UPSC Prelims : Important Topics of Polity

Polity is as important to UPSC prelims as Virat Kohli to Indian Cricket team!! One just cannot clear prelims without scoring big in Polity.

We know the sources –

For Static Part –
Ncert – Indian Constitution at Work.
M Laxmikant (mandatory)
Political Theory (selective reading for normative topics)

For Current Part –
The Hindu.
Anyone magazine.
And The Big Picture of RajyaSabha TV depending on the topic of Polity.

On an average, there are 14-20 questions on Polity each year. Now, out of them, many questions, though they look as static to us, they are very much based on Current affairs.

Basically, the Ques. come from –

A. Making of Indian Constitution.

B. Based on Current Affairs.
(It will also include things going on beyond India in terms of Polity.)

C. Normative Ques.

D. From the Static part of your book.

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Some Examples –

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My point is, if we prepare some big areas on which things are coming almost every week in Newspapers, we’ll have a boost of at least 8-12 marks in Prelims. So which are those areas?

Important Topics For UPSC Prelims 2020 – Polity

1.CAA/NRC/NPR –

It is said that UPSC doesn’t ask ques. on controversial topics, but they can easily ask a related or basic question. What in this case?

How citizenship is acquired and terminated as in Constitution ( remember Art. 5-8 5 ways of acquiring and 3 of termination.)

What are Foreigner Tribunals, how they are set, under which act, who can set them up (Center,State or District DM, check it, as this was amended last year.)

Knowing exact wording of CAA is important.

Which type of Constitutional amendment was CAA. (Amendment chapter of M. Laxmikant.), act under which NRC will be implemented. and so on.

2. Scrapping of Article 370 and 35A –

So, was this an amendment or PRESIDENTIAL ORDER? (check it)

How was it done? So, basically, President issued order under art. 370(1) which amended art.367 which had some provisions about how to read some sections!! And in that 367 there was a term called “Constituent Assembly of J&K” which was amended to be readed as “LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.” You’ll need this much detailed study to be in the race!!

Other area will be, changes in domicile and rights applicable for ppl of J&K. for eg. they were able to enjoy Fundamental Rights but no duty was applicable to them! Similar was the case with residence. So be ready for such things.

3. Anti Defection Law –

Why? Simply because of high voltage drama in KARNATAKA and now in MP! So our things will be.

basic provisions of law, role of SPEAKER, applicability of JUDICIAL REVIEW (google KIHOTO HOLLOHAN case in SC,1992)

Also, read about the ways in which a MLA or MP can be disqualified. There are 3. Note the authorities who can do so. (all given in PARLIAMENT chapter of M.Laxmikant.)

4. Article 131 –

Why? because some states like Kerala have approached SC for CAA to be scrapped under this art. Now SC has given 2 judgements in West Bengal case and MP case(you can google it) about whether states can approach SC in this way. BTW art.131 is ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OF SC.

5.Pardoning Powers of President –

Due to number of petitions applied by Nirbhaya case rapists to Presient.

6. Promotion in Reservation –

You need to know Indra Sawhney case(1992), M.Nagraj case(2006), Jarnail Singh(2018). Plus Constitutional Amendment no. 77 as the issue is recurringly going in SC.

7. Shri. Ram Janmabhoomi Case, Sabarimala Case –

Instead of direct que., a simple que on any article from 25-30 may be asked!!

8. Inner Line Permit and Restricted Area Permit –

Who can issue it? Current states in which it is issued, under which British provision.

9. Limits on after Retirement Practices –

SC, HC judges and that of heads of other important bodies, as Justice, Ranjan Gogoi was nominated of a member of RajyaSabha recently.

10. 2019 General Elections –

On it much can be asked-
Appointment of Protem Speaker, election of Speaker (note the difference between two),
the appointment of PM, Cabinet ministers. Basic knowledge of Election results,
use of VVPATS, EVM, the status of NATIONAL PARTY, registrations of Parties,
1951 Representation of People’s Act(some basic knowledge) etc.

11. Cabinet Committees –

There are two newly formed (google them if you don’t know), so we must know their Presiding authority, members, their nature (Constitutional or statutory or what.)

12. Constitutional Emergency –

It was applied in Maharashtra. So the role of Governor, articles related to it, HOW CENTER STATE RELATIONS UNDERGO CHANGES DURING IT. Know the procedure for Floor test as given in S.R.Bommai case of SC. Plus if possible, keep a note of recommendations given by SARKARIA, PUNCCHI commissions and NCRWC(2000), (all given in M.Laxmikant exhaustively.) Remember there was a que. on it in 2019 pre.

13. Constitutional Amendment 126 – 

Why important? Because Modi Sarkar has stopped the reservation given to ANGLO INDIANS.(President used to nominate 2 of them in each LokSabha.)

14. 5th and 6th schedule –

There was a Constitutional Amendment increasing powers of such areas. Plus BRU and BODO agreement done recently.

15. PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 2019 –

Why vital?
The act changes tenure, composition of Human Rights Commission, hence very very important to do basics of NHRC.

16. RTI –

SC gave many judgements this year, the prominent one being “Including Office of CJI under RTI.” Govt. also had amended the Central Information Commission’s terms of appointment and salary.

17. Impeachment of Prez. Donald Trump –

Questions may come on USA procedure of impeachment, comparison in USA and INDIAN model. Role of both houses in it.

18. 8th Amendment of Ireland –

Google it. It has given some reproduction related rights to women.

19. Some important bodies to look –

LOKPAL (you know 1st appointment was done last year.) Competition Commission of India, Delimitation Commission.

20. 100 years of Montague Chelmsford reforms in 2019 –

So look GOI ACT 1919. Basically, UPSC asks a question on any one of 1909,1919 or 1935 Act. So we must know the basics.

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This was it ! I have kept it as short and detailed as possible. And importantly, THESE ARE NOT STUDY NOTES.

These are just the areas from which questions might come. You all might be knowing these areas and may also have read about them, but my suggestion will be to go to absolute basics and core of these areas. UPSC will ask ques. from core. Solve as many ques. as you can.

If you want to score well in ques. based on values like EQUALITY OF LAW, LIBERTY, JUSTICE, you may once revise POLITICAL THEORY NCERT. and if it is not possible, solve 1st paper of FORUM IAS PRELIMS TEST SERIES 2020. (I am not advertising any class or such, my motive is that just you get those ques. easily and be prepared.)

If you have any queries, suggestions, advise, feedback, additions in above topic, let us know. I will be more than happy to adapt.

Thank You.

A list of such issues for the ECONOMY will be next. Because if POLITY is Virat, then Economy is as important as is Rohit Sharma to Team India.

Study smart.