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::Polity & Governance::

Indian Polity And Governance (Prelims)

EVOLUTION OF THE CONSTITUTION

  • The Company Rule (1773-1858)
    • Regulating Act, 1773
    • Amending Act, 1781
    • Pitt’s India Act, 1784
    • Amending Act of 1786
    • Charter Act, 1793
    • Charter Act, 1813
    • Charter Act, 1833
    • Charter Act, 1853
  • The Crown Rule (1858-1947)
    • Government of India Act, 1858
    • Indian Councils Act, 1861
    • Indian Councils Act, 1892
    • Indian Councils Act, 1909
    • Government of India Act, 1919
    • Simon Commission
    • Government of India Act, 1935
    • Indian Independence Act, 1947
  • Drafting and Sources of Indian Constitution)
    • Seminal Sources
    • External Sources
    • Developmental Sources
    • Constitutional Practices
    • Important Committees of the Constituent Assembly and their Chairman

SALIENT FEATURES OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION

  • Constitution and Types
    • What is a Constitution?
    • Types of Constitution
    • Functions of the Constitution
    • Historical evolution of the Constitution
    • Constituent Assembly
    • Objectives of the Constitution
    • Unitary features
    • Federal features
  • Types of Political System
    • Types of Political System
    • Types of Government
    • Parliamentary form of government
    • Features of the Presidential System
    • Features of Semi-Presidential System
  • Types of Majorities as per the Indian Constitution
    • Absolute Majority
    • Effective Majority
    • Simple Majority
    • Special Majority
  • Preamble and Values in the Constitution
    • The objectives laid down in the Preamble
    • Whether the Preamble is a partof the Constitution or not?
    • Whether Preamble can be amended or not?
      • Ideals (mentioned in the Preamble)
      • Democratic
      • Sovereign
      • Socialist
      • Secular
      • Republic
      • Justice
      • Equality
      • Liberty
      • Fraternity
      • Integrity
  • Amendment of the Constitution
    • Procedure for amendment
    • Types of Amendments
    • Amendability of FR’s
    • Ingredients of basic structure
  • Doctrine and Terms
    • Doctrine of severability
    • Validity of Re-Constitutional Laws
    • Doctrine of Eclipse
    • Doctrine of Harmonious Construction
    • Doctrine of Pith and Substance
    • Doctrine of Colorable Legislation (Article 246)
    • Doctrine of Territorial Nexus
    • Doctrine of Laches
    • Due Process of Law
    • Procedure Established by Law
  • Other Constitutional Dimensions
    • Schedules and Subjects
    • Official Languages

UNION & ITS TERRITORY

  • ARTICLE 1-4
    • Article 1: Name and Territory of the Union
    • Committee/commission for StateRe-organisation
    • The State Reorganization Commission(SRC) 1953
    • Article 2: Admit or Establish new State
    • Article 3: Formation of new States andalternation of areas, boundaries or names of existing States
    • Article 4: Laws made under articles2 and 3 to provide for the amendment of the First and the Fourth Schedule and Supplemental.
    • Delimitation Commission

CITIZENSHIP

  • Constitutional Provisions
    • Constitutional provisions of citizenship
    • Citizenship Act, 1955
    • The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2016
    • Methodology of getting citizenship
    • Modes of Losing the Citizenship of India
    • Concept of dual citizenship
    • Special privileges enjoyed bycitizens in India
    • Rights and Duties of Citizens
  • Indian Diaspora
    • Pravasi Bhartiya Divas
    • Non-Resident Indians

