Parliament & Judiciary – Delhi PSC Study Notes
Subject: General Awareness & Current Affairs
Exam Focus: IAS, IPS, and other competitive exams (Delhi PSC) – “Parliament & Judiciary”
These notes are written in a rigorous, exam‑oriented style: definitions, derivations, key facts, trick points, and a hard practice question that tests conceptual depth.
1. Overview
| Entity | Type | Composition | Key Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lok Sabha | Lower House | 543 seats (plus 2 nominated for SC/ST) | Primary law‑making, financial bills, government oversight | Directly elected, 5‑year term |
| Rajya Sabha | Upper House | 250 seats (max) | Review, amend bills, constitutional amendments | Indirectly elected, 6‑year term, 1/3 retire every 2 yrs |
| Supreme Court | Highest Court | 34 judges (incl. 1 Chief Justice) | Judicial review, constitutional interpretation, final appellate jurisdiction | Appointed by President on merit |
| High Courts | State-level | 4–10 judges (depends on state) | Original & appellate jurisdiction, power of writs | Appointed by President on recommendation |
| Subordinate Courts | District & lower | Varies | Trial courts, civil & criminal cases | Judges appointed by respective High Courts |
The Parliament and judiciary are the pillars of the Indian democratic system. Understanding their functions, powers, and inter‐relations is essential for any aspirant.
2. Parliament of India
2.1 Constitution of the Parliament
- Article 79–122 – Establishes the structure, powers, and functions of Parliament.
- Bicameral: Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- Legislative Process – Bill introduction → Committee review → First & second readings → Passage → Presidential assent.
2.2 Lok Sabha
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Membership | 543 elected members + 2 nominated for SC/ST (Article 332) |
| Term | 5 years (Article 83(1)) |
| Quorum | 1/5 of members (minimum 104) (Article 84) |
| President’s role | Initiates financial bills (Article 100) |
| Key Powers | 1. Money bills 2. Confidence vote 3. Dissolution (Article 85) |
| Majority | Simple majority (Article 107) |
Tricky Points
- Money Bills: Only Lok Sabha can introduce; Rajya Sabha can only recommend amendments within 14 days.
- Confidence Vote: Only a motion of confidence is considered; a vote of no confidence requires withdrawal of a ministerial ticket and a new vote.
- Adjournment: The Lok Sabha can adjourn itself for 5 days in a year; the Rajya Sabha cannot.
2.3 Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Membership | 250 members (max) – 238 elected, 12 nominated for literature, science, art, social service (Article 80) |
| Election | Indirectly by State Legislative Assembly members via Single Transferable Vote (STV) (Article 80(3)) |
| Term | 6 years; one‑third retire every 2 years (Article 80(4)) |
| Quorum | 1/3 of members (Article 84) |
| Majority | Simple majority (Article 108) |
| Special Powers | 1. Review bills 2. Constitutional amendment (Article 368) 3. Advisory role in emergencies |
Tricky Points
- Composition Formula:
[ \text{Total seats} = 0.3 \times \text{State population} \quad (\text{max 12 seats per state}) ] This is a maximum; actual seats depend on State Assembly size and STV election. - Special Session: Governors can summon Rajya Sabha for any matter; but the President can convene both Houses simultaneously for a “Joint Session” for constitutional amendments.
2.4 Key Constitutional Amendments & Provisions
| Amendment | Year | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 44th | 1978 | Introduced the concept of the “President’s Council of State” (Raj |