Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth is one of the most popular ad comprehensive books to study for the civil service examination. Polity is an eminent and important segment of the General Studies in the civil service exam, which includes topics related to polity, governance, Constitution, political system, Rights, public policy, Panchayati Raj, etc. This book covers almost all these topics. Following is the list of the table of contents included in this book:
List of Table of Contents
PART-I
Constitutional Framework
1. Historical Background
- The Company Rule (1773–1858)
- The Crown Rule (1858–1947)
- Notes and References
2. Making of the Constitution
- Demand for a Constituent Assembly
- Composition of the Constituent Assembly
- Working of the Constituent Assembly
- Committees of the Constituent Assembly
- Enactment of the Constitution
- Enforcement of the Constitution
- Experts Committee of the Congress
- Criticism of the Constituent Assembly
- Important Facts
- Hindi Text of the Constitution
- Notes and References
3. Salient Features of the Constitution
- Salient Features of the Constitution
- Criticism of the Constitution
- Notes and References
4. Preamble of the Constitution
- Text of the Preamble
- Ingredients of the Preamble
- Key Words in the Preamble
- Significance of the Preamble
- Preamble as Part of the Constitution
- Amendability of the Preamble
- Notes and References
5. Union and its Territory
- Union of States
- Parliament’s Power to Reorganise the States
- Exchange of Territories with Bangladesh
- Evolution of States and Union Territories
- Notes and References
6. Citizenship
- Meaning and Significance
- Constitutional Provisions
- Citizenship Act, 1955
- Single Citizenship
- Overseas Citizenship of India
- Notes and References
7. Fundamental Rights
- Features of Fundamental Rights
- Definition of State
- Laws Inconsistent with Fundamental Rights
- Right to Equality
- Right to Freedom
- Right Against Exploitation
- Right to Freedom of Religion
- Cultural and Educational Rights
- Right to Constitutional Remedies
- Writs—Types and Scope
- Armed Forces and Fundamental Rights
- Martial Law and Fundamental Rights
- Effecting Certain Fundamental Rights
- Present Position of Right to Property
- Exceptions to Fundamental Rights
- Criticism of Fundamental Rights
- Significance of Fundamental Rights
- Rights Outside Part III
- Notes and References
8. Directive Principles of State Policy
- Features of the Directive Principles
- Classification of the Directive Principles
- New Directive Principles
- Sanction Behind Directive Principles
- Criticism of the Directive Principles
- Utility of Directive Principles
- Conflict Between Fundamental Rights and Directive
- Principles
- Implementation of Directive Principles
- Directives Outside Part IV
- Notes and References
9. Fundamental Duties
- Swaran Singh Committee Recommendations
- List of Fundamental Duties
- Features of the Fundamental Duties
- Criticism of Fundamental Duties
- Significance of Fundamental Duties
- Verma Committee Observations
- Notes and References
10. Amendment of the Constitution
- Procedure for Amendment
- Types of Amendments
- Criticism of the Amendment Procedure
- Notes and References
11. Basic Structure of the Constitution
- Emergence of the Basic Structure
- Elements of the Basic Structure
- Notes and References
PART-II
System of Government
12. Parliamentary System
- Features of Parliamentary Government
- Features of Presidential Government
- Merits of the Parliamentary System
- Demerits of the Parliamentary System
- Reasons for Adopting Parliamentary System
- Distinction between Indian and British Models
- Notes and References
13. Federal System
- Federal Features of the Constitution
- Unitary Features of the Constitution
- Critical Evaluation of the Federal System
- Notes and References
14. Centre – State Relations
- Legislative Relations
- Administrative Relations
- Financial Relations
- Trends in Centre–State Relations
- Notes and References
15. Inter-State Relations
- Inter-State Water Disputes
- Inter-State Councils
- Public Acts, Records and Judicial Proceedings
- Inter-State Trade and Commerce
- Zonal Councils
- Notes and References
16. Emergency Provisions
- National Emergency
- President’s Rule
- Financial Emergency
- Criticism of the Emergency Provisions
- Notes and References
PART-III
Central Government
17. President
- Election of the President
- Qualifications, Oath and Conditions
- Term, Impeachment and Vacancy
- Powers and Functions of the President
- Veto Power of the President
- Ordinance-Making Power of the President
- Pardoning Power of the President
- Constitutional Position of the President
