📚 Andhra Pradesh Police Constable – General Awareness
📖 Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
These notes are crafted for a rigorous exam‑oriented study (IIT‑JEE/competitive level). They contain in‑depth explanations, derivations, key constitutional provisions, tricky points, and a hard practice question.
Table of Contents
- Parliament – Structure & Functions
- Types of Parliamentary Systems
- Parliamentary Procedure & Rules
- Judiciary – Composition & Powers
- Judicial Review & Constitutional Doctrine
- Comparative Highlights & Tricky Points
- Hard Practice Question
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1. Parliament – Structure & Functions
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Basis | Articles 52–151 |
| Composition | Bicameral – Lok Sabha (House of the People) + Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
| Lok Sabha | • 543 seats (directly elected) + 1/2 seats for SC/ST • Maximum 5 years, can be dissolved earlier |
| Rajya Sabha | • 245 seats (2/3 elected by state legislatures via single‑transferable vote, 12 nominated by the President) • 6‑year term, one‑third retire every 2 years |
| Key Functions | • Legislation (ordinary, money, special) • Budget & Finance (appropriations) • Oversight (questions, debates, committees) • Constitutional Amendments (special majority) • Ratification of treaties & declarations |
| Executive‑Legislative Link | • Union Cabinet is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Prime Minister + ministers) • Rajya Sabha cannot vote on money bills but can recommend amendments |
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2. Types of Parliamentary Systems
| System | Core Feature | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Parliamentary | Executive chosen from legislature, answerable to it. | India, UK, Canada |
| Presidential | Separate executive & legislature, fixed terms. | USA, Brazil |
| Semi‑Presidential | Dual executive – President + PM; both may hold power. | France, Russia |
| Hybrid | Mixed features (e.g., India’s “modified” parliamentary system). | India |
Derivation:
If the executive is drawn from the legislature and must maintain its confidence, the doctrine of collective responsibility follows. This ensures parliamentary supremacy and a stable government.
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3. Parliamentary Procedure & Rules
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Sittings | • Normal Sitting – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm • Adjourned Sitting – after 3:00 pm |
| Quorum | • Lok Sabha – 50% of members • Rajya Sabha – 50% of present members |
| Voting | • Simple majority for most bills • Special majority (2/3 of members present & voting) for Constitution amendments |
| Money Bills | • Lok Sabha initiates • Rajya Sabha may only recommend amendments (cannot reject) • President’s assent required |
| Committee System | • Standing Committees (e.g., Estimates, Public Accounts) • Select Committees (ad-hoc) |
| Question Hour | • Daily 1.5 hrs for MPs to question ministers • Tactical use: “No‑confidence motions” |
| Adjournment Motion | • Can be used to delay a debate; requires 1/3 of members present |
Tricky Point:
In Rajya Sabha, the use of “Adjournment” is often a political tool to stall bills; however, it cannot be used to defeat a money bill.
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4. Judiciary – Composition & Powers
| Level | Composition | Jurisdiction | Key Articles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Chief Justice + 25 other judges (appointed by President on advice of collegium) | • Original (constitutional disputes, disputes between states) • Appellate (high‑court decisions) • Advisory (from President) |
Articles 124–147 |
| High Courts | Chief Justice + 15–20 judges (appointed by President on advice of collegium) | • Original jurisdiction over state matters • Appellate over subordinate courts |
Articles 214–231 |
| Subordinate Courts | District & subordinate courts (district judges, magistrates) | • Criminal & civil cases within their district | Articles 233–239 |
| Special Courts | Family courts, paternity courts, NIA, CBI courts | • Specialized domain | Articles 239A–239D |
Judicial Appointments
- Collegium System –