Indian Polity Lecture 1 - Flashcards

100 practice flashcards covering key concepts from the Indian Polity lecture, including constitution, federalism, separation of powers, judiciary independence, and related jurisprudence.

Why is Indian polity considered one of the most important subjects for the civil services examination?

Because it is relevant for prelims, mains, and the personality test across all three stages, and writings in essays as well.

Which three stages of the civil services examination are polity concepts relevant to according to the lecture?

Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test (also useful for essays).

What syllabus areas does GS Paper 2 cover that relate to polity according to the notes?

Polity, governance, social justice, and international relations.

How many classes in total will focus on polity in the 32-class course?

32 classes.

What are the four themes highlighted as primary focus in Indian polity?

Constitution; laws passed by the legislature; judicial verdicts; updates as per syllabus and PYQs.

Which two documents are identified as the most important for guiding study (syllabus and PYQs)?

The Syllabus and Past Year Questions (PYQs).

In what year did the prelims pattern pattern change, as noted in the lecture?

2013.

How many Indian polity questions were asked in the prelims of 2025?

14 questions.

If 14 polity questions appear in prelims, what is the approximate total marks these questions fetch?

Approximately 28 marks (sometimes 30).

What trend has been observed in polity-related mains marks since 2013?

The graph has been rising, with polity contributing around 150–170 marks or more in mains.

What is the two-document focus for deciding what to study in Indian polity?

Syllabus and PYQs.

What is the lecturers’ approach to prelims and mains in this course?

A comprehensive course starting from scratch with no separation between prelims and mains; you will cover both together and then pace up.

What are the three organs of the state mentioned in the notes?

Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

What is the Constitution described as in Indian polity?

The supreme law of the land that enjoys special legal sanctity.

What is the hierarchy of the legal system in India as described in the lecture?

Constitution at the top, followed by laws passed by the Legislature, followed by rules made by the Executive.

What is the primary function of the Legislature?

To make laws.

What is the primary function of the Executive?

To implement laws by making rules and administering programs.

What is the primary function of the Judiciary?

To interpret laws and ensure they conform to the Constitution, delivering justice.

What happens to a bill after it is passed by the legislature and given assent by the President?

It becomes an Act.

What is the key difference between 'distribution of powers' and 'delegation of powers'?

Distribution is a permanent division of powers between center and states; delegation is a temporary transfer of power that the center can snatch back.

Name the five characteristics that make the United States Constitution federal (as listed in the lecture).

Dual government; distribution of powers; written constitution; rigidity; independent judiciary.

What term is used to describe India’s federal structure as per the lecture?

Quasi-federal (with strong unitary bias).

What is the 'basic structure' doctrine?

A principle that certain features of the Constitution cannot be altered by a simple or ordinary amendment.

Which landmark case asserted that federalism is part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution?

S. R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994).

Which landmark case established the basic structure of the Constitution?

Keshavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973).

What is Article 50 about in the Indian Constitution?

Separation of the executive from the judiciary.

What form of government does India follow, given that the executive is drawn from the legislature?

A Parliamentary form of government with integrated executive and legislature (not a strict separation).

According to the lecture, who appoints judges in India and on what recommendations?

The President appoints judges on the recommendations of the Collegium (Judges’ collegium).

What is the Collegium?

A group of senior judges responsible for recommending appointments of judges in India.

What happened to the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) in India?

The Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional; appointments continue via the Collegium-dominated process.

What is the special power of the President regarding the judiciary in terms of appointment and removal?

The President appoints judges on Collegium recommendations; removal requires Parliament's process.

What is 'safe harbor protection' in the context of social media platforms?

Intermediaries are protected unless content labeled false/misleading by the PIB’s fact-check unit is not removed within a set timeframe.

What role did the PIB fact-check unit gain in 2023?

It gained the power to label content as false, leading to potential loss of safe harbor protection if not removed.

What is Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) known for?

Holding that homosexuality is not a crime.

What was the 2024 Supreme Court stance on LGBTQ rights and marriage?

Right to love was recognized, but the right to marry was not universally granted.

What is the term used to describe India’s constitution as being codified into a single document (as opposed to unwritten)?

Written and codified constitution.

How is the UK constitution described in the notes?

Unwritten constitution; laws are written but not codified into a single document; conventions are treated as part of the constitution.

How does the lecture define 'federalism' in the Indian context?

A sui generis system with dual government and distribution of powers, but with some unitary features and occasional centralization.

What is the concept of 'dual government' as applied to federalism?

One government at the center and one government in each state.

What is the role of a written constitution in federalism?

It codifies the distribution of powers and is rigid to protect the division of powers between center and states.

What is the concept of 'elastic' or 'flexible rigidity' in constitutional amendments?

Some provisions can be changed by simple majority, some by special majority, and some require ratification by states; hence 'flexible rigidity'.

What is the difference between 'suitably' unitary and 'federal' in India's constitution?

India is quasi-federal: federal in some aspects, unitary in others, especially during abnormal circumstances.

What does Article 21 guarantee?

Right to life and personal liberty (fundamental right).

What are the 'eight reasonable restrictions' on freedom of speech and expression?

Restrictions include sovereignty/integrity of India, security of the State, public order, defamation, contempt of court, morality/decency, incitement to an offense, and incitement to violence (and related grounds).

What is the function of democracy’s 'identity' as described in the notes?

To give every Indian a political identity (as an Indian first) and a moral identity through constitutional morality.

What is meant by 'constitutional morality'?

A standard grounded in the Constitution emphasizing liberty, equality, justice, and the rights of individuals beyond personal religion or caste morality.

What is the difference between a written and unwritten constitution in terms of supremacy?

In a written constitution, the document is sovereign; in an unwritten constitution, Parliament can be supreme via conventions and laws that are not codified.

What is decentralization vs delegation of powers?

Decentralization distributes power to lower levels; delegation transfers authority to others but can be withdrawn by the center.

What is the Schedule that details distribution of powers in India?

Schedule 7 (Union List, State List, Concurrent List).

Which amendment is cited as an example of a rigid constitution with a significant change?

Hundred and first Constitutional Amendment Act (GST implementation).

Why is India considered sui generis in its federal structure?

Because it uniquely blends federal and unitary features, with a strong center and occasional centralization.

What does ‘basic principles of the state’ refer to in most contemporary constitutions?

Principles such as structure of government, fundamental rights, and the core values of the state.

What are the two 'big' functions of the constitution related to state power?

Limit the powers of the government and provide identity (political and moral) to the people.

What is the significance of the phrase ‘we, the people of India’ in the constitution?

It signals the political identity of citizens and the source of sovereignty.

What is the 'theory of separation of powers' according to Montesquieu?

Legislature, executive, and judiciary should be separate and watertight to prevent tyranny.

What is the 'doctrine of checks and balances'?

Each branch checks and balances the others to prevent abuse of power; no single organ dominates.

In the Indian parliamentary system, can a minister also be a member of the legislature?

Yes; in India, executives are drawn from the legislature and can continue as long as they are members of the legislature.

What is the difference between judicial independence and judicial accountability in the Indian context?

Judiciary must be independent of the other branches, yet it can be checked through appointment/removal processes and judicial decisions.

Who has the power to amend the constitution?

Parliament, with special procedures; states must be involved for certain amendments (federal aspects).

What are Article 14 and Article 15 related to?

Article 14 guarantees equality before the law; Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds including sex.

What is the function of a ‘bill’ in the legislative process?

A proposal presented in the legislature; after passage and presidential assent, it becomes an Act.

What is the concept of 'presidential assent' in India?

The President’s signature to a bill to make it an Act.

What is meant by ‘defection law’ in the Indian polity context?

A law addressing party switching by elected representatives (mentioned as a topic to follow in UCAN updates).

What is the role of direct principles of state policy (DPSP)?

Guiding principles for governance that are not enforceable by courts but inform policy.

What is the role of the Supreme Court in relation to the basic structure?

To uphold and preserve the basic structure through judicial review and constitutional interpretation.

What is the implied message of ‘dividing Bengal for administrative convenience’ and how is it connected to governance in India?

An example used to illustrate administrative convenience and the logic of centralization vs decentralization; relevant to understanding division of powers and central control.

What is the concept of ‘centralization during abnormal circumstances’?

In emergencies (war, external aggression, internal breakdown), the center centralizes powers for national integrity.

What supports the idea that Parliament can amend the constitution but with limits?

Special majority, and for some amendments, ratification by states; otherwise not permissible.

What is the term used for the system where judges appoint their own successors or participate in appointments?

Judicial collegium system (post-1993 reforms) leading to appointment by the President on collegium recommendations.

What is the key message about the judiciary’s independence highlighted in the notes?

Independence is essential, but checks and balances exist through appointment and removal processes and judicial review.

What is the difference between ‘constitutional supremacy’ and ‘parliamentary supremacy’ in India vs the UK?

In India, the Constitution is supreme with judicial review; in the UK, Parliament is sovereign (unwritten constitution with conventions).

What is meant by ‘the constitution as a document of people’s faith and aspirations’?

It reflects the democratic consent and the values the people want to live by, including liberty, equality, justice.