- Notes and References
18. Vice-President
- Election
- Qualifications, Oath and Conditions
- Term and Vacancy
- Powers and Functions
- Indian and American Vice-Presidents Compared
- Notes and References
19. Prime Minister
- Appointment of the Prime Minister
- Oath, Term and Salary
- Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister
- Role Descriptions
- Relationship with the President
- Chief Ministers who became Prime Ministers
- Notes and References
20. Central Council of Ministers
- Constitutional Provisions
- Nature of Advice by Ministers
- Appointment of Ministers
- Oath and Salary of Ministers
- Responsibility of Ministers
- Composition of the Council of Ministers
- Council of Ministers vs Cabinet
- Role of Cabinet
- Role Descriptions
- Kitchen Cabinet
- Notes and References
21. Cabinet Committees
- Features of Cabinet Committees
- List of Cabinet Committees
- Functions of Cabinet Committees
- Groups of Ministers
- Notes and References
22. Parliament
- Organisation of Parliament
- Composition of the Two Houses
- System of Elections to Lok Sabha
- Duration of Two Houses
- Membership of Parliament
- Presiding Officers of Parliament
- Leaders in Parliament
- Sessions of Parliament
- Devices of Parliamentary Proceedings
- Legislative Procedure in Parliament
- Joint Sitting of Two Houses
- Budget in Parliament
- Multifunctional Role of Parliament
- Ineffectiveness of Parliamentary Control
- Position of Rajya Sabha
- Parliamentary Privileges
- Sovereignty of Parliament
- Notes and References
23. Parliamentary Committees
- Meaning
- Classification
- Financial Committees
- Departmental Standing Committees
- Committees to Inquire
- Committees to Scrutinise and Control
- Committees Relating to the Day-to-Day Business of the
- House
- House-Keeping Committees
- Consultative Committees
- Notes and References
24. Parliamentary Forums
- Establishment of the Forums
- Objectives of the Forums
- Composition of the Forums
- Functions of the Forums
- Notes and References
25. Parliamentary Group
- Rationale of the Group
- Composition of the Group
- Objectives of the Group
- Functions of the Group
- The Group and IPU
- The Group and CPA
- Notes and References
26. Supreme Court
- Composition and Appointment
- Qualifications, Oath and Salaries
- Tenure and Removal
- Acting, Adhoc and Retired Judges
- Seat and Procedure
- Independence of Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction and Powers of Supreme Court
- Supreme Court Advocates
- Notes and References
27. Judicial Review
- Meaning of Judicial Review
- Importance of Judicial Review
- Constitutional Provisions for Judicial Review
- Scope of Judicial Review
- Judicial Review of the Ninth Schedule
- Notes and References
28. Judicial Activism
- Meaning of Judicial Activism
- Judicial Review and Judicial Activism
- Justification of Judicial Activism
- Activators of Judicial Activism
- Apprehensions of Judicial Activism
- Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint
- Notes and References
29. Public Interest Litigation
- Meaning of PIL
- Features of PIL
- Scope of PIL
- Principles of PIL
- Guidelines for Admitting PIL
- Notes and References
PART-IV
State Government
30. Governor
- Appointment of Governor
- Conditions of Governor’s Office
- Term of Governor’s Office
- Powers and Functions of Governor
- Constitutional Position of Governor
- Notes and References
31. Chief Minister
- Appointment of Chief Minister
- Oath, Term and Salary
- Powers and Functions of Chief Minister
- Relationship with the Governor
- Notes and References
32. State Council of Ministers
- Constitutional Provisions
- Nature of Advice by Ministers
- Appointment of Ministers
- Oath and Salary of Ministers
- Responsibility of Ministers
- Composition of the Council of Ministers
- Cabinet
- Notes and References
33. State Legislature
- Organisation of State Legislature
- Composition of Two Houses
- Duration of Two Houses
- Membership of State Legislature
- Presiding Officers of State Legislature
- Sessions of State Legislature
- Legislative Procedure in State Legislature
- Position of Legislative Council
- Privileges of State Legislature
- Notes and References
34. High Court
- Composition and Appointment
- Qualifications, Oath and Salaries
- Tenure, Removal and Transfer
- Acting, Additional and Retired Judges
- Independence of High Court
- Jurisdiction and Powers of High Court
- Notes and References
35. Tribunals
- Administrative Tribunals
- Tribunals for Other Matters
- Notes and References
36. Subordinate Courts
- Constitutional Provisions
- Structure and Jurisdiction
- National Legal Services Authority
- Lok Adalats
- Permanent Lok Adalats
- Family Courts
- Gram Nyayalayas
