Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

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INDIAN POLITY
S.No Contents Page number
1 Constituent Assembly 2
2 Salient features of the Constitution 3
3 Important articles of the Constitution 4
4 Schedules of the Constitution 7
5 Sources of the Constitution 8
6 Fundamental Rights 9
7 Emergency Provisions 10
8 Union and its Territory 11
9 Special Provisions for Some States 11
10 Constitutional Bodies 12
11 Non-Constitutional Bodies 14
12 Central Government 16
13 Supreme Court 19
14 State Government 20
15 Indian Polity One Liners 22
16 Important Constitutional Amendments 27

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

 The Constituent Assembly was formed on the recommendation of the cabinet mission in 1946
 The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946
 Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha, the oldest member was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly
 Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the First President of the Assembly
 On December 13, 1946 Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic Objectives Resolution in the Assembly
 The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is based on the ‘Objectives Resolution’, drafted and moved by Pandit
Nehru, and adopted by the Constituent Assembly
 Constituent Assembly as the provisional parliament of India from January 26, 1950 till the formation of new
Parliament after the first general elections in 1951–52.
 The total expenditure incurred on making the Constitution amounted to 64 lakhs
 The Constitution as adopted on November 26, 1949, contained a Preamble, 395 Articles and 8 Schedules and
22 parts
 Dr BR Ambedkar known as chief architect of Indian Constitution
 Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee is Dr BR Ambedkar

FUNCTIONS OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

 It ratified the India’s membership of the Commonwealth in May 1949.
 It adopted the national flag on July 22, 1947.
 It adopted the national anthem on January 24, 1950.
 It adopted the national song on January 24, 1950.
 It elected Dr Rajendra Prasad as the first President of India on January 24, 1950
MAJOR COMMITTEES AND ITS CHAIRMEN
 Union Powers Committee – Jawaharlal Nehru
 Union Constitution Committee –Jawaharlal Nehru
 Provincial Constitution Committee – Sardar Patel
 Drafting Committee – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
 Rules of Procedure Committee – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
 States Committee– Jawaharlal Nehru
 Steering Committee – Dr. Rajendra Prasad

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTION

 The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) known as ‘Mini-Constitution’ due to the important and large number of
changes made by it in various parts of the Constitution.
 The term socialist, secular and integrity added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd
Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976
 The Fundamental Duties of citizens were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 on the
recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee
 The Part IV-A of the Constitution (which consists of only one Article—51-A) specifies the eleven
Fundamental Duties
 Article 368 in part XX of the constitution deals with the powers of parliament to amend the constitution and
its procedure
 The Supreme Court ruled that the constituent power of Parliament under Article 368 does not enable it to alter
the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution
 Single Constitution for both the Centre and the states
 India has a Parliamentary Form of Government. India has a Bicameral Legislature with two houses named
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
 The Supreme Court is a federal court, the highest court of appeal, the guarantor of the fundamental rights of
the citizens and the guardian of the Constitution.
 Part III of the Indian Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to all the citizens
1. Right to Equality (Articles 14–18),
2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22),
3. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24),
4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles25–28),
5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
 Fundamental rights can also be suspended during the operation of a National Emergency except the rights
guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21
 The voting age was reduced to 18 years from 21 years in 1989 by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of
1988
 The Indian Constitution is federal and envisages a dual polity (Centre and states) it provides for only a single
citizenship, that is the Indian citizenship
 The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992) have added a third-tier of government.
 The 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional recognition to the panchayats (rural local governments)
by adding a new Part IX and a new Schedule 11 to the Constitution.
 The 74th Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional recognition to the municipalities (urban local
governments) by adding a new Part IX-A and a new Schedule 12 to the Constitution
 The constitution of India provides for a parliamentary form of government

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Article 74 and 75 deals with the parliamentary system at the Centre and article 163 and 164 in the states
 In 1947, Indian Civil Service (ICS) was replaced by IAS and the Indian Police (IP) was replaced by IPS and
were recognised by the Constitution as All-India Services
 In 1966, the Indian Forest Service (IFS) was created as the third All-India Service
 Article 312 of the Constitution authorises the Parliament to create new All-India Services on the basis of a
Rajya Sabha resolution
 Article 280 provides for a Finance Commission as a quasi-judicial body. It is constituted by the President
every fifth year or even earlier

IMPORTANT ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION

Articles Deals with

PART I The union and its territory
Article 1 Name and territory of the Union
Article 2 Formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or
names of existing states
PART II Citizenship
Article 5-11 Citizenship
PART III Fundamentals Rights
Article 13 Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights
Article 14 Equality before law
Article 15 The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion,
race, caste, sex or place of birth
Article 16 Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment
Article 17 Abolition of untouchability
Article 18 Abolition of titles
Article 19 Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc
Article 20 Protection in respect of conviction for offences
Article 21 Protection of life and personal liberty
Article 21 A Right to elementary education
Article 23 Prohibition of traffic human beings and forced labor
Article 24 Prohibition of employment of children in factories, Etc.
Article 25 Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
Article 26 Every religious denomination or any of its section shall have the right to
manage its religious affairs
Article 29 Any section of the citizens shall have the right to conserve its distinct
language, script or culture
Article 30 Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

