The document provides information about the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Constitution of India. It states that the DPSP are non-justiciable guidelines for governments to establish a just society. The principles were inspired by the Irish Constitution and Gandhism. They aim to create conditions for good living and establish social and economic democracy through a welfare state. The DPSP are classified into socialist, Gandhian, liberal and general principles and are embodied in Articles 36-51 of the Constitution.
1. The Constitution of India is the supreme law of
India. It lays down the framework defining
fundamental political principles, establishes the
structure, procedures, powers, and duties of
government institutions, and sets out fundamental
rights, directive principles, and the duties of
citizens.
INDIAN CONSTITUTION
3. The Constitution was enacted by the
Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949,
and came into effect on 26 January 1950. The
date 26 January was chosen to
commemorate the Purna Swaraj declaration
of independence of 1930. With its adoption,
the Union of India officially became the
modern and contemporary Republic of India
ORIGIN
4. India celebrates the adoption of the
constitution on 26 January each year as
Republic Day.
REPUBLIC DAY
5. The preamble to the Constitution of
India is a brief introductory statement that
sets out the guiding purpose and
principles of the document. It is also
known as the ‘Mirror of the Constitution’.
PREAMBLE
6. The Constitution declares India to be a sovereign,
socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its
citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and
endeavours to promote fraternity among them.
The words "socialist" and "secular" were added to
the definition in 1976 by 42nd constitutional
amendment.
42ND CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT
7. The Indian constitution is the longest written
constitution of any sovereign country in the
world, containing 465 articles in 22 parts, 12
schedules and 97 amendments. It took 2
Years 11 Months and 18 days to built.
LENGTHIEST CONSTITUTION
8. The Constitution was drafted by the Constituent
Assembly. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, C.
Rajagopalachari, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel, Kanaiyalal Munshi, Purushottam Mavalankar,
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Balwantrai Mehta were
some important figures in the Assembly.
CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY
9. The first temporary 2-day president of the
Constituent Assembly was Dr Sachidanand
Sinha. Later, Rajendra Prasad was elected
president of the Constituent Assembly.The
members of the Constituent Assembly met for
the first time on 9 December 1946.
DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD
10. On 29 August 1947, the Drafting
Committee was appointed, with Dr B. R.
Ambedkar as the Chairman.
DRAFTING COMMITTEE
11. On 13 December 1946, Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution.
OBJECTIVE RESOLUTION
12. The individual Articles of the Constitution are grouped
together into Parts (For Example):
Preamble
Part I– Union and its Territory
Part II – Citizenship.
Part III – Fundamental Rights.
Part IV – Directive Principles of State Policy.
Part IVA – Fundamental Duties.
STRUCTURE
52. PART IV OF THE CONSTITUTION
CONTAINS THE DIRECTIVE
PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY.
ANSWER:
53. WHAT DOES THE PART IVA OF
THE CONSTITUTION
CONTAINS?
54. PART IVA OF THE CONSTITUTION
CONSISTS OF FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES.
ANSWER:
55. 'Part III - Fundamental Rights' is a charter of
rights contained in the Constitution of India. It
guarantees civil liberties such that all Indians can
lead their lives in peace and harmony as citizens
of India.
The Rights have their origins in many sources,
including England's Bill of Rights, the United
States Bill of Rights and France's Declaration of
the Rights of Man.
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
56. 'The Forty-Forth Amendment of 1978 deleted
the right to property from the list of
fundamental rights now Right To Property is a
Legal Right and not a Fundamental Right.
RIGHT TO PROPERTY
57. Right to equality is an important right
provided for in Articles 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18
of the constitution.
RIGHT TO EQUALITY (Art. 14-18)
58. Article 14 of the constitution guarantees
that all citizens shall be equally protected
by the laws of the country.
EQUALITY BEFORE LAW
(ART.14)
59. Article 15 of the constitution states that no
person shall be discriminated on the basis of
caste, colour, language etc. Every person
shall have equal access to public places like
public parks, museums, wells, bathing ghats
and temples etc.
SOCIAL EQUALITY (Art.15)
60. Article 16 of the constitution lays down that the State
cannot discriminate against anyone in the matters of
employment. All citizens can apply for government
jobs.
EQUALITY IN MATTERS OF PUBLIC
EMPLOYMENT: (Article 16)
61. Article 17 of the constitution abolishes the practice
of untouchability.
ABOLITION OF UNTOUCHABILITY:
(Art. 17)
62. Article 18 of the constitution prohibits the
State from conferring any titles.
Exceptions- Army and Academics.
ABOLITION OF TITLES: (Article 18)
63. The Constitution of India contains the right
to freedom, given in articles 19, 20, 21
and 22, with the view of guaranteeing
individual rights that were considered vital
by the framers of the constitution.
RIGHT TO FREEDOM (Art.19-22)
64. The right to freedom in Article 19 guarantees the following
six freedoms:
Freedom of speech and expression, which includes
"freedom of press".
