Indian Polity for Civil Services Exam

About the Author

• M Laxmikanth is the author of Indian Polity
• He obtained his postgraduate degree in Political Science from Osmania University in 1989
• He is the former founder and director of Laxmikanth's IAS Academy, Hyderabad

Book Information

• The book is in its sixth edition
• Published by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited
• ISBN (13): 978-93-89538-47-2, ISBN (10): 93-89538-47-5

Preface to the Sixth Edition

• The book has been thoroughly revised, enlarged, and updated
• The scope of Indian Polity has been increased due to changes in the UPSC pattern and syllabus in 2011 and 2013
• The book includes:
  • 6 new chapters
  • 2017, 2018, and 2019 preliminary questions with answers
  • 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 mains questions
  • Updation of the year-wise break-up of the UPSC questions
  • Additional updated information on various topics
  • New items included in various chapters

New Chapters

• Goods and Services Tax Council
• National Commission for Backward Classes
• National Investigation Agency
• National Disaster Management Authority
• Role of Regional Parties
• Coalition Government

Preface to the First Edition

• The book is written for the aspirants of the top administrative services
• It covers the Indian Polity section of the paper on General Studies
• It is also useful for optional subjects like Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Sociology, and Anthropology

Acknowledgements

• The author expresses gratitude to his teachers, students, family members, colleagues, friends, and library staff
• He is particularly grateful to his wife, Smt. M. Vidya, for her encouragement and support

Year-Wise Break-up of the UPSC Questions on Indian Polity

• The table shows the number of questions asked on Indian Polity in the UPSC preliminary examination from 2000 to 2019

Year-Wise Break-up of the UPSC Marks on Indian Polity

• The table shows the number of marks allotted to Indian Polity in the UPSC main examination from 2000 to 2019

About the Civil Services Examination

• The Civil Services examination consists of two stages:
  • Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
  • Main Examination (Written and Interview)
• The scheme and subjects for the Preliminary and Main Examination are explained

Preliminary Examination

• The examination consists of two compulsory papers of 200 marks each
• The question papers are set in both Hindi and English

Main Examination

• The written examination consists of:
  • Qualifying papers (Indian Language and English)
  • Papers to be counted for merit (Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subjects)
• The personality test is conducted for 275 marks

Optional Subjects for Main Examination

• A list of 26 optional subjects is provided for the Main ExaminationHere are the study notes for the text:

Preface

• The text is a comprehensive guide to Indian Polity, covering various aspects of the Indian Constitution, system of government, and politics.

Constitutional Framework

• The Indian Constitution was formed after India gained independence from British rule in 1947.
• The Constitution has a preamble, fundamental rights, directive principles, and fundamental duties.
• The Constitution has been amended several times since its inception.

Historical Background

• The Company Rule (1773-1858): The British East India Company ruled India during this period.
• The Crown Rule (1858-1947): The British Crown took over the administration of India from the East India Company.

Making of the Constitution

• The Constituent Assembly was formed to draft the Indian Constitution.
• The Constituent Assembly had 389 members, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
• The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Salient Features of the Constitution

• The Constitution is a blend of federal and unitary features.
• The Constitution has a rigid and flexible part.
• The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government.

Preamble of the Constitution

• The Preamble is the introductory part of the Constitution.
• The Preamble sets out the objectives of the Constitution.
• The Preamble is a part of the Constitution and can be amended.

Union and its Territory

• India is a union of states and union territories.
• Parliament has the power to reorganize the states and their boundaries.
• The Constitution provides for the formation of new states and union territories.

Citizenship

• The Constitution provides for a single citizenship.
• Citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, and naturalization.
• The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.

Fundamental Rights

• The Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights: right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and right to constitutional remedies.
• Fundamental rights are enforceable in a court of law.
• The Constitution provides for the suspension of fundamental rights during an emergency.

Directive Principles of State Policy

• The Directive Principles are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable in a court of law.
• The Directive Principles provide for the welfare of the people.
• The Constitution provides for the development of the country according to the Directive Principles.

Fundamental Duties

• The Constitution provides for 11 fundamental duties.
• Fundamental duties are obligatory for citizens.
• The Constitution provides for the promotion of harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood.

Amendment of the Constitution

• The Constitution can be amended by Parliament.
• The Constitution provides for a procedure for amendment.
• The Constitution has been amended several times since its inception.