Article 31 C Saving of laws giving effect to certain directive principles

Article 32 Remedies for enforcement of fundamental rights including writs
PART IV Directive principles of state policy
Article 38 State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people
Article 40 Organisation of village panchayats
Article 44 Uniform civil code for the citizens
Article 45 Provision for early childhood care and education to children
below the age of 6 years
Article 46 Promotion of educational and economic interests of scheduled castes, scheduled
tribes and other weaker sections
Article 50 Separation of judiciary from executive
Article 51 Promotion of international peace and security
PART IV A
Article 51 A Fundamental duties
PART V The union
Article 52 The president of India
Article 54 Election of president
Article 61 Procedure for impeachment of the president
Article 63 The vice president of India
Article 64 The vice president of India to be ex officio chairman of the council of states
Article 66 Election of vice president
Article 74 Council of ministers to aid and advise the president
Article 76 Attorney-General for India
Article 79 Constitution of parliament
Article 80 Composition of the Rajya sabha
Article 81 Composition of the Lok sabha
Article 83 Duration of houses of parliament
Article 86 Right of president to address and sent messages to houses
Article 87 Special address by the president
Article 88 Rights of ministers and attorney general as respects houses
Article 93 The speaker and deputy speaker of the lok sabha
Article 98 Secretariat of parliament
Article 99 Oath of affirmation by members
Article 107 Provisions as to introduction and passing of bills
Article 108 Joint sitting of both houses in certain cases
Article 109 Special procedure in respect of money bills
Article 110 Definition of Money Bills
Article 111 Assent to bills
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Article 112 Annual financial statement (Budget)

Article 116 Votes of account, votes of credit and exceptional grants
Article 117 Special provisions as to financial bills
Article 123 Power of president to promulgate ordinances during recess of
Parliament
Article 124 Establishment and construction of supreme court
Article 137 Review of judgments or orders by the supreme court
Article 141 Law declared by supreme court to be binding on all courts
Article 143 Power of president to consult Supreme Court
Article 148 Comptroller and auditor-General of India
Article 149 Duties and powers of the comptroller and auditor-general
PART VI The states
Article 155 Appointment of governor
Article 161 Power of governor to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or
commute sentences in certain cases
Article 163 Council of ministers to aid and advise the governor
Article 167 Duties of chief minister with regard to the furnishing of information to
governor, etc
Article 169 Abolition or creation of legislative councils in states
Article 200 Assent to bills by governor (including reservation for President)
Article 213 Power of governor to promulgate ordinances during recess of the
state legislature
Article 226 Power of high courts to issue certain writs
Article Special provisions with respect to Delhi
239AA
Article 239 to The Union Territories
242
Article 243 to The Panchayats
243-0
Article 243-P The Municipalities
to 243-ZG
Article 243 K State Election Commission
Article 249 Power of Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the
State List in the national interest
Article 262 Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers or
river valleys
Article 263 Provisions with respect to an inter-state council
Article 265 Taxes not to be imposed save by authority of law

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Article 275 Grants from the Union to certain states

Article 280 Finance Commission
Article 300 Suits and proceedings
Article 300 A Right to property
Article 307 Inter-State Trade and Commerce Commission
Article 311 Dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities
under the Union or a state
Article 312 All-India Services
Article 315 Public service commissions for the Union and for the states
Article 320 Functions of Public service commissions
Article 323 A Administrative tribunals
Article 324 Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in
an Election Commission
Article 330 Reservation of seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in
the House of the People
Article 335 Claims of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes to services and
Posts
Article 352 Proclamation of Emergency (National Emergency)
Article 356 Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in states
(President’s Rule)
Article 360 Provisions as to financial emergency.
Article 365 Effect of failure to comply with, or to give effect to, directions
given by the Union (President’s Rule)
Article 368 Power of Parliament to amendment the Constitution
Article 370 Temporary provisions with respect to the state of Jammu and Kashmir

SCHEDULES OF THE CONSTITUTION

FIRST SCHEDULE
1. Names of the States and their territorial jurisdiction.
2. Names of the Union Territories and their extent
SECOND SCHEDULE
 Provisions relating to the emoluments, allowances, privileges and so on of
1. The President of India
2. The Governors of States
3. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
4. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

5. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in the states
6. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council in the states
7. The Judges of the Supreme Court
8. The Judges of the High Courts
THIRD SCHEDULE
 Forms of Oaths or Affirmations of members of legislatives, ministers and judges
FOURTH SCHEDULE
 Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and the union territories
FIFTH SCHEDULE
 Provisions relating to the administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes
SIXTH SCHEDULE
 Administration of tribal areas of north-eastern states
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
 Distribution of powers between the Union and the States government in terms of Union List, State List and
Concurrent List.
EIGHTH SCHEDULE
 Languages recognized by the Constitution. Originally, it had 14 languages but presently there are 22
languages
NINTH SCHEDULE
 Validation of certain acts and regulations
 This schedule was added by the 1st Amendment (1951)
TENTH SCHEDULE
 Provisions relating to disqualification of the members of Parliament and State Legislatures on the ground of
defection.
 This schedule was added by the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985, also known as Anti defection Law
ELEVENTH SCHEDULE
 Specifies the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats. It has 29 matters.
 This schedule was added by the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992
TWELFTH SCHEDULE
 Specifies the powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities. It has 18 matters
 This schedule was added by the 74th Amendment Act of 1992

SOURCES OF THE CONSTITUTION

Sources Features Borrowed

Government of India Act of 1935 Judiciary, Public Service Commissions,
Federal Scheme, Office of governor,
Emergency provisions and administrative
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

details
Constitution of Britain Parliamentary government, Rule of Law,
legislative procedure, single citizenship,
cabinet system, prerogative writs,
parliamentary privileges and bicameralism,
office of comptroller & auditor general
Constitution of USA Fundamental rights, independence of judiciary,
judicial review, impeachment of the president,
removal of Supreme Court and high court
judges and post of vice president
Constitution of Ireland Directive Principles of State Policy,
nomination of members to Rajya Sabha and
method of election of president
Constitution of Canada Federation with a strong Centre, vesting of
residuary powers in the Centre, appointment of
state governors by the Centre, and advisory
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Australian Constitution Concurrent List, freedom of trade, commerce
and inter course, and joint sitting of the two
Houses of Parliament
Weimar Constitution of Germany Suspension of Fundamental Rights during
Emergency
French Constitution Republic and the ideals of liberty, equality and
fraternity in the Preamble
South African Constitution Procedure for amendment of the Constitution
and election of members of Rajya Sabha
Japanese Constitution Procedure established by Law
Constitution of USSR(Russia) Fundamental duties and the ideal of justice in
the Preamble

