Andhra Pradesh TET – General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
Note: The Andhra Pradesh TET syllabus (2019‑2023) requires knowledge of the Structure, Functions, and Recent Developments of the Indian Parliament and Judiciary. These notes are concise, yet comprehensive, to help you score well in the General Awareness section.
1. Simple Explanation
| Area | What it is | Why it matters for TET |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of India – a bicameral legislature comprising the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | All questions on bills, debates, and parliamentary procedures are drawn from this. |
| Judiciary | The independent arm of the state that interprets the Constitution and adjudicates disputes. It is headed by the Supreme Court of India and includes High Courts in every state/union territory. | Questions test knowledge of judicial hierarchy, key judgments, and recent reforms. |
2. Key Points
A. Indian Parliament
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | • Lok Sabha – 545 members (505 elected + 2 nominated by President) • Rajya Sabha – 245 members (233 elected by State Legislatures + 12 nominated) |
| Term | Lok Sabha: 5 years (subject to dissolution). Rajya Sabha: 6 years; 1/3 retire every 2 years. |
| Functions | • Legislative – Make laws (congressional & constitutional). • Financial – Approve budgets, taxes, and public expenditure. • Oversight – Question government, debate policies. |
| Key Committees | • Finance Committee • Public Accounts Committee • Committee on Public Undertakings • Committee on Estimates |
| Important Procedures | • Bill Introduction – Government or private member. • Second & Third Readings – Debate & vote. • Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha – Bill can originate in either but Money Bills only in Lok Sabha. |
| Recent Developments (2019‑2024) | • Voter ID/Delimitation – 2022 amendment to strengthen electoral integrity. • Parliamentary Reform Bill – Proposals for open debates & digital voting. |
B. Indian Judiciary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | 1. Supreme Court (Head: Chief Justice of India) 2. High Courts (1 per state/UT) 3. District & Sub‑District Courts (Civil & Criminal) |
| Key Functions | • Judicial Review – Constitutionality of laws. • Interpretation – Case law. • Dispute Resolution – Civil, criminal, constitutional, and special courts. |
| Special Courts | • Family Courts • Atal Bihari Vajpayee National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) • National Lok Adalat |
| Recent Reforms (2019‑2024) | • E‑Judiciary Initiative – Digital filing, video‑link hearings. • Judicial Service Commission – Reforms in appointment & tenure. • Supreme Court’s “Fast Track” for Criminal Cases – Reduce pendency. |
| Important Supreme Court Judgments | • Kesavananda Bharati (1973) – Basic structure doctrine. • Maneka Gandhi (1978) – Right to life & liberty. • S. P. Gupta (2022) – Right to privacy. |
| Constitutional Provisions | • Article 125 – Minimum salary for Judges. • Article 141 – Supremacy of Supreme Court’s judgment. • Article 156 – Appointment of judges. |
3. Worked Example
Sample Question (TET – General Awareness)
“Which of the following statements about the Indian Parliament is correct?”
A. The Rajya Sabha is the lower house of Parliament.
B. Only the Lok Sabha can pass Money Bills.
C. Every member of the Rajya Sabha must be elected directly by the people.
D. The President can dissolve the Lok Sabha at any time.
Answer & Reasoning
| Option | Correct? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| A | ❌ | Rajya Sabha is the upper house; Lok Sabha is the lower house. |
| B | ✅ | Money Bills can only originate in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments. |
| C | ❌ | Rajya Sabha members are elected by State Legislatures, not by direct vote. |
| D | ❌ | President dissolves Lok Sabha only on the advice of the Prime Minister and after certain constitutional limits. |
Correct Answer: B
Key Take‑away: Always cross‑check the constitutional article: Money Bills – Article 110 & 110A.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Focus Points |
|---|---|
| Parliament | • Lok Sabha vs. Rajya Sabha |
| Judiciary | • Supreme Court, High Courts, lower courts |
| Recent Changes | • 2022 Election & Parliamentary reforms |
| Common TET Questions | • Structure & functions of Parliament |
| Memorization Tips | • Use acronyms: LRS (Lok Sabha Rules) • Flashcards: Article 141 – “Supreme Court is the final court” |
Final Tips for TET Preparation
- Read the Constitution (Part III & Part IV). Focus on Articles 71‑83 (Parliament) and 124‑141 (Judiciary).
- Follow the latest news (e.g., Supreme