Parliament & Judiciary – Study Notes for Puducherry TET
(General Awareness & Current Affairs)
1. Simple Explanation
| Concept | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme law‑making body of India – the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | It drafts, debates, and passes laws that govern the nation. |
| Judiciary | The system of courts that interprets laws and ensures constitutional supremacy. It is headed by the Supreme Court and includes High Courts and Subordinate Courts. | It safeguards citizens’ rights, resolves disputes, and protects the Constitution. |
2. Key Points
2.1 Parliament
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | • Lok Sabha – 545 members (515 elected, 12 nominated by President). • Rajya Sabha – 245 members (233 elected, 12 nominated). |
| Powers | • Legislative (make laws). • Executive (approve budget, removal of heads). • Oversight (questioning ministers, committees). |
| Types of Bills | • Ordinary Bills – any law. • Money Bills – only Parliament can make them. • Constitutional Amendment Bills – require 2/3 majority. |
| Procedure (Bill to Law) | 1. Draft → 2. First Reading (introduction) → 3. Committee Stage (detailed scrutiny) → 4. Second Reading (discussion) → 5. Third Reading (final vote) → 6. President’s assent. |
| Special Committees | Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Committee on Public Undertakings (CPU), Constitutional Amendment Committee, etc. |
| Recent Highlights (2024) | • National Education Policy (NEP) 2024 – Amended to include digital education. • Judicial Reforms Bill – Reforms in Subordinate Courts, fast‑track courts. |
2.2 Judiciary
| Hierarchy | Courts & Functions |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Highest appellate and constitutional authority; 14 justices (incl. Chief Justice). |
| High Courts | 28 High Courts, one per state/union territory; appellate and original jurisdiction in civil/ criminal cases. |
| Subordinate Courts | District & Civil Courts, Family Courts, Special Courts, etc. |
| Special Courts | NIA, CBI, Anti‑Corruption, etc. |
| Key Features | • Judicial Independence – no executive interference. • Adversarial System – case is presented by parties. • Jury System – not used in India. |
| Recent Developments | • Supreme Court Judgment on Right to Privacy (2023) reaffirmed privacy as a fundamental right. • High Court’s decision on digital evidence – recognized electronic records as admissible under Section 65B. |
3. Worked Example – Passage of a Bill Through Parliament
Let’s trace a typical Ordinary Bill (e.g., “The Digital Infrastructure Development Bill, 2024”) through the legislative process.
| Step | Action | Parliamentary Stage | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Drafting | Bill prepared by Ministry of Communications. | – | Draft includes objectives, provisions, and impact assessment. |
| 2. First Reading | Bill is introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister. | Lok Sabha | No debate; only overview is read. |
| 3. Committee Stage | Bill sent to the Standing Committee on Communications. | Committee | Experts scrutinize clauses, suggest amendments. |
| 4. Second Reading | Bill debated in Lok Sabha. | Lok Sabha | Members discuss merits, propose amendments. |
| 5. Third Reading | Final vote in Lok Sabha. | Lok Sabha | Bill passed if majority. |
| 6. Rajya Sabha | Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha; undergoes similar stages. | Rajya Sabha | May accept, reject, or send back with amendments. |
| 7. Conference Committee | If differences arise, a joint committee resolves them. | Joint Committee | Final text agreed upon. |
| 8. Presidential Assent | Bill presented to President. | – | President’s assent in 30 days; becomes law. |
| 9. Publication | Bill published in Official Gazette. | – | Effective from date specified. |
Takeaway – The process ensures multiple readings, scrutiny by committees, and cross‑house deliberation, guaranteeing thorough examination before becoming law.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | What to Remember |
|---|---|
| Parliament | • 2 houses: Lok Sabha (435 elected + 10 nominated), Rajya Sabha (233 elected + 12 nominated). • Powers: Legislative, Executive oversight, Budget approval. • Bill stages: Draft → 1st Reading → Committee → 2nd Reading → 3rd Reading → President’s assent. |
| Types of Bills | Ordinary, Money, Constitutional Amendment. |
| Key Committees | PAC, CPU, Constitution Committee, etc. |
| Judiciary | • Supreme Court (highest), 28 High Courts, Subordinate Courts. • Judicial independence. |
| **Recent Supreme Court Judgments |