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

  • Evolution Objectives And Features
    • Meaning
    • Objectives
    • Features
    • Importance
    • Restrictive limitations on fundamental rights
  • Article 12 and Article 13
    • Definition of state
    • Laws Inconsistent with Fundamental Rights
  • Right to Equality
    • Article 14: Equality before the lawor the Equal protection of Law
    • Article 15: Prohibition of Discriminationon the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth
    • Article 16: Equality of Opportunityin matters of Public Employment
    • Article 17: Abolition of Untouchability
    • Article 18: Abolition of Titles
  • Right to Freedom
    • Article 19
    • Article 20: (Protection in respectof conviction for offenses)
    • Article 21: Protection of life andpersonal liberty
    • Article 22: Protection against arrestand detention
  • Right against Exploitation
    • Article 23: Prohibition of Trafficin human beings and forced labour
    • Article 24: Prohibition of employmentof children in factories, etc
  • Right to Freedom of Religion
    • Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation or religion
    • Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs
    • Article 27: Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.
    • Article 28: Freedom from attendance religious instruction or worship in educational institutions
  • Cultural and Educational Rights
    • Article 29: Protection of interest of Minorities
    • Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions
  • Right to Constitutional Remedies
    • Article 32: Right to Constitutional Remedies:
      • Habeas Corpus
      • Mandamus
      • Certiorari
      • Prohibition
      • Quo Warranto
  • FR’s other Dimensions
    • Article 33
    • Article 34
    • Article 35
    • Article 35A         

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY (DPSP)

  • Evolution, objectives, and features
    • Basic features
    • Types
    • Amendments
    • Implementation
  • Socialistic Principles
    • Article: 38
    • Article:39
    • Article: 39A
    • Article: 41
    • Article: 42
    • Article: 43
    • Article: 43-A
    • Article: 47
  • Gandhian Principles
    • Article: 40
    • Article: 43
    • Article: 46
    • Article: 47
    • Article: 48
  • Liberal-Intellectual Principles
    • Article: 44
    • Article: 45
    • Article: 48
    • Article: 48A
    • Article: 49
    • Article: 50
    • Article: 51
  • Directive Principle Outside Part IV
    • ARTICLE 335 IN PART XVI
    • ARTICLE 350-A IN PART XVII
    • Article 351 in Part XVII

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

  • Article: 51A
    • Features
    • Relation between of Fundamental Rightsand Fundamental Duties
    • List Of Fundamental Duties
    • 86th Constitutional Amendment Act 2003 : RTE
  • Recent Developments
    • Fundamental Duties – Awareness Campaigns is the Duty of Centre
    • National Anthem – Mandatoryin Cinema Halls – Article 51(a)
    • Prevention of Insults toNational Honour Act, 1971
    • Triple Talaq Issue
    • Uniform Civil Code
    • MGNREGA: Right to Work
    • Making Aadhar mandatory

SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE

  • Centre-State Relations
    • Legislative relations (Articles) 245
    • Related to Territorial Powers
    • Related to Legislative Powers
    • Related to Parliament’s Powersto make Laws in State
    • Sarkaria Commission’s Opinionon Legislative Relations
    • Administrative Relations
    • Delegation of Union Functionsto the States
    • Sarkaria Commission’s Opinionon Administrative Relations
    • Financial relations
    • National Integration Council
  • Inter State Relation
    • Inter state water dispute
    • Inter state councils
    • Inter state trade and commerce
    • Zonal Councils
  • Special Provisoions for some States
    • Provisions for Maharastra and Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam and Manipur
    • Provisions for Jammu and Kashmir (A370) (now abrogated)
  • Types of Emergencies
    • National Emergency
    • Constitutional/State Emergency /President’s Rule
  • Financial Emergency

UNION EXECUTIVE

  • President
    • Eligibility
    • Conditions of Office
    • Term of Office
    • Election
    • Manner of Election
    • Impeachment of the President
    • Impeachment of the President
    • Vacancy in the Office of President
    • Powers of the President
      • Executive powers (Article 53)
      • Legislative Powers
      • Financial Powers
      • Ordinance Issuing Power (Article 123)
      • Judicial/Pardoning Power
      • Military
      • Diplomatic
      • Emergency Powers
  • Vice President
    • Qualification
    • Conditions of Office
    • Term of Office
    • Election
    • Removal
    • Vacancy
    • Functions of the Vice-President
  • The Prime Minister
    • Appointment
    • Eligibility
    • Powers and Functions of Prime Minister
    • Relationship between the President
      and the Prime Minister
    • Deputy Prime Minister
    • Prime Minister’s Office
  • Union Council of Minister
    • Article 74: Council of Ministers to aidand advice President
    • Article 75: Other Provisions as to Ministers
    • Article 77: Conduct of Businessof the Government of India
    • Article 78: Duties of Prime Minister
    • Nature of advice by Ministers
    • Strength of the Council
    • Appointment of a Non-legislator as a Minister
    • Collective responsibility of the Ministers
    • Individual Responsibility of Ministers

