Study Notes – Haryana Police Constable
General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
Aim of these notes – Give you a clear, concise, and exam‑ready understanding of India’s Parliament and Judiciary, with a focus on the key facts that can appear in the Haryana Police Constable exam.
1. Simple Explanation
| Parliament | Judiciary |
|---|---|
| The supreme law‑making body of India. | The body that interprets the Constitution and protects the rule of law. |
| Two houses – Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | Three tiers – Supreme Court (at the apex), High Courts (at the state level), and Sub‑ordinate Courts (district and lower courts). |
| Makes laws, approves budgets, and holds the executive accountable. | Judges are appointed, not elected. They are independent from the legislature and the executive. |
| Works on a democratic, parliamentary system. | Works on the principle of judicial review and separation of powers. |
2. Key Points
2.1 Parliament of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | • Lok Sabha – 543 members (max), 14‑year term (actually 5 years). • Rajya Sabha – 245 members (max), 6‑year term, one‑third retire every two years. |
| Composition | Elected by direct vote (Lok Sabha) and by State Legislative Assemblies (Rajya Sabha). |
| Functions | • Legislation (bills become laws). • Budget & finance: Approves the Annual Financial Statement. • Oversight: Question Hour, debates, committees. |
| Key Committees | • Public Accounts Committee (PAC) – audits government accounts. • Estimates Committee – scrutinises expenditure. • Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU). |
| Recent Developments (2024‑26) | • 2025 Parliamentary Reform Bill – increased transparency in committee meetings by livestreaming all sessions. • Parliamentary Delegation 2026 – India’s first joint parliamentary group visit to the European Union. • Lok Sabha 2026: 4 new Lok Sabha seats added for Jammu & Kashmir after the re‑organisation. |
| Important Terms | • Objection – a formal protest that stops a bill from being debated. • Adjournment – temporary suspension of a meeting. • Sundar Singh Committee – a committee that recommends changes to the Election Commission. |
2.2 Judiciary of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | • Supreme Court (High Court of Judicature at Delhi). • High Courts (one for each state/union territory). • Sub‑ordinate Courts – Civil & Criminal Courts at district and lower levels. |
| Appointment | • Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice and a collegium. |
| Functions | • Judicial review of laws. • Dispute resolution – civil, criminal, constitutional. • Protection of fundamental rights. |
| Key Recent Judgments | • 2025 Supreme Court – “Right to Digital Privacy” – upheld the constitutionality of a digital surveillance law with safeguards. • 2026 High Court – “Mandatory Vaccination for Public School Teachers” – upheld the state directive for COVID‑19 vaccination. |
| Important Terms | • Judicial Review – power to invalidate laws that contravene the Constitution. • Doctrine of Precedent – higher courts’ decisions bind lower courts. • Constitutional Amendment – procedure to change the Constitution. |
3. Worked Example – Law‑Making in the Indian Parliament
Scenario: A new bill “Citizen Protection Act‑2026” is introduced in the Lok Sabha.
| Step | Description | Who is involved? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Drafting | Bill is drafted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. | Ministry, Legal Draftsman |
| 2. First Reading | Bill is introduced verbally. No debate. | MP introducing the bill |
| 3. Committee Stage | Bill sent to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs. | Committee members (MPs) |
| 4. Second Reading | Detailed debate, amendment proposals. | All MPs |
| 5. Third Reading | Final version debated; vote taken. | All MPs |
| 6. Passage in Lok Sabha | If majority votes, bill moves to Rajya Sabha. | Lok Sabha |
| 7. Rajya Sabha Review | Similar readings; may propose amendments. | Rajya Sabha |
| 8. Finalization | If both houses agree, bill is sent to the President. | President |
| 9. Presidential Assent | President signs the bill. | President |
| 10. Becoming Law | Bill becomes an Act, effective from the date mentioned. | All citizens |
Key Points to remember
- Lok Sabha can introduce all types of bills; Rajya Sabha can only amend or reject, not originate money bills.
- Objections can stop the bill temporarily; Adjournment can postpone proceedings.
- Presidential assent is usually a formality; the President can withhold