Every year 26^th November is celebrated as ‘Constitution Day’ in India. Indian constitution is the highest legal document in India, on the basis of which, the entire Indian Governance system is functioning. The basic knowledge of Indian constitution is not only essential for any competitive examination aspirant but also for every responsible citizen of India. Every citizen of India could contribute towards the development of the nation if he is aware about his rights, duties and responsibilities towards the nation which has been properly explained in Indian constitution. The syllabus and pattern of various competitive examinations, especially the civil services examinations is framed in such a manner that expertise over Indian polity topics would give an additional advantage to the candidates in scoring higher marks in every stage of the examination. This article tries to throw light on the importance of and strategy of study of Indian polity subject for competitive examinations.

The syllabus of Civil Services Examination, including UPSC and MPSC examinations, constitute Indian Polity as the major component at Prelims, Mains and Interview stage. On deeper analysis of the pattern and last few years question papers of Civil Services Examination, one could safely conclude that approximately 20%-25% of total questions asked in the Prelims examination are directly related to the knowledge of Indian constitution and Indian Governance issues. The syllabus of Indian Polity for UPSC Civil Services Prelims examination includes- Constitution, Political System, Panchayat Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. MPSC prelims examination additionally focuses on Maharashtra oriented Governance issues and Panchayat Raj system. The basic understanding of various articles of the constitution with special focus on application of this knowledge to the current affairs holds the key to score higher marks in the Prelims as well as Mains examination. The candidate should focus on the topics like Fundamental Rights, DPSPs, Fundamental Duties, Union Executive, State Legislature, Centre- State Relationship, Special status to Jammu & Kashmir and article 370, the Judiciary, recent amendments in the Indian constitution, Panchayat Raj System, issues on Good Governance, various acts like RTI,RTE, Representation of People’s Act and so on. The command over the topics of Indian Polity would give an advantage to the candidates for- approximately 20% of the total questions on Indian Polity in Prelims; complete Paper II of General Studies in Mains Examination (250 marks in UPSC and 150 marks in MPSC); 250 marks in a separate Essay paper for UPSC Mains examination and some questions on current affairs of Indian Polity in Interview phase of the examination. The thorough preparation of Indian constitution and Governance topics also put the students in an advantageous situation with regard to their optional subjects like Political Science or Public Administration in UPSC Mains examination preparation. The aspiring civil servants are bound to be asked various questions on issues pertaining to Good Governance and Indian Polity related current affairs analysis, in the Interview stage of the examination. The candidates should develop the approach to tackle these issues with an analytical bent of mind and balanced approach, with the basic knowledge of constitution of India at the back of mind.

The problem faced by many of the Civil Services Examination aspirants is about the study material and the books to be referred for the preparation of Indian Polity topics. Ideally, the UPSC Civil Services Examination aspirants should go through the Indian Constitution related books of NCERT class VIII to XII, so as to understand the basic concepts of Indian Polity. The next stage includes reading of original copies of Indian constitution along with its commentary. The books authored by M.P.Jain or D.D.Basu can be of great help for the same. The book written by M. Laxmikant, specifically written from Civil Services Examination point of view, can be of great help to the aspirants. Correlation of basic knowledge of Indian Polity with the current affairs should be the mainstay of preparation e.g. controversy surrounding Art 370 and Jammu & Kashmir, Sabarimala temple issue and Right to equality, OBC reservation issue and so on.

In conclusion, the study of topics on Indian Polity, are of great help to the budding civil servants, the incumbent Government servants and in fact, for every citizen of India. Every Indian citizen should be aware about their fundamental rights, their duties towards the nation and various political and legal developments affecting their day to day life. A fully aware citizen on these issues would in reality make the India a true and a vibrant democracy.

(The author of this article ,Lt Col (Dr) Satish Dhage, is an ex Army officer and has been qualified for IPS (Indian Police Services) through IPS LCE 2012. Presently, he is Director, MGM Institute of Competitive Exams Aurangabad. For any queries or feedback, he can be contacted on email id : drsatishdhage@gmail.com)