Professional Documents
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- By Amit Kilhor
A Complete Guide on the Concepts of Indian Polity for
UPSC CSE and State PCS Examinations
Study IQ Education Pvt. Ltd.
Indian Polity by Amit Kilhor
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Dedicated to
Abhishek Jain
and
Coco (Vardhini)
Preface
Dear Aspirants,
Welcome to the world of Indian Polity, a comprehensive book meticulously crafted by StudyIQ
Publications in collaboration with the eminent Amit Kilhor, Director-Academics at StudyIQ and
a renowned Polity Faculty. Amit Kilhor, with his wealth of knowledge and experience, has played a
pivotal role in shaping this book. His commitment to providing aspirants with a holistic understanding
of Indian polity is evident throughout the pages. This book is not just an accumulation of information;
it’s a curated exploration incorporating key Supreme Court judgments, relevant constituent assembly
debates, essential constitutional articles & amendments, and contemporary political issues.
Key features of this book can be summarised as follows -
This book aims to make your preparation focused and relevant based on UPSC’s current trend and
pattern, it is revision-friendly, and up-to-date.
• Extensive coverage of contemporary issues: Key Current affairs issues have been included in the
chapters to provide aspirants with an integrated approach to their preparation.
• onstituent assembly debates: These are integrated within chapters which will be helpful in
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providing different perspectives to aspirants.
• L ucid Language: Simple explanation of complex Supreme Court judgments would help aspirants in
utilising them for their Mains preparation.
• “ Remember This” boxes: The content in these boxes adds extra value to the preparation of Indian
Polity from a Preliminary exam point of view.
• revious Year Questions of both the Preliminary and Mains examinations are provided at the end
P
of every chapter.
• evision Friendly: The book is revision friendly as great care has been taken to highlight the
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important bits and provide the content in simple as well as clear language.
• ne-stop solution: The book is designed in such a way that civil services aspirants would find it
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essential for all stages of the examination process i.e., Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
A special acknowledgment goes to Vishal Parmeshwar Jaybhaye, whose unwavering support in the
creation, review, and finalization of the content has been instrumental.
At StudyIQ, we continually strive to push the boundaries of excellence in the field of education. “Indian
Polity” is a testament to our commitment to providing every civil services aspirant with access to the
best resources. We believe that education is the key to empowerment, and this book is a significant
step in that direction.
With all sincerity and humility, the Study IQ team wishes you the best in your preparation, and we are
hopeful that this book will help you in your journey.
From,
The Editorial Board
StudyIQ Publication
Table of Contents
Section-A Philosophy of Constitution
1. Historical Underpinnings������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
2. Making of the Constitution������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
3. Salient Features of the Constitution�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26
4. Preamble���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45
5. Indian Union and its Territories������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������54
6. Citizenship�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62
7. Fundamental Rights�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������77
8. Directive Principles of State Policy�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������135
9. Fundamental Duties��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������157
10. System of the Government����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������165
11. Federal System����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������171
Section-B Legislature
12. Parliament�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������181
13. Parliamentary Committees����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������243
14. Parliamentary Forums and Groups�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������257
15. State Legislature��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������263
Section-C Executive
16. President�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������283
17. Vice-President�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������298
18. Prime Minister�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������304
19. Council of Ministers���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������310
20. Cabinet Committees��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������317
21. Governor�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������322
22. Chief Minister������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������337
23. Council of Ministers���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������341
Section-D Judiciary
24. Supreme Court����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������347
25. Judicial Review����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������373
26. Judicial Activism��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������379
27. Public Interest Litigation��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������392
28. Separation of Powers�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������399
29. High Courts����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������402
30. Subordinate Courts����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������412
31. Tribunals��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������420
32. Lok Adalats����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������425
33. National Legal Services Authority of India������������������������������������������������������������������������������431
34. Gram Nyayalayas�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������436
35. Alternate Dispute Resolution�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������439
Section-E Federalism
36. Union-State Relations������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������446
37. Inter-State Relations��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������466
38. Inter-State Council�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������474
39. Zonal Councils�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������478
40. Emergency Provisions������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������480
In 1600, the British arrived in India as traders in and the British administration. The evolution can
the form of the East India Company (EIC). Under a be studied under two broad phases:
Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I, the company • The Company rule (1773-1858)
had exclusive rights to trading in India. Initially, they • The Crown rule (1858-1947)
only engaged in trading and were not motivated by
political gains. However, this scenario changed after THE COMPANY RULE (1773-1858)
their victory in the Battle of Buxar in 1764.