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
 Originally, the Constitution provided for seven Fundamental Rights. The right to property was deleted from
the list of Fundamental Rights So at presently only six Fundamental Rights
 The right to property (Article 31) was deleted from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment
Act, 1978. It is made a legal right under Article 300-A in Part XII of the Constitution.
 Part III of the Indian Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to all the citizens
1. Right to Equality (Articles 14–18),
2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22),
3. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24),
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles25–28),

5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
 Fundamental rights can also be suspended during the operation of a National Emergency except the rights
guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21
 Article 17 abolishes ‘untouchability’ and forbids its practice in any form.
 Article 21 A declares that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of
six to fourteen years. This provision was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002
 Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory, mine or other
hazardous activities like construction work or railway
 Article 16 provides for equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment or appointment to any
office under the state
 Article 33 empowers the Parliament to restrict or abrogate the fundamental rights of the members of armed
forces, paramilitary forces, police forces, intelligence agencies and analogous forces

EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
 Emergency due to war, external aggression or armed rebellion (Article 352). This is popularly known as
National Emergency.
 Emergency due to the failure of the constitutional machinery in the states (Article 356). This is popularly
known as President’s Rule
 Financial Emergency due to a threat to the financial stability or credit of India (Article 360).
 The proclamation of Emergency must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament within one month from
the date of its issue.
 Emergency approved by both the Houses of Parliament, the emergency continues for six months, and can be
extended to an indefinite period with an approval of the Parliament for every six months
 A proclamation imposing President’s Rule (Article 356) must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament
within two months from the date of its issue
 President’s rule (Article 356) approved by both the Houses of Parliament, the President’s Rule continues for
six months. It can be extended for a maximum period of three years with the approval of the Parliament every
six months

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR SOME STATES

S.No States Articles
1 Jammu and Kashmir Article 370
2 Maharashtra Article 371
3 Gujarat Article 371
3 Nagaland Article 371-A
4 Assam Article 371-B
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

5 Manipur Article 371-C

6 Andhra Pradesh Article 371-D and 371-E
7 Sikkim Article 371-F
8 Mizoram Article 371-G
9 Arunachal Pradesh Article 371-H
10 Goa Article 371-I

UNION AND ITS TERRITORY

 Article 1 describes India that is Bharat as a Union of States
 The 100th Constitutional Amendment Act (2015) was enacted to give effect to the acquiring of certain
territories by India and transfer of certain other territories to Bangladesh
 Article 3 authorises the Parliament to: form a new state by separation of territory from any state or by uniting
two or more states or parts of states or by uniting any territory to a part of any state, increase the area of any
state, diminish the area of any state, alter the boundaries of any state, and alter the name of any state
 Andhra Pradesh was the first linguistic state in India by separating the Telugu speaking areas from the Madras
state
 The 36th Constitutional Amendment Act (1975) was enacted to make Sikkim a full-fledged state of the Indian
Union
 India currently having 28 states and 9 union territories
 In 1987 Goa was conferred a statehood and become a 25th state of union of India

STATES AND ITS FORMATION YEARS

State Formation years
Andhra Pradesh 1953
Gujarat 1960
Maharashtra 1960
Kerala 1956
Nagaland 1963
Haryana 1966
Karnataka 1956
Himachal Pradesh 1971
Manipur, Tripura 1972
Meghalaya 1972
Sikkim 1975
Mizoram 1987
Arunachal Pradesh 1987

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

Goa 1987
Uttarakhand 2000
Chhattisgarh 2000
Jharkhand 2000
Telangana 2014

CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES

1.ELECTION COMMISSION
 Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of
elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice president of
India
 The president of India appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners
 They hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier

2. UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

 Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the Constitution contain elaborate provisions regarding the composition,
appointment and removal of members along with the independence, powers and functions of the UPSC
 A chairman and other members of UPSC appointed by the president of India
 The chairman and members of the Commission hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age
of 65 years, whichever is earlier

3. STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

 Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the Constitution deal with the composition, appointment and removal of
members, power and functions and independence of a SPSC
 A chairman and other members of State Public Service appointed by the governor of the state. They can be
removed only by the president
 The chairman and members of the Commission hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age
of 62 years.
 Article 315 - Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the states
 Article 316 - Appointment and term of office of members
 Article 317 - Removal and suspension of a member of a Public Service Commission
 Article 320 - Functions of Public Service Commissions

4. FINANCE COMMISSION
 Article 280 of the Constitution of India provides for a Finance Commission as a quasi-judicial body
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 Chairman and four other members of Finance Commission to be appointed by the president
 It is constituted by the president of India every fifth year or at such earlier time as he considers necessary
 The constitution of India envisages the Finance commission as the balancing wheel of fiscal federalism in
India

5. NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED CASTES

 The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body. It is directly established by Article
338 of the Constitution.

6. NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULES CASTES

 The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (STs) is a constitutional body. It is directly established by
Article 338-A of the Constitution.

7. SPECIAL OFFICER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES

 Article 350-B of the Constitution, the office of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities was created in
1957. He is designated as the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities

8. COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL OF INDIA

 The Constitution of India (Article 148) provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor
General of India
 He is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the
levels—the Centre and the state
 The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is appointed by the president of India

9. ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR INDIA

 The Attorney General of India is appointed by the president
 The Constitution (Article 76) has provided for the office of the Attorney General for India
 He is the highest law officer in the country
 He has the right to speak and to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament or their joint
sitting and any committee of the Parliament of which he may be named a member but without a right to vote

10. ADVOCATE GENERAL FOR THE STATE

 The advocate general of state is appointed by the governor of respective state
 The Constitution (Article 165) has provided for the office of the advocate general for the states
 He is the highest law officer in the state
 He has the right to speak and to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of the state legislature or any
committee of the state legislature of which he may be named a member but without a right to vote

