Indian Polity and Constitution Overview

Aug 22, 2024

Lecture Notes: Indian Polity and Constitution

Class Overview

  • Date: 10th October 2023
  • Topics Covered:
    • Geography Revision
    • Indian Polity

Key Points from the Lecture

Importance of the Class

  • Today's lecture is important for the completion of the Indian Polity syllabus.
  • Students are encouraged to revise and attempt questions based on today's discussion.

Structure of the Constitution

Part V: The Union

  1. Union Executive (Article 52-78)
    • Articles to Remember: 79 (Parliament), 79-80 (Parliament structure), 81 (Composition of Lok Sabha), 82 (Re-adjustment after Census).
  2. Parliament
    • Key Articles: Article 79(Parliament of the Union), Article 81 (Lok Sabha).
    • Composition: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President.
    • Roles: Lok Sabha as lower house, Rajya Sabha as upper house.
    • President's Role in Legislation.

Important Articles Related to Parliament

  • Article 79: There shall be a Parliament of the Union.
  • Article 80: Composition of the Rajya Sabha.
  • Article 81: Composition of Lok Sabha.
  • Article 82: Re-adjustment after Census.
  • Article 83: Duration of Houses.

Key Elements of Indian Polity

Chapters Covered:

  • Chapter II (Parliament):
    • Covers the structure and functioning of the Parliament.
    • Parliament Composition:
      • Lok Sabha: 550 members (max).
      • Rajya Sabha: 250 members (max).

Legislative Procedures

Important Legislative Processes

  1. Types of Bills: Ordinary Bills, Money Bills, Constitutional Amendment Bills.
  2. Procedure for Passing Legislation:
    • Article 107: Origin of Bills.
    • Joint sitting of both Houses in case of deadlock (Article 108).

Rights and Duties

Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

  • Fundamental Rights:
    • Part III: Articles 12-35.
    • Types: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, Right to Constitutional Remedies.
  • Directive Principles: Articles 36-51.
    • Aim to establish a welfare state.
    • Non-justiciable, but fundamental in governance.

Emergency Provisions

  • Types of Emergencies:
    • National Emergency (Article 352)
    • State Emergency (Article 356)
    • Financial Emergency (Article 360)
  • Fundamental Rights during Emergencies:
    • Suspension of certain rights.

Constitutional Amendments

  • Key Amendments Discussed:
    • 42nd Amendment: Added fundamental duties.
    • 44th Amendment: Removed Right to Property as a Fundamental Right.

Important Terminology

Key Terms to Remember

  • DPSP: Directed towards the socio-economic development of the nation.
  • Fundamental Duties: Obligations to uphold the Constitution and promote harmony.

Conclusion

  • Overall, the lecture covered essential elements of the Indian Constitution and its framework, emphasizing the need for understanding both rights and duties as citizens.
  • Students are encouraged to review these notes regularly and prepare for upcoming assessments.