The EIC, which until then was only engaged in REGULATING ACT OF 1773
trade, gained Diwani rights (rights over revenue) of
Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. This marked the rise of The Regulating Act of 1773 was enacted by
EIC as a territorial force. The company went on to the British Parliament to regulate the EIC’s Indian
administer India till 1858 when the British Crown territories, mainly in Bengal. This legislative
directly assumed control of India’s affairs in the act represented the initial involvement of the
wake of the ‘Revolt of 1857’. The British government British government in the company’s territorial
went on to rule India till its independence on August administration and signaled the commencement of
15th, 1947. a gradual takeover process that culminated in 1858.
The British government passed various acts, Background
initially to regulate East India company and later
for the governance of India. However, none of The Act was passed because of the following
these met Indian expectations mainly because reasons:
they were brought by a foreign power and their • Financial Distress: The East India Company
ultimate aim was to fulfil their own interests. All the was in dire financial stress. The company was
constitutional developments prior to independence important to the British Empire as the EIC had
were imposed upon Indians and Indian opinion in trading monopoly in India and in the east.
these developments was constantly ignored. The Company paid £40,000 annually to the
The company rule from 1773 – 1858 was followed government to maintain its monopoly but it
by the direct rule of the crown (1858 to 1947). had been unable to meet its commitments
Various constitutional and administrative changes since 1768. In 1772, the company had asked
were introduced by the British through these acts. for a loan of 1 million pounds from the British
Although they were brought with the objective of government. Thus, the British government
serving British Imperial ideology, they eventually decided to take steps to regulate the affairs of
became responsible in introducing various elements the company.
of democracy and modern state into the Indian • Inefficient Dual System: After winning
political and administrative system. The evolution of the Diwani rights of Bengal, Robert Clive
the Indian Constitution can be traced back to such introduced Dual system of administration. In
acts and policies undertaken during the Company this system, Nawab of Bengal was responsible
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Historical Underpinnings 3
for “Nizamat” i.e. Judicial and political • Accountability of EIC: It mandated that the
functions and the Company had “Diwani’ rights Company’s governing body, the Court of
i.e. Revenue Collection rights. The company Directors, disclose all its official affairs to the
had no responsibilities and enjoyed power. British Government, including revenue, civil,
Whereas the Nawab was burdened with the and military matters.
responsibility of administration without the
Remember this
resources i.e. responsibility without power. As
a result, farmers and the general population The then Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted
suffered as their welfare was neglected. ‘Diwani’ rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the
• Poor administration: There were many East India Company in 1765.
allegations of corruption and nepotism against
the company officials. The misadministration Significance of the Act
of Bengal was one of the major reasons for
the Great Bengal famine of 1770. Also, during • Regulation of company affairs: It was the first
the famine, the company did not take any step by the British parliament to regulate and
meaningful mitigation efforts to provide relief control the affairs of the East India company.
to the people like reduction in taxation etc. • Centralised administration: It laid the
• Defeat against Mysore: The company forces foundation of centralised administration in
were defeated by Hyder Ali in the 1st Anglo – India by making the Governors of Bombay
Mysore war (1767 to 1769). and Madras presidencies subordinate to the
Governor-General of Bengal.
Provisions of the Act • Official recognition: For the first time ever, the
• Designation: The Act changed the designation political and administrative functions of the
of the Governor of Bengal as the Governor company in India were officially recognised.
