5 Best Books for Indian Polity and Governance

The 5 best books for Indian Polity and Governance for UPSC Civil Services Exam and other State Civil Services Exam.

5 Best Books for Indian Polity and Governance

Indian polity and governance are an important part of the UPSC Civil Services Exam. In Prelims, one can find about 10% to 20% of questions directly or indirectly related to Indian polity and governance. In the Mains exam too, it forms the crux of almost one complete GS Paper. Check out the detailed syllabus of the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Here we present a list of the 5 best books for Indian Polity and Governance.

Also read: UPSC Syllabus for Civil Services Exam

Also read: Top 10 UPSC Books List for Civil Services Exam or visit Amazon.in to buy books.

#1. Indian Polity for Civil Services and State Services Examination” by M Laxmikanth and published by McGraw Hill

“Indian Polity for Civil Services and State Services Examination” by M Laxmikanth and published by McGraw Hill is one of the most popular books on Indian Polity. Look for the latest edition, the 7th edition, published in July 2023.

The book is a must-read for the aspirants appearing for the UPSC – Civil Services Examination and the other State Services examinations. It is conceived to cater to the requirements of not just the students appearing for competitive examinations but also postgraduates, research scholars, academicians, and general readers who are interested in the country’s political, civil, and constitutional issues.

Its systematic presentation of the subject matter, supplemented with multiple diagrams, tables, and charts, makes it an excellent starting point for beginners and a handy tool for revision for advanced learners.

About the Author: M Laxmikanth obtained his postgraduate degree in Political Science from Osmania University in 1989. He is the former founder and director of an erstwhile coaching institute called Laxmikanth’s IAS Academy, Hyderabad.

#2. “Our Parliament” by Subhash C. Kashyap and published by the National Book Trust

The book is a detailed account of the functioning of the Indian government. It is a complete narration of the evolution of the Indian Parliament from the beginning to its present form. The Indian Parliament is divided into two divisions, such as the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The book briefly explains the roles and responsibilities of both houses. Following the major functions that both houses perform, the book further demonstrates their hierarchy, the minimum qualification required to become a member of either house, the total number of seats they have, and the different sessions that are held in them. It also mentions the election process in India, as well as lists some popular former members of the Parliament and the duration of their service period.

Everything detailed in the book is explained lucidly in an easy-to-understand format. It encourages the readers to have in-depth knowledge of parliamentarians and the democracy of the Nation. Overall, it is a complete guide to the Indian Parliament and helpful for all those who are keen to know more about the Parliament of India.

About the Author: Subhash C. Kashyap is a former Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat (1984-1990), as well as a former Secretary-General of the 7th, 8th and 9th Lok Sabha.

#3. “Constitution of India” by Subhash C. Kashyap and published by the National Book Trust

The book provides historical and current aspects of different Articles of the Constitution.

#4. “Important Judgments that Transformed India for UPSC” by Alex Andrews George and published by McGaw Hill

The book, “Important Judgments that Transformed India for UPSC” by Alex Andrews George and published by McGaw Hill, presents an easy understanding of the landmark court cases that everyone needs to know about. It is quite interesting to learn how the Supreme Court judgments protected the essence of the Indian Constitution, strengthened democracy, and transformed the lives of ordinary citizens of India.

The book Important Judgments That Transformed India effectively caters to the requirements of many competitive examinations, particularly the UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims, Mains, and Interview). It is equally valuable to all academicians, legal students, and general readers interested in Indian Polity and the Constitution.

About the Author: Alex Andrews George is a social entrepreneur, teacher, and author. He is a problem-solver with diverse experience and interests. Alex is the founder and director of ClearIAS.com, one of the most popular online learning platforms in India. He is one of the expert Civil Service Exam trainers in India.

#5. “Governance in India” by M Laxmikanth and published by McGraw Hill

The book is extremely relevant for those interested in understanding the evolving dynamics of governance in the country.

Apart from the above 5 Best Books for Indian Polity and Governance, there is one more must-have book.

#6. “The Constitution of India Bare Act” as provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India

“The Constitution of India Bare Act” as provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India is essential to understand various Articles and Schedules of the Constitution of India.

So if you study the above 5 Best Books for Indian Polity and Governance and practice PYQs (Previous Year Questions) and MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions), then I am sure you are on the right track.