Freedom to assemble peacefully without arms
Freedom to form associations or unions
Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India
Freedom to reside and settle in any part of the territory of
India
Freedom to practice any profession or to carry on any
ARTICLE 19
65. Article 21 declares that no citizen can be denied his
life and liberty except by law.
Hence, Attempted suicide is an offence.
RIGHT TO LIFE AND LIBERTY (Article 21)
66. In 2002, through the 86th Amendment Act, Article
21(A) was incorporated. It made the right to
primary education part of the right to freedom,
stating that the State would provide free and
compulsory education to children from six to
fourteen years of age.
RIGHT TO EDUCATION:
(Art. 21A)
67. No one can be arrested without being told the
grounds for his arrest. If arrested, the person
has the right to defend himself by a lawyer of
his choice. Also an arrested citizen has to be
brought before the nearest magistrate within
24 hours.
ARTICLE 22:
68. The right against exploitation, given in
Articles 23 and 24, provides for two
provisions, namely the abolition of
trafficking in human beings and Begar
(forced labor), and abolition of
employment of children below the age of
14 years in dangerous jobs like factories
and mines.
RIGHT AGAINST EXPLOITATION
(Art.23-24)
69. Right to freedom of religion, covered in
Articles 25, 26, 27 and 28, provides
religious freedom to all citizens of India.
The objective of this right is to sustain the
principle of secularism in India. According
to the Constitution, all religions are equal
before the State and no religion shall be
given preference over the other.
RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION
(Art.25-28)
70. Citizens are free to preach, practice and
propagate any religion of their choice.
ARTICLE 25
71. Right to establish and maintain institutions for
religious and charitable purposes.
ARTICLE 26
72. No person shall be compelled to pay taxes for the
promotion of a particular religion.
ARTICLE 27
73. A State run institution cannot impart education
that is pro-religion.
ARTICLE 28:
74. As India is a country of many languages,
religions, and cultures, the Constitution
provides special measures, in Articles 29
and 30, to protect the rights of the
minorities.
CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS
(Art.23-24)
75. Any community which has a language and a script of
its own has the right to conserve and develop it. No
citizen can be discriminated against for admission in
State or State aided institutions.
ARTICLE 29
76. All minorities, religious or linguistic, can set up
their own educational institutions to preserve and
develop their own culture.
EXAMPLE: St. Joseph School/College, etc.
ARTICLE 30
77. Right to constitutional remedies empowers
the citizens to move a court of law in case of
any denial of the fundamental rights. For
instance, in case of imprisonment, the citizen
can ask the court to see if it is according to
the provisions of the law of the country. If the
court finds that it is not, the person will have
to be freed.
RIGHT TO CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES
(ARTICLE 32)
78. The procedure of asking the courts to
preserve or safeguard the citizens'
fundamental rights can be done in various
ways. The courts can issue various kinds of
writs. These writs are habeas corpus,
mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and
certiorari.
Thus, the Supreme Court is made the
Protector and Guarantor of Fundamental
WRITS
79. This Writ protects the personal liberty of a
citizen. It provides a remedy for a person
who has been wrongly detained or
restricted.
HABEAS CORPUS (You May Have
The Body)
80. It is an order to a public body or person to
do what is his duty, provided it is a public
duty affecting the rights of the individual.
This writ is aimed at correcting the acts of
omission on part of authorities which
violate the fundamental rights of the
citizens.
MANDAMUS
(We Command)
81. This is a judicial writ issued by a court of
superior jurisdiction and directed to the
inferior court or tribunal preventing it from
acting without proper jurisdiction.
PROHIBITION
82. This writ is an order commonly issued by a superior
court to withdraw a case without jurisdiction or in
excess of it. By this writ the superior court prevents
the lower courts from exceeding their limit.
CERTIORARI
83. This writ prevents illegal assumption of any public
office till the matter is finally decided by the court.
QUO WARRANTO
96. Article _____ declares that no citizen can be denied
his life and liberty except by law.
97. Article 21 declares that no citizen
can be denied his life and liberty
except by law.
ANSWER:
98. The objective of Articles _____ is to sustain the
principle of secularism in India.
99. The objective of Articles 25-28 is to
sustain the principle of secularism in
India.
ANSWER:
100. Right to constitutional remedies under Article ______
empowers the citizens to move a court of law in case of any
denial of the fundamental rights.
101. Right to constitutional remedies
under Article 32 empowers the
citizens to move a court of law in
case of any denial of the
fundamental rights.
ANSWER:
102. 'The Directive Principles of State Policy are
guidelines to the central and state governments
of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws
and policies. These provisions, contained in Part
IV of the Constitution of India, are not
enforceable by any court, but the principles laid
down therein are considered fundamental in the
governance of the country, making it the duty of
the State to apply these principles in making laws
to establish a just society in the country.
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE
POLICY
103. The principles have been inspired by the
Directive Principles given in the Constitution
of Ireland and also by the principles of
Gandhism; and relate to social justice,
economic welfare, foreign policy, and legal
and administrative matters.
