Weightage of Polity for UPSC Civil Services Examination:
Importance of Polity for UPSC IAS:
The UPSC syllabus for prelims states ‘polity and governance’ as important topics. Polity is basically the structure of the government. It includes the entire government machinery, the system that runs the government. This talks about the Union, states, Parliament, local administration, Constitution, etc. Governance means how citizens are governed by the state. As you can see, these are relevant topics especially for the civil services because after all, the exam is meant to select civil servants of the country. Administration, governing, managing affairs of implementing laws and services to the people – all these form the major functions of the civil servant. Hence it is necessary to have a good understanding of the functioning of the system. Civil servants are vital parts of the system. They are the human resources that are directly responsible for executing the various yojanas and programs the government brings about for the people.
Studying polity helps a student gain an understating of:
- Important Constitutional provisions.
- Fundamental Rights and Duties.
- Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Parts of the Government.
- Functions of the various bodies of the government.
- Functioning and structure of the civil services.
- Financial governance (budgets).
- Electoral process.
- Relations between centre and the states.
- Emergency provisions
- How the Parliament functions, how bills are passed, etc.
The questions under polity can be classified as belonging to various subheadings such as executive/legislature, ministries/bodies, local bodies, bills/acts/schemes, constitutional features and judiciary.
Some candidates might find this subject a bit dry but in fact, it forms the crux of everyday functioning of the government. Also, it is a subject that is scoring because most of the questions are direct. A good understanding of the procedures involved can help you answer most of the questions. So, polity can also help you raise your total score in the prelims exam.
5 Best Books of Indian Polity for the Prelims and Mains Exam of IAS
Both UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains exam of IAS have their papers with names General Studies. That means you do not need any kind of specialization in any subject. Indian polity most important subjects to clear UPSC IAS Examination. If you read books like Indian polity by the M. Laxmikant and Our constitution by the Subhash Kashpap and Introduction to the Constitution of India by the Durga Das Basu then it would be easy to score good marks in the prelims and mains exams of IAS and other competitive exams.
A tough battle can also be won with the help of the best weapons, leaders and soldiers. In the same way IAS; the one of the tough exams in India can also be cracked with the help of best books and teachers. In this article we have published best books of the Indian Polity for the preparation of the prelims and mains exam of IAS.
1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikant
If I say that nobody can become IAS without studying the book of M. Laxmikant then it won’t be hyperbole. This book is found on the table of every aspirant of IAS. So this particular book is considered as the Gita of Indian Polity. Every candidate must read this many times to ensure success in the exams.
The biggest strength of this book is authenticity of the content and conciseness of the topic. This book is very essential for the prelims and mains both the exams.
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikant is one of the most popular and comprehensive books on the subject and has been a consistent bestseller for many years.
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikant is one of the most popular and comprehensive books on the subject and has been a consistent bestseller for many years.
2. Introduction to the Constitution of India – Durga Das Basu
This is also one of the best books available on the Indian Polity. This book is recommended by the most of the toppers of the IAS. This book helps in developing very good analytical skill of the IAS aspirants.
In addition to the IAS aspirants this book is also helpful for students of LL.B., LL.M., B.A. and M.A. (Political Science) courses as well as competitive examinations held by the Union and State Public Service Commissions.
3. Our Constitution by Subhash C. Kashyap
Subhash C. Kashyap is popular as the most intelligent scholar of the Indian Constitution.
The book, ‘Our Constitution’ written by the Subhash C. Kashyap is a ideal book for the introduction of the Indian Constitution. The easy language and writing method of this book will clear all the doubt of the readers related to Indian Constitution.
The book, ‘Our Constitution’ written by the Subhash C. Kashyap is a ideal book for the introduction of the Indian Constitution. The easy language and writing method of this book will clear all the doubt of the readers related to Indian Constitution.
4. Our Parliament by Subhash Kashyap
This book is authored by the former Secretary General and Lok Sabha Secretariat of India Mr. Subhash Kashyap.
Subhash ji has thorough research and personal understanding of the functioning of Indian government.This book is a complete narration of the evolution of Indian Parliament from beginning to its present form.
This book briefly explains the roles and responsibilities of Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The book further demonstrates the hierarchy in the house and minimum qualification required to become a member of either house of the Parliament.
This book also explained the election process in India and list of some outstanding parliamentarians. It is written in lucid manner with ease-to-understand format. That is the reason this book does not distract its readers. So if somebody want to have good knowledge of the Indian Parliament then he must read this book without any doubt.
5. Indian Polity by Spectrum
Another good book on Indian Polity belongs to Spectrum publication. The first publication of this book was released in 2013 and 6th edition was published in 2018. This book covers the recent reports of law commission and discusses various issues pertaining to the working of the Indian Constitution.
Overall this book is helpful in widening the understanding of political issues of an aspirant. I hope that after reading this book the aspirants would be able to write good answers in the mains exam of UPSC.
| Book Name | Writer/Publisher |
| 1.Indian Polity | M. Laxmikant |
| 2. Introduction to the Constitution of India | Durga Das Basu |
| 3. Our Constitution | Subhash C. Kashyap |
| 4. Our Parliament | Subhash Kashyap |
| 5. Indian Polity | Spectrum |
Source: QUORA
