Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, published by McGraw Hill, is the standard polity book for the UPSC Civil Services and State PSC exams. The latest is the 8th edition (July 2025), now sold as a "courseware" with about 95 chapters, solved Prelims questions up to 2025, appendices and online resources. This guide explains how the book is organised, which parts to prioritise for Prelims and Mains, and a 60-day reading plan.
Quick Answer
Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, McGraw Hill. Latest edition: 8th (July 2025), about 95 chapters, with an e-book and video lectures on McGraw Hill’s platform. Read it after: NCERT Class XI Indian Constitution at Work and Class XII Politics in India since Independence. For Prelims: focus on articles, schedules, bodies and the appendices. For Mains (GS-2): add Supreme Court judgments, committee reports and current debates. Reading time: first reading in 30–40 days, then two quick revisions.
How the Book Is Organised
| Part | Main topics | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional framework | Historical background, making of the Constitution, salient features, Preamble, Union and its territory, citizenship, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Fundamental Duties, amendment, basic structure | Very high |
| System of government | Parliamentary system, federal system, Centre–state relations, inter-state relations, Emergency | Very high |
| Central government | President, Vice-President, PM, Council of Ministers, Parliament, Supreme Court | Very high |
| State government | Governor, CM, State Legislature, High Courts, subordinate courts | High |
| Local government | Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment), municipalities (74th Amendment) | High |
| UTs and special areas | Union Territories, Scheduled and Tribal Areas, special provisions | Medium |
| Constitutional bodies | Election Commission, UPSC, SPSC, Finance Commission, CAG, Attorney General, NCSC, NCST | Very high |
| Non-constitutional bodies | NITI Aayog, NHRC, CIC, CVC, CBI, Lokpal, NCW, NCPCR | High |
| Other dimensions | Official language, tribunals, rights and liabilities of the government, special provisions | Medium |
| Political dynamics | Political parties, elections, anti-defection law, pressure groups, national integration | Medium (Mains) |
| Working of the Constitution | NCRWC, landmark judgments, world constitutions | Medium (Mains) |
How to Read Laxmikanth for Prelims
- Know the article numbers of key provisions (e.g., Articles 12–35, 36–51, 52–78, 79–122, 124–147, 280, 312, 324, 368).
- Compare and contrast: President vs Governor, Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha, Supreme Court vs High Court, constitutional vs statutory bodies.
- Use the appendices: articles, schedules, important amendments, and tables of office-holders are high-yield.
- Solve the previous-year questions included in the book after each part.
How to Use It for Mains (GS-2)
- The book gives the structure; Mains needs analysis. Add Supreme Court judgments, Law Commission and ARC reports, and current issues such as delimitation, simultaneous elections, the Governor’s role and judicial appointments.
- Make one-page notes per chapter with issues, reforms and a way forward.
- Link chapters to current affairs every week.
60-Day Reading Plan
| Days | Chapters | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | Constitutional framework | First reading, note article numbers |
| 11–20 | System of government; central government | Parliament and judiciary in detail |
| 21–28 | State and local government; UTs and special areas | Comparison tables |
| 29–36 | Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies | Tables of composition, tenure and removal |
| 37–40 | Remaining parts | Quick reading |
| 41–50 | First revision + PYQs | Mark weak chapters |
| 51–60 | Second revision + 1,000 MCQs | Appendices and articles |
Common Mistakes
- Reading it like a novel without notes or questions.
- Skipping NCERTs, which give the concepts that make Laxmikanth easier.
- Ignoring current affairs: polity questions are increasingly linked to recent laws and judgments.
- Using old editions for chapters on bodies and laws that have changed, such as the new criminal laws of 2023 or recent amendments.
Our own notes complement the book: start with Constitution of India and 100th Amendment.
