Indian Polity

(Though not specifically mentioned in the question, CDS and AFCAT aspirants should know this for better understanding.)

The Panchayati Raj System reflects the Gandhian philosophy of self-governance, where village councils act as units of local government. It was introduced through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which added Part IX to the Constitution (Articles 243 to 243-O) and the Eleventh Schedule.

The Constitution of India provides a special system of administration for Union Territories (UTs), which are regions that are directly governed by the Central Government instead of having full-fledged statehood.

Constitutional bodies are institutions established directly by the Constitution of India. Their powers, responsibilities, structure, and authority are defined in the Constitution itself, which ensures their independence and protects them from arbitrary control by the government.

At present, India has 24 High Courts. This includes 21 established High Courts and 3 newer High Courts in Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura. Some High Courts serve more than one state, as the Constitution allows two or more states to share a common High Court if provided by Parliament.(This is a direct fact-based CDS and AFCAT polity question often asked in exams. Related study is available in Anand Classes download UPSC CDS and AFCAT notes and CDS and AFCAT polity study material pdf.)

Currently, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.(Common CDS and AFCAT polity question, covered in Anand Classes CDS and AFCAT polity notes and CDS and AFCAT study material pdf.)

The Governor appoints the Chief Minister under Article 164(1). Normally, the leader of the party/coalition with a majority in the Assembly is chosen.(Relevant for UPSC CDS and AFCAT polity questions and state government-related topics in Anand Classes download UPSC CDS and AFCAT notes and CDS and AFCAT study material pdf.)

The State Government works at the state level and its executive authority is vested in the Governor and the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. It functions in a parliamentary system similar to the Union Government but at the state level.

The functions and responsibilities of the Supreme Court are clearly defined by the Constitution of India. The Court is regarded as the guardian of the Constitution and the protector of Fundamental Rights. Its jurisdiction is vast and can be categorised as follows:

The Judiciary is one of the most vital organs of the Indian democratic structure. It safeguards the Constitution of India, protects Fundamental Rights, and ensures justice.

The Indian Constitution provides for extraordinary powers to deal with situations of crisis. These are called Emergency Provisions, and they are mentioned in Part XVIII (Articles 352 to 360).

The relationship between the Union and the States forms the core of Indian federalism. The Constitution balances the powers of the Centre (Union Government) and the States in three major aspects: Legislative, Administrative, and Financial relations.

he Constitution of India provides for three types of funds/accounts to handle the Union Government’s revenues and expenditures. These are:

Parliamentary Committees are small groups of Members of Parliament (MPs) formed to perform specific functions of Parliament in detail. They are essential because Parliament cannot devote enough time to every matter in full House sittings.

Article 85 of the Indian Constitution deals with the sessions of Parliament, prorogation, and dissolution. It outlines the President’s power to summon Parliament sessions, mandates that no more than six months can pass between the last sitting of one session and the first of the next, and allows the President to prorogue (end) a session or dissolve the Lok Sabha. 

An Ordinary Bill can be introduced in either House by any member (minister or private). In contrast, a Money Bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha, requires President’s prior consent, and is certified by the Speaker. Rajya Sabha has only recommendatory powers in case of a Money Bill.👉 This distinction is vital in UPSC CDS and AFCAT polity notes preparation and often tested in UPSC CDS and AFCAT study material pdf and Anand Classes CDS and AFCAT notes download.

The Lok Sabha, as the House of the People, enjoys certain special powers that distinguish it from the Rajya Sabha. These powers reflect the principle of popular sovereignty, since Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people.

The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. This position is crucial for the functioning of the Parliament because the Speaker ensures discipline, fairness, and proper conduct of business in the House.

The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People, is one of the two houses of the Parliament of India. It plays a crucial role in law-making, governance, and representing the will of the people.

According to Article 79 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Even though the President is not a member of either house, he or she is considered an integral part of Parliament and plays a crucial role in the legislative process.

The Prime Minister (PM) is the head of the Central Government and plays a pivotal role in the governance and administration of the country. Although all executive powers are formally vested in the President of India, these powers are actually exercised by the Council of Ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s role is therefore central to policymaking, administration, and coordination.

The Council of Ministers forms the core of India’s parliamentary executive system and represents the real executive power in the country. Unlike the President who serves as the nominal executive, the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, exercises actual administrative authority and is responsible for day-to-day governance.

