SSC CGL Polity · Free notes
Indian Constitution: SSC CGL Polity
Indian Constitution has 89 questions in the SSC CGL Tier I bank: 21 from the 2023 shifts, 18 from the 2024 shifts and 50 from the 2025 shifts. The two halves ask different things. The 2023 and 2024 shifts asked easy one-fact questions: a borrowed feature, a date, the amendment that added the Fundamental Duties. The 2025 shifts turned to Centre-State relations, GST and emergencies, mostly as two-statement questions that change one actor or one deadline. The pages give each Article with its exact actor and effect, so a swapped word stands out.
The handout has every subtopic, worked example, formula and trap with answers shown. The formula sheet is the chapter’s formulas and traps alone, on one page.
Subtopic notes
Making and Features of the Constitution
25 PYQsThe dates of the Constitution, the countries and Acts its features were borrowed from, the words of the Preamble, and the Parts and Schedules SSC asks about.
Constitutional Amendments
15 PYQsThe 42nd Amendment and everything it added, and the other amendments SSC asks about by number: the 43rd, 44th, 86th, 101st and a few more.
Centre-State Relations
28 PYQsHow the Constitution divides law-making between the Union and the States, which Article settles a clash, and the councils and commissions that manage the relationship.
Centre-State Finance and GST
11 PYQsWho may make GST laws, how the GST Council votes, and the Articles that decide who levies, collects and keeps each tax, plus the Finance Commission and State borrowing.
Emergency Provisions
10 PYQsPart XVIII's three emergencies (for the country, for one State, and for the nation's finances): their Articles, how soon Parliament must approve each, and what each lets the Union do.
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 10 reference tables · 14 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 10 reference tables · 14 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Reference tables (2)
Watch out for (4)
- Enacted 1949, in force 1950→ Dates and borrowed features
- 1919 for two Houses, 1935 for provincial autonomy→ Dates and borrowed features
- No dual citizenship in India→ Preamble, Parts and Schedules
- The Sixth Schedule skips Nagaland and Arunachal→ Preamble, Parts and Schedules
Reference tables (2)
Watch out for (2)
- Article 131A was for the Supreme Court→ The 42nd Amendment (1976)
- Property is a legal right, not abolished→ Other amendments to remember
Reference tables (2)
The three Lists and the Articles on a clash5 rows
| Subject | List |
|---|---|
| Criminal law | Concurrent |
| Education (since 1976) | Concurrent |
| Agriculture | State |
| Trade and commerce within a State | State |
| Matters in no List (residuary) | Union (Parliament)Q |
Watch out for (4)
- Conflict on the Concurrent List: Union wins by default→ The three Lists and the Articles on a clash
- Article 252 laws bind only the asking States→ The three Lists and the Articles on a clash
- The President sets up the Council, not Parliament→ Councils, commissions and water disputes
- Advice, not orders→ Councils, commissions and water disputes
Reference tables (2)
Watch out for (2)
- Article 246A is shared, not exclusive→ GST and the GST Council
- Article 280 sets up, 281 reports→ Who levies, collects and keeps each tax
Reference tables (2)
Watch out for (2)
- One month for 352, two for 356→ National Emergency and President's Rule
- 1991 was a crisis, not an emergency→ Financial Emergency
PYQ weightage by concept
10 concepts · 89 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
PYQ weightage by concept
10 concepts · 89 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Preamble, Parts and Schedules | 13 | 15% |
| Dates and borrowed features | 12 | 13% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The 42nd Amendment (1976) | 8 | 9% |
| Other amendments to remember | 7 | 8% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The three Lists and the Articles on a clash | 15 | 17% |
| Councils, commissions and water disputes | 13 | 15% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Who levies, collects and keeps each tax | 6 | 7% |
| GST and the GST Council | 5 | 6% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| National Emergency and President's Rule | 7 | 8% |
| Financial Emergency | 3 | 3% |
Test yourself on Indian Constitution — Making, Foundation and Amendments
20 past SSC CGL questions from this chapter, timed at 12 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.