Indian Polity Notes
- Importance of Constitution
- Historical evolution of the Constitution
- Constituent Assembly
- Objectives of the Constitution
- Salient features of Indian Constitution
- Basic features
- Value premises of constitution
- Terminologies: Democratic, Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Republic, Justice, Equality, Liberty, Fraternity, Integrity
- Amenability of the Preamble
- Fundamental aspects of citizenship as per the constitution
- Procedures and methods for acquiring citizenship
- Various ways in which Indian citizenship can be lost
- Concept of dual citizenship and its implications
- Specific provisions regarding citizenship in Jammu and Kashmir
- Privileges and special rights enjoyed by Indian citizens
- Distinctions between Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
- Significance of Fundamental Rights
- Definition of State
- Right to Equality
- Right to Freedom
- Right against Exploitation
- Right to Freedom of Religion
- Cultural and Educational Rights
- Right to Constitutional Remedies
- Fundamental Rights and Armed Forces
- Martial Law & Fundamental Rights
- Difference between procedure established by law and due process of law
- Writs and their uses
- Restrictive limitations on fundamental rights
- Rights outside Part III of the Constitution
- Dynamic Nature of Article 32
- Need for revitalizing the Indian reservation system
- Basic features
- Economic and Social DPSP
- Gandhian DPSP
- Administrative DPSP
- DPSP related to International Peace
- Implementation of DPSP
- Fundamental Rights and DPSP controversy
- Directives outside Part IV of the Constitution
- Application of Uniform Civil Code in India
- DPSP vs. Fundamental Rights
- Features
- Link between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties
- Separation of Powers
- Judicial Review
- Concept of Separation of Powers
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with other countries (USA, UK, India, and neighbors)
- State Reorganization Commission
- Components of Indian territory
- Process of formation of new states
- Zonal Councils
- Union territories
- Special provisions for states
- Scheduled and Tribal Areas
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States
- Problems in implementation
- Recommendations for improvement
- Interrelationship between union, state, and local government
- Constitutional provisions related to financial devolution
- Issues of financial devolution
- Federal structure challenges
- Administrative, legislative, and financial relations
- Emergency provisions and misuse of Article 356
- Inter-State relations
- Issues related to Union, State, and Concurrent Lists
- Appointment of Governor
- State formation issues
- Poor devolution of finances
- Reserving bill for Presidential approval
- Central-sponsored schemes and issues
- Special package for different states
- Centre and State relations post-1990 reforms
- Foreign Policy and Centre-State Relations
- Inter-State border disputes
- Significance of the President’s role
- Qualifications for the President
- Election procedure
- Single transferable form of voting advantages and disadvantages
- Term of office and emoluments
- President’s executive, legislative, emergency, financial, miscellaneous, and judicial powers
- Impeachment process
- Nominal head of the country
- Authority in making ordinances and passage of bills
- Potential misuse of emergency provisions
- Power to grant pardons
- Coalition government dynamics
- Office and functions
- Comparison with the American Vice President
- Office and functions
- Comparison with the American Vice President
- Appointment process and functions
- Role with respect to the Council of Ministers, President, Lok Sabha, political party, and coalition government
- Division and roles
- Functions of the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet
- Responsibilities of individual ministers
- Qualifications required
- Functions and powers with respect to Parliament
- Composition of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha
- Qualifications and disqualifications of MPs and MLAs
- Rules for vacation of seats
- Parliament sessions and lawmaking procedure
- Roles of officers in Parliament and State Legislature
- Proceedings, motions, and resolutions
- Powers and privileges of Parliament
- Financial proceedings
- Comparison between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha
- Women’s reservation and associated issues
- Impact of lowering parliamentary powers
- Working of parliamentary committees
- Relationship between judicial activism and Parliament
- Delegated legislation and concerns
- Integrated judicial system
- Supreme Court
- High Court
- Lower judiciary
- Tribunal & Subordinate Courts
- Role of the Supreme Court as guardian of the Constitution and protector of Fundamental Rights
- Judicial Review, PIL, Judicial Activism
- Judiciary appointment: Collegium System, NJAC Controversy
- National Court of Appeal
- Judicial Accountability
- Issues of corruption
- Role of women in judiciary
- Need for virtual courts
- Functioning of Ministries
- Central Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary, Field organizations
- Needed reforms
- International methodology
- Provisions of 73rd AA and 74th AA
- Role and functions of different tiers: Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats
- Steps towards women’s empowerment
- Role of State Election Commission
- Role of State Finance Commission
- Smart City Mission & Municipal Governance
- Model Panchayat Citizens Charter Framework
- What are dispute redressal mechanisms?
- Need for dispute redressal mechanisms
- Administrative tribunal issues
- Fast Track Courts issues
- Gram Nyayalayas issues
- Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats issues
- Family Courts issues
- Lok Adalat issues
- NALSA issues
- Dispute redressal for weaker sections
- Arbitration Mechanism
- International Arbitrary Centre
- Commercial Court
- Appointment, functions, role in good governance
- Appointment, term of office, qualifications
- Powers: Discretionary, ordinance-making, pardoning
- Appointment
- Powers and responsibilities
- Relationship with the Governor
- Appointment
- Functions
- Composition of Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad
- Qualifications of Members
- Powers and functions
- Relationship between both Houses
- Officers of State Legislature
- Powers, privileges, and immunities
- Legislative procedure
- Governor’s assent to bills
- Procedure in financial matters
- Election Commission
- Union Public Service Commission
- State Public Service Commission
- Finance Commission
- GST Council
- National Commission for SCs and STs
- Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
- NITI Aayog
- National and State Human Rights Commission
- Central and State Information Commission
- Central Vigilance Commission
- Central Bureau of Investigation
- Lokpal and Lokayukta
- Co-operative Societies
- Official Languages under the Indian Constitution
- Provisions related to Political Parties
- Rise of Regional Parties in India
- Election Laws and Electoral Reforms
- Importance of NRI votes
- Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution