Course Overview

Polity and Governance

Polity is an integral part of the UPSC civil services exam. Whether it is for the UPSC prelims or the UPSC mains exam, Indian polity is a vital part of the UPSC syllabus. “Indian Polity Governance” covers Fundamental Rights Fundamental Duties, Parliament Indian Judiciary, Union State Executive Constitutional Non-Constitutional bodies. It covers five major section like; Indian Constitution, Fundamental rights & Fundamental Duties, Parliament & Indian Judiciary, Union & State Executive & Constitutional & Non-Constitutional bodies.

Indian Polity (UPSC Prelims)

The Indian polity and governance syllabus for IAS prelims is very precise. The UPSC Polity syllabus in Prelims constitutes -Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution; Political System; Panchayati Raj; Public Policy; Rights Issues

Indian Polity (UPSC Mains)

The UPSC syllabus for General Studies Paper-II encompasses the Indian polity section. The polity section covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice encompassing the following aspects: 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 ,Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries ,Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions ,Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these ,Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies ,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 ,Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation ,Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies ,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 ,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 ,Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to ,Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures ,Issues relating to poverty and hunger ,Role of civil services in a democracy. The term ‘Governance’ comes under the subject of Indian Polity and governance in General Studies paper 2 of the UPSC Syllabus. Understanding the various categories and types of governance is an integral part of the UPSC Syllabus. To broadly categorize governance can be divided into the following types: Governance of the Public Sector, Governance of the Private Sector, Governance on the Global Level and Governance in India

Reference Books

a)    Indian Polity-Constitution, Political System etc.

1.  Our Constitution - Subhash Kashyap

2.  Our Parliament - Subhash Kashyap

3.  Constitution of India - D.D.Basu 

b)    Governance-Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

1.  NCERT IX-XII

2.  India Year Book

3.  Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth

4.   Indian Polity – By Spectrum

5.  Important Acts that Transformed India – Alex Andrews George