The Vice-President of India holds the second-highest constitutional office in the country as established by Article 63 of the Indian Constitution. This office serves as a crucial component of India’s constitutional framework, ensuring continuity of executive authority and providing leadership to the upper house of Parliament.

The President of India is the highest constitutional authority and the head of state of the Republic of India. Article 52 of the Indian Constitution provides for the office of the President, making this position the cornerstone of India’s executive framework. Understanding the President’s role, powers, and functions is crucial for UPSC CDS and AFCAT aspirants as it forms a significant portion of the General Knowledge paper.

Question 1

Fundamental Duties are moral obligations of every Indian citizen towards the nation. These duties were added to the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swarn Singh Committee.

• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar described the DPSPs as a ‘novel feature of the Constitution’. These are constitutional instructions or guidelines for the state in its legislative, executive, and administrative affairs. Their primary objective is to provide the social and economic base of a genuine democracy by ensuring welfare and equitable development.

Fundamental Rights are essential for safeguarding the liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals in India. These rights along with the Directive Principles of State Policy share a common origin. The Nehru Report of 1928 incorporated some fundamental rights, and the framers of the Constitution were inspired by the Bill of Rights of the United States of America. Part III of the Constitution is described as the ‘Magna Carta of India’, signifying its importance in protecting citizens’ freedoms.

Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) is celebrated every year on 9th January to recognise the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India. The date is significant because on 9th January 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, marking the beginning of a new phase in India’s struggle for independence.

Countries Included:Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.

Answer:Commonwealth citizenship means that every citizen of a Commonwealth country enjoys the status of a Commonwealth citizen in India. However, the rights granted are not automatic but are based on the principle of reciprocity under the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. Its major provisions are as follows:

The CAA, 2019 is an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955 that provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It specifically covers Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The Act reduces the residency requirement from 11 years to 5 years for these groups. This is important for CDS and AFCAT aspirants preparing Polity sections and creating CDS and AFCAT study material or notes for citizenship topics.

The Citizenship Act of 1955 has undergone significant amendments to regulate the acquisition and re-acquisition of Indian citizenship. In 1986, the Act was amended to make it more stringent for persons arriving in India as refugees from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other countries to obtain citizenship. According to this amendment, persons born in India:

The rules regarding acquisition and termination of Indian citizenship are laid down in the Citizenship Act of 1955.A person can acquire the citizenship of India in five ways, remembered by the short form (BRAND):

Part II of the Indian Constitution (Articles 5–11) deals with provisions related to citizenship of India.

Part I of the Indian Constitution consists of four Articles (1–4) that deal with the territory of India.

The Constitution of India is divided into 25 Parts, each dealing with specific provisions that define the structure, powers, and functions of the Union, States, and citizens. Below is a detailed description of all the Parts:

The Constitution of India originally contained 8 Schedules. With subsequent amendments, their number has increased to 12 Schedules. Each Schedule deals with specific provisions as detailed below:

The Preamble of the Indian Constitution:

The Indian Constitution establishes a system that is federal in form but unitary in spirit.Although India has many features of a federation—such as division of powers, written constitution, and independent judiciary—it also gives extraordinary powers to the Centre, especially in times of emergency.

A Constitution is the supreme law of the land which lays down the framework of government, distribution of powers, rights of citizens, and the functioning of institutions.It defines who will govern, how they will govern, and what limits are placed on their power.

The Indian Constitution is unique in its structure and philosophy. It draws from several world constitutions and reflects the aspirations of Indian society. Below are the salient features of the Indian Constitution, very important for CDS and AFCAT exam polity preparation:

The Indian Constitution, the longest written constitution in the world, has adopted several important features from different countries. These borrowed features not only enrich our constitutional framework but also make it a very important topic for CDS and AFCAT exam preparation in Polity.

👉 The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th November 1949, and 284 members signed it on that day.

👉 M. N. Roy in 1934.

Anand Classes Notes for every CDS and AFCAT aspirant, understanding the constitutional history of India is crucial. Questions from Indian Polity and Governance are regularly asked in the CDS and AFCAT GAT exam, and mastering this topic gives you an edge over other candidates. At Anand Classes – Best CDS and AFCAT Coaching in Jalandhar, this topic is taught in a simple yet detailed manner, linking each Act and reform to its historical context so that students can remember them effortlessly.