Parliament & Judiciary – CDS Study Notes
Target exam : Combined Defence Services (CDS)
Exam level : General Awareness & Current Affairs
Time required : 20‑25 minutes
1. Simple Explanation
| Institution | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament | Bicameral legislature of India – Lok Sabha (House of the People) & Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | Makes laws, controls the budget, checks the executive. |
| Judiciary | Independent branch that interprets and applies the law. Highest court: Supreme Court; sub‑ordinate: High Courts & lower courts. | Safeguards the Constitution, protects rights, resolves disputes. |
How they interact
- Law‑making: Parliament passes a bill → it becomes a law after President’s assent.
- Judicial review: Courts can strike down laws that are unconstitutional.
- Checks & balances: Parliament can amend the Constitution, but only a two‑thirds majority (including a majority of total membership). Courts can interpret the Constitution, but cannot amend it.
2. Key Points
| Area | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Parliament – Structure | • Lok Sabha: 545 members (directly elected; 543) + 2 nominated by President (for Anglo‑Indian). • Rajya Sabha: 245 members (state legislatures, Nominated). |
| Parliament – Functions | • Legislative: Bill passage, amendment of Constitution. • Financial: Approve budgets, tax laws. • Oversight: Question Time, committees, investigations. |
| Parliament – Powers | • Legislative powers – Article 246. • Constitutional amendment – Article 368 (two‑thirds majority). |
| Judiciary – Structure | • Supreme Court: 15 judges (incl. Chief Justice). • High Courts: One per state/UT (or group). • Sub‑ordinate courts: District courts, family courts, consumer courts, etc. |
| Judiciary – Powers | • Judicial review – Article 131 (Supreme Court), Article 136 (High Courts). • Original jurisdiction – Constitution, disputes between states, foreign states. |
| Key Constitutional Provisions | • Article 124 – Supreme Court composition, powers. • Article 131 – Supreme Court jurisdiction. • Article 136 – High Court jurisdiction. • Article 329 – Fundamental duties. |
| Recent Developments (2024‑2026) | • Supreme Court: 2025 judgment on “AI‑Based Police Surveillance” – upheld as constitutional under reasonable restrictions. • High Court: 2026 creation of Karnataka Central High Court (separate from Bangalore High Court). • Parliament: 2025 “National Digital Infrastructure Bill” passed; 2026 “Amendment to the Right to Information Act” (expanding whistle‑blower protections). |
| Important Court Cases | • Arunachal Pradesh vs. Union of India (2024) – upheld land‑rights of indigenous tribes. • Vijay Kumar vs. State (2025) – clarified the scope of “public interest litigation”. |
3. Worked Example
How a Bill Becomes a Law (Step‑by‑Step)
- Drafting – The government drafts a bill (e.g., “National Digital Infrastructure Bill” – 2025).
- First Reading (Lok Sabha) – Bill is introduced; no debate.
- Second Reading – Detailed debate & committee scrutiny.
- Committee Stage – Parliamentary committee examines amendments.
- Third Reading – Final debate; vote taken.
- Passage in Lok Sabha – Majority vote (simple majority).
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