ORIGIN
104. DPSPs aim to create social and economic
conditions under which the citizens can lead
a good life. They also aim to establish social
and economic democracy through a welfare
state.
CHARACTERISTICS
105. The DPSP are embodied in as many as 16 Articles from
Article 36 to Article 51. The DPSP may be classified into
four categories, namely:
Socialist Principles.
Gandhian Principles.
Liberal Principles.
General Principles.
CLASSIFICATION OF DPSP
106. Article 38 provides that the state shall
strive to promote the welfare of the people
by securing and protecting a social order
in which Justice-social, economic, and
political prevail.
SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES
107. Article 39 provides that the state shall direct
its policy towards securing: Adequate means
of livelihood, the working of economic system
does not result in the
concentration of wealth, that there is equal
pay for equal work for both men and women.
SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
108. Article 41 seeks to ensure right to work,
to education and to public assistance
in cases of unemployment , old age,
s icknes s and di sablement.
SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
109. Article 42 provides for securing just and
humane
conditions of work and for maternity relief.
SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
110. Article 43 provides that the State shall
endeavour to
Secure to all workers , work, a living
wage, a decent standard of life, for securing just
and humane
conditions of work and for maternity relief.
SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
111. Article 46 provides that the State shall
promote with special care the educational and
economic interests of the weaker sect ions of
the people, and, in particular , of the
Scheduled Castes
and the Scheduled Tribes.
SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
112. Article 47 provides that the State shall
regard the
raising of the level of nutrition and the
standard of living of its people and the
improvement of public health as among its
primary duties.
SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
113. Article 40 provides that the State shall take
steps to
organise village panchayats and endow them
with such powers and authority as may be
necessary to enable them to function as unit s
of self government.
GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES
114. Article 43 provides that the State shall
promote the educational and economic
interests of the harijans.
GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
115. Article 46 provides that the State shall
promote cottage industries in rural areas.
GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
116. Article 47 provides that the State shall
endeavour to effect prohibition of the
consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs
which are injurious to health.
GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
117. Article 48 provides that the State shall
endeavour to preserve cattles, including cows
and for prohibiting their slaughter.
GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
118. Article 44 provides that The State shall
endeavor to
secure for the citizens a uniform civil code
throughout the territory of India.
LIBERAL PRINCIPLES
119. Article 45 provides that the
State shall endeavor to provide, within a
period of ten years from the commencement
of this Constitution, for free and compulsory
education for all children until they complete
the age of four teen years .
LIBERAL PRINCIPLES
120. Article 48 provides that the State shall
endeavor to organize agriculture and animal
husbandry on modern and scientific lines.
LIBERAL PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
121. Article 50 provides that the State shall take
steps
to separate the judiciary from the executive in
the public services of the State.
LIBERAL PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
122. Article 51 provides that The State shall
endeavour to—
(a) promote international peace and security;
(b) maintain just and honorable relations
between nations.
LIBERAL PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
123. Article 49 provides that It shall be the
obligation of the State to protect every
monument or place or object of artistic or
historic interest.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
124. To develop the spirit of enquiry and scientific
temper among Citizens.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
125. Article 335 provides that the claims of SC and
ST are taken into consideration while making
appointment to services under Union or State
Government.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
126. Article 350 provides that the state is to ensure
that the minorities are taught in their mother
tongue at the primary level.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
127. Article 351 directs the state to spread Hindi
language throughout India to promote Unity in
Diversity.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES (Contd.)
136. The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative
body in India. The Parliament comprises of the
President of India and the two Houses—Lok Sabha
(House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of
States). The President has the power to summon and
prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok
Sabha.
PARLIAMENT OF INDIA
137. India's Parliament is bicameral; Rajya
Sabha is the upper house and Lok Sabha
is the lower house. The two Houses meet
in separate chambers in Sansad Bhavan,
New Delhi.
BICAMERAL
138. The MPs of Lok Sabha are directly elected by
the Indian public and the MPs of Rajya Sabha
are elected by the members of the State
Legislative Assemblies.
ELECTION
139. The Rajya Sabha is also known as
"Council of States" or the upper house.
RAJYA SABHA
140. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not
subject to dissolution. However, one third of
the members retire every second year, and
are replaced by newly elected members.
Each member is elected for a term of six
years. Its members are indirectly elected by
members of legislative bodies of the States.
TERM
141. The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250
members in all. 238 members are to be elected from
States and Union Territories and 12 are to be
nominated by President of India and shall consist of
persons having special knowledge or practical
experience in respect of such matters as the following,
namely literature, science, art and social service.
COMPOSITION
143. The Rajya Sabha performs several
functions and these are largely as
important as functions of the Lok Sabha.
However, in financial matters, the Rajya
Sabha plays a distinctly secondary role.
