📚 General Awareness & Current Affairs – Parliament & Judiciary
Prepared for the Bihar Police Constable (BPC) Exam
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
| Term | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of India. It makes laws, approves budgets, and checks the executive. It has two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). |
| Judiciary | The system of courts that interprets and applies the law. It ensures justice, protects rights, and resolves disputes. The apex court is the Supreme Court of India, followed by High Courts and Lower Courts. |
| Separation of Powers | A constitutional principle that divides government functions into Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary to prevent abuse of power. |
2️⃣ Key Points
2.1 Parliament
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | - Lok Sabha: 543 seats (plus 1–2 nom. seats for SC/ST) - Rajya Sabha: 245 seats (including 12 nominated by the President) |
| Term | - Lok Sabha: 5 years (unless dissolved earlier) - Rajya Sabha: 6 years (one-third retire every 2 years) |
| Functions | 1. Legislation – Draft, debate, and pass laws. 2. Budget – Approve the annual financial statement. 3. Oversight – Question the executive and hold it accountable. |
| Special Powers | - Financial: Cannot be dissolved for budgetary issues. - Impeachment: Only Parliament can remove the President, Vice‑President, or Supreme Court judges. |
| Recent Developments (2024‑25) | - 2024: Budget 2025 introduced major subsidies for rural electrification. - Rajya Sabha passed the Digital India (Amendment) Bill 2024. - Lok Sabha approved the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) Act 2024. |
2.2 Judiciary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | Supreme Court → High Courts → District/Session Courts → Subordinate Courts |
| Jurisdiction | - Original (cases starting at the court) - Appellate (reviews decisions of lower courts) - Constitutional (interprets the Constitution) |
| Key Functions | 1. Judicial Review – Checks constitutionality of laws. 2. Dispute Resolution – Civil, criminal, and constitutional matters. 3. Protection of Fundamental Rights – Courts enforce rights enshrined in the Constitution. |
| Important Courts | - Supreme Court (Head: Chief Justice of India) - High Courts (each state has one; some states share a High Court). |
| Recent Judgments | - Supreme Court: 2024 – Bihar Police Service (Amendment) Act upheld, reinforcing police accountability. - High Court (Patna): 2025 – Land Acquisition (Reform) Act rejected for violating environmental rights. |
| Judicial Reforms | - e-Court System launched in 2024 for online filing & hearing. - Judicial Service Commission established to streamline judicial appointments. |
2.3 Interaction Between Parliament & Judiciary
| Interaction | Example |
|---|---|
| Legislation & Judicial Review | Parliament passes a law; the Supreme Court may strike it down if unconstitutional. |
| Impeachment | Parliament can remove a Chief Justice if proven guilty of misconduct. |
| Judicial Appointments | The Judicial Appointments Commission recommends judges; Parliament approves the appointments. |
3️⃣ Worked Example
Sample Question (appearing in BPC General Awareness Paper)
What is the role of the Supreme Court in a presidential impeachment case?
Step‑by‑step Solution
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Identify the Constitutional Provision
- Article 61 of the Constitution deals with impeachment of the President.
- The process involves both Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court.
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Role of the Supreme Court
- Judicial Oversight: It can be approached by a petition challenging the validity of the impeachment proceedings.
- Adjudication: The Court may decide whether the Parliament has followed constitutional procedures.
- Final Decision: The Supreme Court pronounces the final verdict on the impeachment.
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Answer Draft
The Supreme Court has a supervisory role in presidential impeachment. It can hear petitions questioning the validity of the proceedings, ensure that Parliament follows constitutional procedures, and issue the final decision on whether the President is to be removed.
Quick Check
- Correct: Mentioned Article 61, role in oversight, final decision.
- Length: 2–3 concise sentences – suitable for BPC exam.
4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
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Parliament
- Two houses: Lok Sabha (lower) & Rajya Sabha (upper)
- Functions: Legislation, Budget, Oversight
- Special powers: Financial stability, impeachment
- Recent: 2024 Digital India Amendment, NDHM Act
-
Judiciary
- Hierarchy: Supreme Court → High Courts → Lower Courts
- Functions: Judicial review, dispute resolution, fundamental rights
- Recent: e‑Court system, judicial reforms, landmark judgments in 2024‑25
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Parliament–Judiciary Interaction
- Legislative scrutiny by courts
- Impeachment procedures involve both Houses and the Supreme Court
- Judicial appointments involve Parliament’s approval
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Remember:
- Article 61 – impeachment of President.
- Article 124 – Supreme Court composition.
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