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NON-CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES
1. NITI Aayog
 On the 13th of August, 2014 Government of India scrapped the 65-year-old Planning Commission and
announced that it would be replaced by a new body
 On January 1, 2015, the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established
 It is a non-constitutional or extra-constitutional body and a non-statutory body
 NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India providing both directional and
policy inputs
 The Prime Minister of India is chairman of NITI Aayog
 Governing Council comprises the Chief Ministers of all the States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with
Legislatures (Delhi and Puducherry) and Lt. Governors of other Union Territories
 Vice-Chairman is appointed by the Prime Minister. He enjoys the rank of a Cabinet Minister

2. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

 The National Human Rights Commission is a statutory and not a constitutional body
 It was established in 1993 under a legislation enacted by the Parliament namely, the Protection of Human
Rights Act, 1993. This Act was amended in 2006
 The chairman and members of National Human Rights Commission are appointed by the president of India.
 The chairman and members hold office for a term of five years or until they attain the age of 70 years.
Whichever is earlier.
 The chairman should be a retired chief justice of India, and members should be serving or retired judges of the
Supreme Court

3. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

 The Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993 provides for the creation of State Human Rights Commission at
the state level
 Twenty-five states have constituted the State Human Rights Commissions through Official Gazette
Notifications
 The chairperson and members hold office for a term of five years or until they attain the age of 70 years
whichever is earlier
 The chairperson and members of a State Human Rights Commission are appointed by the governor, they can
be removed only by the President

4. CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION

 The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in 2005

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 It was constituted through an Official Gazette Notification under the provisions of the Right to Information
Act (2005). It is not a constitutional body
 The Commission consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information
Commissioners. They are appointed by the President of India.
 Right to Information Act (RTI Act) was passed by Parliament of India on 15 June 2005 and came fully into
force on 12 October 2005.
 The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner hold office for a term of 5 years or
until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier

5. STATE INFORMATION COMMISSION

 The Right to Information Act of 2005 provides for the creation of a State Information Commission at the state
level
 All the states have constituted the State Information Commissions through Official Gazette Notifications
 The Commission consists of a State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten State Information
Commissioners. They are appointed by the Governor of respective states
 The State Chief Information Commissioner and a State Information Commissioner hold office for a term of 5
years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier

6. CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION

 The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is the main agency for preventing corruption in the Central
government
 Its establishment was recommended by the Santhanam Committee and established in 1964
 The CVC was neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body. Later in 2003, the Parliament enacted a law
conferring statutory status on the CVC
 The CVC is a multi-member body consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and not more than two
vigilance commissioners. They are appointed by the president of India
 They hold office for a term of four years or until they attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier
7. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs
 CBI founded on 1 April 1963
 The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption
 The CBI is not a statutory body. It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946
 The CBI Academy is located at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh and started functioning in 1996

8. LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTAS

 The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) of India (1966–1970) recommended the setting up
‘Lokpal’and ‘lokayukta’ for the redressal of citizens’ grievances
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 Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013) Bill as passed by both Houses has received the assent of the President on
01.01.2014. The Act has been brought into force with effect from 16th January, 2014
 The institution of lokayukta was established first in Maharashtra in 1971

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

PRESIDENT
 The Union executive consists of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the council of ministers
and the attorney general of India
 The President is the head of the Indian State
 The President is elected not directly by the people but by members of electoral college consisting of
1. The elected members of both the Houses of Parliament,
2. The elected members of the legislative assemblies of the states,
3. The elected members of the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry
 A person to be eligible for election as President should fulfill the following qualifications:
1. He should be a citizen of India.
2. He should have completed 35 years of age.
3. He should be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.
4. He should not hold any office of profit under the Union government or any state government or any local
authority or any other public authority
 The President holds office for a term of five years
 The President can resign from his office at any time by addressing the resignation letter to the Vice-President.
 When a vacancy occurs in the office of the President due to his resignation, removal, death or otherwise, the
Vice-President acts as the President until a new President is elected.
 In case the office of Vice-President is vacant, the Chief Justice of India acts as the President.
 Money bills can be introduced in the Parliament only with his prior recommendation.
 He appoints the Chief Justice and the judges of Supreme Court and high courts
 The international treaties and agreements are negotiated and concluded on behalf of the President
 He is the supreme commander of the defence forces of India. He can declare war or conclude peace, subject
to the approval of the Parliament
 A bill passed by the Parliament can become an act only if it receives the assent of the President
 Article 123 of the Constitution empowers the President to promulgate ordinances during the recess of
Parliament
 Article 72 of the Constitution empowers the President to grant pardons to persons
Who have been convicted of any offence?
 The President has been made only a nominal Executive, the real executive being the council of ministers
headed by the prime minister.

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

CENTRAL COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

 Article 75 says only that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the president
 Prime Minister may be a member of any of the two Houses of parliament Lok shaba or Rajya shaba
 Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, V.P. Singh, P.V. Narasimha Rao, H.D. Deve Gowda and Narendra Modi—
became Prime Ministers after being Chief Ministers of their respective States
 The council of ministers headed by the prime minister
 The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, while the other ministers are appointed by the President on
the advice of the Prime Minister
 The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15%
of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. This provision was added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003
 Article 75 clearly states that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha

PARLIAMENT
 The Parliament of India consists of three parts, the President, the Council of States (Rajya sabha) and the
House of the People(Lok sabha)
RAJYA SABHA
 The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which, 238 are to be the representatives of
the states and union territories and 12 are nominated by the president
 Presently the Rajya Sabha has 245 members. Of these, 229 members represent the states, 4 members represent
the union territories and 12 members are nominated by the president
 The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the
states and union territories
 The Rajya Sabha (first constituted in 1952) is a continuing chamber, It is a permanent body and not subject to
dissolution. However, one-third of its members retire every second year
 Representation of the People Act (1951) provided that the term of office of a member of the Rajya Sabha is
six years
 Rajya sabha cannot reject or amend a money bill
 The vice-president of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
 Rajya sabha authorise the Parliament to create new All-India Services common to both the Centre and states
LOK SABHA

