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Are you worried about learning all the articles of the Constitution? Are you wondering how to prepare polity for UPSC? You can easily dispel many myths about Polity by reading it effectively. For instance, you don’t need to memorize every article of the Constitution. Instead, you can follow an organized method to read and understand it.
Polity is an important topic for all stages of the exam, including UPSC prelims, UPSC mains, and UPSC interview. It is also relevant after you get into the service, as it is a crucial part of administration. Polity covers a range of topics, from the Constitution and individual rights and responsibilities to the structure, power, functions, and responsibilities of various administrative institutions. It also discusses government policies and rights-based issues affecting vulnerable groups.
Polity helps to create this awareness, informing people about their rights and responsibilities and enabling them to make informed decisions. Polity is engaging and delightful because of this. Going forward, we advise all Indians, not just UPSC aspirants, to read Polity!
In this blog, we cover how to prepare polity for UPSC including strategies and tips to help you ace the exam.
Table of Contents
4-Step Strategy to Master Polity for UPSC
Since polity is a very important aspect of the UPSC exam and often students find it difficult to understand how to prepare Polity for UPSC.
Here’s the planned approach to mastering Indian Polity for UPSC. Kindly tweak this approach as per your customized needs depending on your strengths and weaknesses.
Step 1: Determine What to Study
- Start with NCERT textbooks for basics.
- Refer to M. LAXMIKANTH’s “Indian Polity” for in-depth understanding.
- Stay updated with current affairs through magazines, newspapers, online resources, and government reports like Law Commission Reports.
Step 2: Build a Framework
- Understand four major segments: Constitutional Principles, Structure of Indian Polity, Processes, and Supreme Court judgments.
- Prioritize topics from M. LAXMIKANTH’s book for systematic learning.
Step 3: Stay Updated, Be Smart & Selective
- Dive into past and recent developments through Law Commission Reports and current affairs.
- Use Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to identify important topics.
- Subscribe to monthly current affairs magazines for regular updates.
Step 4:Revise, revise, and revise
- Use Schematics and Flowcharts for visual learning.
- Employ Memory Aids like acronyms and keywords.
- Underline important points for quick recall.
- Make concise notes for effective revision.
- Read newspapers and magazines for real-time updates.
- Consistent revision is key to success.
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How to Prepare Polity for UPSC Prelims?
The subject of Indian Polity and Constitution has occupied a dominant space at all 3 stages of the IAS exam, be it Prelims, Mains, or Interviews. Apart from mastering the Indian Constitution, being well aware of the basics of our political functioning is important for the candidates who think to compete in the civil services exam. Even when one gets into the service, the subject’s significance is carried forward.
| Aspect of Polity for UPSC Prelims Preparation | Key Points |
| Importance of Polity in UPSC Prelims | Indian Polity and Constitution are very important topics in all stages of the IAS exam. Understanding political functioning, policies, governance issues, and social justice is essential. Awareness of local and national happenings helps in informed decision-making. |
| Scoring Potential in Polity | Polity is one of the easiest subjects to score in, with factual and concise syllabus. Straightforward questions are common, covering both static and dynamic aspects. Approximately 15% weightage in the UPSC Prelims exam. |
| Recommended Books for Polity | Class IX to XII NCERT textbooks “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth. “Introduction to the Constitution of India” by D.D. Basu. “India Year Book” for reference. |
| How to Prepare Polity for UPSC Prelims? | Start with NCERT textbooks for conceptual clarity and basic understanding. Progress to M. Laxmikanth’s book for comprehensive coverage . Regular revisions are essential due to the factual nature of the subject. |
| Additional Study Techniques | Read national dailies like The Hindu or The Indian Express, focusing on constitutional or political-related news and editorials. Practice MCQs regularly to strengthen basics and boost confidence. Solve previous year’s UPSC Prelims question papers for familiarity with question patterns. |
| Basic Areas to Focus in Polity | Preamble, Schedules, Constitution of India, Union and its Territory, Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, Union, Parliament, Judiciary, State Government, Emergency Provisions, State-Centre and Interstate Relations, Panchayati Raj and Municipalities, Constitution Bodies, Non-Constitutional Bodies, Tribunals, Special Provisions for SCs, STs, Backward Classes, Minorities, Anglo-Indians, and Current Affairs related to polity. |
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How to Prepare Polity for UPSC Mains?
Instead of treating polity as a dry academic subject, it should be viewed as an applied one. Try to connect it to the news and events that are going on in your community. Consider the reasons behind the success of some government schemes and the failure of others. Application-based questions are posed by UPSC. Below we have mentioned the importance of polity in UPSC mains and the ways how one can prepare it:
| Aspect of Polity for UPSC Preparation | Key Points |
| Definition of Politics | Politics is about what you get, how you get it, and when you get it. It includes development, displacement, unemployment, and various socio-economic factors. Politics affects every aspect of life, including food, clothing, etc. |
| Approach to Polity | Relate it to current events and news to understand its practical implications. Focus on the context, not just the text, for better answers in the mains exam. |
| Basic Areas to Focus in Polity for Mains exam | Key questions to study include the idea of India, form of government, government functions, dealing with citizens, civil society’s role, and electoral processes. Focus on the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary and the relation between them. Understanding the electoral process is important, covering topics like the Election Commission, paid news, criminalization of politics, and political party funding. |
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FAQs
Laxmikant is a key resource but supplement it with current affairs, NCERTs, and previous years’ papers for comprehensive preparation.
Plan for 2-3 months, focusing on understanding concepts, memorizing articles, and analyzing past questions for thorough preparation.
Read Laxmikant thoroughly, practice answer writing, analyze previous years’ questions, and supplement with current affairs for holistic preparation.
Break it into small sections, make concise notes, revise regularly, and solve MCQs to reinforce understanding for effective learning.
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