West Bengal TET – General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
Tip: Read each section once, then quiz yourself with the quick revision summary at the end.
1. Simple Explanation
| Area | What It Is | Why It Matters for TET |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme law‑making body of India (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha). | Understanding its functions helps answer questions about laws, budgets, and parliamentary procedure. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts that interprets the Constitution and laws. | Knowledge of the judiciary’s structure and powers is essential for questions on judicial review, independence, and recent landmark judgments. |
2. Key Points
2.1 Parliament of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | • Lok Sabha – 543 members (plus up to 2 members for the Anglo‑Indian community, now abolished). • Rajya Sabha – 245 members (including 12 nominated for expertise). |
| Powers | • Legislative – Makes, amends, and repeals laws. • Financial – Approves the annual budget and taxes. • Oversight – Holds the government accountable through questions, debates, and committees. |
| Sessions | • Monsoon Session – July‑September. • Budget Session – October‑January. • Winter Session – February‑March. |
| Committees | • Standing Committees (e.g., Public Accounts Committee). • Select Committees (for bills). • Joint Committees (between two houses). |
| Key Terms | • Sundar Lal Bansal – “Sundar Lal Bansal clause” (not relevant). • Sole Speaker – Speaker of Lok Sabha, Chairman of Rajya Sabha. • Lok Sabha Speaker – Presides over Lok Sabha. |
| Recent Changes (2024) | • Proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to 550 (not yet enacted). • Enhanced virtual parliamentary sessions due to COVID‑19. |
2.2 Judiciary of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | 1. Supreme Court (SC) 2. High Courts (state level) 3. District & Sub‑district Courts (civil & criminal) |
| Constitutional Provisions | • Article 124 – SC constitution. • Article 141 – SC’s law is binding on all courts. • Article 32 – Right to Constitutional Remedies. |
| Types of Courts | • Civil Courts – disputes over property, contracts, etc. • Criminal Courts – try offenses. • Special Courts – e.g., Family Courts, Anti‑Corruption Courts. |
| Judicial Review | SC can invalidate laws that violate the Constitution. |
| Appointment | • SC judges – 15 (12 SC + 3 HC). • High Court judges – 39 (12 SC + 27 HC). • Appointments by the President based on collegium system. |
| Key Functions | • Interpreting the Constitution. • Protecting fundamental rights. • Adjudicating disputes. |
| Recent Landmark Judgments (2024) | • Supreme Court – “Digital Rights in the Age of AI” – clarified privacy rights in digital data. • High Courts – “Right to Clean Water” – upheld local environmental laws. |
| Judicial Independence | • Separate from executive & legislature. • Judges have security of tenure (until retirement). |
3. Worked Example
Example: Passage of a Bill – From Draft to Law
Step 1: Drafting
- The government (or a private member) drafts a bill, say “Digital Privacy Bill, 2024.”
Step 2: First Reading (Lok Sabha)
- Bill is introduced. No debate.
- The Speaker may refer it to a Committee for detailed scrutiny.
Step 3: Committee Stage
- Committee members review the bill, hold public hearings, suggest amendments.
Step 4: Report Stage
- Committee reports back to the House.
- Members debate and vote on amendments.
Step 5: Third Reading
- Final debate and voting.
- If passed, the bill moves to the other house (Rajya Sabha).
Step 6: Rajya Sabha
- Same stages: First reading, Committee, Report, Third reading.
- If Rajya Sabha makes amendments, it returns to Lok Sabha for concurrence.
Step 7: Royal Assent
- Once both houses agree, the bill is sent to the President.
- President signs it (Royal Assent).
- The bill becomes an Act of Parliament and is published in the Gazette.
Step 8: Judicial Review (if challenged)
- A party may file a writ petition in the High Court or SC.
- If the court finds the act unconstitutional, it can strike it down.
Key Takeaway: The Parliament’s role is to make laws, while the Judiciary’s role is to interpret and ensure they comply with the Constitution.
4. Quick Revision Summary
- Parliament: Bicameral (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha), legislative, financial, and oversight powers.
- Sessions: Monsoon, Budget, Winter.
- Committees: Standing, Select, Joint – key for detailed scrutiny of bills.
- Judiciary: Supreme Court (highest authority), High Courts (state level), District Courts (local).
- Constitutional Basis: Articles 124, 141, 32.