Introduction to Political Institutions - Forms and Organs of Government (Part 2)

Recap from Previous Session

• Studied democracy, aristocracy, parliamentary houses, etc.
• Conducted a quiz on the above topics.

Central and State Legislature

• Central Level: Bicameral Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha)
  • Lok Sabha: Elected by the people; House of Representatives.
  • Rajya Sabha: Permanent house with nominated members representing states.
  • Parliament Composition: Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha + President.
• State Level: Usually unicameral (Vidhan Sabha).
  • Only six states have bicameral legislatures (Vidhan Sabha + Vidhan Parishad).

Functions of Government

• Main Organs: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
  • Legislature: Enacts laws.
  • Executive: Implements laws, involves in legislative functions like ordinance-making.
  • Judiciary: Interprets laws, judicial review, decides disputes.

Detailed Structures and Functions

Legislature

• Ensures accountability, framed under Article 75 Clause 3 of the Constitution.
• Implements laws on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Executive

• Ordinance-Making Power: President under Article 123 can promulgate ordinances in emergencies.
• Financial Functions: Imposition and collection of taxes, budget preparation.
• Judicial Functions: Powers of pardon and sentence remission.

Judiciary

• Resolves disputes, judicial review, advises the President.
• Can provide guidelines for law (e.g., Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan).

Parliamentary Functioning

• Includes the main legislative process, emergency ordinance situation, and implementation of laws.
• Unicameral Systems: Single house legislative body.
• Bicameral Systems: Two houses empowered to vote on bills.

Upcoming Topic

• Homosexuality and Same-Gender Marriage Legal Rights Discussion: Supreme Court Case
  • Important from constitutional and family law perspectives.

Class Recap

• Regular legal studies classes: Every Thursday at 6 PM.
• Next class tomorrow at 4 PM.

Important Notes:

• Understand the separation of powers: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary.
• How ordinances are enacted and their duration.
• Review basic structure and function of Parliament and its components.
• Upcoming legal discussions on same-gender marriage rights are crucial for various exams.

Quiz Examples:

1. Which parliament has a single house? Unicameral Parliament.
2. Which organ enacts laws? Legislature.
3. Which organ is responsible for internal and external state administration? Executive.
4. What constitutes the Indian Parliament? Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President.