 The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is fixed at 552. Out of this, 530 members are to be the
representatives of the states, 20 members are to be the representatives of the union territories and 2 members
are to be nominated by the president from the Anglo-Indian community.
 Presently the Lok Sabha has 545 members. Of these, 530 members represent the states, 13 members represent
the union territories and 2 Anglo-Indian members are nominated by the President
 Lok Shaba normal term is five years from the date of its first meeting after the general elections, after which it
automatically dissolves
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 The Speaker and deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha
 Lok sabha speaker does not vote in the first instance. But he can exercise a casting vote in the case of a tie. In
other words, only when the House is divided equally on any question, the Speaker is entitled to vote. Such
vote is called casting vote, and its purpose is to resolve a deadlock
 Lok sabha speaker presides over a joint setting of the two Houses of Parliament. Such a sitting is summoned
by the President to settle a deadlock between the two Houses on a bill.
 Lok sabha speaker appoints the chairman of all the parliamentary committees of the Lok Sabha and supervises
their functioning
 Lok Sabha is dissolved; the Speaker does not vacate his office and continues till the newly-elected Lok Sabha
meets.
 In the following cases, a member of Parliament vacates his seat:
 House can declare the seat of a member vacant if he is absent from all its meetings for a period of sixty
days without its permission
 Person cannot be a member of both the Parliament and the state legislature at the same time. If a person
is so elected, his seat in Parliament becomes vacant if he does not resign his seat in the state legislature
within 14 days.
 If a person is elected to both the Houses of Parliament, he must intimate within 10 days in which House
he desires to serve. In default of such intimation, his seat in the Rajya Sabha becomes vacant

ZERO HOUR
 The zero hour starts immediately after the question hour and lasts until the agenda for the day
 It is an Indian innovation in the field of parliamentary procedures and has been in existence since 1962
IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT PARLIMENT
 The Non confidence motion needs the support of 50 members to be admitted
 Ordinary Bill can be introduced either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. It can be introduced either by a
minister or by a private member
 Money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha. It can be introduced only by
a minister
 Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill. It should return the bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days,
either with recommendations or without recommendations
 The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses
 The final power to decide whether a particular bill is a Money Bill or not is vested in the Speaker of the Lok
Sabha.
 The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot be more than six months. In other words, the
Parliament should meet at least twice a year
 Ganesh Vasudev Mavalanker is first speaker of Lok sabha

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

SUPREME COURT
 The Supreme Court of India was inaugurated on January 28, 1950
 Article 124 states the establishment and constitution of supreme court
 Presently supreme court of 34 judges including chief justice of India
 Indian Constitution has established an integrated judicial system with the Supreme Court at the top and the
high courts below it
 The single system of courts adopted from the Government of India Act 1935 enforces both central and state
laws
 Part V of the Indian constitution deal with the organisation, independence, jurisdiction, powers, procedures of
the Supreme Court of India
 The parliament can increase the number of judges of supreme court of India
 The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president
 Senior most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed to the office of the chief justice of India by president of
India
 Supreme court judge holds office until he attains the age of 65 years
 Under Article 124 a person to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court should have the following
qualifications
1. He should be a citizen of India.
2. (a) He should have been a judge of a High Court for five years; or
(b) He should have been an advocate of a High Court for ten years; or
(c) He should be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the president.
 Supreme Court is the guarantor of the fundamental rights of the citizens and guardian of the Constitution
 Under Article 130 the Constitution declares Delhi as the seat of the Supreme Court.

JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF SUPREME COURT

 The jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court can be classified into the following
1.Original Jurisdiction.
2.Writ Jurisdiction.
3.Appellate Jurisdiction.
4.Advisory Jurisdiction.
5.A Court of Record.
6.Power of Judicial Review
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
 The Supreme Court decides the disputes between
1. The Centre and one or more states; or
2. The Centre and any state or states on one side and one or more states on the other; or
3. between two or more states

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

In the above disputes the Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction they lie directly with the
Supreme Court

WRIT JURISDICTION
 Every individual has the right to move the supreme court directly by appropriate proceedings for the
enforcement of his fundamental rights through the issuance of writs
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
 The Supreme Court is primarily a court of appeal and hears appeals against the judgments of the lower courts.
1. Appeals in constitutional matters.
2. Appeals in civil matters. (Article 133)
3. Appeals in criminal matters. (Article 134)
4. Appeals by special leave (Article 136)
ADVISORY JURISDICTION
 The Constitution (Article 143) authorizes the president to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court. It is duly
bound to give its opinion, which is not binding on president
COURT OF RECORD
As a court of record, Supreme court has two powers
A. Judgments, Proceedings and acts of supreme court are recorded for perpetual memory and testimony
B. It can punish for contempt of court

POWER OF JUDICIAL REVIEW

 Judicial review is the power of the Supreme Court to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments
and executive orders of both the Central and state governments
 On examination, if they are found to be violative of the Constitution they can be declared as illegal,
unconstitutional and invalid by the Supreme Court
 Some of the famous cases in which supreme court used the power of judicial review are
Golakanath case (1967)
Bank Nationalization case (1970)
Privy purse Abolition case (1971)
Keshavananda bharati caase (1973)
Minera mills case (1980)

STATE GOVERNMENT

GOVERNOR
 Articles 153 to 167 in Part VI of the Constitution deal with the state executive
 The governor is the chief executive head of the state. The governor also acts as an agent of the central
government

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Governor is appointed by the president of India

 The Constitution lays down only two qualifications for the appointment of a person as a governor
1. He should be a citizen of India
2. He should have completed the age of 35 years
Additionally, he should not belong to the state where he is appointed.
 A governor holds office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. However,
this term of five years is subject to the pleasure of the President
 He appoints the chief minister and other ministers
 Money bills can be introduced in the state legislature only with his prior Recommendation
 He constitutes a finance commission after every five years to review the financial position of the panchayats
and the municipalities
 He acts as the chancellor of universities in the state. He also appoints the vice-chancellors of universities in
the state.
 He appoints the advocate general of a state, state election commissioner and chairman and members of the
state public service commission
 Under Article 175 Right of the Governor to address and send messages to the house or houses of state legislature
 Under Article 213 he can promulgate ordinances when the state legislature is not in session. These ordinances
must be approved by the state legislature within six weeks from its reassembly