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS:
144. All non-Money Bills can be introduced in either
House of the Parliament and such a bill, to be an
Act, must be passed by both Houses of the
Parliament. Thus any non-Money Bill can
originate in the Rajya Sabha, and if a non-Money
Bill been initiated and approved by the Lok
Sabha, it has to be approved by the Rajya Sa
before it becomes an Act. Similarly, a non-Money
Bill, originating in and approved by Rajya Sabha,
has to be passed by the Lok Sabha before it
becomes a law. The Rajya Sabha can delay a
non-Money Bill, already passed by Lok Sabha, for
a period of six months.
LEGISLATIVE POWERS
145. A Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya
Sabha. It is the prerogative of the Lok Sabha to
initiate it. After its approval by the Lok Sabha, it
sent to the Rajya Sabha for its 'recommendation'.
The Upper House cannot change it in form,
though it may suggest some changes which may
or may not be accepted by the Lok Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha has power to delay a Money
Bill, but not for more than fourteen days.
FINANCIAL POWERS
146. The Council of Ministers is responsible only to the
Lok Sabha, but the Ministers are not totally free
from control by the Rajya Sabha. Through
questioning, the members of Rajya Sabha can
elicit information about Ministers. They can
criticize the latter, their Departments and policies.
And it has to be kept in mind that criticisms by the
Elders (members of the Rajya Sabha) are taken
seriously by Ministers.
CONTROL OVER EXECUTIVE
147. The constituent powers of the Rajya Sabha
are mainly two in number. First, it shares the
power with the Lok Sabha to amend the
Constitution. Secondly, with two-third majority
vote of the members present and voting, the
Rajya Sabha can empower the Parliament to
make law on any matter contained in the
State List on the ground of national
importance.
CONSTITUENT POWER
148. The Rajya Sabha takes part in the
election of the President as well as of the
Vice-President of India. The Vice-
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is also
elected by its members.
ELECTORAL POWER
149. The Parliament will be able to make law in relation to a
subject in the State List if the Rajya Sabha, with the
support of at least two-thirds of its members present
and voting, adopts a proposal to the effect that the
Parliament, in national interest, should make law in
relation to that subject in the State List. (2) If the
Central Government wants to create or abolish any all-
India service like Indian Administrative Service, Indian
Police Service and Indian Forest Service etc., it has to
obtain the approval of the Rajya Sabha. (3) The
resolution for removal of the Vice- President of India
has to be first moved in the Rajya Sabha.
SPECIAL POWERS
150. The Lok Sabha or House of
the People is the lower house
of the Parliament of India.
LOK SABHA
151. Members of the Lok Sabha are
elected by direct election under
universal adult franchise for a
period of 5 years.
ELECTION
152. The Constitution limits the Lok Sabha to a
maximum of 552 members, including no more
than 20 members representing people from
the Union Territories, and two appointed non-
partisan members to represent the Anglo-
Indian community (if the President feels that
the community is not adequately
represented).
COMPOSITION
153. The Speaker is the presiding officer of the
lower house of Parliament of India. The
speaker is elected in the very first meeting of
the Lok Sabha after the general elections for
a term of 5 years from amongst the members
of the Lok Sabha.
SPEAKER
154. The Lok Sabha which is the more
representative chamber of the
Parliament performs a number of
useful functions.
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
155. Lawmaking is the main function of the
Parliament and in this field the Lok Sabha
plays an important role. All types of bills can
originate in the Lok Sabha and if a bill is
moved in and passed by the Rajya Sabha, it
has to come to the Lok Sabha for its
approval.
LEGISLATIVE
156. Control over purse makes one
powerful. In financial matters, the Lok
Sabha has a distinct superiority over
the Rajya Sabha. The Money Bill can
be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. It
cannot be moved in the Rajya Sabha.
FINANCIAL POWERS
157. The Council of Ministers is collectively
responsible to the Lower House of the
Parliament. Thus, the government is
accountable to the Lok Sabha for its acts of
omission and commission. The Rajya Sabha
cannot hold the government accountable to it.
It is only the Lok Sabha which can force the
Council of Ministers to resign by passing a
vote of no-confidence against it.
CONTROL OVER EXECUTIVE
158. The Lok Sabha shares with
the Rajya Sabha the power to
amend the constitution.
CONSTITUTIONAL
161. The Lok Sabha takes part in
the election of the President
and the Vice-President.
ELECTORAL
162. It takes part in the impeachment
proceedings against the President of India.
It shares power with the Rajya Sabha to
remove the Judges of the Supreme Court
and the Judges of High Courts.
JUDICIAL POWERS
163. The members of the Lok Sabha are
elected from different parts of India.
They try to remove the difficulties of
their respective constituencies by
stating their grievances on the floor
of the Lok Sabha.
VENTILATION OF GRIEVANCES
167. The Parliament comprises of the
President of India and the two
Houses—Lok Sabha (House of the
People) and Rajya Sabha (Council
of States).
ANSWER:
168. India's Parliament is _____; Rajya Sabha
is the _____ and _____ is the lower
house.
169. India's Parliament is bicameral; Rajya
Sabha is the upper house and Lok
Sabha is the lower house.
