Uttarakhand Police Constable – General Awareness
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
Study Notes – Markdown format
Target: Uttarakhand Police Constable (UPC) examination
Level: 2024‑2026 (General awareness & current affairs)
1. Simple Explanation
| Component | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme law‑making body of India, comprising the President, Lok Sabha (House of the People), and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | Creates, amends, and repeals laws; supervises the executive; safeguards democracy. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts (Supreme Court, High Courts, and subordinate courts) that interprets and applies the law. | Ensures justice, protects constitutional rights, and checks the other two branches. |
2. Key Points
2.1 Parliament
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | • Lok Sabha – 545 members (incl. 12 seats for SC/ST, 1 for Anglo‑Indian until 2020). • Rajya Sabha – 245 members (2 from each state, 1 from UTs). |
| Sessions | • Budget (Monsoon) – June–July. • Winter – November–December. • Monsoon (Budget) – July–August. |
| Types of Bills | • Ordinary Bills – require 50% majority. • Money Bills – can’t be amended by Rajya Sabha. • Constitution‑amending Bills – 67% of members present and voting. |
| Committees | • Standing Committees (e.g., Public Accounts Committee) – detailed scrutiny of bills. • Advisory Committees – provide suggestions on policy. |
| Key Powers | • Legislation, Budget, Executive oversight, Constitutional amendments, Impeachment proceedings. |
| Recent Highlights (2024‑25) | • Bharat Jodo Yatra‑related bills – debate on national security. • Climate Action – Parliament passed “National Green Fund Act, 2025”. • Uttarakhand‑specific – “Uttarakhand Disaster Management Act, 2024” passed. |
2.2 Judiciary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | • Supreme Court of India (SC) – Apex. • High Courts – 18 (Uttarakhand High Court established 2000). • Sub‑ordinate Courts – District & Sessions, Civil & Criminal. |
| Functions | • Judicial review (Article 13). • Original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction. • Constitutional interpretation. |
| Appointment | • SC & High Court judges: 92% of the bench chosen by collegium (Chief Justice + 4 senior judges). • 8% by the President on advice of the collegium. |
| Judicial Review | SC can invalidate laws that contravene the Constitution. |
| Recent Judgments (2024‑25) | • Supreme Court – upheld “Digital India” policy; struck down a state law restricting data privacy. • Uttarakhand High Court – ruled on “Forest Land vs. Mining” case, protecting tribal rights. |
| Special Courts | • Cyber Court – handles cyber‑crime. • Family Court – for matrimonial disputes. |
| Key Constitutional Provisions | • Article 32 – Right to Constitutional Remedies. • Article 139 – SC’s original jurisdiction in disputes between states. |
3. Worked Example
How a Bill Becomes an Act of Parliament
| Step | Process | Example (Hypothetical) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Drafting | Bill prepared by a minister or private member. | “Digital Security Bill, 2024” |
| 2. First Reading | Bill is introduced; no debate. | Bill read in Lok Sabha on 5th Jan. |
| 3. Second Reading | Debate on principles & general principles; committee referral. | Bill debated; referred to Standing Committee on Information Technology. |
| 4. Committee Stage | Detailed clause‑by‑clause scrutiny. | Committee recommends changes. |
| 5. Third Reading | Final debate & vote. | Bill passed by 450–200 vote. |
| 6. Rajya Sabha Stage | Same process in Rajya Sabha. | Rajya Sabha passes with minor amendments. |
| 7. President’s Assent | Constitutionally required for all bills except some constitutional amendments. | President signs on 20th Feb. |
| 8. Publication | Bill published in The Gazette of India as law. | Law effective from 1st March. |
Key Points to Remember:
- Money bills cannot be amended by Rajya Sabha.
- Constitutional amendments need a 2/3 majority in both houses.
- Presidential assent is a formality; the President can refuse only for constitutional violations.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Parliament | • 3‑fold structure (President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha). • 3 sessions per year. • Types of bills; amendment processes. • Committees & oversight powers. |