90-DAY INDIAN POLITY STUDY PLAN (for UPSC Aspirants)
π§© Phase 1: Foundation Building (Day 1β30)
Goal: Build strong conceptual clarity using NCERTs + basic chapters of Laxmikanth.
| Day | Topics | Sources | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1β2 | Introduction to Polity, State, Government, Constitution | NCERT Class 9β10 Political Science | Read + make short notes |
| 3β5 | Historical Background of the Constitution | Laxmikanth Ch.1β2 | Note key Acts (1773β1947) |
| 6β8 | Making of the Constitution | Laxmikanth Ch.3 | Focus on Committees |
| 9β10 | Salient Features of the Constitution | Laxmikanth Ch.4 | Understand blend of federal/unitary |
| 11β12 | Preamble | Laxmikanth Ch.5 | Memorize keywords & significance |
| 13β14 | Union & its Territory | Laxmikanth Ch.6 | Understand Article 1β4 |
| 15β17 | Citizenship | Laxmikanth Ch.7 + Citizenship Act, 1955 | Add CAA 2019 |
| 18β25 | Fundamental Rights (Art. 12β35) | Laxmikanth Ch.8β10 | Study each Right category + landmark cases |
| 26β28 | Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) | Laxmikanth Ch.11 | Note classification & FR vs DPSP |
| 29β30 | Fundamental Duties | Laxmikanth Ch.12 | Memorize all 11 Duties + additions |
β Revision Day: Day 31 β Revise entire Phase 1 (FR, DPSP, FD, Preamble)
βοΈ Phase 2: Constitutional Framework & Governance (Day 32β60)
Goal: Learn structure of government β Centre, States, and local bodies.
| Day | Topics | Sources | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32β34 | Amendment of Constitution | Laxmikanth Ch.13 | Practice amendment procedures |
| 35β36 | Basic Structure Doctrine | Laxmikanth + Case Summary | Kesavananda Bharati case |
| 37β38 | Parliamentary System | Laxmikanth Ch.14 | Compare with Presidential System |
| 39β41 | Federal System & CentreβState Relations | Laxmikanth Ch.15β17 | Include Inter-State Council |
| 42β44 | Emergency Provisions | Laxmikanth Ch.18 | Understand all 3 types of Emergency |
| 45β47 | President & Vice President | Laxmikanth Ch.19β20 | Focus on veto & pardoning power |
| 48β50 | Prime Minister & Council of Ministers | Laxmikanth Ch.21β22 | Cabinet Committees & Collective Responsibility |
| 51β54 | Parliament | Laxmikanth Ch.23β26 | Focus on sessions, bills, privileges |
| 55β57 | Judiciary β Supreme Court, High Courts | Laxmikanth Ch.28β30 | Focus on powers, PIL, Judicial Review |
| 58β59 | State Government (Governor, CM, Legislature) | Laxmikanth Ch.31β33 | Compare with Union structure |
| 60 | Local Government (73rd & 74th Amendments) | Laxmikanth Ch.34β35 | Panchayats & Municipalities |
β Revision Day: Day 61 β Revise entire Phase 2 (Centre, State, Judiciary)
π Phase 3: Institutions, Commissions & Political Dynamics (Day 62β80)
Goal: Learn constitutional/non-constitutional bodies and governance acts.
| Day | Topics | Sources | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62β66 | Constitutional Bodies | Laxmikanth Ch.36β43 | EC, UPSC, CAG, Finance Commission |
| 67β69 | Non-Constitutional Bodies | Laxmikanth Ch.44β46 | NITI Aayog, NHRC, CIC, CVC |
| 70β72 | Political Parties, Pressure Groups, Anti-Defection Law | Laxmikanth Ch.47β49 | Read 10th Schedule |
| 73β74 | Elections & Electoral Reforms | Laxmikanth Ch.50 | Study RPA 1951 |
| 75β77 | Rights and Governance Acts | RTI Act, RTE Act, Lokpal Act | Note salient features |
| 78β79 | Comparison with Other Constitutions | Laxmikanth Ch.51 | Borrowed features |
| 80 | Schedules & Important Articles | Laxmikanth Appendix | Memorize 12 Schedules, 25 most asked Articles |
β Revision Day: Day 81 β Revise entire Phase 3 (Institutions + Acts)
π Phase 4: Revision + Practice (Day 82β90)
Goal: Reinforce retention and exam readiness.
| Day | Activity | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 82β84 | Revise Fundamental Rights + DPSPs | Use self-notes |
| 85β86 | Revise Parliament + Judiciary | Practice MCQs |
| 87β88 | Revise Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies | Use flashcards |
| 89 | Attempt 2 full-length mock tests on Polity | Analyze mistakes |
| 90 | Final Revision of Important Articles, Cases & Amendments | Quick recall |
π Recommended Sources
- Primary Book:
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth (7th Edition or Latest)
- NCERTs:
- Class 9β12 Political Science (βDemocratic Politics,β βPolitics in India Since Independenceβ)
- Additional Resources:
- DD Basu β Introduction to the Constitution of India (selective reading)
- Rajya Sabha TV / Sansad TV βBig Pictureβ episodes (for governance issues)
- PYQs (2011β2024) for UPSC Prelims and Mains
π§ Tips for UPSC Polity Success
- πΉ Study Articles with Examples (e.g., Art. 19 β Freedom of Speech β Media Ban case)
- πΉ Practice 20β30 MCQs daily from Vision IAS / ForumIAS / Insights
- πΉ Revise every 15 days β Polity is about retention and interlinking
- πΉ For Mains: focus on governance, accountability, and comparative constitution answers
