Andhra Pradesh Police Constable – General Awareness
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
Purpose:
Provides a concise, clear guide to the structure, functions, and recent developments of India’s Parliament and Judiciary — essential for the AP Police Constable exam.
1. Simple Explanation
| Area | What it is? | Why it matters? |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of India – Lok Sabha (House of the People) & Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | Makes laws, approves budgets, holds the executive accountable. |
| Judiciary | Independent court system headed by the Supreme Court, followed by High Courts (one per state/UT) and District/Lower Courts. | Interprets laws, protects constitutional rights, resolves disputes. |
2. Key Points
A. Parliament
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | • Lok Sabha: 545 members (incl. 2 members for vacant seats in Jammu & Kashmir). • Rajya Sabha: 245 members (including 12 nominated for arts, science, etc.). |
| Term | 5 years (unless dissolved earlier). |
| Membership | • Lok Sabha: directly elected by citizens. • Rajya Sabha: elected by state legislatures by single transferable vote. |
| Powers | • Legislative – Bill passage. • Financial – Approve budget, taxes. • Oversight – Question Sessions, Lok Sabha/ Rajya Sabha committees. • Executive – Veto on presidential appointments, removal of President, etc. |
| Key Committees | • Public Accounts Committee (PAC), • Estimates Committee, • Committee on Privileges, • Committee on Public Undertakings. |
| Important Documents | • Constitution of India (Article 48-52: Parliament), • Parliamentary Rules & Procedure. |
| Recent Developments (2024) | • Introduction of e‑Parliament tools for live streaming, digital transcripts. • Amendment to the Right to Information Act – increased penalties for non‑disclosure. |
B. Judiciary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | Supreme Court → High Courts → District Courts → Sub‑ordinate Courts (Munsiff, Judicial Magistrate). |
| Supreme Court | • 14 Justices (1 Chief Justice + 13 others). • Highest appellate jurisdiction. • Original jurisdiction in disputes between states or between the centre & states. |
| High Courts | 1 per state/UT. • 1 High Court for Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Hyderabad). |
| Key Functions | • Judicial Review, protection of Fundamental Rights, interpretation of Constitution. |
| Recent Reforms | • Judicial Service Commission (JSC) – proposed to streamline appointments. • Fast‑Track Courts – for criminal cases like corruption, economic offences. • Digital Courts – e‑filing, video‑link hearings (COVID‑19 era). |
| Important Supreme Court Judgments (2023‑24) | • Amendment of the Seventh Schedule – 2023: Clarified the delineation of Concurrent, State, and Union List. • Right to Privacy Case – 2024: Strengthened the right to privacy under Article 21. |
| Key Statutes | • Indian Penal Code (IPC), • Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), • Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), • Indian Evidence Act. |
3. Worked Example – How a Bill Becomes Law
-
Drafting
Draft Bill prepared by a minister or member. -
First Reading
Introduction in the house; titles & objectives announced.
No debate at this stage. -
Second Reading
Detailed debate on principles and main points.
Committee Stage – Bill may be referred to a committee for scrutiny.
Report from the committee presented. -
Third Reading
Final debate and voting.
If passed: Bill moves to the other house. -
Second House
Repeats steps 2–4.
If both houses pass identical versions → Bill is sent to the President. -
Presidential Assent
President signs → Bill becomes Act (law).
If the President withholds assent → Bill may be sent back for reconsideration. -
Implementation
The Act is published in the Gazette of India; effective date specified.
Example: The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed in Lok Sabha (Feb 2024), Rajya Sabha (Mar 2024), President's assent (Apr 2024). Now in force from 1 May 2024.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Quick Points |
|---|---|
| Parliament | • Lok Sabha = 545, Rajya Sabha = 245. • 5‑year term, can be dissolved earlier. • Bills → 3 readings → President. |
| Parliamentary Committees | PAC, Estimates, Public Undertakings, Privileges. |
| Supreme Court | 14 Justices, highest appellate & constitutional court. |
| High Courts | 1 per state/UT; AP & Telangana share Hyderabad High Court. |
| Judicial Reforms | JSC, Fast‑Track Courts, Digital Courts, 2024 amendments. |
| Key Laws | Constitution, IPC, CrPC, CPC, Indian Evidence Act. |
| Recent Acts (2023‑24) | e‑Par |