📑 Parliament & Judiciary – Study Notes for Delhi Forest Guard
Exam‑oriented, comprehensive, and current (IIT‑JEE/competitive exam style)
1️⃣ Introduction
| Term | Definition | Key Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of the Republic of India. | Making laws, controlling public funds, and holding the executive accountable. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts that interpret the Constitution and laws, resolve disputes, and protect rights. | Safeguarding the Constitution, ensuring justice, and maintaining the rule of law. |
| Separation of Powers | Doctrine that divides the state into three branches: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary. | Prevents concentration of power and provides checks‑and‑balances. |
⚠️ Tricky point: In India, legislative and executive powers are formally separated, but the executive is formally a part of the legislature (the President & Council of Ministers are members of Parliament). The judiciary, however, is truly independent.
2️⃣ The Parliament of India
2.1 Composition & Structure
| House | Seats (as of 2024) | Method of Election | Term | Chairman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lok Sabha | 545 (543 elected + 2 nominated) | First‑past‑the‑post (FPTP) | 5 years | Speaker |
| Rajya Sabha | 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated) | Proportional representation by MLAs (Single Transferable Vote) | 6 years (1/3 retire every 2 years) | Vice‑President (as Chairperson) |
Formula for Rajya Sabha seats
For each state: Seats = Min(12, (Population / 100 000 000) * 3) Total seats = Sum of state seats + 12 nominated seats
2.2 Core Functions
| Category | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative | Enact, amend, or repeal laws. | Enacting the * |