. Challenges in Indian Education System
  61. Freedom of Religion Guaranteed Under Indian Constitution
  62. Public Accounts Committee
  63. Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
  64. Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951
  65. Relationship Between Parliament and Judiciary
  66. National Commission For Backward Classes
  67. National Commission For Women
  68. Financial Emergency and its Consequences
  69. Right to Information Act, 2005
  70. Cut Motions – Policy Cut, Economy Cut and Token Cut
  71. Major Failures of National Planning Commission
  72. Advantages of Multi Party System in Democracy
  73. In Indian Democracy, Executive are More Responsible and Accountable
  74. Law Making Procedure in Parliament
  75. Importance and Functions of the Administrative Machinery
  76. Difference Between Parliamentary and Presidential Form of Government
  77. Powers and Functions of Lokpal and Lokayukta
  78. Caste System is Assuming New Identities and Associational Forms
  79. Democracy Produce an Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government
  80. Discretionary Powers of President of India
  81. Role of Quasi-Judicial Bodies
  82. Powers and Functions of Election Commission of India
  83. Types of Parliamentary Committees and Their Roles
  84. Uniqueness of Indian Society in Sustaining its Culture
  85. Main Objective of Distribution of Powers Between Centre and States
  86. Cooperation, Competition, and Confrontation Have Shaped the Nature of Federation in India
  87. Importance of Local Government Bodies
  88. The Power Sharing System in India
  89. The Importance of Parliament
  90. Democracy is a Government of People, For the People and By the People
  91. Role of Regional Parties in India
  92. Article-19 and Social Media Regulation
  93. The Importance of Democracy
  94. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Article 148-151)
  95. Difference Between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
  96. Roles and Functions of Local Government
  97. Types of Social Movements
  98. How Do Social Division Affect Politics in India?
  99. Types of Writs in Indian Constitution
  100. Right to Freedom of Religion in India (Articles 25-28)
  101. Fundamental Rights of India (Articles 12-35)
  102. Difference Between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy
  103. Fundamental Rights Protected By Indian Constitution
  104. Key Features of Federalism
  105. Right Against Exploitation
  106. Why Do We Need Rights in a Democracy?
  107. Evolution of Concept of Basic Structure
  108. What is Rule of Law?
  109. Role of Pressure Groups and its Influence on Politics
  110. Article 14 – Right to Equality

The Constitution is the bible of civil service aspirants. The ways to understand the Indian Polity UPSC Notes are stated below:

  • Read the articles carefully. This will assist you in developing a fundamental grasp of each Article.
    This approach needs repeated reading. The more you read, the more you’ll remember.
    Prepare a brief message with highlighted keywords that is pragmatically related to a current topic.
    The goal should be to extract the essence of the required knowledge according to the UPSC curriculum.
    Refer to the UPSC previous year’s papers and begin tackling question papers.
  • Go for NCERT books (Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work (New), Class XII – Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics (New), Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence(New)).
  • Read Newspapers like The Hindu, Indian express, and Kurukshetra Magazines.
     

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