QUICK REVISION NOTES – PLUS ONE – POLITICAL SCIENCE

(CONSTITUTION AT WORK)

Prepared by Mr.BINU ABRAHAM,HSST,GOVT.HSS,THRICKODITHANAM,KOTTAYAM DISTRICT

PHONE-9961581184

1.Functions of constitution – It allows co-ordination and assurance, specification of decision making

power, Limitations on the powers of government, Aspiration and goals of the society, Fundamental
identity of a people

2.Constitution is the basic law of the land

3.Indian constitution was formally created by- the Constituent Assembly

4.Indian constitution was promulgated on 26 th November,1949

5.National Constitution Day- November 26

6.Indian constitution was came in to force in 26 th January,1950.

7.President of Constituent Assembly – Dr.Rajendra Prasad

8.Drafting committee chairman- Dr.B.R.Ambedkar

9.Only one provision of the Indian constitution was passed without any debate- Universal suffrage

10.1946- Objective Resolution – Jawahar Lal Nehru

11.Objective Resolution – main Points- India shall be a union of states, India is a sovereign republic,
Independent india should have a constitution. Citizen’s have equal rights

12.Provisions borrowed from constitutions of different countries

BRITAIN IRISH USA CANADA FRANCE

FPTP DPSP FUNDAMENTAL QUASI- FEDERAL LIBERTY
PARLIAMENTARY RIGHTS SYSTEM EQUALITY
SYSTEM INDEPENDENT RESIDUAL FRATERNITY
RULE OF LAW JUDICIARY POWERS
LAW MAKING JUDICIAL REVIEW STRONG CENTRAL
POSITION OF GOVERNMENT
SPEAKER
POSITION OF
PRIME MINISTER

13.The Motilal Nehru committee had demanded a bill of rights in 1928

14.Difference between Fundamental Rights and Legal Rights

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS LEGAL RIGHTS

Protected and guaranteed by the constitution Protected and enforced by ordinary law
Fundamental rights may only be changed by Legal rights may be changed by the legislature by
amending the constitution ordinary process of law making

15.Fundamental Rights – Part III of the constitution (Art-14-32)

Six types of Fundamental Rights

1.Right to Equality (Article 14-18)

Art.14- Equality before law

Art.15- Prohibition of discrimination by the state on grounds of Religion,race,caste,sex or Place of birth

Art.16 – Equality of opportunity in matters of Public employment

Art.17-Abolition of Untouchability

Art.18-Abolition of Titles

2.Right to Freedom(Article 19-22)

Art.19- Protection of certain rights regarding Freedom of speech and expression,freedom to assemble
peacefully,freedom to form association,freedom to move freely anywhere in india,Reside and settle in
any part of india,freedom to practice any profession etc

Art-20- Protection in respect of conviction for offences

Art.21- Right to life and personal liberty

Art.21A- Right to Education

Art.22-Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases

3.Right against Exploitation (Article.23-24)

Article 23-Prohibition of forced labour without payment and human traffic

Article 24-Prohibits employment of children below 14 years of age in factories

4.Right to Freedom of Religion (Article.25-28)

Article.25-Freedom of conscience and free Profession ,Practice and Propagation of Religion

Article.26-Freedom to manage religious affairs

Article.27-Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion

Article.28-Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational
institutions.

5.Educational and cultural Rights (Article.29-30)

Article .29-Protection of language and culture of minorities.

Article.30-Right of minorities to establish and manage educational institutions.

Article .31- Right to Property-deleted- now it is a legal right

6.Right to constitutional remedies (Article-32)

Article.32-Right to move the courts for issuance of writs

16.Five types of writs

HABES CORPUS – The arrested person should be presented before the court within 24 hour.It can also
order to set free an arrested person
MANDAMUS- The court finds that a Particular office holder is not doing legal duty and thereby is
infringing on the right of an individual.
PROHIBITION-This writ is issued by a higher court when a lower court has considered a case going
beyond its jurisdiction
QUO-WARRANTO-If the court finds that a person is holding office but is not entitled to hold that office
.It issues the writ of quo warranto and restricts that person from acting as an office holder.
CERTIORARI-The court orders a lower court or another authority to transfer a matter pending before it
to the higher authority or court

17.COMMISSIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

1.National Human Rights Commission

2.National Commission on Women

3.National Commission on Minorities

4.National Commission on Scheduled Castes

18.DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY- Part IV of the Indian constitution

