📚 Study Notes – Parliament & Judiciary
(General Awareness & Current Affairs – Microsoft Certification)
1. Simple Explanation
| Term | What it Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme law‑making body of India, a bicameral legislature (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha). | Creates, amends, and repeals laws that govern the country. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts that interprets and applies the law, ensuring justice and upholding the Constitution. | Protects citizens’ rights, resolves disputes, and checks the powers of the other branches. |
2. Key Points
A. Parliament of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | • Lok Sabha (House of the People) – 543 seats (members directly elected). • Rajya Sabha (Council of States) – 245 seats (members elected by state legislatures & nominated). |
| Powers | • Legislative – Draft, debate, and pass bills. • Financial – Approves the annual budget and tax laws. • Oversight – Questions government officials, committees, and investigations. |
| Procedure for a Bill | 1. Drafting (by government or private members). 2. First reading (introduction). 3. Second reading (committee scrutiny). 4. Third reading (final debate & vote). 5. Presidential assent. |
| Important Committees | Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings, etc. |
| Current Leadership (2026) | • Lok Sabha Speaker: Om Birla (BJP). • Rajya Sabha Chairman: M. Venkaiah Naidu (BJP). |
B. Judiciary of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | 1. Supreme Court (head of judiciary). 2. High Courts (one per state/union territory). 3. District & Sub‑District Courts (civil & criminal). |
| Supreme Court | • 14 judges (incl. Chief Justice). • Chief Justice of India (CJI): D.Y. Chandrachud (as of 2026). • Powers: Judicial review, original jurisdiction (constitutional disputes), appellate jurisdiction. |
| High Courts | • 25 courts, each with a Chief Justice. • Original jurisdiction in civil/criminal cases; appellate jurisdiction over lower courts. |
| Judicial Reforms (2025‑26) | • Fast‑Track Courts for cases involving women, children, and corruption. • Digital Filing System – e‑filing and virtual hearings. |
| Notable Recent Cases | • Bharat v. State – upheld the right to digital privacy. • Sustainable Development v. Ministry – reinforced environmental obligations. |
| Checks & Balances | • Judicial Review – can strike down laws that violate the Constitution. • Appointment of Judges – Collegium system (Supreme Court + High Court collegiums). |
3. Worked Example: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Scenario: The government introduces the “Digital Infrastructure Bill, 2026” to regulate data centers.
| Step | What Happens | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Drafting | The Ministry of Electronics drafts the bill. | Done in consultation with stakeholders. |
| 2. First Reading (Lok Sabha) | Bill presented to the Speaker; members can debate its objectives. | No vote taken at this stage. |
| 3. Second Reading | Bill referred to a Standing Committee (e.g., Committee on Information Technology). Committee examines, invites expert views, and may suggest amendments. | Committee report presented to Parliament. |
| 4. Third Reading | Final debate. Members vote on the bill’s passage. | Requires a simple majority for ordinary bills. |
| 5. Rajya Sabha | The bill is sent to the upper house; same three‑reading process. | If passed, no amendments, it moves forward. |
| 6. Presidential Assent | The President reviews the bill; if satisfied, signs it into law. | Presidential assent is usually a formality. |
| 7. Publication | The law is published in the Gazette of India and becomes enforceable. | Effective date may be specified in the act. |
Outcome: The bill becomes the “Digital Infrastructure Act, 2026,” regulating data center operations and cybersecurity standards.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Take‑away |
|---|---|
| Parliament | • Bicameral (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha). • Creates laws, controls finances, oversees govt. |
| Legislative Process | Draft → First Reading → Committee Review → Third Reading → Presidential assent. |
| Judiciary | • Supreme Court at the top, followed by High Courts, then lower courts. • Chief Justice of India leads the Supreme Court. |
| Key Powers | • Judicial review of laws. • Original jurisdiction in constitutional matters. • Appellate jurisdiction over lower courts. |
| Recent Reforms | Digital filing, fast‑track courts, and increased use of technology. |
| Current Leaders (2026) | • CJI: D.Y. Chandrachud. • Lok Sabha Speaker: Om Birla. • Rajya Sabha Chairman: M. Venkaiah Naidu. |
Use this cheat‑sheet to refresh the fundamentals of India’s Parliament and Judiciary before your Microsoft certification exam. Good luck!