Which principle emphasizes the equal treatment of all citizens regardless of religion, caste, or sex?

Constitutional morality and the guarantees of equality and anti-discrimination (Articles 14, 15).

Why is the concept of ‘flexible rigidity’ important in amendments?

It allows some changes by simple majority while safeguarding essential provisions through state ratification and higher majorities.

How does the Indian constitution define identity for citizens?

It gives each person a political identity as an Indian and a moral identity through constitutional morality.

What is the significance of ‘we the people of India’ in constitutional text?

It places sovereignty in the people and anchors political legitimacy in the people.

What is the role of conventions in unwritten or partially unwritten constitutions?

Conventions are unwritten rules treated as part of the constitution and guide political practice (e.g., monarch’s assent, appointment procedures).

What is the key difference between 'written' and 'unwritten' constitutions in terms of codification?

Written is codified into a single document; unwritten relies on statutes, conventions, and judicial interpretation rather than a single codified text.

What is the 'American example' used to illustrate federalism features?

The United States Constitution is the oldest federal constitution with dual government, distribution of powers, a written and rigid framework, and an independent judiciary.

What is the function of the Judiciary in the context of the other two organs (legislature and executive)?

To interpret laws, ensure constitutionality, and provide justice independently from the other branches.

What is the status of the “basic structure” in relation to constitutional amendments according to SR Bommai and Keshavananda Bharti?

Basic structure cannot be altered by ordinary amendments; major changes require adherence to the basic structure.

What is the concept of ‘hard’ vs ‘soft’ sovereignty as discussed in the context of Indian federation?

In India, sovereignty is not absolute; the center has significant constitutional powers and can affect state authority, but the constitution limits the center too.

What role does the President play in emergency provisions like President’s Rule?

During constitutional emergencies, the center can suspend normal state government functioning under Article 356, subject to legal standards.

What is the role of Schedule Seven in Indian federalism?

It lists Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, delineating the distribution of legislative powers.

What is the meaning of ‘Politics in the constitution’ in the context of identity and rights?

Constitution provides both political identity (citizenship, rights) and moral identity (liberty, equality, dignity) to individuals.

What is the difference between a ‘watchful’ judiciary and a ‘captured’ judiciary?

An independent judiciary acts as a check on both executive and legislature; a captured judiciary would be biased toward one branch.

What is the main purpose of the preamble according to the introductory content?

To set out the guiding values and purpose of the constitution (introductory function).

What is the meaning of ‘constitutional morality’ in practice?

Liberty, equality, and justice as the basis for interpreting rights beyond individual or religious moralities.

What is the exam-specific guide about which makes no sense if the constitution is not rigid or not rigid?

The ‘two important documents’ (syllabus and PYQs) cannot be sidelined; they guide what to study.

Which act is used as an example of skeleton legislation that can be amended over time?

The Citizenship Act of 1955 and its amendments (2019) under the Citizenship Amendment Act.

In the Indian constitution, what is the role of the Parliament with regard to constitutional amendments?

Parliament has constitutional amendment powers, including special majorities and, for some amendments, state ratification.

What is the significance of the word ‘sovereign’ in relation to Parliament’s power in India vs the UK?

In the UK, Parliament is sovereign; in India, Parliament has limits and is constrained by the Constitution and basic structure.

What is the role of ‘collegium’ in the appointment of judges, and why is it unique to India?

Judges themselves influence appointments via the collegium; the system is uniquely Indian since 1993.

What is the concept of ‘regular checks’ on the executive through the legislature and judiciary?

Non-confidence motions, judicial review, and legislative oversight ensure executive accountability.

What is the significance of ‘we the people of India’ in terms of identity?

It emphasizes political identity over regional, religious, or caste identities and anchors the sovereign identity in the people.

What does ‘Article 50’ require to separate the executive from the judiciary, and does it fully separate powers in India?

Article 50 calls for separation, but India follows a parliamentary system with functional overlap between executive and legislature.

What is the concept of ‘conventions’ as part of the constitution’s content?

Unwritten rules that guide constitutional practice and are treated as part of the constitution in the UK and, to some extent, in India.

What is the meaning of ‘188: Two options on break times; why this is mentioned in the lecture?

The speaker uses an interactive style to illustrate how constitutional decisions can involve majority opinions; not a factual concept about polity.

Which major legal concept ensures that a law cannot be passed if it violates fundamental rights?

Judicial review, where the judiciary checks the constitutionality of laws and executive actions.

What is the core difference between ‘unity’ and ‘federal’ constitutional features and how India balances them?

India is quasi-federal, with both federal features and strong central controls, especially in emergencies.