1.uniform civil code

2.Promotion of village panchayaths

3.prohibition of alcoholic liquor

4.Promotion of international peace

5.promotion of cottage industries

19.FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES- Part IV A of the Indian constitution

1.obey the constitution

2.defend our country

3.promote harmony amoung all citizens

4.protect our environment

5.Preserve our national monuments

6.Respect our national anthem

20.Difference between Fundamental rights and DPSP

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

1.Guranteed by the constitution 1.Guranteed by the state
2.If there is any violation,can approach the court 2.If there is any violation,cannot approach the
3.justiciable courts
4.Restructions on the government 3.Non-justiciable
4.No restructions on government

21.Article 324 – Election commission

Article 326 – Universal Adult Franchise

FIRST PASS THE POST (FPTP) PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

Country is divided in to small constituvencies The entire country may be a single constituvency
Every constituvency elect one representative More than one representative may be elected
Voters vote for candidate from one constituvency
A party may get more seats than votes in the Voters vote for the party
legislature
Candidate gets more votes will win Candidate should get specific percentage of votes
Eg- UK,India Eg- Isreal,Netherlands
22.Functions of election commission

1.Prepare voter’s list

2.Prepares election schedule – time,nomination ,scrutiny,date of poll, declaration of results etc

3.Ensure free and fair election

4.implements a model code and conduct for parties and candidates

5.It can order re-poll

6.Recognition to Political parties and allots symbols

23.How does PR works in Rajya Sabha Elections

(Total votes Polled)

Total number of candidates to be elected+1)+1

24.How does india adopt the FPTP system?

1.Popularity of this election system

2. simple to understand

3.It helps the voter’s for a clear choice

4.It is suitable for Parlimentary system

5. It is better for a stable government

25.Presidential system and Parliamentary System

PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

President is the Head of the state and government Prime minister is the head of the government
President is not responsible for the legislature Prime minister is responsible to the legislature
President can appoints his ministers Prime minister is selected his ministers with the
Eg.United states of america approval of his Party
Eg-india,Canada,Britain,japan

26.PARLIAMENTARY EXECUTIVE IN INDIA

1.President is the head of the nation – nominal executive

2.Prime Minister is the head of the Government – Real executive

3.President is indirectly elected by the people

4.Prime minister is directly elected by the people.

5. Prime minister is Presided over by the cabinet

6.Prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the lok sabha

7.President can appoint ministers by the advice of the Prime minister.

8.Prime minister is responsible to the loksabha

9.Prime minister is more powerful than the president in the Parliamentary system of governmrnt.
10.If the prime minister resign ,it will be considered as the resignation of the whole cabinet.

27.DISCRETIONARY POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

1.The President can ask the Prime minister to re-consider the decisions taken by the cabinet.

2.The President can withhold or refuse to give assent bills passed by the Parliament(Other than money
bill)

It is called Veto Power or Pocket Veto.

3.A situation when after an election ,no leader has a clear majority in the loksabha ,President has to
decide whom to appoint as the Prime Minister.

28.PRESIDENT AND VICE- PRESIDENT –POWERS

PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT
1. Term- 5 years 1.Term- 5 years
2.Indirectly elected by the members of 2.Indirectly elected by the members of parliament
parliament and members of state 3.ex-officio chairman of Rajya sabha
legislative assembly 4.No veto Power
3.supreme commander of Indian 5.Take over the office of the president when there
military is a vacancy.
4. He has veto power

29.BUREAUCRACY – FEATURES

1.Trained and skilled

2.It is Politically neutral

3.Effectively participate in the policy implementation Process.

30.Classification of Civil services- 1.All india service2. Central service.3.State service

PERMANENT EXECUTIVE POLITICAL EXECUTIVE

District collector Chief minister
District Police Superendentent Ministers
Chief secretary Panchayath president
Panchayath secretary Ward member

31. Three organs of the Government

EXECUTIVE LEGISLATURE JUDICIARY

To implement programmes and To make laws for the whole To interpret laws
policies of the government nation
Prime Ministe Lok sabha Supreme Court
President Rajya sabha High Court
Cabinet Ministers District Court
Subordinate Court

32. National Legislature in India – Parliament

33.Lower House of the Parliament – Lok sabha (House of the People)- direct election

34.Upper House of the Parliament- Rajya Sabha (Council of States)- indirect election

35. National Legislature in America- Congress

36.States having bicameral legislature – Bihar,Kashmir,Karnataka,Maharashtra,uttar pradesh

37.Why do we need two houses of Parliament?