- Notes and References
37. Special Provisions for Some States
- Provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat
- Provisions for Nagaland
- Provisions for Assam and Manipur
- Provisions for Andhra Pradesh or Telangana
- Provisions for Sikkim
- Provisions for Mizoram
- Provisions for Arunachal Pradesh and Goa
- Provisions for Karnataka
- Notes and References
PART-V
Local Government
38. Panchayati Raj
- Evolution of Panchayati Raj
- 73rd Amendment Act of 1992
- Compulsory and Voluntary Provisions
- PESA Act of 1996 (Extension Act)
- Finances of Panchayati Raj
- Reasons for Ineffective Performance
- Notes and References
39. Municipalities
- Evolution of Urban Bodies
- 74th Amendment Act of 1992
- Types of Urban Governments
- Municipal Personnel
- Municipal Revenue
- Central Council of Local Government
- Notes and References
PART-VI
Union Territories and Special Areas
40. Union Territories
- Creation of Union Territories
- Administration of Union Territories
- Special Provisions for Delhi
- Advisory Committees of Union Territories
- Notes and References
41. Scheduled and Tribal Areas
- Administration of Scheduled Areas
- Administration of Tribal Areas
- Notes and References
PART-VII
Constitutional Bodies
42. Election Commission
- Composition
- Independence
- Powers and Functions
- Vision, Mission and Principles
- Notes and References
43. Union Public Service Commission
- Composition
- Removal
- Independence
- Functions
- Limitations
- Role
- Notes and References
44. State Public Service Commission
- Composition
- Removal
- Independence
- Functions
- Limitations
- Role
- Joint State Public Service Commission
- Notes and References
45. Finance Commission
- Composition
- Functions
- Advisory Role
- Notes and References
46. Goods and Services Tax Council
- Establishment of the Council
- Vision and Mission of the Council
- Composition of the Council
- Working of the Council
- Functions of the Council
- Other Functions of the Council
- Notes and References
47. National Commission for SCs
- Evolution of the Commission
- Functions of the Commission
- Report of the Commission
- Powers of the Commission
- Notes and References
48. National Commission for STs
- Separate Commission for STs
- Functions of the Commission
- Other Functions of the Commission
- Report of the Commission
- Powers of the Commission
- Notes and References
49. National Commission for BCs
- Establishment of the Commission
- Functions of the Commission
- Report of the Commission
- Powers of the Commission
- Notes and References
50. Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
- Constitutional Provisions
- Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities
- Role of the Commissioner
- Vision and Mission
- Functions and Objectives
- Notes and References
51. Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- Appointment and Term
- Independence
- Duties and Powers
- Role
- Cag and Corporations
- Appleby’s Criticism
- Notes and References
52. Attorney General of India
- Appointment and Term
- Duties and Functions
- Rights and Limitations
- Solicitor General of India
- Notes and References
53. Advocate General of the State
- Appointment and Term
- Duties and Functions
- Notes and References
PART-VIII
Non-Constitutional Bodies
54. NITI Aayog
- Establishment
- Rationale
- Composition
- Specialised Wings
- Objectives
- Functions
- Guiding Principles
- Cooperative Federalism
- Criticism
- Attached Offices
- Erstwhile Planning Commission
- National Development Council
- Notes and References
55. National Human Rights Commission
- Establishment of the Commission
- Composition of the Commission
- Functions of the Commission
- Working of the Commission
- Role of the Commission
- Performance of the Commission
- Notes and References
56. State Human Rights Commission
- Composition of the Commission
- Functions of the Commission
- Working of the Commission
- Human Rights Courts
- 2019 Amendment Act
- Notes and References
57. Central Information Commission
- Composition
- Tenure and Service Conditions
- Powers and Functions
- Notes and References
58. State Information Commission
- Composition
- Tenure and Service Conditions
- Powers and Functions
- RTI Amendment Act, 2019
- Notes and References
59. Central Vigilance Commission
- Establishment
- Composition
- Organisation
- Functions
- Jurisdiction
- Working
- Vigilance Units in the Ministries
- Whistle Blowers Protection Act (2014)
- Notes and References
60. Central Bureau of Investigation
- Establishment of CBI
- Motto, Mission and Vision of CBI
- Organisation of CBI
- Composition of CBI
- Functions of CBI
- Provision of Prior Permission
- CBI vs. State Police
- CBI Academy
- Notes and References
