Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Indian Polity | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

“You need to know generally about any topic for General Studies because the name itself says ‘GENERAL’ - Gaurav Agarwal – AIR 1 – 2013.

Every year, thousands of aspirants like you aspire to become civil servants and all of them have certain doubts during their UPSC preparation journey. Over the years of interaction with these candidates, we realized that the questions are almost the same, so we’ve tried to answer most of them in this document. 

Q. Is Laxmikanth Indian polity book enough for UPSC?

Ans: 

• Yes, Laxmikanth - Indian Polity book is one book that you have to study thoroughly all the time as this book is considered as a gold mine for polity subject. In this book, you will get to know about all the static parts of the subject. This book gives you the perfect foundation for understanding the whole. You can find summary of all famous book & MCQ tests in this EduRev course Laxmikanth (Summary & Tests)

• No, you need to read current affairs to cover the dynamic part of the syllabus which is generally asked in both prelims and mains examination. Governance part of GS PAPER II mains is entirely covered from current affairs. You can follow this EduRev course to stay updated Daily Hindu Analysis: Current Affairs

Q: Is it mandatory to read advanced books such as Subhash Kashyap or DD Basu for the preparation?

Ans: No, it is not but for your understanding, you can refer for particular topics such as Parliament & its committees from Subhash Kashyap for better understanding and also for value addition. However, these books are meant for law graduates. So, it is advisable that you refer only when needed.

EduRev Tip: Time management is important during the preparation and it is advisable to stick to minimal resources as far as possible.

Q. Is it mandatory to read the Indian constitution?

Ans: Yes, one should have a basic understanding of the constitution. This will help you in interlinking the articles with current affairs for e.g. The demand for Universal Civil Code in the country, this is mentioned in the article 44 of the constitution, Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation act the process of this is explained in the article 3 of the constitution and many more. If you wish to read the original text of Indian Constitution, you can explore Indian Constitution : Original Text

Q. Do I need to memorize all the articles of the constitution?

Ans: No, you don’t have to. Try to understand the basics, when you revise it many times, it will automatically be ingrained in your memory. Trust us, it is based on our own personal experiences.  And also, you don’t have to remember all the 450 articles. Only a few important articles like Article 72, 110, 249, 266, 267, 312 etc are important.

Q. How reading Indian Polity will help in recognizing the current events which are relevant to the examination?

Ans: Questions from Polity cover both static (basic) as well as the dynamic (current events) part. For example in 2014, the Judicial Appointment Bill was in the news very frequently.

So, you must know the basics of Judiciary – its mode of appointment, powers and its autonomy granted by the Constitution of India.’ Issues related to Judiciary’s autonomy come under the dynamic part whereas the mode of appointment and powers of Judiciary comes under the static part.

This is the best way to go about reading Polity. If you can read this way, then many myths about Polity (like mugging-up all the articles, everything and anything about the Constitution) can be dealt with easily.

Q. How can I learn Indian Polity?

Ans: Learning Indian Polity involves reading the Indian Constitution and understanding the functioning of the various government institutions. You can refer to books, online resources, and attend lectures or courses on Indian Polity. 

Q. What is the best way to memorize Indian Polity concepts? 

Ans: The best way to memorize Indian Polity concepts is through practice and repetition. You can make notes and diagrams, use flashcards, and solve practice questions and mock tests to reinforce your learning. 

Q. How can I prepare for Indian Polity exams? 

Ans: To prepare for Indian Polity exams, you should familiarize yourself with the syllabus and exam pattern, and practice solving previous year papers and mock tests. You can also join coaching classes or online courses that specialize in Indian Polity.

Q. What are some good books to study Indian Polity? 

Ans: Some good books to study Indian Polity include Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu, and Our Constitution by Subhash C. Kashyap.  

Q. How can I stay updated with the latest developments in Indian Polity? 

Ans: You can stay updated with the latest developments in Indian Polity by reading newspapers, following news channels, and regularly checking official government websites. You can also join online forums and discussion groups to stay informed and discuss current issues. 

In 2014, two questions had come from the Judiciary, based on the current issues. These were of static nature-

Question 1:  The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
a) The President of India
b) The Parliament
c) The Chief Justice of India
d) The Law Commission

Solution (b)

Explanation:

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in the Parliament. Article 124(1) of the Indian Constitution empowers the Parliament to make a law to determine the number of judges in the Supreme Court. The Parliament has the authority to increase or decrease the number of judges based on the workload and requirements of the Supreme Court. This power is exercised through the process of passing a constitutional amendment by a special majority in both houses of Parliament.

Question 2:  The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

a) Advisory jurisdiction

b) Appellate jurisdiction

c) Original jurisdiction

d) Writ jurisdiction

Solution (c)

Explanation: 

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre (Union Government) and the States falls under its original jurisdiction. According to Article 131 of the Indian Constitution, the Supreme Court has the exclusive power to hear and decide disputes between the Government of India and one or more states, or between two or more states. This means that such cases can be directly filed in the Supreme Court without going through any lower courts.

The original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court also extends to other types of disputes, such as disputes between the Centre and the states on one side and one or more states on the other, and disputes between the states themselves. The Supreme Court acts as the highest court of original jurisdiction in these cases and has the authority to give binding judgments on such disputes.

Q: Is it mandatory to read 2nd ARC reports entirely for Governance in Mains examination?

Ans: Yes, but you have to do a selective study of the topics. It is a bulky document and useful information out those documents are the suggestions made in the document which can be quoted in your mains answer. You can find PDFs of the 2nd ARC reports under the Administrative Reforms & Commission Reports section in this EduRev course Indian Polity for UPSC (Civil Services) Prelims.

Q: Should I read all the policies/ acts relevant to Indian Polity?

Ans: No, you don’t need to read all of them as there are a plethora of them. UPSC always asks questions on such topics which are trending and currently in the news. But having a basic idea of most of them is required to tackle a question when asked. Indian Polity for UPSC (Civil Services) Prelims course on EduRev offers 100+ tests for your practice and helps you in continuous revision during the UPSC preparation.

Q: How should I approach studying Indian Polity for the UPSC exam?

Ans: To effectively study Indian Polity, start by reading the NCERT textbooks on Indian Polity from classes 9 to 12. This will provide you with a strong foundation. Supplement your reading with books specifically tailored for UPSC preparation, such as "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth. Make concise notes, create mind maps, and revise regularly. Practice solving previous years' question papers and mock tests to enhance your understanding and time management skills.

Q: Are the NCERT textbooks sufficient for studying Indian Polity?

Ans: While the NCERT textbooks provide a solid foundation, they may not cover all topics in detail. It is recommended to supplement your preparation with additional reference books like "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth or "Introduction to the Constitution of India" by D.D. Basu. These books offer comprehensive coverage of Indian Polity, making them valuable resources for UPSC preparation.

Q: Is it necessary to study the political history of India for the UPSC exam?

Ans: While having a basic understanding of the political history of India is important, the focus of the UPSC exam is more on the current political and constitutional framework. However, knowledge of significant events, leaders, and movements in Indian political history can provide valuable context for understanding the present political scenario.