STATE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

 Article 164 clearly states that council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the state Legislative
Assembly
 The chief minister is appointed by the governor. The other ministers are appointed by the governor on the
advice of the chief minister
STATE LEGISLATURE
 The state legislature consists of the governor and the legislative assembly
 If the states having bicameral system the state legislature consists of the governor, the legislative council and
the legislative assembly
 Some of the states have a unicameral system, while others have a bicameral system
 Presently only seven states have two Houses (bicameral). These are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir
 The twenty-two states have unicameral system
 The Constitution provides for the abolition or creation of legislative councils in states. Accordingly, the
Parliament can abolish a legislative council or create it
 The legislative assembly consists its maximum strength is fixed at 500 and minimum strength at 60. It means
that its strength varies from 60 to 500 depending on the population size of the state
 Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Goa, the minimum number is fixed at 30 and Mizoram is 40 and Nagaland is
46
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Duration of the legislative assembly is 5 years

 The legislative council is a continuing chamber, it is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution
 A person must be not less than 30 years of age in the case of the legislative council and not less than 25 years
of age in the case of the legislative assembly.
 Presiding officer of legislative assembly is Speaker and a Deputy Speaker
 A Money Bill can be introduced only in the assembly and not in the council. The council cannot amend or
reject a money bill. It should return the bill to the assembly within 14 days

HIGH COURT
 The high court operates below the Supreme Court but above the subordinate courts
 Presently there are 24 high courts in the country. Out of them, four are common high courts. Delhi is the only
union territory that has a own high court
 The judges of a high court are appointed by the President. The chief justice is appointed by the President after
consultation with the chief justice of India and the governor of the respective state
 The judges of a high court hold office until he attains the age of 62 years.
 The President can transfer a judge from one high court to another after consulting the Chief Justice of India
 Parliament can extend the jurisdiction of a High Court

INDIAN POLITY ONE LINERS

 An amendment of the constitution may be initiated by the introduction of a bill in either House of Parliament
 The Directive Principles of State Policy has been adopted from Irish Constitution
 Speaker of Lok Sabha has the right to decide whether a Bill is a money bill or not
 Attorney General of India is the first law officer of the country
 The President can advance money to meet unforeseen expenses from the Contingency Fund
 Article 352 of Indian Constitution has the provision for National Emergency
 Article 66 deals with the election of the Vice-president
 Parliament can remove the Vice-President from his office
 The salary and allowances of the Governor are charged from the Consolidated Fund of the State
 G V K Rao committee on Panchayat raj is constituted on 1985
 A member of the council of ministers can hold office without being a member of the state legislature for a
maximum period of six months
 Six fundamental Rights are mentioned in Indian constitution
 President of India is the executive head of state in India
 Article 124 of the constitution of India provides the composition and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of
India
 Sharad Arvind Bobde is the 47th chief justice of India
 Article 72 deals with the pardoning power of the President
 The impeachment of the President is carried by parliament of India
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Article 56 deals with the tenure of the President

 Article 61 deals with the impeachment of the President
 Supreme Court held that the Preamble is not a part of the constitution in Berubari Union case (1960)
 42th amendment acts amended the Preamble of the Indian constitution
 In a parliamentary form of Government, the real powers of the state are vested in the Council of ministers
headed by the Prime Minister
 The independence of Judiciary in Indian constitution is taken from USA
 Preamble of the constitution describes India as a secular state
 The first Parliamentary Forum on Youth constituted on 2006
 Shri Amitabh Kant is the CEO of NITI Aayog
 Rajiv Kumar is the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
 Arvind Panagariya was the first Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
 Think tank of Government of India that replaced the Planning commission is NITI Aayog
 NITI Aayog came into effect from 1 January 2015
 The Panchayat Raj system exists in all the states except Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram and in all the
Union territories except Delhi
 The Panchayat Raj system was first adopted by the state of Rajasthan
 The panchayat system was adopted to decentralize the power of democracy
 Part IX of the constitution deals with the panchayat
 Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayat raj institutions
 Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 makes provisions for a 3-tier system of Panchayat Raj for all the
States having population of above 20 Lakhs
 NITI Aayog came into effect from 1 January 2015
 The Prime Minister of India is chairman of NITI Aayog
 High courts issue writs under Article 226
 Governor of the state appoints the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta
 Karnataka Lokayukta's office is considered to be the strongest in terms of power and scope
 The fundamental rights are provided in part II of the Indian Constitution
 Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes Untouchability
 Article 14 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of law for all individuals residing within the
territory of India
 Articles 25 to 28 contain the right to religious freedom
 Swaran singh committee suggested to incorporate fundamental duties in the constitution
 Article 51 A of the Constitution contains fundamental duties
 The fundamental duties are mentioned in Part-IV A of the Constitution
 The fundamental duties are included in the constitution by 42nd Amendment in 1976
 Article 153 of the Constitution deals with the Governor of States

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 The Governor of the State can be removed by President of India