1To give representation to all sections of the society.

2.To give representation to all geographical sections of the country

3.To re-consider decisions taken by one house

4.To defend hasty decision

38. Unicameral legislature – if the parliament have only one house

39.Bicameral legislature- if the parliament have two houses

40.Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha 1. Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the
eligible voters. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative
Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single
transferable vote

. 2. The normal life of every Lok Sabha is 5 years only while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body.

3. Lok Sabha is the House to which the Council of Ministers is responsible under the Constitution.
Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Also it is Lok Sabha, which grants the money for
running the administration of the country

. 4. Rajya Sabha has special powers to declare that it is necessary and expedient in the national interest
that Parliament may make laws with respect to a matter in the State List or to create by law one or more
all-India services common to the Union and the States.

41.Rajya Sabha
1.The origin of Rajya Sabha can be traced back to 1919, when in pursuance to the Government of India
Act, 1919, a second chamber known as the Council of States was created

.2. This Council of States, comprising of mostly nominated members was a deformed version of second
chamber without reflecting true federal features.

3. The Council continued to function till India became independen

t.4. The Rajya Sabha, its Hindi nomenclature was adopted in 23 August, 1954

.5. The Rajya Sabha is to consist of not more than 250 members - 238 members representing the States
and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President

5.. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. However, one third of the
members retire every second year, and are replaced by newly elected members

.6. Each member is elected for a term of six years

.7. The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha

.8. The House also elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. Besides, there is also a panel of
"Vice Chairmen" in the Rajya Sabha. The senior most Minister, who is a member of Rajya Sabha, is
appointed by the Prime Minister as Leader of the House.

42.How does the Parliament make laws ?

(A) With the introduction of the bill, the First Reading of the bill starts. This stage is simple. The Minister
wanting to introduce a bill, informs the presiding officer. He/she puts the question of introduction to the
House. When approved, normally by voicevote, the Minister is called upon to introduce the bill.

(B) Second Reading: -This stage is the most vital stage. After general discussion the House has four
options: - (i) it may straightaway take the bill into detailed (clauseby-clause) consideration or (ii) refer it
to a select committee of the House or, (iii) refers it to the Joint Committee of both the Houses or (iv)
circulate it among the people to elicit public opinion. If the bill is referred to a select committee of the
House or the joint select committee of both the Houses, the concerned committee examines the bill
very minutely. Each and every clause is examined. The committee may also take the opinion of
professionals and legal experts. After due deliberations, the committee submits its report to the House.

(C) Third Reading:- After the completion of the second reading, the Minister may move that the bill be
passed. At this stage normally no discussion takes place. The members may oppose or support the
adoption of the bill, by a simple majority of members present and voting. 2. Bill in the other House: -
After the bill has been passed by one House, it goes to the other House. Here also the same procedure
of three readings is followed sent to the President for his assent.

43. Difference between Question hour and Zero hour?

Question Hour – Minister should answer the questions correctly.

Zero Hour – Ministers are not responsible to give correct answers.

44.FUNCTIONS OF THE PARLIAMENT

1.Legislative function

2.Financial functions

3.Representative functions

4.Debating functions

5.Constituvent functions

6.Electoral functions

7.Judicial functions

45.POWERS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

1.Original jurisdiction- legal dispute between union and states – eg.Mullaperiyar dam issue

2.Writ jurisdiction – The supreme court can give special orders in the form of writs.

3.Appellate jurisdiction The supreme court will re-consider the cases

4.Advisory jurisdiction - can advise central government

46.FEDERALISM

UNION LIST(97) STATE LIST(66) CONCURRENT LIST(47)

DEFENCE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION
FOREIGN AFFAIRS POLICE FOREST
RAILWAYS PRISON TRADE UNIONS
PORTS PUBLIC HEALTH ADULTERATION
BANKING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADOPTION
CURRENCY LIQUOR

47.INTER STATE CONFLICT

states dispute
1.Maharashtra&Karnataka City of Belgaum
2.Punjab&Hariyana City of Chandigarh
3.Tamil nadu &Karnataka Cauvery water issue
4.Madhya Pradesh &Maharashtra Narmada water issue
5.Kerala &Tamil nadu Mullaperiyar Dam issue
6.Maharashtra,Andhra&Karnataka Krishna water issue
7.Maharashtra,Andhra,Karnataka& Madhya Godawari water issue
Pradesh

48.Article. 370 – special status for jammu and Kashmir

1.The concurrence of the state is required for making any laws in matters mentioned in the union list
and concurrent list

2.Jammu Kashmir has a separate constitution and flag.

