Judicial Services (PCS‑J) – General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Parliament & Judiciary
Target Audience: Candidates preparing for the PCS‑J examination.
Purpose: Provide a concise, yet comprehensive refresher on the structure, functions, and interplay of the Indian Parliament and the Judiciary, along with recent developments and exam‑relevant insights.
1. Simple Explanation
| Component | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | The supreme legislative body of India; unicameral at the national level? No – bicameral: Lok Sabha (House of the People) & Raj Sabha (Council of States). | Makes laws, scrutinises the executive, controls finances, and ensures democratic accountability. |
| Judiciary | Independent branch comprising the Supreme Court, High Courts, and subordinate courts. | Interprets the Constitution, protects fundamental rights, and resolves disputes. |
| Interplay | Parliament enacts laws; the Judiciary interprets them and can invalidate unconstitutional ones (judicial review). | Maintains the constitutional balance of power and safeguards democracy. |
2. Key Points
2.1 Parliament
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Bicameral Structure | • Lok Sabha – 545 members (incl. 12 nominated by President for Anglo‑Indian). • Raj Sabha – 245 members (245 elected by State legislatures & 12 nominated by President). |
| Legislative Process | 1. Drafting → 2. First reading (formal) → 3. Second reading (debate) → 4. Third reading (vote). |
| Types of Bills | • Money Bills – must be introduced only in Lok Sabha; Raj Sabha can only recommend amendments. • Ordinary Bills – can be introduced in either house. |
| Key Functions | • Law‑making (public & private). • Budget/Finance (approving the annual budget). • Oversight of the executive (Question Hour, Parliamentary committees). |
| Powers & Limitations | • Can amend the Constitution (requires 2/3 majority in both houses & ratification by 50% of state legislatures). • Can declare a law unconstitutional? No – only the judiciary can. |
| Notable Committees | Public Accounts Committee, Finance Committee, Standing Committees, Select Committees. |
| Recent Developments (2024‑26) | • 2025 Parliamentary reforms – introduction of “Digital Question‑Hour” for remote participation. • 2026 Amendment – Strengthening the powers of the Committee on Ethics to investigate MPs. |
2.2 Judiciary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | 1. Supreme Court (Supreme Court of India). 2. High Courts (one per state/union territory). 3. Subordinate Courts (District & Civil/Criminal Courts). |
| Supreme Court | • Chief Justice of India + 14 other judges. • Jurisdiction: Constitutional, civil, criminal, advisory. |
| High Courts | • Chief Justice + other judges. • Original jurisdiction in civil/criminal cases; appellate jurisdiction over subordinate courts. |
| Judicial Review | Powers: constitutional review, judicial review of executive actions, judicial review of laws. |
| Major Judgments | • Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) – “basic structure” doctrine. • Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) – expansion of personal liberty. • S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) – restrictions on President’s Rule. • Ayodhya Verdict (2019). • Supreme Court 2023 – Supreme Court of India v. Union of India – upholding the 2020 amendment to the Aadhaar Act. |
| **Judicial Re |