UPSC Civil Services Examination Indian Polity, Constitution and Governance Syllabus

Indian Polity, Constitution and Governance syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Indian Polity, Constitution and Governance in UPSC Civil Services Examination, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Foundations of the Indian Constitution

   4 topics

   • Historical Underpinnings and Making of the Constitution
     • Regulating Act 1773 to Government of India Act 1935
     • Constituent Assembly: composition, committees and working
     • Objectives Resolution and the drafting process
     • Sources borrowed from other constitutions
   • Preamble and its Significance
     • Keywords: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic
     • Preamble as part of the Constitution and amendability
     • Berubari and Kesavananda Bharati interpretations
   • Salient Features and Schedules
     • Federal features with unitary bias
     • Parliamentary form and rigidity vs flexibility
     • The twelve Schedules at a glance
   • Union and its Territory
     • Articles 1 to 4: formation of new states
     • Reorganisation of states and UTs
2. 2

   Rights, Duties and Directive Principles

   4 topics

   • Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 to 35)
     • Right to Equality and Right to Freedom
     • Right against Exploitation and Freedom of Religion
     • Cultural, Educational and Constitutional Remedies
     • Writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto
   • Directive Principles of State Policy
     • Socialistic, Gandhian and Liberal-Intellectual principles
     • Conflict and harmony between FRs and DPSPs
   • Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
   • Amendment of the Constitution and Basic Structure Doctrine
     • Article 368 procedure
     • Evolution from Shankari Prasad to Minerva Mills
3. 3

   Union and State Government Structure

   4 topics

   • The Executive: President, Vice-President, PM and Council of Ministers
     • Election, powers and impeachment of the President
     • Collective responsibility and the PM's role
     • Governor and State Council of Ministers
   • The Legislature: Parliament and State Legislatures
     • Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha composition and powers
     • Law-making process and types of bills
     • Parliamentary committees and devices of control
   • The Judiciary
     • Supreme Court and High Courts: jurisdiction
     • Judicial review and judicial activism
     • Public Interest Litigation
   • Centre-State Relations
     • Legislative, administrative and financial relations
     • Seventh Schedule lists and residuary powers
4. 4

   Local Government and Constitutional Bodies

   4 topics

   • Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies
     • 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments
     • Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules
   • Constitutional Bodies
     • Election Commission and UPSC
     • Comptroller and Auditor General
     • Finance Commission and Attorney General
   • Statutory and Quasi-Judicial Bodies
     • NHRC, CIC, Lokpal and CVC
     • NITI Aayog
   • Emergency Provisions
     • National, State and Financial Emergency
     • Effects and safeguards post-44th Amendment
5. 5

   Governance, Transparency and Accountability

   4 topics

   • Citizens' Charters, e-Governance and Service Delivery
     • Models of e-governance
     • Citizen-centric administration
   • Right to Information and Transparency
   • Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
   • Pressure Groups, NGOs and Self-Help Groups

Indian Polity, Constitution and Governance flashcards for UPSC Civil Services Examination

21 of 51 cards from the Indian Polity, Constitution and Governance deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Which Act first introduced direct elections in India and is considered a major milestone in constitutional development?

   The Government of India Act, 1935 (it provided for provincial autonomy, a Federation, and a bicameral legislature). However, the Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) first introduced (indirect) elections; the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford) introduced dyarchy in provinces.

2. Who proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly for India for the first time, and in which year?

   M.N. Roy in 1934 first put forward the idea of a Constituent Assembly. The demand was officially endorsed by the Indian National Congress in 1935.

3. On what basis was the Constituent Assembly of India constituted, and when did it first meet?

   It was constituted under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 (indirectly elected by provincial assemblies). Its first meeting was held on 9 December 1946, with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as temporary President; Dr. Rajendra Prasad was later elected permanent President.

4. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, and how many members did the committee have?

   Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman. The Drafting Committee had 7 members.

5. When was the Indian Constitution adopted and when did it come into force?

   Adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950 (celebrated as Republic Day). The date 26 January was chosen to commemorate the Purna Swaraj declaration of 1930.

6. What are the key words/ideals declared in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

   Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic; and Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. The words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.

7. Is the Preamble part of the Constitution and can it be amended?

   Yes. In Kesavananda Bharati (1973) the Supreme Court held the Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended under Article 368, but its basic structure cannot be altered. (Earlier, in Berubari Union case 1960, it was held not to be a part.)

8. From which countries did India borrow Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and the parliamentary system respectively?

   Fundamental Rights from the USA; Directive Principles of State Policy from Ireland; the parliamentary system (and rule of law) from Britain.

9. How many Articles, Parts, and Schedules did the original Constitution have, and how many Schedules does it have now?

   Originally 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules. Currently it has about 470 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules.

10. What is contained in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution?

    The Anti-Defection Law — provisions relating to disqualification of members of Parliament and State Legislatures on the ground of defection. It was added by the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985.

11. What do the Seventh and Eighth Schedules of the Constitution deal with?

    Seventh Schedule: division of powers between the Union and States via three lists (Union List, State List, Concurrent List). Eighth Schedule: the official languages recognized by the Constitution (currently 22).

12. Under which Articles can Parliament form a new State or alter the area/boundaries/name of an existing State?

    Article 3 (with Article 4). A bill for this purpose can be introduced only on the President's recommendation and only in Parliament; the views of the affected State legislature must be ascertained but are not binding.

13. What does Article 1 of the Constitution declare about the nature of India?

    Article 1 declares that 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' The term 'Union' (not Federation) indicates that Indian states have no right to secede; the federation is indestructible.

14. To whom are the Fundamental Rights under Articles 14 and 21 available, and under Articles 15, 16, and 19?

    Articles 14 (equality before law) and 21 (life and liberty) are available to all persons including foreigners. Articles 15, 16, and 19 are available only to citizens of India.

15. Which six freedoms are guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution?

    (1) Freedom of speech and expression, (2) assembly peaceably without arms, (3) form associations/unions, (4) move freely throughout India, (5) reside and settle in any part of India, (6) practice any profession or carry on any occupation/trade/business. (The right to property/Art 19(1)(f) was removed by the 44th Amendment.)

16. What rights are guaranteed under Article 21 and Article 21A?

    Article 21: protection of life and personal liberty (no person deprived except by procedure established by law). Article 21A: right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years, added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002.

17. What does Article 32 provide, and why did Dr. Ambedkar call it the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution?

    Article 32 guarantees the right to constitutional remedies — the right to move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of Fundamental Rights through writs. Ambedkar called it the heart and soul because it makes Fundamental Rights enforceable and meaningful.

18. Name the five types of writs that can be issued under Articles 32 and 226.

    Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo-Warranto.

19. What is the difference between the writs of Prohibition and Certiorari?

    Prohibition is issued by a higher court to a lower court/tribunal to prevent it from exceeding its jurisdiction (issued during pendency). Certiorari is issued to quash an order already passed by a lower court/tribunal acting without/in excess of jurisdiction (issued after the order).

20. Which Fundamental Right was deleted from Part III and what is its current status?

    The Right to Property (Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31) was deleted by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978. It is now an ordinary legal/constitutional right under Article 300A — 'no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law.'

21. What does Article 17 abolish and is it enforceable against private individuals?

    Article 17 abolishes 'untouchability' and forbids its practice in any form; its enforcement is punishable. It is one of the rights enforceable against both the State and private individuals.

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