UNION LEGISLATURE

  • Organisation of Parliament
    • Organisation of Parliament
    • Qualifications and Disqualifications forbeing a Member of Parliament (Article 84)
    • Functions of the Parliament
    • Functioning of the Parliament
    • Sessions of Parliament
    • Devices of Parliamentary Proceedings
    • Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities
    • Collective Privileges of the House
    • Individual Privileges
    • Houses of the Parliament
  • Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
    • Lok Sabha Composition
    • Rajya Sabha Composition
    • Presiding Officers of the Parliament
    • Speaker
    • Powers & Functions of the speaker
    • Deputy Speaker
    • Panel of Chairpersons of Lok Sabha
    • Speaker Pro Tem
    • Chairman of Rajya Sabha
    • Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
    • Panel of Vice-Chairpersons of Rajya Sabha
    • Chairman and Deputy chairman of the Council of States
  • Legislative Procedure and Committees of Parliament
    • Legislative Procedure in Parliament
    • Ordinary Bill
    • Money Bill
    • Financial Bill
    • Constitution Amendment Bill
    • Lapsing of Bills
    • Annual Financial Statement: Budget (Article 112)
    • Demand of Grants
    • Appropriation Bill
    • Cut motions
    • Stages in Enactment of Budget
    • Other Grants
    • Related Information of Budget
    • Parliamentary committees

STATE EXECUTIVE

  • Governor
    • Article 152: Definition
    • Article 153: Governors of States
    • Article 154: Executive power of State
      • Powers of Governor
      • Executive power
      • Legislative power
      • Financial Power
      • Judicial Power
    • Discretionary power
    • Article 155: Appointment of Governor
    • Article 156: Term of office of Governor
    • Article 157: Qualifications for Appointment as Governor
    • Article 158: Conditions of Governor’s office
    • Article 159: Oath or affirmation by the Governor
    • Article 160: Discharge of the functions of the Governor in certain contingencies
    • Article 161
    • Article 162: Extent of executive power of State
    • Recommendations on the office of Governor
    • ARC (Administrative Reforms Commission)
    • Sarkaria Commission
    • National Commission to Review the working of the Constitution
  • The Chief Minister and the CoM
    • Powers and Functions of Chief Minister
      • In Relation to Council of Ministers
      • In relation to the Governor
      • In Relation to State Legislature
      • Other Powers and Functions
    • Composition of the Council of Ministers
    • Responsibility of Ministers
    • Advocate-General for the State

STATE LEGISLATURE

  • Legislative Assembly
    • Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)
    • Powers and Functions
    • Speaker & Deputy Speaker
    • Parliament’s Control over State Legislature
  • Legislative Council (Article 169)
    • Qualifications
    • Powers and Functions

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

  • Panchayati Raj
    • Evolution of the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)
    • 73rd Amendment Act of 1992
    • Compulsory and Voluntary Provisions
  • Urban Local Government
    • 74th Constitutional Amendment Act
    • Types of Urban Governments In India

UNION TERRITORIES AND SPECIAL AREAS

  • Union Territories
    • Creation of Union Territories
    • Administration of UT’s
    • Special provisions for Delhi
    • Special Category Status
  • Schedule and Tribal Areas
    • Administration of Schedule Areas
    • Administration of Tribal areas

THE JUDICIARY

  • The Supreme Court
    • Chief Justice of India
    • Acting Chief Justice of India
    • Appointment of Supreme Court Judges
    • Qualifications for Supreme Court Judges
    • Removal of a Supreme Court Judges
    • Process of Impeachment
    • Ad hoc and Retired Judges
    • Salaries and allowances of SupremeCourt Judges
    • Chief Justices of India (Since 1951)
    • Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
    • Judicial Independence
    • Judiciary Executive Relations
  • The High Court Subordinate Courts & Lok Adalats
    • The High Courts
    • Jurisdiction of the High Courts
    • Subordinate Courts
    • Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008
    • Alternative dispute Resolution
    • Lok Adalat
    • All India Judicial Service
    • E-governance in Judiciary
    • Judicial Impact Assessment
    • Judges Standards and AccountabilityBill, 2010
    • National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

