Polity and Constitution Review - GK PYQ Series

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key constitutional articles, legal acts, commissions, and parliamentary procedures mentioned in the Indian Polity lecture notes.

Article 131A

A now-repealed article that granted the Supreme Court exclusive power to decide on the constitutional validity of Central laws.

Article 131

Defines the original and exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for disputes between the Centre and States or between States.

Article 137

Grants the Supreme Court the authority to review its own previous judgments.

Integrated and Independent

The terms used to characterize the nature of the Indian judicial system.

Article 263

Empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council to investigate disputes and coordinate policy between states.

Sarkaria Commission (1983)

The commission that recommended the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council, which was later formed in 1990.

Zonal Councils

Statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, chaired by the Union Home Minister.

GST Council

Established via the 101st Amendment Act (Article 279A), it requires a 3/4th majority for decisions and is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.

Article 246A

Grants simultaneous power to both Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws regarding the Goods and Services Tax.

Article 255

A provision ensuring that laws are not invalid merely because they lacked prior recommendation or assent, provided final assent was given.

Article 250

Allows Parliament to legislate on any subject in the State List during a proclaimed National Emergency.

Doctrine of Repugnancy

Arises when laws made by the Union and a State on the same subject in the Concurrent List are inconsistent, usually resulting in the Central law prevailing.

Charter Act of 1793

Legislation that introduced the Cornwallis Code, separated revenue from judicial functions, and extended the Company's rule for 20 years.

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam

The modern law replacing the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, which recognizes electronic records as primary evidence.

Article 258

Empowers the Union government to delegate its executive powers to the States to promote administrative cooperation.

Article 258A

Allows State governments, with the consent of the Union, to assign state functions to the Union; added by the 7th Constitutional Amendment of 1956.

Attorney General

The highest law officer of India, appointed by the President under Article 76, eligible to be a Supreme Court judge.

Solicitor General

The second supreme law officer of India, appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Samhita (BNSS)

The procedural law replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973, effective from 1 July 2024.

Article 286

Imposes restrictions on the taxation of goods in the course of inter-state trade or commerce.

Article 356

Provisions for 'President’s Rule' or State Emergency in cases of constitutional breakdown in a State.

Adjournment Sine Die

Terminating a sitting of a parliamentary session by the Presiding Officer without fixing a date for the next meeting.

CCTNS

Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems, launched in 2009 under the National e-Governance Plan.

Special Category State

A status not mentioned in the Constitution, originally granted by the National Development Council (NDC).

Finance Commission

A quasi-judicial body constituted by the President every 5 years under Article 280 to handle fiscal distribution.

Article 312

Allows Parliament to create new All-India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority.

Article 262

Empowers Parliament to adjudicate disputes relating to the waters of inter-state rivers and exclude them from the jurisdiction of standard courts.

Quasi-federal

The term used by K.C. Wheare to describe the nature of Indian federalism.

Guillotine

The parliamentary procedure where demands for grants are put to a vote immediately after the discussion time limit expires.

Preventive Detention

Detention intended to prevent a future offense; under Article 22, it cannot exceed 3 months without advisory board approval.