Indian Polity - Constitutional Framework and Historical Background Flashcards

Traditional vocabulary flashcards covering the historical evolution of the Indian Constitution, Preamble keywords, Fundamental Rights, Writs, and key Constitutional Bodies.

Regulating Act of 1773

The first step taken by the British Government to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India, designating the Governor of Bengal as the 'Governor-General of Bengal'.

Lord Warren Hastings

The first person to be designated as the Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773.

Pitt’s India Act of 1784

An act that distinguished between the commercial and political functions of the East India Company and established a system of dual government.

Board of Control

A body created by the Pitt’s India Act of 1784 to manage the political affairs of the British possessions in India.

Charter Act of 1813

An act that ended the monopoly of the East India Company in India except for 'trade with China' and 'trade in tea with India'.

Charter Act of 1833

The final step towards centralization in British India, making the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India.

Lord William Bentinck

The first Governor-General of India, appointed under the provisions of the Charter Act of 1833.

Charter Act of 1853

The act that introduced an open competition system for the recruitment of civil servants and first separated the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General’s council.

Government of India Act of 1858

Also known as the Act for the Good Government of India, it abolished the East India Company and transferred powers to the British Crown.

Lord Canning

The first Viceroy of India, designated under the Government of India Act of 1858.

Secretary of State for India

A member of the British cabinet established by the Act of 1858 who possessed complete authority and control over Indian administration.

Indian Councils Act of 1909

Also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, it introduced separate electorates for Muslims for the first time.

Satyendra Prasad Sinha

The first Indian to join the Viceroy’s Executive Council, appointed as the law member.

Government of India Act of 1919

Also known as the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, it introduced diarchy in the provinces using 'transferred' and 'reserved' subjects.

Government of India Act of 1935

An act that provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation and replaced diarchy in the provinces with 'provincial autonomy'.

Objective Resolution

A historic resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946, that laid down the philosophy and fundamentals of the Indian constitutional structure.

Drafting Committee

A seven-member body set up on August 29, 1947, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, responsible for preparing a draft of the new Constitution.

Sovereign

A keyword in the Preamble implying that India is an independent state, neither a dependency nor a dominion of any other nation.

Democratic Socialism

The brand of socialism adopted by India that holds faith in a 'mixed economy' where public and private sectors co-exist.

Article 32

The right to constitutional remedies, considered a 'basic feature' of the Constitution, allowing citizens to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

Habeas Corpus

A writ meaning 'to have the body of', which serves as an order issued by a court to a person who has detained another person.

Mandamus

A writ meaning 'we command', issued to a public official asking them to perform official duties they have failed or refused to perform.

Quo-Warranto

A writ meaning 'by what authority or warrant', issued to enquire into the legality of a person's claim to a public office.

Article 352

The constitutional provision for a National Emergency declared on grounds of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.

Article 356

The provision for President’s Rule, imposed in a state if the President is satisfied that the state government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.

Election Commission of India

An all-India body established under Article 324 to ensure free and fair elections to Parliament and state legislatures.

Finance Commission

A quasi-judicial body constituted by the President every five years under Article 280 to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Center and the states.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)

The head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and the guardian of the public purse, appointed under Article 148.

Attorney General of India

The highest law officer in the country, appointed by the President under Article 76 to give legal advice to the Government of India.

73rd Amendment Act of 1992

The constitutional amendment that granted constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions (rural local government).