📚 Study Notes – Parliament & Judiciary
(For Madhya Pradesh TET – General Awareness & Current Affairs)
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
| Institution | What It Is | Main Function |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of India. It has two houses – the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | Making laws, approving budgets, and overseeing the Executive. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts that interprets and applies the law. The apex is the Supreme Court, followed by High Courts and lower courts. | Interpreting the Constitution, safeguarding rights, and adjudicating disputes. |
2️⃣ Key Points to Remember
| Aspect | Parliament | Judiciary |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Supremacy | Parliament can make laws only within the limits of the Constitution. | The judiciary can strike down laws that are unconstitutional (judicial review). |
| Structure | • Lok Sabha – 545 members (incl. 1 speaker, 1 deputy speaker). • Rajya Sabha – 245 members (incl. 1 speaker, 1 deputy speaker). |
• Supreme Court – 14 judges (1 Chief Justice). • High Courts – one per state/UT (or a group of states). • District & Sub‑District courts – general civil & criminal jurisdiction. |
| Legislative Process | 1. Draft Bill → 2. First Reading → 3. Second Reading → 4. Committee Stage → 5. Third Reading → 6. Passage → 7. President’s assent. | N/A (Judiciary does not create laws). |
| Powers | • Legislative – make laws, amend Constitution. • Financial – approve budgets, levy taxes. • Oversight – question ministry, parliamentary committees. |
• Judicial review – interpret Constitution. • Protection of Fundamental Rights – Article 32 & 226. • Adjudication – civil, criminal, constitutional, and arbitration cases. |
| Checks & Balances | • Executive – must be accountable to Parliament. • Judiciary – can invalidate executive actions. |
• Executive – must respect Supreme Court orders. • Parliament – can remove judges only by impeachment. |
| Recent Highlights (2023‑24) | • 2024 Lok Sabha elections – 543 seats contested. • 2024 Amendment to the Right to Information Act passed. |
• 2024 Supreme Court decision on the “Right to Clean Air” under Article 21. • High Court judgments on land‑use reforms in MP. |
| Important Terms | Constitutional Amendment, Bill, Act, Parliamentary Committee, Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha Chairperson | Judicial Review, Article 32, Article 226, Judicial Discretion, Judicial Activism, Judicial Restraint |
3️⃣ Worked Example – Legislative Process
Scenario:
The Government of India proposes a new “Digital Education Act” to improve online learning.
| Step | What Happens | Who Is Involved? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Drafting | Ministry of Education drafts the bill. | Ministry staff, legal advisors |
| 2. First Reading | Bill is introduced in Lok Sabha; members may debate. | MPs, Speaker |
| 3. Committee Review | Bill referred to a standing committee (e.g., Committee on Education). | Committee members (MPs) |
| 4. Second Reading | Detailed discussion; amendments may be suggested. | MPs, opposition |
| 5. Third Reading | Final debate; voting to pass the bill. | MPs |
| 6. Rajya Sabha | Bill goes to Rajya Sabha for similar stages. | MPs, Rajya Sabha Chair |
| 7. President’s Assent | President signs the bill, converting it into law. | President |
| 8. Publication | Law is published in the Gazette of India. | Ministry of Home Affairs |
Result: The “Digital Education Act” becomes an Act of Parliament and is enforceable across the country.
4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Remember |
|---|---|
| Parliament | Two houses (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha); makes laws, approves budgets, oversees the executive. |
| Key Powers | Legislative authority (within constitutional limits), financial control, oversight through questions & committees. |
| Judiciary | Supreme Court + High Courts + lower courts; interprets Constitution, protects fundamental rights, adjudicates disputes. |
| Checks & Balances | Parliament holds the executive accountable; judiciary can invalidate unconstitutional laws or executive actions. |
| Current Affairs | 2024 Lok Sabha elections, recent amendments to RTI Act, Supreme Court’s “Right to Clean Air” judgment. |
| Important Terms | Bill → Act → Presidential Assent; Judicial Review; Article 32 & 226. |
📌 Quick Flashcards
| Flashcard | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the maximum number of members in the Lok Sabha? | 545 (including 1 speaker & 1 deputy speaker). |
| Who can remove a Supreme Court judge? | Parliament by impeachment (two‑thirds majority). |
| Which article gives the Supreme Court power to issue writs? | Article 32. |
| What is a “standing committee”? | A committee that reviews bills and government work in a specific domain. |
| Recent Supreme Court ruling on environmental rights? | 2024 “Right to Clean Air” under Article 21. |
Tip for TET:
- Practice: Read recent parliamentary debates (e.g., on Digital Education Act) and Supreme Court judgments (e.g., Clean Air) to get comfortable with how proceedings are recorded.
- Visual Aids: Draw a simple flowchart of the bill‑to‑law process and a hierarchy diagram of courts.
Good luck with your preparations! 🚀