Indian Polity Short Notes

  • Pre-Independence Polity of India

    • Two main periods: East India Company rule and direct British rule.
    • Important Acts:
    • Regulating Act, 1773: Governor-General of Bengal introduced; Supreme Court established.
    • Pitt’s India Act, 1784: Established a dual system of administration.
    • Charter Act, 1833: Governor-General of India; Company transitioned to administrative body.
    • Government of India Act, 1858: Abolished Company rule; powers transferred to British Crown.
    • Indian Councils Act, 1909: First Indian representation in councils.

  • Evolution of Indian Constitution

    • Constituent Assembly formed in 1946; followed Cripps Mission and Cabinet Mission proposals.
    • First meeting on Dec 9, 1946; Dr. Rajendra Prasad became Permanent President.
    • Draft completed by Nov 26, 1949; enforced on Jan 26, 1950.
    • Originally had 22 parts, 395 articles; now has 450 articles and 12 schedules.

  • Schedules of the Constitution

    • First Schedule: Territories of states and union territories.
    • Second Schedule: Salaries of constitutional officials.
    • Third Schedule: Oath forms for officeholders.
    • Seventh Schedule: Division of powers (Union, State, Concurrent Lists).

  • Preamble of the Constitution

    • Outlines objectives: Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
    • Emphasizes India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.

  • Fundamental Rights

    • Original rights included: Equality, Freedom, Exploitation, Religion, Cultural rights, Right to Property (removed in 1978).
    • Right to Constitutional Remedies enshrined in Article 32.

  • Directive Principles of State Policy

    • Non-justiciable guidelines for policy-making; aims for social and economic justice.

  • Union Executive

    • President: Elected, appoints Prime Minister and council.
    • Prime Minister: Real executive power, leads council of ministers.

  • Parliament

    • Bicameral system: Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of People).
    • Laws: Types include Ordinary Bills, Money Bills, Financial Bills, Constitutional Amendment Bills.

  • State Government and Legislature

    • Governor as the chief executive.
    • Legislative Assembly (directly elected) and Council (indirectly elected in some states).

  • Judiciary

    • Supreme Court at apex; protects rights and interprets Constitution.
    • High Courts at state level with subordinate courts.

  • Emergency Provisions

    • Three types: National, State (President's rule), Financial Emergency.
    • National Emergency: Can suspend fundamental rights (not Articles 20 and 21).

  • Political Parties

    • Recognized as National or State parties by the Election Commission.

  • Important Government Bodies

    • Election Commission: Independent body overseeing fair elections.
    • Public Service Commissions: Recruitment for civil services.
    • Finance Commission: Allocates taxes between Centre and State.

  • Amendments to the Constitution

    • Article 368 outlines the procedure; categorized as simple, special, and federal amendment procedures.
    • Significant amendments include 42nd (mini constitution), 44th (property as legal right), 86th (education as a fundamental right).

  • Official Language: Hindi as official language, English permitted for official purposes.