ANSWER:
170. The MPs of Lok Sabha are ______
elected by the Indian public and the MPs
of Rajya Sabha are elected by the
members of the ______.
171. The MPs of Lok Sabha are directly
elected by the Indian public and the MPs
of Rajya Sabha are elected by the
members of the State Legislative
Assemblies.
ANSWER:
173. The Rajya Sabha is also known as
"Council of States" or the upper house.
ANSWER:
174. Rajya Sabha is a _____ body
and is not subject to dissolution.
175. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is
not subject to dissolution.
ANSWER:
176. The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of
_____ members in all where _____ members
are to be elected from States and Union
Territories and _____ are to be nominated by
President of India.
177. The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of
250 members in all where 238 members
are to be elected from States and Union
Territories and 12 are to be nominated by
President of India.
ANSWER:
178. _____ OF INDIA ACTS AS THE EX-
OFFICIO CHAIRMAN OF THE RAJYA
SABHA.
180. The DPSP is classified into _____, ______, ______,
and ______ Principles.
181. The DPSP is classified into Socialist,
Gandhian, Liberal and General
Principles.
ANSWER:
182. The government comprises three branches:
the executive,
the legislative and
the judiciary.
EXECUTIVE
183. The executive branch of government
is the part of government that has
sole authority and responsibility for
the daily administration of the state
bureaucracy. The division of power
into separate branches of
government is central to the
republican idea of the separation of
powers.
184.
185. The President is the first citizen of the
country.
The Constitution vests in the President of
India all the executive powers of the
Central Government.
The head of the executive branch is the
President.
PRESIDENT
186. Must be a citizen of India
Completed 35 years of age
Eligible to be a member of Lok Sabha
Must not hold any government post.
Exceptions are:
President and Vice-President
Governor of any state
Minister of Union State
QUALIFICATION
187. Indirectly elected through ‘Electoral
College’ consisting of Elected members of
both the Houses of Parliament & Elected
members of the Legislative Assemblies of
the States. (No nominated members).
ELECTION
188. 5 year term
Present Salary- Rs. 1,50,000/month
(including allowances & emoluments)
TERM AND EMOLUMENTS
189. The President may be removed before the
expiry of the term through impeachment.
A President can be removed for violation
of the Constitution of India.
REMOVAL
190. The process may start in either of the two
houses of the Parliament.
A resolution to impeach the President has
to be passed by a special majority (two-
third majority of the total members present
and voting).
IMPEACHMENT
192. The President summons both the Houses (the Lok Sabha
and the Rajya Sabha) of the Parliament. He or she can
dissolve the Lok Sabha.
The President inaugurates the Parliament by addressing it
after the general elections.
All bills passed by the Parliament can become laws only after
receiving the assent of the President.
The President can also withhold his assent to the bill when it
is initially presented to him (rather than return it to the
Parliament) thereby exercising a pocket veto.
LEGISLATIVE POWERS
193. The Indian Constitution, vests in the President of
India, all the executive powers of the Central
Government.
The President appoints the Prime Minister. The
President is the Commander in Chief of the Indian
Armed Forces. The President of India can grant a
pardon to or reduce the sentence of a convicted
person for one time, particularly in cases involving
punishment of death.
EXECUTIVE POWERS
194. The President appoints the Chief Justice of
the Union Judiciary and other judges on the
advice of the Chief Justice.
JUDICIAL POWERS
195. All international treaties and agreements
are negotiated and concluded on behalf of
the President.
DIPLOMATIC POWERS
196. The President is the supreme commander
of the defence forces of India. The
President can declare war or conclude
peace, subject to the approval of
parliament.
MILITARY POWERS
197. The President can declare three types of
emergencies: national, state, financial.
EMERGENCY POWERS
198. National emergency is caused by war, external
aggression or armed rebellion in the whole of India
or a part of its territory. Such an emergency was
declared in India in 1962 (Indo-China war), 1971
(Indo-Pakistan war), 1975 to 1977 (declared by
Indira Gandhi on account of "internal disturbance").
NATIONAL EMERGENCY (ART.352)
199. State emergency, also known as President's rule,
is declared due to breakdown of constitutional
machinery in a state.
STATE EMERGENCY (ART.356)
200. If the President is satisfied that there is an
economic situation in which the financial
stability or credit of India is threatened, he/she
can then proclaim a financial emergency.
FINANCIAL EMERGENCY (ART.360)
203. The _____ of government is the part of
government that has sole authority and
responsibility for the daily administration
of the state bureaucracy.
204. The executive branch of government is
the part of government that has sole
authority and responsibility for the daily
administration of the state bureaucracy.
ANSWER:
207. The President is indirectly elected through
_____ consisting of Elected members of
both the Houses of Parliament & Elected
members of the Legislative Assemblies of
the States.
208. The President is indirectly elected through
‘Electoral College’ consisting of Elected
members of both the Houses of Parliament
& Elected members of the Legislative
Assemblies of the States.