 Financial emergency is imposed under Article 360
 National emergency proclamation is issued in Armed rebellion, External aggression and War
 Members of Election Commission are appointed by President of India
 The number of seats reserved for scheduled caste in the Lok sabha is 79
 President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of Election Commission
 Article 324 in the Indian Constitution provides for an Election Commission in India
 Article 44 of the Constitution is directed to establish Uniform Civil Code
 Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution contains Directive principles of State policy
 Directive principles of State Policy is mentioned in of the Indian constitution
 Indian constitution taken the concept of single citizenship from UK
 Article 5 to 11 part II of Indian constitution deals with Citizenship
 Article 148 in the Constitution on India provides for the post of Comptroller and Auditor General of India
 Constitution of India came into effect on 26th January, 1950
 The constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November, 1949
 Right to property according to the constitution is Legal right
 The total number of Schedules in the constitution are 12
 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) comes under the administrative control of Department of Personnel
and Training (DoPT) of the Ministry of Personnel
 The headquarters of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) located in New Delhi
 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Academy located in Ghaziabad
 Central Bureau of Investigation was established in year of 1963
 Anti-Defection law passed in the year of 1985
 Article 83 lays down the qualifications for membership of the two Houses of Parliament
 The current limit of creamy layer (for OBC) in India to decide the benefits of the reservation is 8 lakhs per
annum
 National Commission for Other Backward Class came into effect from 1993
 Procedure for the amendment of the Constitution is taken from South Africa
 Farming is mainly served by the Co-operative Societies in India
 State reorganisation committee was appointed on 1953
 Central Vigilance Commission established on 1964
 Central Information Commission is established by the central government under the Right to Information Act
2005
 Article 76 of Indian Constitution dealt with the appointment of attorney general of India
 The Attorney General of India is the highest law officer of the country
 Jawahar Lal Nehru prepared the preamble of the Indian Constitution
 Preamble of the Constitution describes India as a secular state
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Article 368 of Indian constitution deals with constitutional amendments

 42nd constitutional Amendment of was passed during the emergency
 92nd constitutional amendment Bill added Bodo, Dogri, Maithali and Santhali launguages in the 8th schedule
of the Indian constitution
 Government of India act 1935 is called the mini constitution of India
 The council of ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha
 The Ninth Schedule to the Indian Constitution was added by First Amendment
 Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has the right to remove the incompetent, inefficient
and unproductive All India Service officers after 15 years of service
 Article 83 of the Constitution says that Rajya Sabha shall not be dissolute
 The representative from states in Rajya Sabha is elected by the Elected members of the state legislative
Assembly
 Article 249 of Indian constitution says that Parliament has the power to make laws on any matter in the state
list if a proclamation of emergency is in operation
 Article 275 has the provision that the union government will provide grants-in-aid to state government
 Article 280 of the Indian Constitution has the provision of Finance Commission in India
 Joint session of the parliament is arranged under the Article 108
 The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) must be Retired Judge of Supreme Court
 National Human Rights Commission was established in the year of 1993
 The term of Comptroller and Auditor General of India is 6 years
 Andhra Pradesh was the first linguistic state
 Sarojini Naidu was the first woman governor in independence India
 The Estimates Committee is the largest Committee of the Parliament
 The salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Court drawn from Consolidated Fund
 The strategy of Rolling plan was adopted during prime ministership of Morarji Desai
 Constitution describes India as Union of states
 Right to education is a human right as well as a fundamental right under the Constitution of India
 The United Nations declared 4th week of September is peace week
 The first session of the Constituent Assembly held at New Delhi
 Proclamation of National Emergency automatically suspends Right to freedom
 President decides the number of Judges in a High Court
 Malhotra committee was assigned to recommend reforms in the insurance sector\
 During the proclamation of National Emergency articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended
 Central pollution control bureau works under Environment and Forest ministry
 The year of the Shimla pact between India and Pakistan is 1972
 Liberty, Equality, Fraternity was a popular slogan of French revolution
 The Union Public Service Commission presents its report to President

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 The maximum number of elected members in a State Assembly is 500

 First woman to become a Chief Minister of any State in India is Sucheta Kripalani
 Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the Indian Union
 Radhakrishnan was the first President of the Indian Union
 Bibek Debroy committee report is related to Restructuring the railways
 Right against exploitation guaranteed that the Constitution prohibits traffic in human beings
 The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years
 President in consultation with Election Commission is authorised to decide a dispute regarding the
disqualification of members of Parliament
 The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house but one-third of its members retire every two years
 The Supreme Court tender’s advice to the President on a matter of law or fact. if he seeks such advice
 The objective of 97th Amendment Act is encourage economic activities of cooperatives which in turn help
progress of rural India
 The States Reorganisation Commission was set up in 1953 to consider the demand for linguistic states was
headed by Fazl Ali
 The legislative council in a state can be abolished by the Parliament on the recommendation of the state
legislative assembly
 The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, who is the chief of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, is appointed by
speaker of Lok sabha
 The Comptroller and Auditor General can be removed from his office before expiry of his term by the
President on the recommendation of the Parliament
 The writ of Habeas Corpus is issued in the form of an order calling upon a person who has detained another
person to bring that person before court and show authority for such detention
 The Speaker of the Lok Sabha addresses his letter of resignation to the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
 The Comptroller and Auditor General holds office for a term of six years
 The Government of India instituted Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri awards under Article 18 of the Constitution
 Impeachment proceedings against the President of India can be initiated in either House of Parliament
 The doctrine of judicial review is adopted in India to ensure smooth functioning of the Constitution
 The salary and allowances of the Comptroller and Auditor General are paid out of the Consolidated Fund of
India
 The Presiding officer of Rajya sabha is not a member of that house
 The Prime Minister of India occupies a superior position than the British Prime Minister because his office
has been created by the Constitution
 In India power of judicial review is restricted because the Constitution is supreme
 The 42nd Amendment increased the term of the Lok Sabha from five years to six years
 The Election Commission of India has a Quasi-Judicial Power
 The President of India is elected through an electoral college consisting of the elected members of Parliament
and state legislative assemblies
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Money bills can be introduced in the Parliament only with the prior approval of the President
 The Parliament of India consists of the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
 The Lok Sabha can be dissolved before the expiry of its term by the President on the advice of the Prime
Minister
 The maximum gap between the two sessions of Parliament is six months
 Prime Minister Choudhary Charan Singh never attended the Parliament during his tenure
 The power to form new states or change the boundaries of existing states rests with the Parliament
 The office of the Prime Minister in India has been created by the Constitution
 The government resigns if a no-confidence motion is passed in Lok sabha
 The pension of the judges of the High Court is charged from the Consolidated Fund of India
 Article 137 of the Constitution permits the Supreme Court to review its own judgement or order
 The Supreme Court of India was set up by the Constitution
 The States Reorganization Act, 1956, divided the entire country into 14 states and 6 union territories
 The titles and special privileges of the former rulers of the princely states were abolished by the 26th
Amendment

