🔹 Goal of Day 2
Today’s objective is to understand Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)—two crucial topics in Indian Polity. These are highly important for UPSC Prelims, with direct conceptual and application-based questions appearing every year.
🔹 Study Plan for Day 2 (6 Hours)
| Time Slot | Topic | Study Material & Resources |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Hour | Introduction to Fundamental Rights (FRs) – Meaning & Importance | 📖 NCERT Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work (Ch. 2) |
| 2nd Hour | Detailed Study of Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35) | 📖 M. Laxmikanth (Indian Polity), Ch. 7 & 8 |
| 3rd Hour | Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Meaning, Features & Types | 📖 Laxmikanth (Ch. 9) |
| 4th Hour | FR vs. DPSP – Conflicts & Landmark Cases | 📝 Notes from Laxmikanth + Case Laws from UPSC PYQs |
| 5th Hour | MCQ Practice – 50 Questions | 🔍 Solve PYQs from UPSC Previous Year Papers (Polity Section) |
| 6th Hour | Revision & Short Notes | 📝 Summarize key points in one page + Create Mind Maps for Quick Revision |
🔹 Detailed Breakdown of Topics
1️⃣ Introduction to Fundamental Rights (1st Hour)
📌 Key Points to Learn:
✅ What are Fundamental Rights (FRs)?
✅ Why are they called “Fundamental”?
✅ Key features & significance of FRs.
✅ Rights available to citizens vs. foreigners.
📖 Source:
- NCERT Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work (Ch. 2 – Rights in the Indian Constitution)
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth (Ch. 7 – Fundamental Rights: Introduction)
📌 Summary:
🔹 Fundamental Rights are justiciable (enforceable by courts) and prevent the government from violating individual freedoms.
🔹 They ensure equality, freedom, protection against exploitation, religious & educational rights, and constitutional remedies.
2️⃣ Detailed Study of Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35) (2nd Hour)
📌 Key Articles to Focus On:
| Right | Articles Covered | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Equality | 14-18 | Prohibits human trafficking & child labour |
| Right to Freedom | 19-22 | Speech, assembly, movement, protection from arbitrary arrest |
| Right Against Exploitation | 23-24 | Freedom to practice,and propagate any religion |
| Right to Freedom of Religion | 25-28 | Freedom to practice, and propagate any religion |
| Cultural & Educational Rights | 29-30 | Rights of minorities to preserve culture & establish institutions |
| Right to Constitutional Remedies | 32 | Power of the Supreme Court & High Courts to enforce FRs (Writs like Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, etc.) |
📖 Sources:
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth (Ch. 8 – Detailed Study of Fundamental Rights)
- NCERT Class 11 (Ch. 2 – Rights in the Indian Constitution, Pages 32-42)
🎥 Video Lectures:
🔗 Fundamental Rights Explained – Watch Here
🔗 Writs in the Constitution – Read Here
📌 Important Supreme Court Cases:
- Keshavananda Bharati Case (1973) – FRs are part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
- Maneka Gandhi Case (1978) – Expanded the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life).
- Shah Bano Case (1985) – Controversy between FRs & religious laws.
3️⃣ Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Meaning & Types (3rd Hour)
📌 Key Points to Learn:
✅ What is DPSP?
✅ Difference between FRs & DPSP.
✅ Classification of DPSP into Socialist, Gandhian & Liberal Principles.
✅ Why are DPSPs non-justiciable?
✅ Amendments that strengthened DPSP (e.g., 42nd Amendment, 86th Amendment).
📖 Sources:
- Indian Polity by Laxmikanth (Ch. 9 – Directive Principles of State Policy)
- NCERT Class 11 (Ch. 2 – DPSP Section, Pages 42-48)
🎥 Video Lectures:
🔗 DPSP Explained – Watch Here
🔗 DPSP vs. Fundamental Rights – Watch Here
📌 Classification of DPSPs:
| Category | Key Articles | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Socialist Principles | 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 47 | Equal pay, free legal aid, nutrition, etc. |
| Gandhian Principles | 40, 43B, 46, 47, 48 | Panchayati Raj, cottage industries, prohibition of alcohol, etc. |
| Liberal-Intellectual Principles | 44, 45, 50, 51 | Uniform Civil Code, early childhood education, separation of judiciary from executive, etc. |
📌 Landmark Cases Related to DPSP:
- Minerva Mills Case (1980): FRs & DPSP must be balanced.
- Indira Sawhney Case (1992): 27% OBC reservation upheld under DPSP.
4️⃣ FR vs. DPSP: Conflicts & Landmark Cases (4th Hour)
📌 Key Learnings:
✅ Why do FRs have supremacy over DPSP?
✅ How has Parliament tried to make DPSP enforceable?
✅ Role of the 42nd & 44th Amendments in changing the relationship.
📖 Sources:
- Indian Polity by Laxmikanth (FR vs. DPSP Section)
- Case Law Summaries
5️⃣ MCQ Practice (5th Hour)
🔍 Solve 50 Questions from:
✔️ UPSC Previous Year Papers (2013-2023) – Polity Section.
✔️ Test Series from Vision IAS / Insights IAS / Drishti IAS.
📖 Free Question Banks:
🔗 UPSC Polity PYQs
🔗 Polity MCQs for Practice
6️⃣ Revision & Short Notes (6th Hour)
📌 Create:
✅ A one-page summary for quick revision.
✅ A mind map for FRs & DPSP articles.
✅ Flashcards for Landmark Cases & Amendments.
📝 Tip: Write 5-6 key takeaways in a notebook to revise before sleeping.
🎯 End of Day 2 Checklist ✅
✅ Completed NCERT & Laxmikanth reading for FRs & DPSP.
✅ Watched video lectures & revised landmark cases.
✅ Solved 50+ MCQs.
✅ Made short notes & mind maps.
✅ Understood FR vs. DPSP debate.
📅 Tomorrow (Day 3): We will cover Fundamental Duties & Amendments in the Constitution. Stay consistent! 🚀
Disclaimer
This 100-day UPSC Prelims Preparation Plan is a structured guideline designed to help aspirants streamline their studies effectively. However, UPSC preparation is highly dynamic, and the depth of understanding required may vary based on individual strengths, weaknesses, and prior knowledge.
1️⃣ This plan does not guarantee success—your results depend on consistent effort, revision, and test practice.
2️⃣ The suggested sources are recommendations; aspirants should cross-check their relevance and supplement with additional materials if needed.
3️⃣ Current affairs, answer writing, and mock tests are crucial components—ensure regular practice alongside this schedule.
4️⃣ Flexibility is key! Adapt the plan according to your learning pace, job schedule, and retention capacity.
🔹 Final Note: Success in UPSC demands discipline, patience, and a positive mindset. Stick to the strategy, revise consistently, and trust the process! 🚀