ANSWER:
218. According to Article 360 the
President can declare financial
emergency.
ANSWER:
219. The Prime Minister leads the executive branch of
the Government of India.
He is the chief of government, chief advisor to the
President of India, head of the Council of
Ministers and the leader of the majority party in
parliament.
PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA
220. A Prime Minister must be:
a citizen of India.
should be a member of the Lok Sabha or
Rajya Sabha
above 25 years of age.
He/She shall not hold any office of profit
under the Government of India or the
Government of any State.
QUALIFICATION
221. 5 year term
Present Salary- Rs. 1,30,000/month
(including allowances & emoluments)
TERM AND EMOLUMENTS
223. The Prime Minister forms the Ministry.
The President appoints the Ministers as
recommended by the Prime Minister.
FORMATION OF THE MINISTRY
224. The Prime Minister has a free hand in assigning
various departments to his colleagues. It is for him
to determine the size of the Cabinet and the
Ministers to be included in it.
DISTRIBUTION OF PORTFOLIOS
225. The Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of the
states and territories of India have similar powers and
functions at the state level as that of the President of
India at Union level. Governors exist in the states
while Lieutenant-Governors exist in union territories
and in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The
Governor acts as the nominal head whereas the real
power lies in the hand of the Chief Ministers of the
states and the Chief Minister's Council of Ministers
GOVERNORS OF STATES OF
INDIA
226. A Governor must be:
a citizen of India.
Should not be a member of the Lok Sabha or
Rajya Sabha
above 35 years of age.
Must not be an insolvent or bankrupt.
QUALIFICATION
227. 5 year term
Present Salary- Rs. 1,10,000/month.
He is also entitled to free accommodation,
electricity, transport, telephone and staff.
TERM AND EMOLUMENTS
229. The Constitution vests in the Governor all the executive
powers of the State Government. The Governor appoints
the Chief Minister who enjoys the support of the majority
in the Vidhan Sabha. The Governor also appoints the
other members of the Council of Ministers and distributes
portfolios to them on the advice of the Chief Minister.
He/she also appoints the Advocate General and the
chairman and members of the State Public Service
EXECUTIVE POWERS
230. The Governor summons the sessions of both houses
of the state legislature and prorogues them. The
Governor can even dissolve the Vidhan Sabha. A bill
that the state legislature has passed, can become a
law only after the Governor gives assent. The
Governor can return a bill to the state legislature, if it
is not a money bill, for reconsideration. When the state
legislature is not in session and the Governor
considers it necessary to have a law, then the
Governor can promulgate ordinances.
LEGISLATIVE POWERS
231. Money bills can be introduced in the State
Legislative Assembly only on the prior
recommendation of the Governor. He/she
also causes to be laid before the State
Legislature the annual financial statement
which is the State Budget.
FINANCIAL POWERS
232. The Governor can use these powers: a) If no
party gets an absolute majority, the Governor
can use his discretion in the selection of the
Chief Minister; b) During an emergency he
can override the advice of the council of
ministers. At such times, he acts as an agent
of the President and becomes the real ruler of
the state; c) He uses his direction in
submitting a report to the President regarding
the affairs of the state; and d) He can withhold
his assent to a bill and send it to the
President for his approval.
DISCRETIONARY POWERS
235. The Constitution vests in the Governor all
the executive powers of the _____
Government.
236. The Constitution vests in the Governor
all the executive powers of the State
Government.
ANSWER:
237. When the state legislature is not in session and
the Governor considers it necessary to have a
law, then the Governor can promulgate _____.
238. When the state legislature is not in
session and the Governor considers it
necessary to have a law, then the
Governor can promulgate ordinances.
ANSWER:
241. The Prime Minister is the Chairman of the
Cabinet Committee. He convenes and
presides over all the meetings of the Cabinet.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CABINET
COMMITTEE
242. The Prime Minister is the chief co-
ordinator of the policies of several
Departments. In case of conflicts between
two departments, he acts as the mediator.
CHIEF CO-ORDINATOR OF
POLICIES
243. The Prime Minister is the only channel of
communication between the President and
the Cabinet. He informs the President all
the decisions taken in the Cabinet.
SOLE ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT
244. The Prime Minister is the leader of the nation.
He is the chief spokesman of the
Governmental policies in the Parliament. All
important policy announcements are made by
him in the Parliament. He is the leader of the
majority party and as such he usually
becomes the leader of the House.
LEADER OF THE NATION
255. The Chief Minister is the head of the Council
of Ministers. In State actually it is the Chief
Minister who runs the administration in the
name of Governor.
CHIEF MINISTERS OF STATES
256. The Chief Minister is appointed by the
Governor of the State. Governor elects the
leader of the majority party of the Legislative
Assembly.
APPOINTMENT
258. The Chief Minister forms the Cabinet. After his
appointment he prepares a list of Ministers and the
Governor makes the appointment.
FORMATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
259. The Chief Minister distribute the department
among the ministers. He looks after the work of
other ministers. He has right to change the
department of ministers at his will and wish.
CONTROL OVER THE MINISTERS
260. The Chief Minister calls the meetings of the
Cabinet and presides over its meetings. He
also prepares and controls the agenda for
cabinet meetings.
LEADER OF THE CABINET
261. Very often the Chief Minister also happens
to be the leader of the ruling party.
LEADER OF THE RULING PARTY
262. The Chief Minister is also the leader of the
Vidhana Sabha. He is the leader of the
legislative assembly because his party
commands majority in the legislature. He
explains and clarifies issues regarding
policies and programmes of the
government.
LEADER OF THE VIDHANA SABHA
263. He functions as the manager of the
government affairs. He is the one who
brings about the co-ordination and
harmony among different departments.
COORDINATION BETWEEN
DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS
264. The Chief Minister enjoys the crucial
power of recommending the dissolution of
the Vidhana Sabha, before its term
expires.
POWER OF DISSOLUTION
265. The Chief Minister works as a connecting
bridge between the Governor and the
ministry. He holds the important meetings
with the Governor about the problems
faced by the state. He also keeps the
Governor in touch with the decisions
taken by the ministry.
THE CONNECTING BRIDGE
272. The Chief Minister works as a connecting
bridge between the _____ and the
ministry.
273. The Chief Minister works as a
connecting bridge between
the Governor and the ministry.
ANSWER:
274. There are various levels of judiciary in India — different types
of courts, each with varying powers depending on the tier and
jurisdiction bestowed upon them. They form a strict hierarchy of
importance, in line with the order of the courts in which they sit,
with the Supreme Court of India at the top, followed by High
Courts of respective states with district judges sitting in District
Courts and Magistrates of Second Class and Civil Judge
(Junior Division) at the bottom. Courts hear criminal and civil
cases, including disputes between individuals and the
government. The Indian judiciary is independent of the
executive and legislative branches of government according to
the Constitution.
JUDICIARY OF INDIA
275. On 26 January 1950, when India became a
Sovereign Democratic Republic, the
Supreme Court of India was born in Delhi.
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
276. The Supreme Court of India is the highest
court of the land as established by Part V,
Chapter IV of the Constitution of India.
According to the Constitution of India, the
role of the Supreme Court is that of a federal
court, guardian of the Constitution and the
highest court of appeal.
HIGHEST COURT OF APPEAL
277. Supreme Court comprises the Chief Justice
and 26 other companion Judges appointed
by the President of India.
COMPOSITION :
278. Judges in Supreme Court hold office till
the age of 65 years.
TENURE:
279. The salary of Chief Justice is Rs 1.10 lakh
while that of other Judges is Rs 90,000/- a
month plus allowances etc.
SALARY:
280. The Supreme Court has different powers and functions
which are discussed under the following heads :
Original Jurisdiction.
Appellate Jurisdiction.
Advisory Jurisdiction.
Guardian of the Constitution.
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS :
281. The Supreme Court can directly hear and admit
some special type of cases. For example any
dispute between the Government of India and one
or more State Governments or between two or
more State Governments.
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
282. Under this, Supreme Court hears cases on
appeal from the courts below.
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
283. The President of India can make a
reference to the Supreme Court and ask
its opinion either on an issue of law or
question of fact, provided that it is of
public importance. For example, Ram
Janam Bhoomi and Babri Masjid issue
has been referred to Supreme Court
recently seeking its advice whether there
existed a temple or a masjid.
ADVISORY JURISDICTION
284. The Supreme Court is the guardian of
liberties of the people and fundamental
rights of the Indian citizens. Any case
arising out of such Constitutional
controversies can be directly taken to
Supreme Court. It is also called interpreter
of the Constitution.
GUARDIAN OF THE
CONSTITUTION
294. Judges in Supreme Court hold office till
the age of 65 years.
ANSWER:
295. The case of any dispute between the Government of
India and one or more State Governments comes
under ______ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
296. The case of any dispute between the
Government of India and one or more
State Governments comes under Original
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
ANSWER:
297. The Supreme Court is the ______ of liberties of the
people and fundamental rights of the Indian citizens.
298. The Supreme Court is the
guardian of liberties of the people
and fundamental rights of the
Indian citizens.
ANSWER:
299. Local Self Government is the management of
local affairs by such local bodies who have
been elected by the local people. The
importance of local self-government has
been emphasized by political thinkers and
administrators of all ages.
LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT
300. 'Panchayati Raj system is a three-tier system
in the state with elected bodies at the Village,
Taluk and District levels. It ensures greater
participation of people and more effective
implementation of rural development
programmes. There will be a Grama
Panchayat for a village or group of villages, a
Taluk level and the Zilla Panchayat at the
district level.
PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM
301. The concept of Local Self Government is
very ancient to India. It has originated since
the Vedic period, when the village assembly
known as Samiti and Sabha and the
Gramani, the village headman existed. These
assemblies represented the king`s authority
in civil and military administration and
collected dues on behalf of the king.
