Indian Polity is one of the most scoring, predictable, and high‑weightage subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Almost 15–20 questions every year are directly or indirectly asked from Polity, making it a non‑negotiable area for Prelims 2026 aspirants.
This article provides a comprehensive, exam‑oriented, and updated list of the MOST IMPORTANT POLITY TOPICS FOR PRELIMS 2026, with special focus on Constitutional Articles, Constitutional & Statutory Bodies, and Constitutional Amendments – exactly as UPSC expects.
Why Indian Polity is Crucial for UPSC Prelims 2026
High return on investment (ROI)
Questions are conceptual + factual, not opinion-based
Strong overlap with current affairs
Helps equally in Mains & Interview
👉 With proper preparation, Polity can become your strongest Prelims section.
PART I: MOST IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL ARTICLES FOR PRELIMS 2026
UPSC frequently asks direct, indirect, and application-based questions from Articles of the Constitution. Aspirants must know the Article number, subject, and key provisions.
1. Preamble of the Constitution
Source of authority of the Constitution
Keywords: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic
Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
42nd Constitutional Amendment – added Socialist, Secular, Integrity
2. Citizenship (Articles 5–11)
Articles 5–8: Citizenship at the commencement
Article 9: Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship
Article 11: Parliament’s power to regulate citizenship
👉 Link with Citizenship Act, 1955 & amendments
3. Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)
Highly important & frequently tested
Article 12–13: Definition & laws inconsistent with FRs
Article 14: Equality before law
Article 19: Six freedoms
Article 21: Protection of life & personal liberty
Article 21A: Right to Education
Article 25–28: Freedom of religion
Article 32: Right to Constitutional Remedies (Heart & Soul)
4. Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51)
Nature: Non‑justiciable
Article 39: Welfare principles
Article 44: Uniform Civil Code
Article 48A: Protection of environment
👉 Balance between FRs and DPSPs is UPSC favourite
5. Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
Added by 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
Currently 11 duties (86th Amendment added one)
6. Union Executive (Articles 52–78)
President: Articles 52–62
Vice‑President: Articles 63–71
Prime Minister & Council of Ministers: Articles 74–75
Focus on:
Ordinance making power
Pardon powers
Collective responsibility
7. Parliament (Articles 79–122)
Composition & sessions
Law‑making procedure
Budget & Money Bills (Article 110)
Parliamentary privileges (Article 105)
8. Judiciary (Articles 124–147 & 214–231)
Supreme Court & High Courts
Judicial review
Appointment & removal of judges
Writ jurisdiction (Articles 32 & 226)
9. Federal System (Articles 245–263)
Distribution of powers
Union, State & Concurrent Lists
Article 249, 250, 356
Centre‑State relations
10. Local Self Government
73rd Amendment – Panchayati Raj
74th Amendment – Urban Local Bodies
Articles 243–243O
PART II: IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL & STATUTORY BODIES FOR PRELIMS 2026
UPSC increasingly asks match-the-following and statement-based questions from bodies.
A. Constitutional Bodies (Must Prepare Thoroughly)
Election Commission of India (Article 324)
Union Public Service Commission (Articles 315–323)
Comptroller and Auditor General (Article 148)
Finance Commission (Article 280)
Attorney General of India (Article 76)
Advocate General (Article 165)
B. Statutory Bodies (High UPSC Preference)
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
National Commission for Women
National Commission for SCs & STs
Lokpal and Lokayuktas
👉 Focus on composition, appointment, powers, and reports
C. Quasi‑Judicial Bodies
Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Armed Forces Tribunal
PART III: MOST IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS FOR PRELIMS 2026
UPSC regularly asks direct and indirect questions from major amendments.
Must‑Remember Amendments
1st Amendment (1951): Reasonable restrictions
7th Amendment: Reorganisation of states
24th Amendment: Parliament’s power to amend
42nd Amendment: Mini Constitution
44th Amendment: Restored civil liberties
52nd Amendment: Anti‑defection law
61st Amendment: Voting age to 18
73rd & 74th Amendments: Local self‑government
86th Amendment: Right to Education
97th Amendment: Cooperative societies
101st Amendment: GST
102nd & 103rd Amendments: OBC & EWS reservation
105th Amendment: States’ power to identify OBCs
Smart Strategy to Prepare Polity for Prelims 2026
Article‑wise preparation instead of chapter‑wise
Link static Polity with current affairs
Revise frequently – Polity is memory intensive
Solve previous year questions (PYQs) repeatedly
Focus on elimination techniques in MCQs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Articles & numbers
Studying Polity only theoretically
Skipping amendments
Not revising constitutional bodies
Conclusion
Indian Polity is the backbone of UPSC Prelims preparation. A strong grip on Constitutional Articles, Bodies, and Amendments can decisively push you above the cut‑off. With smart, focused, and repeated revision, Polity can become your highest‑scoring subject in Prelims 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many Polity questions are asked in UPSC Prelims?
Usually 15–20 questions, sometimes more depending on the year.
Q2. Are Article numbers important for Prelims?
Yes. UPSC often frames questions directly or indirectly using Article numbers.
Q3. Should I focus more on static Polity or current affairs?
Both are equally important. Static concepts must be linked with current developments.
Q4. Are Constitutional Amendments important for Prelims 2026?
Yes. Major amendments are repeatedly tested by UPSC.
Q5. Can Polity be completed without coaching?
Absolutely. With standard books, PYQs, and regular revision, self‑study is sufficient.
