UNIT 1 Topic: Introduction to Constitution of India

1. The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world, with 448
articles and 12 schedules.
2. The Constituent Assembly was made up of 299 members, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
serving as the chairman of the drafting committee.
3. The Constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950, replacing the
Government of India Act, 1935.
4. The Constitution provides for a federal system of government, with powers divided
between the central and state governments.
5. The preamble to the Constitution states that the Constitution was adopted to secure for
all citizens justice, liberty, and equality.
6. The Constitution of India has been amended 104 times since its adoption, with the
most recent amendment taking place in 2019.
7. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary that is separate from the
executive and legislative branches of government.
8. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a National Human Rights
Commission to protect and promote human rights in India.
9. The Constitution provides for the appointment of a Comptroller and Auditor General
to audit the accounts of the government.
10. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a Public Service Commission to
recruit candidates for civil services in the country.

Topic: Salient Features of the Indian Constitution

1. The Constitution provides for the separation of powers among the executive,
legislature, and judiciary.
2. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary that can strike down any law
or government action that is deemed unconstitutional.
3. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a federal system of government,
with powers divided between the central and state governments.
4. The Constitution provides for the protection of fundamental rights of all citizens,
including the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to life
and personal liberty.
5. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a parliamentary form of
government with the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head
of government.
6. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a three-tier system of government-
the Union government, the state governments, and the local governments.
7. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a National Human Rights
Commission to protect and promote human rights in India.
8. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a Public Service Commission to
recruit candidates for civil services in the country.
9. The Constitution provides for the establishment of an Election Commission to
conduct free and fair elections in the country.
10. The Constitution provides for the establishment of a Finance Commission to allocate
resources between the central and state governments.
 Topic: Preamble of the Constitution

1. The Preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory

statement that outlines the fundamental principles and values of the
Constitution.
2. The Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular,
democratic, and republic nation.
3. The term 'sovereign' means that India is a self-governing country that is
not subject to external control or influence.
4. The term 'socialist' means that the government should work towards a
more equitable distribution of resources and promote the welfare of all
citizens.
5. The term 'secular' means that the state should not promote any
particular religion and should treat all religions equally.
6. The term 'democratic' means that the people have the right to choose
their leaders through free and fair elections.
7. The term 'republic' means that the President is the head of state and is
elected by an electoral college.
8. The Preamble outlines the objectives of the Constitution, including
justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
9. The Preamble highlights the importance of national unity and the
promotion of the welfare of all citizens.

UNIT 2-Topic: Fundamental Rights and Duties

1. Fundamental Rights are enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution and
guarantee certain rights to Indian citizens, including the right to equality,
freedom, and protection against exploitation.
2. Article 14 of the Indian Constitution provides for the right to equality and
prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of
birth.
3. Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination against any
citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
4. Article 19 of the Indian Constitution provides for the right to freedom of
speech and expression, the right to assemble peacefully, the right to form
associations or unions and the right to move freely throughout the country.
5. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution provides for the right to life and personal
liberty, which includes the right to a fair trial, protection from arbitrary arrest
and detention, and the right to privacy.
6. Article 23 of the Indian Constitution prohibits trafficking of humans and forced
labor, while Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of
14 years in factories, mines, or any hazardous work.
 7. Articles 25-30 of the Indian Constitution provide for the right to freedom of
religion, the right to establish and maintain religious institutions, and the right
to impart education in one's own language.
8. The Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the government to
frame policies and laws that promote the welfare of the people, and they are
enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution.
9. Fundamental Duties are a set of obligations that are imposed on citizens to
promote the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India, and they are enshrined
in Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution.
10. The Constitution of India provides for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights
through the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

Topic: Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties

1. Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the government to

formulate policies and laws in order to promote the welfare of the people.
2. The Directive Principles are enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution and
are not legally enforceable.
3. The Directive Principles of State Policy include provisions related to social
justice, economic growth, and political empowerment.
4. The Directive Principles require the government to work towards reducing
poverty, providing free and compulsory education, promoting equal pay for
equal work, and promoting the welfare of women and children.
5. Fundamental Duties are a set of obligations that are imposed on citizens to
promote the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of India.
6. Fundamental Duties are enshrined in Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution and
were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
7. The Fundamental Duties include respecting the Constitution, promoting
harmony, striving towards excellence in all fields, and safeguarding public
property.
8. Fundamental Duties are not legally enforceable, but they serve as a reminder
of the responsibilities of citizens towards the nation.
9. The Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added a new Fundamental Duty,
which requires parents to educate their children between the ages of six and
fourteen years.
10. The Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties together form
the backbone of the Indian Constitution, providing guidelines for the
government and citizens to promote the welfare of the people and the nation
as a whole.
 Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution:

