Elections and Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Indian Civics topics including Elections, the Election Commission of India, Salient Features of the Constitution, Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), and the framing of the Constitution.

Elections

A fundamental feature of a democracy that gives citizens the right to choose their representatives and participate in government decision-making.

Direct Elections

Elections in which people directly vote to elect their representatives, such as elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

Indirect Elections

Elections in which citizens do not vote directly, but representatives elected by the people choose the representatives, such as for the Rajya Sabha, President, and Vice-President of India.

General Elections

Elections held across all constituencies after the completion of the normal 5-year term of the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly.

Mid-term Elections

Early elections held when the Lok Sabha or a State Legislative Assembly is dissolved before completing its normal 5-year term.

By-elections

Elections held to fill a specific vacancy in a constituency caused by death, resignation, or disqualification.

Election Commission of India (ECI)

A permanent and autonomous constitutional body responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of elections for Parliament, State Legislative Assemblies, President, and Vice-President.

Composition of the Election Commission

A three-member body consisting of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) as Chairman and two Election Commissioners, established as a multi-member body in 1989.

Article 324

The constitutional provision dealing with the composition of the Election Commission and granting it powers of superintendence, direction, and control over elections.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

The head and Chairman of the Election Commission of India, appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister as per Article 74.

Constitution of India

The supreme law of the land laying down principles, rules, and government structure, prepared by the Constituent Assembly and enforced on 26th January 1950.

Single Citizenship

A feature of the Indian Constitution providing one single citizenship for the whole country to foster national integration and unity.

Universal Adult Franchise

The constitutional right granting equal voting privileges to every Indian citizen aged 18 years and above, regardless of caste, religion, gender, education, or property.

Fundamental Rights (Part III)

Justiciable rights guaranteed to all citizens to protect against misuse of State power and ensure equality, freedom, and human dignity.

Article 14

The constitutional article providing equality before law and equal protection of laws to all individuals within India.

Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)

A fundamental right allowing citizens to approach courts directly for the enforcement and protection of their Fundamental Rights.

Independent Judiciary

A constitutional system where the judiciary operates independently of the executive and legislature, with the Supreme Court serving as the highest court and guardian of the Constitution.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

Non-justiciable guidelines contained in Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) borrowed from the Irish Constitution to establish a just welfare state.

Socialist Principles of DPSP

Directives aimed at social and economic justice, including equal pay for equal work (Art. 39), free legal aid (Art. 39A), and right to work and education (Art. 41).

Gandhian Principles of DPSP

Directives based on Gandhian ideals, including organising village panchayats (Art. 40), promoting cottage industries (Art. 43), and prohibiting intoxicating drinks (Art. 47).

Liberal-Intellectual Principles of DPSP

Directives focused on modern governance, such as a Uniform Civil Code (Art. 44), free compulsory education (Art. 45), and separation of judiciary from executive (Art. 50).

Welfare State

A state that works for the well-being of all citizens by aiming to remove inequalities of income, status, and facilities.

Relationship between Fundamental Rights and DPSP

Complementary provisions where Fundamental Rights grant legal rights and DPSP guide state governance; in case of conflict, Fundamental Rights take precedence.

Constituent Assembly

The body elected in 1946 by Provincial Assemblies to draft the Constitution of India, initially consisting of 389 members and reduced to 299 after partition.

Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha

The temporary Chairman who presided over the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly on 9th December 1946.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

The President of the Constituent Assembly who signed the Constitution on 26th November 1949 and became the first President of India.

Drafting Committee

The committee set up on 29th August 1947 with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as Chairman to draft the Indian Constitution.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Chairman of the Drafting Committee, jurist, economist, and social reformer known as the 'Father of the Indian Constitution.'

Purna Swaraj Resolution

The Complete Independence resolution passed by the Indian National Congress on 26th January 1929 at Lahore, commemorated by choosing 26th January as Republic Day.

Fundamental Duties (Part IV A)

A set of 10 moral obligations inserted into Article 51-A of the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976.

C. Rajagopalachari

The first Governor-General of independent India who replaced Lord Mountbatten.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005

A legislative act implementing Directive Principles by providing 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households.