📚 Mizoram PSC – General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
These notes are crafted for quick revision and exam‑ready understanding.
Keep them handy, highlight key points, and test yourself with the sample question.
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
| Aspect | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of India, consisting of two houses – Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | Makes laws, controls the executive, and represents the people’s will. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts headed by the Supreme Court and the High Courts of each state. | Interprets the Constitution, protects citizens’ rights, and ensures justice. |
2️⃣ Key Points
A. Parliament of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | - Lok Sabha: 545 members (527 elected + 20 nominated by President). - Rajya Sabha: 245 members (233 elected by state legislatures + 12 nominated). |
| Term | Lok Sabha: 5 years (unless dissolved earlier). Rajya Sabha: 6 years, with one‑third retiring every 2 years. |
| Powers | - Legislative: Enact, amend, or repeal laws. - Financial: Approve the budget, levy taxes. - Oversight: Question ministers, conduct investigations. |
| Major Committees | - Standing Committees (e.g., Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee). - Select Committees (for specific bills). - Joint Committees (between Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha). |
| Key Functions | 1. Law‑making 2. Budget approval 3. Executive oversight 4. Constitutional amendments |
| Recent Highlights (2023‑24) | - Income Tax Amendment Act (2023). - National Food Security Bill (2024). - **Push for a separate “Parliamentary Ethics Committee”. |
B. Judiciary of India
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | 1. Supreme Court (Head: Chief Justice of India). 2. High Courts (one per state/union territory). 3. District & Sub‑ordinate Courts. |
| Jurisdiction | - Supreme Court: Original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction. - High Courts: Original, appellate, and supervisory jurisdiction over lower courts. |
| Appointment | - Supreme Court: Chief Justice & other judges appointed by the President after consultation with collegium. - High Court: Similar process, but may involve state government. |
| Key Functions | 1. Constitutional interpretation. 2. Judicial review of laws. 3. Protection of fundamental rights. 4. Dispute resolution between states & the Centre. |
| Notable Cases (2023‑24) | - Supreme Court on Digital Privacy (2023). - High Court on Land Acquisition Transparency (2024). - Supreme Court on Police Reforms (2024). |
| Reforms & Initiatives | • Judicial Service Bill (2024) – Proposed changes in appointment and tenure. • Court‑Management System (2023) – Digitization of case filing. |
C. Interaction Between Parliament & Judiciary
| Interaction | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Legislative Oversight | Parliament can pass laws; judiciary interprets them. If a law is unconstitutional, the judiciary can strike it down. |
| Judicial Review of Bills | Supreme Court can review Parliamentary bills if they infringe on fundamental rights (e.g., Kesavananda Bharati principle). |
| Judicial Appointments | Parliament (via the President) appoints judges; the collegium system influences selections. |
| Budget for Judiciary | Parliament approves budgets for courts; judiciary relies on funds for functioning. |
3️⃣ Worked Example
Question (Sample PSC Test):
Which of the following is NOT a power of the Parliament of India?
A. To amend the Constitution
B. To levy and collect taxes
C. To appoint judges to the Supreme Court
D. To pass laws on public welfare
Answer & Explanation
- A. Correct. Parliament can amend the Constitution (Article 368).
- B. Correct. Parliament has the power to levy taxes (Article 246(1)).
- C. Incorrect. Appointment of judges is a judicial function, done by the President after the collegium’s recommendation.
- D. Correct. Parliament can pass laws on public welfare (Article 246(1)(c)).
Result: C is NOT a power of Parliament.
4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Key Take‑away |
|---|---|
| Parliament | Bicameral; Lok Sabha 5‑year term, Rajya Sabha 6‑year rotating term. |
| Parliamentary Powers | Law‑making, budget approval, oversight, constitutional amendments. |
| Committees | Standing, Select, Joint – crucial for detailed scrutiny of bills. |
| Judiciary Hierarchy | Supreme Court → High Courts → Sub‑ordinate Courts. |
| Judicial Functions | Constitutional interpretation, judicial review, fundamental rights protection. |
| Interaction | Parliament passes laws; Judiciary can review them; Parliament funds judiciary. |
| Recent Changes | Digitalisation of court processes, proposals for Judicial Service Bill, emphasis on ethics in Parliament. |
📌 Tips for Exam Day
- Memorise the basic structure and functions of both Parliament and Judiciary.
- Know recent amendments or landmark cases (2023‑24) – they often appear in current‑affairs sections.
- Practice short‑answer questions on the interplay between legislation and judicial review.
- Use flashcards for quick recall of key terms: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Supreme Court, High Court, Collegium, Judicial Review, Constitutional Amendment.
Good luck with your preparation! 🚀