3.Central government cannot declare emergency in Jammu and Kashmir without the concurrence of the
state government

4.The union government cannot impose financial emergency in Jammu and Kashmir

5.Direct principles of state policies do not apply in Jammu and Kashmir

49.Father of local governments in india - Lord Rippon

50.Local governments in india Before panchayath raj system and after panchayath raj system

(Three tier system- 73rd&74th amendments)

Before After
1. No uniformity 1. Uniform structure in all over india
2. No fixed term 2. Fixed term for representatives(5years)
3. No seat reservation for sc/st/obc/women 3. Certain seats reserved for
4. Absence of the control of state sc/st/obc&women
government 4. Control of state government

51. Amendment procedure of the Indian constitution(Article- 368)

1.Simple majority

2.Special majority

3.Special majority with the ratification of 50% of states in india

52.Amendments- classifications

TECHNICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE INTERPRETATIONS POLITICAL CONSENSUS

For Given by the judiciary Consensus amoung the political
clarifications,explanations&minor (1970-75 period) parties
modifications Eg.clash between Parliament Eg.Anti-defection law
Eg.increase the age of the and Judiciary
retirement of high court judges

53.PHILOSOPHY OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

1.Individual Freedom

2.Social justice

3.Minority Rights

4.Secularism

5.Universal Franchise

54.IMPORTANT ARTICLES OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Article 44 – Uniform civil code

Article 47- Prohibition of Liquor

Article 51 A- Fundamental duties

Article 52- There shall be a President of India

Article 63- Vice-President of india

Article 76-Attorney General of India

Article112-Budget

Article 116-Vote-on-account

Article 243A – Grama Sabha

Article 280 – Finance Commission

Article 300A – Right to Property

Article 315- Union Public Service Commission

Article 352 – National Emergency

Article 356 – State Emergency

Article 360 – Financial Emergency

55.IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

NUMBER YEAR AMENDMENT

42 1976 Incorporated the words –
Socialist,Secular&Integrity
44 1978 Right to Property deleted
52 1985 Anti-Defection Law
61 1989 Reduced voting age from 21
years to 18 years for the
loksabha and Assembly elections
73 1992 Panchayath Raj Act
74 1992 Nagarpalika Act
86 2002 Right to Education as
 Fundamental Rights
Article 21 A
91 2004 Restrict the size of council of
ministers to 15%of legislative
members
99 2015 Formation of a National judicial
appointments commission
100 2015 Exchange of certain enclave
Territories with Bangladesh and
conferment of citizenship

56.IMPORTANT COMMISSIONS

COMMISSION YEAR PURPOSE

1.JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN 1974 ELECTION REFORMS
COMMITTEE

2.DINESH GOSWAMI 1990 ELECTION REFORMS

COMMITTEE

3.RAJAMANNAR COMMITTEE 1969 CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS

4,SARKARIA COMMISSION 1983 CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS

5.MM PUNCHHI COMMISSION 2007

CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS
6.The BELWANTH RAI MEHTA 1957
COMMITTEE REFORMS IN LOCAL SELF
GOVERNMENT
7.P.K.THUNGON COMMITTEE 1989
CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION
FOR LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENTS

57.IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES

DESIGNATION NAME

1.CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF INDIA 1.NAZIM SAIDI

2.CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA 2.JUSTICE.JAGDISH SINGH KHEHAR

3.CHIEF JUSTICE OF KERALA HIGH COURT 3.JUSTICE.NAVANITHI PRASAD SINGH

4.CHAIRMAN,NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS 4.JUSTICE.H.L.DATTU
COMMISSION

5.NATIONAL WOMEN’S COMMISSION 5.LALITHA KUMARAMANGALAM

CHAIRPERSON

6.LOKSABHA SPEAKER 6.SUMITHRA MAHAJAN

7.M.THAMBI DURAI
7.DEPUTY SPEAKER LOKSABHA