Preparing for UPSC CSE 2026/2027, SSC CGL 2026, State PCS 2026-27, CAPF, CDS or any competitive exam? There is still only ONE book that every topper and serious aspirant swears by — Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth.
Even in 2026-27, Laxmikanth remains the most recommended, highest-selling, and most trusted book for Polity & Governance.
Latest Edition for UPSC 2026-27: 8th Edition (2025-2026)
McGraw Hill released the 8th Edition in late 2025 with all updates till December 2025.
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | Eighth Edition (2025–2026) |
| Publisher | McGraw Hill |
| Pages | ≈ 950+ |
| Major New Additions | → One Nation One Election Bill provisions → Uniform Civil Code discussions → 106th–108th Constitutional Amendments → Latest Supreme Court judgments (2024–2025) → Updated Data Protection Act & Digital India Act implications → New chapter on “Tribunals & Regulatory Bodies” expanded |
| Updated Till | December 2025 |
| Price (Paperback, 2026) | ₹820 – ₹890 (Amazon/Flipkart current price) |
Which Edition Should You Buy for UPSC 2026 & 2027?
| Attempt | Recommended Edition |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 | 8th Edition (2025) – Mandatory (covers all recent changes till Dec 2025) |
| UPSC CSE 2027 | 8th Edition + supplement PDF (or wait for 9th edition expected late 2027) |
If you already have the 7th edition, you can manage 2026 attempt with free update PDFs floating on Telegram channels, but for clean preparation and 2027 attempt, go for the 8th edition only.
Chapter-wise Polity Weightage in UPSC Prelims (2016–2025 Trend → Expected 2026-27)
| Topic | Average Questions (Last 10 yrs) | Expected 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Rights, Duties & DPSP | 4–6 | 5–7 |
| President, PM, Council of Ministers | 3–5 | 4–6 |
| Parliament & Parliamentary Proceedings | 4–6 | 5–7 |
| Judiciary & Latest Judgments | 3–5 | 5–7 |
| Federalism & Centre-State Relations | 2–4 | 3–5 |
| Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies | 2–4 | 4–6 |
| Emergency Provisions & Amendments | 1–3 | 2–4 |
→ Polity consistently gives 18–25 questions in Prelims. With Laxmikanth 8th edition you can easily target 40–48 marks (90%+ accuracy).
Most Effective Way to Study Laxmikanth in 2026-27
- 1st Reading (20–25 days) → Read cover-to-cover without notes. Focus on understanding.
- 2nd Reading + Concise Notes (25–30 days) → Make your own 60–70 page crisp notes or buy any trusted ready-made notes (Vision IAS, Vajiram, etc.).
- 3rd & 4th Reading = Revision + PYQs → Solve all chapter-end questions + last 15 years UPSC Prelims & Mains PYQs topic-wise.
- Last 30 Days Before Exam → Only tables + your short notes + 8th edition new chapters.
Best Free Companion in 2026: Mrunal Sir’s updated Polity lectures (2025-26 series) on YouTube + M. Puri Sir’s latest Polity marathon.
Laxmikanth vs Other Books – Still the Same Verdict in 2026-27
| Book | Suitable For | Why Laxmikanth Wins |
|---|---|---|
| M. Laxmikanth (8th Ed.) | UPSC, SSC, SSC, State PCS, CAPF | Perfect balance of depth, simplicity & updates |
| D.D. Basu | Law students, GS-2 Mains depth | Too bulky and complex for most aspirants |
| Subhash Kashyap | Only Parliament portion | Not comprehensive |
| P.M. Bakshi | Bare act reference | Not exam-oriented |
95%+ aspirants still need only ONE book → Laxmikanth.
Where to Buy Laxmikanth 8th Edition at Best Price (2026)
- Amazon → ₹825–870 (frequent lightning deals)
- Flipkart → ₹820 + extra bank offers
- Official McGraw Hill website → ₹890 (with free supplement PDFs)
Final Verdict for 2026-27 Aspirants
If anyone asks in 2026 or 2027: “Which is the best and only book I need for Indian Polity?”
The answer remains unchanged for almost two decades:
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth (Latest 8th Edition)
Finish it 3–4 times, revise the tables religiously, and Polity will be your highest-scoring subject in both Prelims and Mains.
The post Best Indian Polity Book for UPSC 2026-27: Why M. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity is Still the Undisputed #1 Choice appeared first on THE PSC Notes Sarkari Naukri.