2026

📘 Indian Polity Courseware – M. Laxmikanth (8th Edition)

• ✅ 95 chapters covering the entire Indian political and constitutional spectrum

• 📱 Free & exclusive access to the full-colour eBook with advanced features on McGraw Hill Edge

• 🎥 40+ conceptual videos to reinforce learning on complex constitutional and governance topics

• 📜 Solved 13 Previous Years' UPSC Prelims Polity Questions (including 2025)

• 📝 Previous 12 years of UPSC Mains Polity Questions included

• 🎯 High-quality practice questions to build exam readiness

• ⭐️ 18 Insightful Appendices (9 in book + 9 online) to support learning

📖 About the Courseware

McGraw Hill is delighted to present the 8th Edition of its flagship title, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth now designed as a Courseware. This Courseware marks a significant evolution, from a widely trusted print volume into a dynamic learning experience.

In addition to its comprehensive textual content, it now offers 3 new chapters, 40+ meticulously crafted conceptual videos simplifying complex concepts, 18 insightful appendices, Previous 13 years of UPSC Preliminary Polity Questions (including 2025) with Answer Keys, Previous 12 years of UPSC Main Polity Questions and a full colour eBook.

An all-time bestseller and one of the most trusted titles continue to be an essential read for aspirants of the Civil Services and other State Services examinations. Designed to meet the needs of not just competitive exam candidates but also postgraduates, research scholars, academicians, and general readers, the eighth edition offers a deeper and more interactive learning experience on India's political and constitutional framework.

💡 What is McGraw Hill Edge Courseware?

McGraw Hill Courseware is an end-to-end learning solution designed to make learning holistic and adaptive to changing examination trends. It goes beyond traditional exam preparation, breaking the mould to give our learners a better chance at success. It seamlessly blends the traditional strengths of static resources like books with cutting-edge digital learning solutions, including, but not limited to:

• 🎥 Conceptual videos

• 🧠 Study aids like flashcards and infographics

• 🔍 Knowledge enrichment content

• 📜 Previous Years’ Questions with explanations

• 📝 Mock tests

• 📊 Performance analytics

• 🎤 Author webinars & doubt-clearing sessions

• 📚 Full colour eBook

These features ensure a thorough understanding of the subject matter, enhance learning and retention, provide detailed insights into student performance, and fill gaps in preparation. With the McGraw Hill Edge app, our Courseware can be accessed anytime, anywhere providing full flexibility to the learners. It is interactive and highly responsive to new exam trends; and offers a comprehensive ecosystem that consolidates scattered information into an easily understandable format. McGraw Hill Courseware aims to boost its learners’ confidence by ensuring that they have access to authoritative information, innovative pedagogies and the confidence to elevate their preparation to success!

🗂️ Table of Contents

Preface to the Eighth Edition Preface to the First Edition

1. Historical Background 2. Making of the Constitution 3. Concept of Constitution 4. Salient Features of the Constitution 5. Preamble of the Constitution 6. Union and its Territory 7. Citizenship 8. Fundamental Rights 9. Directive Principles of State Policy 10. Fundamental Duties 11. Amendment of the Constitution 12. Basic Structure of the Constitution 13. Parliamentary System 14. Federal System 15. Centre–State Relations 16. Inter-State Relations 17. Emergency Provisions 18. President 19. Vice-President 20. Prime Minister 21. Central Council of Ministers 22. Cabinet Committees 23. Parliament 24. Parliamentary Committees 25. Parliamentary Group 26. Supreme Court 27. Judicial Review 28. Judicial Activism 29. Public Interest Litigation 30. Governor 31. Chief Minister 32. State Council of Ministers 33. State Legislature 34. High Court 35. Subordinate Courts 36. Tribunals 37. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission 38. Lok Adalat and other courts 39. Panchayati Raj 40. Municipalities 41. Union Territories 42. Scheduled and Tribal Areas 43. Election Commission 44. Union Public Service Commission 45. State Public Service Commission 46. Finance Commission 47. Goods and Services Tax Council 48. National Commission for SCs 49. National Commission for STs 50. National Commission for BCs 51. Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities 52. Comptroller and Auditor General of India 53. Attorney General of India 54. Advocate General of the State 55. Constitutional Prescriptions 56. NITI Aayog 57. National Human Rights Commission 58. State Human Rights Commission 59. National Commission for Women 60. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights 61. National Commission for Minorities 62. Central Information Commission 63. State Information Commission 64. Central Vigilance Commission 65. Central Bureau of Investigation 66. Lokpal and Lokayuktas 67. National Investigation Agency 68. National Disaster Management Authority 69. Bar Council of India 70. Law Commission of India 71. Delimitation Commission of India 72. North Eastern Council 73. Co-operative Societies 74. Official Language 75. Public Services 76. Rights and Liabilities of the Government 77. Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes 78. Special Provisions for Some States 79. Political Parties 80. Role of Regional Parties 81. Elections 82. Election Laws 83. Electoral Reforms 84. Voting Behaviour 85. Coalition Government 86. Anti-Defection Law 87. Pressure Groups 88. National Integration 89. Foreign Policy 90. National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution 91. Landmark Judgements and their Impact 92. Judgements expanding the scope of Article 21 93. Judgements Relating to The Amendments 94. Judgements Relating to The Amendments 95. World Constitutions

Appendix I: Articles of the Constitution Appendix II: Subjects of Union, State and Concurrent Lists Appendix III: Table of Precedence Appendix IV: Constitutional Amendments at a Glance Appendix V: Constitutional Amendments with Reference to Articles Appendix VI: Model Code of Conduct Relating to Elections Appendix VII: Flag Code of India Appendix VIII: Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Prime Ministers, etc. Appendix IX: Chairpersons of the National Commissions

Question Set I: UPSC Questions on Indian Polity General Studies Prelims (2013-25) Question Set II: Practice Questions on Indian Polity General Studies Prelims Question Set III: UPSC Questions on Indian Polity General Studies Mains (2013-24) Question Set IV: Practice Questions on Indian Polity General Studies Mains