General of Bengal. Warren Hastings was
Issues with Act
appointed as the first Governor General of
Bengal. • The Governor General didn’t have any veto
• Executive Council: Constituted a four-member power in the Executive council.
Executive Council to assist the Governor • Powers of the Supreme court were not well
General of Bengal in his role. defined.
• Centralisation: The Governors of Bombay • Lack of coordination: Governors of Madras and
and Madras were made subordinates to the Bombay restrained themselves from following
Governor-General of Bengal. With this, the the orders of the Governor-General of Bengal,
autonomy of the Governor of Bombay and whose significant example was the First Anglo-
Madras was diminished. Maratha war (1775-82).
• Supreme court: A Supreme court in Calcutta • Turned out to be ineffective: There was
was established in 1774 comprising one chief no mechanism to study the reports sent by
justice and three other judges. Its first Chief the Governor-General in Council. Thus, the
Justice was Sir Elijah Impey. parliamentary control that was sought in
• Restriction on private trade: The Act barred the activities of the company proved to be
the officials of the company from engaging in ineffective. The act was also unable to stop
private commerce or receiving bribes and gifts corruption among company officials.
from the native population.
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4 Indian Polity by Amit Kilhor
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Historical Underpinnings 5
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6 Indian Polity by Amit Kilhor
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Historical Underpinnings 7
• Designation: It made the Governor General the abolition of slavery and improvement of
of Bengal the Governor General of British the condition of the slaves. This provision was
India. All financial, administrative and military acted upon in 1843.
powers were centralised in the hands of the • Section 87 of the Act declared, “that no
Governor General-in-Council. Lord William native or natural born subject of the crown
Bentinck became the “First Governor General resident in lndia should be by reason only of
of British India”. his religion, place of birth, descent, colour or
• Centralisation: It deprived the governors any of them be disqualified for any place in
of Bombay and Madras of their legislative the company’s service.” This was not of much
powers. The Governor-General of India was practical importance, since nothing was done
given exclusive legislative powers for the entire and Indians remained excluded from higher
British India. posts in civil and military service.
• Expansion of Executive Council: The Act added
one more member to the Executive council of CHARTER ACT OF 1853
the Governor General. This new member was
to be called Law Member, whose work was Background
fully legislative. This Act was primarily passed to renew the
• Law Commission: It provided for the charter of the East India Company. Besides this there
establishment of an Indian Law commission were concerns raised about the Governor-General
for the codification of laws. Lord Macaulay was of India’s role as Governor of Bengal because it led
made the Chairman of the Law Commission. to some decisions in favour of Bengal. There was
• Open Competition: It attempted to introduce a also a call for decentralisation of the power and
system of open competition (including Indians) inclusion of Indians in administration.
for the selection of civil servants but couldn’t
be implemented due to opposition from the
Provisions of the Act
Court of Directors. • No specific time period: The act extended
• Resident rights: It allowed the British to freely the Company’s rule and allowed it to retain
settle in India. the possession of Indian territories on trust
for the British Crown. But it did not specify
Significance of the Act any particular period, as provided for in the
• Peak of Centralization: Centralization of the previous Charters.
Indian administration reached its zenith after • Separation of functions: The legislative and
the elevation of the Governor General of executive functions of Governor-General’s
Bengal as the Governor-General of India. Council were separated for the first time.
• Trustee of crown: EIC was made a trustee of • Expansion of Legislative council: A separate
the British crown in the field of administration. Indian (Central) legislative council was
• 1st Law commission: India’s first Law constituted, to which 6 new members were
commission was constituted which was added as legislative councillors.
responsible for drafting the Indian Penal Code • Expansion of executive council: The law
(IPC) which was enacted later in 1860. member was promoted as a full member of the
• The Act of 1833 also enjoined upon the Governor General executive council.
Government of India to take measures for • Open competition: The Government required
meritorious civil servants to draft and
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