Haryana TET – General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
Objective – Equip candidates with a clear understanding of India’s bicameral legislature and the hierarchical judicial system, plus the ability to connect them to current events.
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
| Aspect | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | Bicameral body (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) that drafts, debates, and passes laws. | Central to democratic governance and law‑making. |
| Lok Sabha (House of the People) | 545 members, directly elected, term 5 years. | Main law‑making chamber; budget control; government accountability. |
| Rajya Sabha (Council of States) | 245 members, indirectly elected by state legislatures, term 6 years. | Represents states; reviews bills; can delay but not block money bills. |
| Judiciary | Independent branch that interprets laws, protects rights, and ensures checks & balances. | Safeguards constitution, resolves disputes, and enforces the rule of law. |
| Supreme Court | Highest court; apex appellate and constitutional body. | Final arbiter on constitutional matters and disputes between states/federal bodies. |
| High Courts | One per state/union territory; appellate jurisdiction over state courts. | First line of judicial review in states. |
| Sub‑ordinate Courts | District & subordinate courts; trial courts handling civil & criminal cases. | Provide access to justice at the grassroots. |
2️⃣ Key Points
2.1 Parliament
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | 545 members (Lok Sabha) + 245 members (Rajya Sabha) + 2 nominated members (Lok Sabha). |
| Powers | - Law‑making (ordinary, money, constitutional) - Budget & taxation - Oversight (question hour, motions) - Constitutional amendments (special majority). |
| Types of Bills | - Ordinary bills (both houses) - Money bills (only Lok Sabha can introduce) - Constitutional amendment bills (require 2/3 majority). |
| Committees | - Standing (e.g., Estimates, Public Accounts) - Ad‑hoc (specific issues) - Joint (both houses). |
| Special Sessions | Called by the President in case of emergencies; can pass emergency laws. |
2.2 Judiciary
| Level | Composition | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | 14 judges (incl. Chief Justice) + 8 additional judges | Original (constitutional), appellate, advisory | Constitutional interpretation, case‑law, enforcement of fundamental rights. |
| High Courts | 1–3 judges per state (variable) | Original (civil/criminal), appellate (district courts) | State‑level constitutional matters, writ petitions, appellate review. |
| District Courts | 1–3 judges per district | Trial courts (civil & criminal) | First‑instance adjudication; procedural fairness. |
| Sub‑ordinate / Magistrate Courts | 1 judge per court | Minor civil and criminal cases | Accessibility to justice; quick resolution. |
2.3 Appointment & Tenure
| Body | Appointment | Tenure | Retirement Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Appointed by President after consultation with collegium | Until 65 | 65 |
| High Court | Appointed by President after collegium recommendation | Until 62 | 62 |
| District/Sub‑ordinate | State Governor (after collegium) | Until 62 | 62 |
2.4 Current Affairs (Last 6 Months)
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct 2023 | Supreme Court stays the implementation of the “Farming Laws” pending judicial review | Shows judiciary’s role in policy checks |
| 1 Dec 2023 | Rajya Sabha passed the “National Digital Health Mission (Amendment) Bill, 2023” | Legislator’s role in health policy |
| 22 Mar 2024 | Supreme Court quashes the ‘Maharashtra Anti‑Corruption Act’ for procedural lapses | Highlights judicial scrutiny of state laws |
| 10 Apr 2024 | Parliament passed “Right to Information (Amendment) Bill” | Strengthens transparency |
| 27 May 2024 | High Court of Punjab & Haryana dismissed a writ petition challenging the Haryana Land Acquisition Bill | Illustrates state judiciary’s decision on land reforms |
3️⃣ Worked Example
Scenario
The Parliament passes a “Digital Payments (Regulation) Bill” that requires all merchants to register with a central database. The bill is challenged in the Supreme Court on the grounds that it violates the right to privacy (Article 21) and imposes an undue burden on small traders.
| Step | What Happens | Key Legal Principles |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Filing | A group of small traders files a writ petition (Article 32) in the Supreme Court. | Article 32 – right to constitutional remedies. |
| 2. Preliminary Hearing | The Court examines whether the petition is maintainable (i.e., the petitioners have a real and direct interest). | Standing requirement. |
| 3. Substantive Issues | ① Whether the bill infringes Article 21 (right to privacy). ② Whether it offends Article 19(2) (right to livelihood). |
Judicial Review – checks constitutionality. |
| 4. Legal Tests | – Practical Utility Test (does the law serve a legitimate public purpose?). – Proportionality Test (is the infringement proportionate to the aim?). |
Supreme Court Precedents: Kesavananda Bharati, Maneka Gandhi. |
| 5. Court’s Decision |