From 2013-2021, prelims papers had an average of 15 polity questions. There have not been any major variations over the years. Hence, polity is one of the most important subjects in the prelims exams.
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Polity vis-à-vis Prelims-2021
Level of Difficulty in Polity Questions:
Sources of Polity questions:
Every year, atleast 10 questions appear from the Laxmikant book. This makes it a standard source for polity studies. Difficulty level of most questions in polity is easy. This means preparing from current affairs and the standard sources is enough for the prelims examination. Aspirants can prepare from the following sources for Polity –
A. Polity Fundamental basics
- NCERT 9th and 10th Political theory book
- Value Addition on Political science Basics by Santosh Gupta
B. Polity and Constitution
1. Indian Constitutional at Work (NCERT)
2. M. Laxmikant on Polity
3. The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution by Madhav Khosla
C. Current Affairs
1. CivilsDaily Monthly Magazines
2. Samachar Manthan Notes
Sub-topics wise analysis
Aspirants have to pay attention to topics like fundamentals of polity, fundamental rights, directive principles of state policy, the preamble, schedules and articles in constitution and the recent bills cleared in the Parliament. Most of the questions have been asked from these topics from 2013 to 2021.
Sub-Topic Wise Comparative study of 2021 Questions from 2020 Questions & Before.
Questions both in 2021 and 2020 papers have appeared from the following three areas. For detailed analysis, go through the table below:
A. Polity Fundamental aspects- Related to basics of Political Science
B. Polity and Constitution aspects
C. Current Affairs
| A. Polity Fundamentals/Pol Science type questions | Questions before 2021 prelims | Questions in 2021 prelims |
| 1.Constitutional Government | On the meaning of the word | Repeat question on meaningseems to UPSC’s FavouriteAvailable in NCERT |
| 2.Idea of Liberty : definition, restriction, relation with article14 etc. | No question in 2020However, Continued theme since 2014.Definition of Liberty (2019)Relation of law and liberty(2018), Restriction on liberty(2014) | Question on Safeguards to libertyUPSC intends to ask for various aspects of liberty and rule of lawCan be solved by NCERT/ NIOS level Gyan |
| 3. Definition of keywords: state/nation/communism/GandhismRule of Law, equality | No such questionQuestions on Gandhism and Marxism Definition of equality in 2017 | Question on definition of state.Need to be prepared on Political science definition of keywords. |
| B.Questions on ConstitutionGood Number of Questions from Preamble, FRs and DPSP | Questions before 2021 prelims | Questions in 2021 prelims |
| Preamble1-2 questions ever year | One direct question on preamble, in another Preamble is one of right option. Two questions in 2017 such minds of constitutional makers and another on contents of preamble Contents of preamble(2015) | Indirect question on Preamble- Status of India on 26th January 1950 |
| Fundamental rights2 questions every year | One direct question in 2020 (Article 17-Untouchability)Two questions in 2019 such as right to marry and 9th schedule | Two questions in 2021Article 14- equalityArticle 18- Abolition of titles |
| DPSPsAt least 2 questions every year | Two direct questions in 20201.Welfare State2.Part IVOne Indirect Question- UNHDR | One Direct question: Concentration of Wealth in 2021 |
| Debatable questionsEach year 1-2 questions | (2019) will state legislatures follow the rules of Lok Sabha?(2017) right to vote Repeated theme of Confusing aspirants over constitutional and Legal Rights such as vote, property etc. | Two Questions in 2021 Right to Property whether available to citizen only/all Definition of State Separation of powers- Committed Judiciary type option |
| Parliament Few Difficult questions on Parliament Procedures, Committees etc. 1-2 questions on motions/ resolutions, qualifications | One Question on Rulebook(2020) Minister eligibility & RPA (2020) 2019: office of profit and disqualification | Complete omission of this area of questions in 2021 2022 may have 2-3 questions |
| Judiciary relatedAt least one question | Basic Structure and Judicial Review (2020)Judicial Review and 44th Amendment (2019)Impeachment of Judges(2019) | Direct question on Independence of JudiciaryIndirect question on role of Judiciary in federalismIndirect question on role of judiciary in ensuring liberal democracy |
| C. Current Affairs: | Questions before 2021 prelims | Questions in 2021 prelims |
| Random Laws and Schemes from older Current Affairs | NALSA (2013 and 2020)MPLADS (2020)AADHAR (2019 and 2020)Transgender Law | No Current Affairs as such not even from old current (>1 year) Two questions on Parole and Judicial custody- seems to inspired from current events related to death of an actor last year. |
How to Prepare Polity for Prelims 2022
Watch this strategy video to get a clear understanding:
Polity is certainly the first subject most aspirants read when they start their preparation. If you are a 2022 aspirant who needs polity test series or guidance for the subject then click here.
Way Forward
In prelims 2021 paper, Polity seems to be the most doable section. Most questions are easy to moderate and from standard sources of NCERT and Laxmikant. There is less emphasis on current affairs directly however many questions seem to inspired from current affairs. More focus is on understanding the basic concepts and constitutional aspects while linking it with current happenings. Aspirants need not to worry about older current affairs as there are lesser number of questions. Controversial questions get more mileage in the interview round, where one is expected to give balanced answers.
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