CONSTITUTIONAL & NON CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES

  • Constitutional Bodies
    • Finance Commission
      • Constitution
      • Functions
    • Comptrollerand Auditor General of India
      • Comptroller and Auditor-General
    • Attorney-General of India
      • Appointment
      • Functions and Responsibilities
    • Other Constitutional Bodies
      • All India Services
      • Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
    • State Public Service Commission (SPSC)
    • Joint State public Service Commission (JSPSC)
    • National Commission For SCs
    • National Commission For STs
    • Special Officer for Linguistic Minority
    • The Advocate General (Article 165)
  • Non Constitutional
    • Special officer for linguistic Minorities
    • Central Information Commission
    • State Information Commission
    • Lokpal and Lok Ayukta
    • National Human Rights Commission
    • State Human Right Commission
    • CVC (Central Vigillance Commission)

POLITICAL DYNAMICS

  • Political Parties and Election
    • Electoral System in India
    • Electoral Reforms Since 1988
    • Salient features of the Representation of People Act, 1950
      • Salient features of Representation of Peoples Act, 1951
      • Elections in India
      • Electoral reforms since 1988
      • Criminalization of politics
      • Negative or neutral voting
      • State funding of Election
      • Irregularities in polling
    • Types of Political Parties
    • Party System in India
    • Political Parties in India
      • Problems in the working of parties
      • Casteism and Politic
      • Strengthening of Anti-defection measures
    • Pressure Groups
      • Meaning and Techniques
      • Pressure Groups in India
      • Types of pressure groups
        • Role of pressure groupin developing countries
        • Functions of pressure groups in India
        • Pressure groups methods
        • Pressure groups and Democracy
        • Criticism of pressure groups       

GOVERNANCE

  • Governing Institutions in India
    • Structure of Ministries/departments
    • Political head
    • Secretariat organization secretary
    • Functions of the secretariat
    • Functions of attached and subordinate office
    • Other organizations
    • Public sector undertakings
    • The Executive organization
    • Advantages of the separation ofsecretariat and executive organization.
    • Strengths and weaknesses of theexisting structure
    • Recommendations for improvingthe Organizational structure
  • Audit and other Transparency initiatives
    • CVC
    • CAG
    • Lokpal
    • Lok Ayukta
  • Role of SHG, NGOs, Civil Society
    • SHGs
      • Characteristics
      • Role of SHGs in development
    • NGOs
      • Functions
      • Role of NGOs in development
    • Micro Finance Institutions
      • Salient features
      • Role of MFIs in development
  • Social Sector Bills
      • The Juvenile Justice (Care andProtection of Children) Act
      • Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016
      • Child Labour (Prohibitionand Amendment) Bill, 2016
      • Maternity Benefit Bill, 2016
      • Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act
      • Mental Health Care Bill, 2013
      • Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO)
      • Anti Trafficking Bill with Stringent Penalty
      • HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control)Bill- 2014 – Amendments
      • Domestic Violence Act, 2005 – SC WidensAmbit
      • Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesBill, 2014 with more Benefit
      • Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights)Bill 2016
      • The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act
  • Welfare Schemes
      • Health                                                       
        • National Health Mission
        • National Ayush Mission
        • Jan Aushadhi Scheme
        • Mission Indradhanush
        • NFHS-4 survey
      • Education
        • Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat
        • Mid Day Meal Scheme
        • GIAN (Global Initiative ofAcademic Networks)
        • SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active –Learning for Young Aspiring Minds)
      • Start-up and Skill Development
        • Start Up India Scheme
        • Stand up India Scheme
        • National Student Start-up Policy
        • National Skill Development Mission
        • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
        • Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana
        • Skill Development Initiative Scheme
        • Self-Employment & Talent Utilisation (SETU)
        • Atal Innovation Mission
      • Vulnerable Sector
        • Social Security
        • Atal Pension Yojana
        • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
        • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
        • Nai Roshni Scheme
        • USTAAD Scheme (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development)
        • Nai Manzil Scheme
        • Women and Child Development
        • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
        • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
        • Digital Gudda Guddi Board
        • Ujjawala Scheme
        • Janani Suraksha Yojana
        • Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram
        • SC/ST
        • Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana
        • Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana
        • Disability
        • Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)
        • Rural and Urban Development
        • Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
        • Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan
        • Shyama Prasad Mukharjee Rurban Mission
        • Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
        • Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
        • Swachch Bharat Abhiyan
        • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin
        • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban
        • Housing for all by 2022
        • Smart Cities Mission
        • Hriday – National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana
        • Amrut (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation)
      • Inclusive growth
        • Measurement criteria
        • Government initiatives for inclusive growth
        • Basic Amenities: Housing/Drinking Waters/Sanitations
        • Sustainable Development
      • Rural Development
        • Rural development and poverty alleviation
        • Review of the existing Programmes
        • Development Administration
        • Panchayati Raj
        • Agriculture and Rural Development
      • Miscellaneous schemes
        • Digilocker
        • Bharatnet Project (National Optical Fibre Network)
        • INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)
        • SAKAAR
        • Digital India
        • Namami Gange Project (Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission Project)
        • Ganga Gram Yojana
        • Khelo India
        • PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation)
        • Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)              