Basic Structure of the Constitution

• The Constitution has a basic structure that cannot be amended.
• The basic structure includes the supremacy of the Constitution, republican and democratic form of government, federalism, and secularism.
• The basic structure doctrine was evolved by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case.

Parliamentary System

• The Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government.
• The parliamentary system is based on the principle of accountability.
• The Prime Minister is the head of the government.

Federal System

• The Constitution provides for a federal system of government.
• The federal system is based on the principle of distribution of power.
• The Constitution provides for the division of power between the Union and the states.

Centre-State Relations

• The Constitution provides for the distribution of power between the Union and the states.
• The Constitution provides for the legislative, administrative, and financial relations between the Union and the states.
• The Constitution provides for the resolution of disputes between the Union and the states.

Emergency Provisions

• The Constitution provides for the declaration of emergency.
• The Constitution provides for the suspension of fundamental rights during an emergency.
• The Constitution provides for the imposition of President's Rule in states.

This is just a starting point, and there is much more to explore in the text. I'll be happy to help you with further study notes!### Historical Background of Indian Polity

British Rule in India (1600-1947)

• The British East India Company arrived in India in 1600 as traders and obtained the 'diwani' (rights over revenue and civil justice) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765.
• The British Crown assumed direct responsibility for the governance of India in 1858 after the 'sepoy mutiny'.

The Company Rule (1773-1858)

• Regulating Act of 1773:
  • Recognized the political and administrative functions of the East India Company in India.
  • Established a central administration in India.
  • Designated the Governor of Bengal as the 'Governor-General of Bengal' and created an Executive Council of four members.
• Amending Act of 1781:
  • Exempted the Governor-General and the Council from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
  • Excluded revenue matters and matters arising in the collection of revenue from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
• Pitt's India Act of 1784:
  • Distinguished between the commercial and political functions of the Company.
  • Established a system of double government with the Board of Control managing the political affairs.
• Charter Act of 1793:
  • Extended the overriding power of the Governor-General over his council.
  • Gave the Governor-General more powers and control over the governments of the subordinate Presidencies of Bombay and Madras.
• Charter Act of 1813:
  • Abolished the trade monopoly of the Company in India.
  • Asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Company's territories in India.
  • Allowed Christian missionaries to come to India and authorized the spread of western education.
• Charter Act of 1833:
  • Made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India.
  • Vested in him all civil and military powers.
  • Created a central government in India.
• Charter Act of 1853:
  • Separated the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General's council.
  • Introduced an open competition system of selection and recruitment of civil servants.
  • Extended the Company's rule and allowed it to retain the possession of Indian territories on trust for the British Crown.

The Crown Rule (1858-1947)

• Government of India Act of 1858:
  • Abolished the East India Company and transferred the powers of Government, territories, and revenues to the British Crown.
  • Provided that India was to be governed by, and in the name of, Her Majesty.
  • Changed the designation of the Governor-General of India to that of Viceroy of India.

Powers and Duties

• President of India has three types of powers: executive, legislative, and judicial
• Executive powers include appointing the Prime Minister and other ministers, dissolving the Lok Sabha, and issuing ordinances
• Legislative powers include summoning and proroguing Parliament, assenting or rejecting bills passed by Parliament
• Judicial powers include appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts, granting pardons, reprieves, and remissions

Election Process

• The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and state legislative assemblies
• Election is held through a secret ballot, with each elector having a single transferable vote
• The candidate with the majority of votes is declared the winner

Constitutional Role

• The President serves as the symbol of national unity and integrity
• The President is the head of state, not the head of government
• The President is responsible for ensuring the stability and continuity of the government
• The President appoints a Prime Minister based on the majority party or coalition in Parliament

History of Presidents

• The first President of India was Dr. Rajendra Prasad, serving from 1950 to 1962
• A total of 14 Presidents have served, with the current President being Ram Nath Kovind
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the longest-serving President, serving for 12 years
• Zakir Husain was the shortest-serving President, serving for 13 months

Responsibilities in Parliament

• The President has the power to summon and prorogue Parliament
• The President must address the first session of Parliament after a general election
• The President can dissolve the Lok Sabha and call for fresh elections
• The President can send back bills passed by Parliament for reconsideration, but cannot veto them indefinitely