UPSC Polity & Governance Syllabus
Candidates preparing for UPSC Prelims must familiarize themselves with the Polity syllabus, a crucial component of Paper 1 (GS I paper). The UPSC Civil Services General Studies Paper 1 comprises 100 questions, totaling 200 marks. Approximately 15-20 questions are dedicated to the Indian Polity section in the UPSC Prelims Syllabus, with only objective-type questions featured.
Key Polity Topics for UPSC Prelims
For a comprehensive grasp of the Polity Syllabus for UPSC Prelims, candidates should focus on important topics recommended by experts:
- Constitution
- Political System
- Panchayati Raj
- Public Policy
- Parliamentary Rights & Issues, and more.
UPSC Mains Indian Polity Syllabus
To excel in General Studies Paper 2 of UPSC Mains, candidates should delve into the Indian polity syllabus. This paper, worth 250 marks, shares significant overlap with Prelims GS-I paper. The detailed UPSC Mains Polity Syllabus covers diverse topics:
-
Indian Constitution:
- Historical underpinnings of the constitution
- Evolution of the Constitution
- Salient features
- Basic structure, Amendments & Significant provisions
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the states
-
Governance & Polity:
- Parliament and State Legislatures
- Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business
- Powers & Privileges, Issues arising out of the Powers & Privileges of legislative bodies
- Executive and Judiciary
- Structure, Organisation, Functioning
- Ministries and departments of the government
- Difference between Pressure Group and Political Party, Formal & Informal associations
- Representation of Peoples Act 1951
-
Government Accountability & Transparency:
- Appointment to various constitutional posts
- Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
- Significance of e-Governance, Applications, Models, Successes, Limitations, and potential
- Citizens charters, Transparency & accountability, institutional measures