EARLY HISTORY
302. During the time of the Rig-Veda (1700 BC),
evidences suggest that self-governing village
bodies called 'sabhas' existed. With the
passage of time, these bodies became
panchayats (council of five persons).
Panchayats were functional institutions of
grassroots governance in almost every
village.
EARLY HISTORY
(Rig Veda Period)
303. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was a
committee appointed by the Government of
India in January 1957 to examine the working
of the Community Development
Programme(1952) and the National
Extension Service(1953) and to suggest
measures for their better working.
THE BALWANT RAI MEHTA COMMITTEE
(1957)
304. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came into
force in 1992 to provide constitutional status to the
Panchayati Raj institutions. According to this act,
the Panchayati Raj system was introduced as
Local Self Government for all States.
73rd Constitutional Amendment
Act
305. Its main features are as follows :
• The Gram Sabha or village assembly as a
deliberative body to decentralised governance has
been envisaged as the foundation of the Panchayati
Raj System.
• A uniform three-tier structure of panchayats at
village (Gram Panchayat — GP), intermediate or
block (Panchayat Samiti — PS) and district (Zilla
Parishad — ZP) levels.
• All the seats in a panchayat at every level are to be
filled by elections from respective territorial
constituencies.
73rd Constitutional Amendment
Act (Features)
306. • Not less than one-third of the total seats for membership
as well as office of chairpersons of each tier have to be
reserved for women.
• Reservation for weaker castes and tribes (SCs and STs)
have to be provided at all levels in proportion to their
population in the panchayats.
• To supervise, direct and control the regular and smooth
elections to panchayats, a State Election Commission has
to be constituted in every State and UT.
• The Act has ensured constitution of a State Finance
Commission in every State/UT, for every five years, to
suggest measures to strengthen finances of PRIs.
73rd Constitutional Amendment
Act (Features)
307. • To promote bottom-up-planning, the District
Planning Committee in every district has
been accorded constitutional status.
• An indicative list of 29 items has been given
in Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Panchayats are expected to play an effective
role in planning and implementation of works
related to these 29 items.
73rd Constitutional Amendment
Act (Features)
308. In the recent years Local Self Government has
been playing a vital role. These local bodies
provide services to the local community as well
as act as an instrument of democratic self-
government. This level of government is
recognised by the people as they are close to
the citizens and involve them in the decision
making process.
PRESENT SCENARIO
309. Local government is of two types that include urban local
government and rural local government. Urban local
government was manifested in Municipal Corporations,
Municipal Councils, Town Area Committees and Notified
Area Committees. However, the Seventy-Fourth
Constitution Amendment Act adopted in 1992 proposes
to form a uniform structure of Municipal Corporations,
Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in transitional
areas. Nevertheless, the Rural local government
operates through Zilla Panchayats (Parishads), Taluka
Panchayats and Village Panchayats.
PRESENT SCENARIO
(Contd.)
310. At present, there are about 3 million elected
representatives at all levels of the panchayat
one-third of which are women. These members
represent more than 2.4 lakh Gram
Panchayats, about 6,000 intermediate level
tiers and more than 500 district panchayats.
PRESENT SCENARIO
(Contd.)
311. Spread over the length and breadth of the
country, the new panchayats cover about 96 per
cent of India's more than 5.8 lakh villages and
nearly 99.6 per cent of rural population. This is
the largest experiment in decentralisation of
governance in the history of humanity.
PRESENT SCENARIO
(Contd.)
312. The Constitution visualises panchayats as institutions of
self-governance. However, giving due consideration to
the federal structure of our polity, most of the financial
powers and authorities to be endowed on panchayats
have been left at the discretion of concerned state
legislatures. Consequently, the powers and functions
vested in PRIs vary from state to state. These provisions
combine representative and direct democracy into a
synergy and are expected to result in an extension and
deepening of democracy in India. Hence, panchayats
have journeyed from an institution within the culture of
India to attain constitutional status.
CONCLUSION
315. ______ is the management of local affairs
by such local bodies who have been
elected by the local people.
316. Local Self Government is the
management of local affairs by such
local bodies who have been elected by
the local people.
ANSWER:
317. Panchayati Raj system is a _____ system in the state
with elected bodies at the Village, Taluk and District
levels.
318. Panchayati Raj system is a three-tier
system in the state with elected bodies at
the Village, Taluk and District levels.
ANSWER:
319. The ______ Committee was a committee
appointed by the Government of India in
January 1957 to examine the working of the
Community Development Programme.
320. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
was a committee appointed by the
Government of India in January 1957
to examine the working of the
Community Development Programme.
ANSWER:
321. The ______ Act came into force in 1992 to provide
constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
322. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment
Act came into force in 1992 to provide
constitutional status to the Panchayati
Raj institutions.
ANSWER:
323. ______ government is of two types that include urban
local government and rural local government.
324. Local government is of two types that
include urban local government and
rural local government.
ANSWER: