Table of Contents
Prelims Polity Syllabus for UPSC IAS Exam 2026
Polity is one of the most scoring subjects in the UPSC Prelims. Every year, about 15–20 questions appear in GS Paper 1 from topics like the Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary, Rights, Panchayati Raj, and Governance.
📍 UPSC Prelims Paper Structure
- Paper I (General Studies): Includes Polity, History, Geography, Economy, Environment, Current Affairs.
- Paper II (CSAT): Aptitude, Reasoning, English (qualifying only).
Polity Syllabus for Upsc Prelims given for the Paper 1 as – Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
But we have to know the detailed syllabus. we analyse previous year papers from where UPSC asked question, and list all those topic as UPSC Polity Syllabus. All Aspirants are advised to go through this detailed syllabus of Indian Polity for UPSC IAS Prelims. The syllabus covers areas such as the political system, Indian polity and governance, Constitution, Rights Issues, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Centre-State Relations, Judiciary, Legislature, Parliamentary bills, amendments, current affairs, etc.
🏛️ Detailed Polity Syllabus for UPSC Prelims 2026
📜 I. Evolution of the Indian Constitution
- Company Rule (1773–1858): Regulating Act, Charter Acts
- Crown Rule (1858–1947): Government of India Acts (1858, 1919, 1935), Indian Independence Act (1947)
- Simon Commission, Cabinet Mission
- Transition Of Power To India
- First Cabinet Of Free India
- Drafting of Constitution
- Constituent Assembly Committees
- Sources of Indian Constitution (Seminal, External, Developmental)
🧱 II. Constitution & Its Features
- Definition and Types of Constitution (Written, Rigid, Federal, etc.)
- Constitutionalism
- Preamble and its ideals
- Objective And Nature Of Preamble
- Features
- Judicial Cases
- Amendability Of Preamble.
- Salient features of Indian Constitution
- Unitary vs Federal structure
- Objectives of the Constitution
- Schedules of Indian constitution
- Original Schedules Of Indian Constitution
- 9th Schedule
- All 12 Schedules
- Anti-Defection Law And 10th schedule
- Doctrine and Terms
- Due Process of Law
- Procedure Established by Law
- Doctrine of severability
- Validity of Re-Constitutional Laws
- Doctrine of Eclipse
- Doctrine of Harmonious Construction
- Doctrine of Pith and Substance
- Doctrine of Colorable Legislation (Article 246)
- Doctrine of Territorial Nexus
- Doctrine of Laches
🧾 III. System of Governance
- Parliamentary form of government
- Presidential & Semi-presidential systems (comparative study)
- Centre-State Relations: Legislative, Administrative, Financial (Articles 245–263)
- Inter-State Councils, Zonal Councils, Inter-State Water Disputes
- Emergency Provisions: National, State (President’s Rule), Financial
- Special Provisions for States (e.g., J&K, Nagaland, Manipur)
📖 IV. Fundamental Rights
- Evolution Objectives And Features of FR
- Nature of FR
- Judicial Review And Protection Of FR’s By Supreme Court
- Famous Cases Related To FR
- Articles 12–35: Meaning, Scope, and Features
- Article 14–18: Right to Equality
- Article 19–22: Right to Freedom
- Article 23–24: Right against Exploitation
- Article 25–28: Right to Freedom of Religion
- Article 29–30: Cultural and Educational Rights
- Article 32: Right to Constitutional Remedies
- Writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, etc.)
