**Coast Guard – General Awareness & Current Affairs
Parliament & Judiciary – Advanced Study Notes**
Audience: Coast Guard officers preparing for the G-A/C-A exam
Level: MIT‑style “first principles” exposition
Format: Markdown, rigorous reasoning, edge‑case analysis, and a challenging problem at the end
Table of Contents
- The Indian Constitution – First Principles
- Parliamentary Framework
- 2.1. Structure & Constitution (Articles 79–122)
- 2.2. Legislative Process & Rules of Procedure
- 2.3. Parliamentary Committees (Standing, Select, etc.)
- 2.4. Parliamentary Powers (Monetary, Legislative, Executive)
- Judicial Framework
- 3.1. Hierarchy & Constitutional Basis (Articles 124–147)
- 3.2. Judicial Independence & Security of Appointment
- 3.3. Judicial Review & Principles of Interpretation
- Interplay Between Parliament & Judiciary
- 4.1. Separation of Powers & Checks & Balances
- 4.2. Doctrine of Basic Structure
- 4.3. Emergency Powers & Constitutional Amendments
- Edge Cases & Contemporary Issues
- 5.1. Parliament vs. Fundamental Rights
- 5.2. Judicial Activism vs. Restraint
- 5.3. Current Affairs Highlights (2024‑25)
- Challenging Problem
- References & Further Reading
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1. The Indian Constitution – First Principles
| Principle | Constitutional Basis | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Supremacy | Article 13(1) | All laws, executive actions, and judicial decisions must conform to the Constitution. |
| Federalism | Articles 2–4, 131–144 | Distribution of powers between Union & States; Parliament’s exclusive & concurrent lists. |
| Separation of Powers | Article 52, 124, 164 | Distinct legislative, executive, judicial functions but interlinked through checks. |
| Rule of Law | Article 39(e), 39(f) | Legal certainty, equality, and the right to a fair trial. |
| Human Rights | Articles 14–18, 19–22 | Fundamental rights that Parliament cannot violate without due process. |
First principles are the axioms from which all legal reasoning derives. Understanding them is essential for evaluating any parliamentary act or judicial decision.
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2. Parliamentary Framework
2.1. Structure & Constitution (Articles 79–122)
| Body | Composition | Term | Key Powers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lok Sabha | 543 elected seats + 12 nominated by President | 5 years | Money bills, confidence, major legislation |
| Rajya Sabha | 245 members (238 elected by State Legislatures + 12 nominated) | 6 years (one‑third retire every 2 years) | Concurrence on most bills, amendment of constitution |
- Joint Session: Convened under Article 81 for constitutional amendments, presidential elections, etc.
Edge Case: Concurrent List
- Both Parliament & State Legislatures can legislate; however, Parliament’s law prevails (Article 254) unless a state law is in force on a matter after Parliament has enacted a law on it (Article 254(3)).
2.2. Legislative Process & Rules of Procedure
| Stage | Key Features | Time Constraints | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Reading | Introduction of bill, general discussion | None | Bill on “Digital Governance” |
| Committee Stage | Detailed scrutiny by a committee (e.g., Standing Committee) | 30 days | Standing Committee on Finance |
| Second Reading | Detailed examination, amendments | 30 days | Amendments to the “Right to Education Act” |
| Third Reading | Final passage | 30 days | Enactment of “National Infrastructure Bank” |
- Money Bills: Only Lok Sabha can introduce; Rajya Sabha can only recommend (Article 110).
- Constitutional Amendments: Require 2/3 majority in both houses *and