1. Fundamental Duties are a set of moral obligations that every citizen must
follow to contribute to the welfare of society and promote the unity, integrity,
and sovereignty of the nation.
2. The Indian Constitution originally did not have any Fundamental Duties. They
were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.
3. Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Duties. It consists
of a single article, Article 51A, which lists the ten Fundamental Duties.
4. The ten Fundamental Duties include to abide by the Constitution and respect
its ideals and institutions, to defend the country and render national service,
to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, and to safeguard
public property.
5. The legal status of Fundamental Duties is not the same as that of Fundamental
Rights. While Fundamental Rights are justiciable, Fundamental Duties are not
enforceable by law.
6. However, the Indian judiciary has made it clear that Fundamental Duties are
important for the maintenance of the rule of law and the preservation of the
values enshrined in the Constitution.
7. The Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties are
interlinked. The former lays down guidelines for the government to follow
while the latter places certain obligations on citizens to help the government
achieve its goals.
8. The significance of Fundamental Duties lies in their ability to promote a sense
of responsibility and patriotism among citizens. They remind citizens that their
rights come with certain responsibilities and that they have a duty to
contribute to the welfare of the country.
9. The Indian government has taken various steps to promote awareness about
Fundamental Duties. These include launching awareness campaigns,
incorporating them in school curriculums, and celebrating National
Integration Day on the 19th of November every year.
10. In conclusion, Fundamental Duties are an essential component of the Indian
Constitution. They remind citizens of their moral obligations towards the
nation and encourage them to work towards its betterment.
UNIT 3-Topic: Office of President, Vice President and Governor: Power and Functions

1. President:
• The President is the head of the Indian state and the supreme commander of
the armed forces.
• The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected
members of both houses of Parliament and of the legislative assemblies of the
states.
• The President has the power to appoint the Prime Minister and other
members of the Council of Ministers.
• The President has the power to summon and prorogue Parliament, and to
dissolve the Lok Sabha.
• The President also has the power to issue executive orders and directives.
2.Vice President:
• The Vice President is the second-highest constitutional position in the country.
• The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the
members of both houses of Parliament.
• The Vice President performs the duties of the President in case of the latter's
absence or inability to perform the duties.
• The Vice President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
3.Governor:
• The Governor is the head of a state and is appointed by the President.
• The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President.
• The Governor has the power to make laws for the state, summon the state
legislature and address it.
• The Governor also has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or
remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit, or commute the sentence of
any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to
which the executive power of the state extends.

Topic: Parliament

1. Composition:
• Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India.
• Parliament consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and
the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
• The Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members, while the Lok
Sabha can have up to 552 members.
1. Powers and Functions:
• Parliament has the power to make laws on all subjects listed in the Union List
and the Concurrent List.
• Parliament also has the power to amend the Constitution.
 • The Lok Sabha has the power to initiate and pass a vote of no confidence
against the government.
• The Rajya Sabha has the power to review bills passed by the Lok Sabha and to
propose amendments.
1. Sessions:
• Parliament is summoned by the President at least twice a year.
• A session of Parliament lasts for a maximum of six months.
• There are three sessions of Parliament: the Budget Session, the Monsoon
Session, and the Winter Session.
• A joint sitting of both houses of Parliament can be called in case of a deadlock
on a bill passed by one house but not by the other.

Emergency Provisions and President's Rule:

Types of Emergencies:

1. National Emergency, State Emergency, and Financial Emergency.

2. National Emergency can be imposed in case of war, external aggression, or
armed rebellion.
3. State Emergency can be imposed in case of failure of the constitutional
machinery in a state.
4. Financial Emergency can be imposed when the financial stability or credit of
India is threatened.

Powers and Functions:

1. The Central Government is vested with extraordinary powers to deal with the
situation during an emergency.
2. Fundamental rights can be suspended during an emergency.
3. The President has the power to impose President's Rule in a state in case of
failure of the constitutional machinery.

Duration and Revocation:

1. National Emergency can be in force for a maximum of six months.

2. State Emergency can be in force for a maximum of three months.
3. Financial Emergency can be in force for an indefinite period.
4. The President has the power to revoke an emergency at any time.

President's Rule:
 1. Suspension of state government and imposition of direct Central Government
rule in a state.
2. Imposed when the constitutional machinery of a state fails and the Governor
is unable to carry out the administration.
3. The President can declare President's Rule on the advice of the Governor or
on his own discretion.
4. Once President's Rule is imposed, the State Assembly is either dissolved or
kept in suspended animation.
5. The President can appoint an administrator or Governor to run the state in
case of President's Rule.
6. Imposition of President's Rule is subject to judicial review.

Limitations and Criticisms:

1. Emergency provisions have been criticized for giving too much power to the
Central Government and curtailing individual freedoms.
2. The imposition of President's Rule has been criticized for being misused for
political purposes and subverting democratic institutions.
3. The Supreme Court has played a crucial role in limiting the misuse of
emergency provisions and upholding the rights of citizens during
emergencies.
Union Judiciary- Appointment of Judges:

1. The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in India and plays a crucial
role in upholding the Constitution of India.
2. The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India in
consultation with other judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
3. The appointment process is carried out by a collegium consisting of the Chief
Justice of India and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
4. The collegium recommends the names of suitable candidates for appointment
as judges to the President.
5. The appointment of judges has been a subject of controversy in recent times,
with critics arguing that the process lacks transparency and accountability.

Union Judiciary- Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court:

1. The Supreme Court of India has original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction.
2. It has original jurisdiction in matters involving disputes between the
government of India and one or more states, or between different states.
3. The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal
in the country.
4. The Supreme Court can hear appeals from the High Courts and other lower
courts.
5. The advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court allows the President to seek its
advice on any matter of law or public importance.

State Judiciary- Power and Functions:

1. The state judiciary in India consists of High Courts and subordinate courts.
2. The High Courts are the highest judicial bodies in each state.
3. The state judiciary has the power to interpret and uphold the laws of the state.
4. It also has the power to adjudicate on disputes between individuals,
organizations, and the state government.
 5. The state judiciary plays a critical role in protecting the rights of citizens and
ensuring justice is served.

State Judiciary- Writ Jurisdiction:

1. Writ jurisdiction is an essential power of the judiciary to issue writs to enforce

fundamental rights of the citizens.
2. The High Courts and the Supreme Court of India have the power to issue writs
for the protection of fundamental rights of citizens.
3. The writs include habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, and quo
warranto.
4. Habeas corpus is used to produce a person before the court who has been
illegally detained or imprisoned.
5. Mandamus is used to compel a public official to perform their duties.
6. Prohibition is used to prevent a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction.
7. Certiorari is used to quash an order or decision of a lower court.
8. Quo warranto is used to question the authority of a person holding public
office.
9. Writ jurisdiction ensures that the state does not violate the fundamental rights
of its citizens.
10. It is a powerful tool in the hands of the judiciary to protect the rights of the
people and ensure justice is served.
UNIT 4-Legislative Relations between Union and States:

1. The Union List, State List, and Concurrent List provide for the division of
legislative powers between the Centre and the states.
2. The Centre has exclusive power to legislate on subjects in the Union List.
3. The states have exclusive power to legislate on subjects in the State List.
4. Both the Centre and states can legislate on subjects in the Concurrent List.
5. In case of inconsistency between laws made by the Centre and the states, the
laws made by the Centre prevail.
6. The President has the power to reserve a state bill for consideration of both
houses of Parliament.
7. The Supreme Court has the power to adjudicate disputes between the Centre
and the states regarding legislative powers.

Administrative Relations between Union and States:

1. The Governor of a state is appointed by the President and is responsible for

the administration of the state.
2. The Centre can give directions to the states on matters related to
administration.
3. The states have their own Public Service Commission for recruitment and
management of public servants.
4. The Centre can establish All India Services, such as the Indian Administrative
Service, which serve both the Centre and the states.
5. The Centre can also establish Joint Public Service Commission for the Union
and the states.
6. The Centre can deploy Central Armed Police Forces in the states for
maintenance of law and order.
7. The Constitution provides for the establishment of the Inter-State Council for
coordination between the Centre and the states on matters of common
interest.

Financial Relations between Union and States:

1. The Constitution provides for the distribution of taxing powers between the
Centre and the states.
2. The Centre levies taxes on subjects in the Union List, while states levy taxes on
subjects in the State List.
3. The Centre and states can also levy taxes on subjects in the Concurrent List.
4. The Finance Commission is appointed by the President to make
recommendations on the distribution of financial resources between the
Centre and the states.
 5. The Constitution provides for grants-in-aid from the Centre to the states for
specific purposes.
6. The states can borrow from the Centre and financial institutions on their own
authority.
7. The Centre can provide loans to the states, which are repayable with interest.
8. The states can receive foreign aid with the consent of the Centre.
9. The states have to obtain the Centre's approval for loans from foreign
institutions.
10. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is responsible for auditing the
accounts of both the Centre and the states.

IS INDIAN CONSTITUTION FEDERAL IN NATURE?

1. The Indian Constitution is often described as quasi-federal or cooperative

federal in nature.
2. The Constitution provides for a division of powers between the central
government and the state governments.
3. The powers and functions of both the central and state governments are
clearly defined in the Constitution.
4. The Constitution establishes a bicameral legislature at the center and
unicameral legislatures in the states.
5. The Constitution also provides for an independent judiciary with the Supreme
Court as the final court of appeal.
6. The central government has the power to override state laws in certain
circumstances.
7. The Constitution provides for a system of concurrent powers, where both the
central and state governments can exercise authority in certain areas.
8. The Constitution provides for the creation of new states or the reorganization
of existing states with the approval of the central government.
9. The central government has the power to impose President's Rule in a state in
case of failure of the constitutional machinery.
10. The Constitution also provides for a system of fiscal federalism, where the
central government and state governments share revenue and taxation
powers.
11. The Constitution empowers the central government to create national
institutions for the promotion of unity and integration, such as the All India
Services and the Election Commission.
12. The federal nature of the Constitution has been subject to debate and
criticism, with some scholars arguing that the central government has become
increasingly dominant in recent years.
13. The Supreme Court has played an important role in interpreting the federal
provisions of the Constitution and resolving disputes between the central and
state governments.
14. Overall, the Indian Constitution can be seen as a unique and complex blend of
federal and unitary features, with the central government and state
governments working together to promote the well-being of the nation and
its people.
15. The federal nature of the Indian Constitution reflects the diverse and pluralistic
character of the country, and its commitment to democracy, decentralization,
and inclusive development.