61. Lokpal and Lokayuktas
- Global Scenario
- Position in India
- Lokpal
- Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013)
- Lokayuktas
- Notes and References
62. National Investigation Agency
- Establishment of the NIA
- Rationale of the NIA
- Functions of the NIA
- Vision of the NIA
- Mission of the NIA
- Jurisdiction of the NIA
- NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019
- Notes and References
63. National Disaster Management Authority
- Establishment of the NDMA
- Objectives of the NDMA
- Functions of the NDMA
- Additional Functions of the NDMA
- State Disaster Management Authority
- District Disaster Management Authority
- Notes and References
PART-IX
Other Constitutional Dimensions
64. Co-operative Societies
- Constitutional Provisions
- Reasons for the 97th Amendment
- Notes and References
65. Official Language
- Language of the Union
- Regional Languages
- Language of the Judiciary and Texts of Laws
- Special Directives
- Committee of Parliament on Official Language
- Classical Language Status
- Notes and References
66. Public Services
- Classification of Services
- Constitutional Provisions
- Notes and References
67. Rights and Liabilities of the Government
- Property of the Union and the States
- Suits by or Against the Government
- Suits Against Public Officials
- Notes and References
68. Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes
- Rationale of Special Provisions
- Specification of Classes
- Components of Special Provisions
- Notes and References
PART-X
Political Dynamics
69. Political Parties
- Meaning and Types
- Party System in India
- Recognition of National and State Parties
- Notes and References
70. Role of Regional Parties
- Features of Regional Parties
- Classification of Regional Parties
- Rise of Regional Parties
- Role of Regional Parties
- Dysfunctions of Regional Parties
- Notes and References
71. Elections
- Electoral System
- Election Machinery
- Election Process
- Notes and References
72. Election Laws
- Representation of the People Act, 1950
- Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Delimitation Act, 2002
- Other Acts Relating to Elections
- Rules Relating to Elections
- Orders Relating to Elections
- Notes and References
73. Electoral Reforms
- Committees Related to Electoral Reforms
- Electoral Reforms Before 1996
- Electoral Reforms of 1996
- Electoral Reforms After 1996
- Electoral Reforms Since 2010
- Notes and References
74. Voting Behaviour
- Meaning of Voting Behaviour
- Significance of Voting Behaviour
- Determinants of Voting Behaviour
- Role of Media in Elections and Voting Behaviour
- Notes and References
75. Coalition Government
- Meaning of Coalition Government
- Features of Coalition Government
- Formation of Coalition Governments
- Merits of Coalition Government
- Demerits of Coalition Government
- Notes and References
76. Anti-Defection Law
- Provisions of the Act
- Evaluation of the Act
- 91st Amendment Act (2003)
- Notes and References
77. Pressure Groups
- Meaning and Techniques
- Pressure Groups in India
- Notes and References
78. National Integration
- Meaning of National Integration
- Obstacles to National Integration
- National Integration Council
- National Foundation for Communal Harmony
- Notes and References
79. Foreign Policy
- Principles of Indian Foreign Policy
- Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy
- Gujral Doctrine of India
- Nuclear Doctrine of India
- Connect Central Asia Policy of India
- Act East Policy of India
- Notes and References
PART-XI
Working of the Constitution
80. National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution
- I. Terms of Reference of the Commission
- II. Fifty Years of Working of the Constitution
- III. Areas of Concern: Commission’s Perception
- IV. Recommendations of the Commission
- V. Earlier Efforts to Review the Constitution
- Notes and References
Appendices
- Appendix I: Articles of the Constitution (1–395)
- Appendix II: Subjects of Union, State and Concurrent Lists
- Appendix III: Table of Precedence
- Appendix IV: Constitutional Amendments at a Glance
- Appendix V: Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Prime Ministers, etc.
- Appendix VI: Chairpersons of the National Commissions
- Appendix VII: UPSC Questions on Indian Polity (General Studies – Prelims)
- Appendix VIII: Practice Questions on Indian Polity (General Studies – Prelims)
- Appendix IX: UPSC Questions on Indian Polity (General Studies – Mains)
- Appendix X: Practice Questions on Indian Polity (General Studies – Mains)
Note: The above List of Table of Contents modifies as per the edition of the book.
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