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

  • India’s Foreign Policy
    • Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy
    • Post 1990 Scenario
    • Global Issues
  • South Asia
    • India – Nepal Relations
    • India and Bhutan
    • India-Afghanislam Relations
    • India-Bangladesh Relations
    • India-Maldives Relations
    • India-Sri Lanka Relations
    • India-Myanmar Relations
    • India-Pakistan Relations
    • SAARC
    • NAM (Non-Alignment Movement): Relevance
  • Central Asia
    • Mongolia
    • Kazakhastan
    • Tukmenistan
    • Uzbekistan
  • West Asia
    • India – UAE Relations      
    • India IRAN Relations
    • Israel and Palestine Relations
    • India – Israel Relations
    • India – Saudi Arabia
  • Asia – Pacific
    • Asia-Pacific Region
    • India-South East Asia Relations
    • India-Asean Cooperation
    • Indo-Japan Relations
    • Indo-Australia Relations
    • India – South Korea Relations
    • India-Vietnam
  • Africa
    • India-South Africa Relations
    • India-Nigeria Relations
    • India-Kenya Relations
    • India-Sudan Relations
  • Europe
    • India-Russia Relations
    • India-France Relations
    • India-Germany Relations
    • India-United Kingdom Relations
    • India-EU Kingdom Relations
  • US-China
    • India-USA Relations
    • India-China Relations
  • Indian Ocean Region
    • Seychelles
    • Mauritius
    • Maldives
  • Indian Diaspora
    • Indian Diaspora in West
    • Indian Diaspora in Gulf
    • Indian Diaspora in Eastand Middle East

Constitutional/Non-Constitutional Bodies

CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES

  • Election Commission
  • Union Public Service Commission
  • State Public Service Commission
  • Finance Commission
    • 14th Finance Commission and Local Governments
    • 15th Finance commission: Issues with Term and References
  • State Finance Commission
  • Law Commission
    • 268th Report of Law Commission on Bail Reforms
    • Law Commission report on Hate Speech
  • Pay Commission
    • 7th Pay Commission
  • National Commission for SCs
  • National Commission for STs
  • Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
  • Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) , Functioning and Autonomy of CAG
  • National Commission for Backward Classes
  • Attorney General of India
  • Advocate General of the State
  • Co-operative Societies
  • Tribunals
    • Problems with Tribunals, Problems arising out of sidestepping the HC

