- Syllabus for prelims
- Previous years prelims questions
- Syllabus for mains
- Previous years mains questions
- Important theories and fact to be kept in focus while preparing
- Indian Constitution
- Elections
Prelims Syllabus (Polity): Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
To effectively understand what topics need to be covered and what can be left out while preparing for the Civil Service Exam within a limited time frame, it’s essential to decipher each word in the prelims syllabus by referring to previous year question papers. This approach allows candidates to prioritise their study materials and focus on areas that are frequently tested in the exam. By analysing past questions, candidates can identify recurring themes, important concepts, and common question types, which can guide their study plan and help them allocate their time efficiently. This method enables candidates to streamline their preparation process and ensure that they cover the most relevant and high-yield topics within the available time frame.
Note:
Reading the preamble five to six times will aid you in solving prelims and mains questions related to polity, and can also be utilized in the essay paper.
Books: NCERT Polity Books (VI-XII, must go through VIII-XII), Indian Polity by M. Laxmikant (always limit your source of study due to vast nature of syllabus implicitly mentioned by UPSC)
Syllabus for mains (General Studies-II)
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations
- Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
- Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
- Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of varios Constitutional Bodies.
- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
- Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
- Role of civil services in a democracy.
- India and its neighborhood- relations.
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.