- Article 33–35: Limitations & Exceptions
📘 V. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)
- Evolution, Features, and Types
- Socialistic: Article 38, 39, 39A, 41–47
- Gandhian: Articles 40, 43, 46–48
- Liberal-Intellectual: Articles 44, 45, 48A–51
- Directive Principle Outside Part IV – DPSPs: Articles 335, 350A, 351
- Implementation status and amendments
- Famous Cases Related To DPSP
📕 VI. Fundamental Duties
- Article 51A – List and significance
- 86th Constitutional Amendment
- Case Studies: Triple Talaq, National Anthem, UCC, Right to Work
- Swaran Singh Committee And Verma Committee
🧑⚖️ VII. Judiciary
🔹 Supreme Court
- Composition, Appointment, Jurisdiction (Original, Appellate, Advisory)
- Chief Justice of India
- Independence of Judiciary
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
🔹 High Courts & Subordinate Courts
- Jurisdiction, Structure
- Lok Adalats, Gram Nyayalayas, NALSA
- Judicial Reforms (E-governance, AIJS)
🏛️ VIII. Union Government
🔹 President
- Election, Powers, Ordinance Power (Art. 123), Pardoning Powers
🔹 Vice President
- Functions & Removal
🔹 Prime Minister
- Appointment, Powers, Role with President
🔹 Council of Ministers
- Article 74, 75, 78 – Collective and Individual Responsibility
🔹 Cabinet Committees
- PMO, Cabinet Secretariat
🏛️ IX. Parliament
- Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha – Composition & Powers
- Sessions, Devices (Question Hour, Zero Hour)
- Presiding Officers (Speaker, Chairman)
- Types of Bills: Ordinary, Money, Financial, Constitutional
- Budget Process: AFS, Appropriation Bill, Cut Motions
- Committees: PAC, Estimates, JPC, Departmental Committees
🏙️ X. State Government
🔹 State Executive
- Governor – Powers, Appointment (Art. 153–162)
- Chief Minister – Powers and Functions
- State Council of Ministers
- Advocate General
🔹 State Legislature
- Vidhan Sabha & Vidhan Parishad
- Legislative Procedures
- Governor’s Assent & Reserved Bills
🏘️ XI. Local Government
- 73rd Amendment – Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI)
- Evolution, Structure, Functions, Finances
- 74th Amendment – Urban Local Bodies
- Municipal Corporations, Nagar Panchayats
- Devolution of Powers, Challenges
🌐 XII. Union & Its Territory
- Articles 1–4: Formation of States, Reorganisation
- SRC 1953, Delimitation Commission
🗳️ XIII. Political Dynamics
🔹 Political Parties
- National/Regional Parties, Election Commission, RPA 1950 & 1951
- Electoral Reforms since 1988
- Criminalization of Politics
- Anti-defection Law
- Caste & Politics, Pressure Groups
⚖️ XIV. Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
🔹 Constitutional
- UPSC, Finance Commission, Election Commission
- CAG, AGI, Attorney General
- National Commission for SCs, STs
- Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
🔹 Statutory/Non-Constitutional
- NHRC, SHRC
- CIC/SIC
- Lokpal & Lokayuktas
- CVC
🧩 XV. Amendments and Doctrines
- Article 368 – Amendment Procedure
- Types of Majorities: Simple, Absolute, Special
- Important Amendments: 42nd, 44th, 86th, 101st
- Doctrines:
- Basic Structure
- Eclipse
- Severability
- Harmonious Construction
- Pith & Substance
- Colourable Legislation
- Territorial Nexus
- Due Process vs Procedure Established by Law
XVI. Citizenship
- PIO, NRI, OCI And Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
- Privileges For Indian Citizens And Foreigners
- Criteria For Citizenship, Acquisition And Loss Of Citizenship
- Recent Rights Related To Overseas Voting.
- CAA And NRC.
Key Focus Areas for 2026 Prelims
- 🟢 Current Affairs + Polity integration
- 🟢 Landmark Supreme Court judgments
- 🟢 Role of institutions in democratic governance
- 🟢 Electoral reforms & recent bills
- 🟢 Local governance and cooperative federalism
❓ FAQs on Polity Syllabus for UPSC Prelims
Q1. How many questions come from Polity in UPSC Prelims?
✔ Typically 15–20 questions every year.
Q2. What are the best books for Polity?
✔ Laxmikanth (M. Laxmikanth) is the most recommended. Complement with NCERTs and current affairs.
Q3. Is constitutional amendment part of the Prelims syllabus?
✔ Yes. Article 368 and major amendments are frequently asked.
📘 Conclusion
Understanding Polity is essential for cracking Prelims and building a strong base for Mains. The topics may look static, but UPSC focuses on dynamic application, recent changes, and constitutional interpretation. Prepare with conceptual clarity + current updates.