IMPORTANR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

1. First Amendment Act 1951

 Added Ninth Schedule to protect the land reform and other laws included in it from the judicial review
 Empowered the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and economically
backward classes

2. Fourth Amendment Act,1955

 Authorized the state to nationalize any trade

3. Seventh Amendment Act1956

 It was necessitated on account of reorganization of states on a linguistic basis and changed first and fourth
schedules
 Provided for the establishment of a common high court for two or more states
 Extended the jurisdiction of high courts to union territories

4. Eighth Amendment Act, 1960

 Extended reservation of SC, ST & Anglo Indians in Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies for a
period of 10 years

5. Ninth Amendment Act, 1960

 Transferred certain territories to Pakistan following September 1958 Indo-Pak Agreement
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

6. Tenth Amendment Act, 1961

 Incorporated Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the Indian Union

7. Twelfth Amendment Act, 1962

 Incorporated Goa, Daman and Diu in the Indian Union

8. Thirteenth Amendment Act, 1962

 Gave the status of a state to Nagaland and made special provisions for it

9. Fourteenth Amendment Act, 1962

 Incorporated Puducherry in the Indian Union

10. Fifteenth Amendment Act, 1963

 Enabled the high courts to issue writs to any person or authority even outside its territorial jurisdiction if
the cause of action arises within its territorial limits.
 The retirement age of high court judges from 60 to 62 years

11. Seventeenth Amendment Act, 1964

 Amended right to property and Added more provisions in 9th schedule

12. Nineteenth Amendment Act, 1966

 Abolished the system of Election Tribunals and vested the power to hear election petitions in the High
Courts

13. Twenty-First Amendment Act, 1967

 Included sindhi as the 15th language in the Eight Schedule

14. Twenty-Second Amendment Act, 1969

 Created a sub state of Meghalaya within Assam

15. Twenty-Fifth Amendment Act, 1971

 Curtailed the fundamental right to property

16. Twenty-Sixth Amendment Act, 1971

 Abolished titles and special privileges of former rulers of princely states

17. Twenty-Seventh Amendment, 1971

 Made certain special provisions for new Union Territories of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

18. Thirty-First Amendment Act, 1972

 Increased the number of Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545

19. Thirty-Fifth Amendment Act, 1974

 Terminated the protectorate status of Sikkim and conferred on it the status of an associate state of the
Indian Union

20. Thirty-Sixth Amendment Act, 1975

 Made Sikkim a full-fledged State of the Indian Union

21. Forty-First Amendment Act, 1976

 Increase in retirement age of members of State Public Service Commission and Joint Public Service
Commission from 60 to 62
22. Forty-Second Amendment Act, 1976
 Added three new words (socialist, secular and integrity) in the Preamble
 Added Fundamental Duties by the citizens (new Part IV A).
 Froze the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies on the basis of 1971 census till 2001
 Provided that the laws made for the implementation of Directive Principles cannot be declared invalid by
the courts on the ground of violation of some Fundamental Rights

23. Forty-Fourth Amendment Act, 1978

 Provided that the fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended during a
national emergency
 Deleted the right to property from the list of Fundamental Rights and made it only a legal right
24. Fifty-Second Amendment Act, 1985
 Provided for disqualification of members of Parliament and state legislatures on the ground of defection
and added a new Tenth Schedule containing the details in this regard
25. Fifty-Sixth Amendment Act, 1987
 Goa was made full-fledged State
 Fixed the strength of the Goa Legislative Assembly at a minimum of 30 members

26. Sixty-First Amendment Act, 1989

 Reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly
elections

27. Sixty-Fifth Amendment Act, 1990

 Establishment of National Commission for SCs & STs

28. Sixty-Ninth Amendment Act, 1991

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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Special status to the Union Territory of Delhi by designing it as the National Capital Territory of

29. Seventy-First Amendment Act, 1992

 Included konkani, manipuri and nepali languages in the Eight Schedule

30. Seventy-Third Amendment Act, 1992

 Granted constitutional status and protection to the panchayat raj institutions
 The Amendment has added a new Part-IX entitled as ’the panchayats’ and added new 11th Schedule

31. Seventy-Fourth Amendment Act, 1992

 Granted constitutional status and protection to the urban local bodies
 The Amendment has added a new Part IX-A entitled as ‘the municipalities’ and a new 12th Schedule

32. Eighty-Sixth Amendment Act, 2002

 Made elementary education a fundamental right. The newly-added Article 21-A declares that “the State
shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such
manner as the State may determine”
 Added a new fundamental duty under Article 51-A which reads— “It shall be the duty of every citizen of
India who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the
age of six and fourteen years”

32. Eighty-Ninth Amendment Act, 2003

 Bifurcated the erstwhile combined National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into
two separate bodies

33. Ninety-First Amendment Act, 2003

 The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Central Council of Ministers shall not
exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha
 The total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a state shall not
exceed 15% of the total strength of the legislative Assembly of that state
34. Ninety-Second Amendment Act, 2003
 Included four more languages in the Eighth Schedule. They are Bodo, Dogri (Dongri), Mathilli (Maithili)
and Santhali

35. One Hundredth Amendment Act, 2015

 Land boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh and Amended 1st schedule of constitution
36. 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016
 Goods and Services Tax (GST) has commenced with the enactment of the 101st Constitution Amendment
Act, 2016
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 Important Notes on Indian Polity for SSC & Railway Exams

 Articles 246A, 269A and 279A were added in the constitution

37. 123th constitutional amendment Act 2018

 Grant constitutional status to National Commission on Backward classes

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