STATUTORY, REGULATORY AND VARIOUS QUASI-JUDICIAL BODIES

  • Rationalization Of Autonomous Bodies
  • National Human Rights Commission
  • National Commission for Women
  • State Human Rights Commission
  • Central Information Commission
  • State Information Commission
  • Central Vigilance Commission
    • Preventive Vigilance
  • Central Bureau of Investigation
    • Autonomy of CBI
  • Lokpal and Lokayuktas
    • Issues related to the appointment of Lokpal
    • Ammendment to Lokpal Act
  • Quasi judicial bodies
  • NITI Aayog
    • NITI Aayog’s Report on Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)
  • Model Land leasing Law prepared by NITI Aayog

Contemporary Issues: Governance (Mains)

SECOND ARC REPORT

  • Functions of Government                  
  • Issues in Organizational Structure of GOI
  • Good Governance and Citizen Centric Administration
  • e-Governance      
  • Ethics in Governance

INITIATIVES FOR TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Public Accountability Concept                        
  • Virtual ID for AADHAR
  • Social Media & Accountability
  • Accountability & Transparency in NGOs
  • Autonomy of CBI
  • Analysis of Functioning Of CAG
  • People Centric Governance
  • Pro-Active Governance & Timely Implementation (PRAGATI)
  • Right Based Approach in Policy Making
  • Direct Benefi t Transfer               
  • Issues Related to Making Aadhaar Mandatory
  • Reforms Needed In Indian Bureaucracy
  • Performance Appraisal System In Bureaucracy       
  • Curb on VIP Culture
  • Social Audit Law

ORGANISATION/BODIES

  • 14th Finance Commission Analysis
  • 7th Pay Commission Report &Repercussions                                                   
  • AFSPA & Second ARC                                     
  • Role of NITI Aayog
  • Significance of Public Accounts Committee      
  • Right to Information
  • Accountability & Transparency in NGOs

SCHEME

  • PradhanMantri Jan-DhanYojana (PMJDY)                   
  • Swachh Bharat Mission
  • National Skill Development Mission                                                                           
  • National Food Security Act, 2013
  • SansadAdarsh Gram Yojana
  • Smart City Mission
  • Saubhagya Plan
  • NAMAMI GANGE                                                
  • Critical Analysis of Stand up India scheme
  • MGNREGA

POLICIES

  • NITI Aayog’s Report on Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)           
  • Law Commission’s 268th Report on Bail Reforms
  • Model Land Leasing Law Prepared by NITI Aayog                                                     
  • T K  Visanathan Committee on Hate Speech    
  • Law Commission Report on Tribunals in India                                                   
  • Law Commission Report on United Nations Convention against Torture
  • National Education Policy

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Inter-State Water Dispute
  • Debate on Directly Elected Mayor
  • Debate on the Issue of Lobbying in India
  • Media Role & Censorship Issue
  • The Role of States in India’s Foreign Policy

Features Of Indian Polity & Constitution (Mains)

UPSC SYLLABUS

  • Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
  • Separation of powers Fundamental Rights, Preamble, DPSP, Fundamental Duties, etc.
  • Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
  • Salient features of RP Act.

HISTORICAL UNDERPINNING

  • Constitution: Why and How?
  • Historical Background

EVOLUTION

  • Constituent Assembly and its vision of future
  • Making of the Constitution
  • Constitution as a living document
  • Democracy and diversity
  • Outcomes of democracy
  • Crisis of Democratic order
  • National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution
  • Comparison of the Indian Constitutional scheme with that of other countries

FEATURES

  • Sources of the Constitution
  • Salient features of the Constitution
  • The Philosophy of the Constitution
  • System of Government: Parliamentary & Presidential System
  • Role of Convention under the Constitution
  • Comparison between Judicial Review and Parliamentary Supremacy

AMENDMENTS

  • The Constitution Amendment of the Constitution
  • Keshvananda and Bharti Case Judgement
  • 42nd and 44th Amendment to the Constitution
  • The Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019 (124th Constitution Amendment Bill) to provide 10% reservation in government jobs and educational  institutions to the economically weaker sections (EWS)
  • (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019

SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS

  • Preamble of the Constitution
    • Debate : Is Preamble part of the Constitution and its amendment
  • Citizenship
    • National Register of Citizens
  • Fundamental Rights
    • Rule of Law
    • Procedure Established by Law vs Due Process of Law
    • Exceptions to Fundamental Rights
    • Amenability of Fundamental Rights
    • Rights following from other provision  of the Constitution
  • Major Debates/ Issues around Fundamental Rights:
    • Limitations upon the Freedom
    • Freedom of Press and Censorship
    • Free Speech: Rights & Limits and Hate speech
    • Data protection: Privacy Vs. Innovation
    • RTI amendments
    • Sedition-Law- Comprehensive public discussion regarding Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code 1860
    • Right To Information Act 2005.
    • Defamation-Should it be decriminialised
    • ‘Living wills’/ Euthanasia
    • Restriction on the entry of women in places of worship
    • Reservation in India – Explained in Layman’s Terms
    • Reservation in promotion
    • Aadhaar and Privacy issues
    • Constitutionality of article 35A
  • Directive Principles of the State Policy
    • Scope of DPSP: Economic and Social Democracy
    • Implementation of Directives
    • Conflict between Fundamental Rights and role of judiciary in harmonizing them
    • Challenge of implementing Uniform civil code
  • Fundamental Duties
  • Union Territories
    • Chief Minister Vs Lieutenant Governor: Rules, Rights and Responsibilities
  • Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir
    • Kashmir Unrest
  • Special Provisions for some States
  • Scheduled and Tribal areas
  • Official Language
    • Reasons for the 58th Amendment

MAJOR DOCTRINES

  • Doctrine of Basic Structure of the Constitution
  • Doctrine of Harmonious Construction
  • Doctrine of Eclipse
  • Doctrine of Pith and Substance
  • Doctrine of Incidental or Ancillary Powers
  • Doctrine of Colourable Legislation
  • Doctrine of Severability
  • Doctrine of Territorial Nexus
  • Doctrine of Laches

PRESSURE GROUPS AND FORMAL/INFORMAL ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE POLITY

  • Pressure Groups
  • Popular Struggles and Movements
  • Rise of Popular movements

ELECTION & THE REPRESENTATIVES OF PEOPLE’S ACT

  • Political Parties
    • Criminalisation of politics
    • Freebies Politics in India
    • Issues Related to the Working of Political Parties
    • Inner Party Democracy
    • Significance of Strong Opposition in Democracy
  • Elections
    • Role of Civil Society in Free and Fair Election
    • What is Tactical Voting and Proportional Representation?
    • What is Absentee Ballot?
  • Voting Behaviour
  • Election Laws
    • Representation of People (Amendment) Bill 2010- Voting rights to NRI
    • Introduction of NOTA
    • Bill on Right to Recall Legislators
  • Electoral reforms
    • Demand For A Hybrid Electoral System
    • Simultaneous Elections
    • About Paper Trail units
    • Election Funding (Electoral bonds) Corporate funding laws
    • State Funding in elections
    • Women voices in elections
    • Law Commission Report on Electoral Reforms
  • Anti-Defection Law
    • Anti-Defection Law: Is it time for reconsideration?

DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES AND THE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY

  • The role of NGOs
    • NGOs and Development/ Crackdown on NGOs
    • Accountability and transparency in NGOs
  • SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

MAJOR ISSUES

  • Dalit assertion and Politics of reservation
  • Should India spend more on science or Social welfare?
  • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005
  • Agrarian crisis: Issues in farmer economy
  • Issues related to Social Media
  • Media freedom and Responsible reporting
  • Marital rape
  • Section 377: Constitutionality Vs Morality
  • Legalising Sports Betting In India

MECHANISM, LAWS, INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES CONSTITUTED FOR THE PROTECTION AND BETTERMENT OF THESE VULNERABLE SECTIONS

  • Special Provisions relating to Certain Classes
    • Muslim Personal law: Polygamy/ Triple talaq
  • Scheduled and Tribal Areas
    • SC/ST Act judgment: Protecting the innocent or diluting the Protection?

Contemporary Issues: Features of Indian Polity & Constitution (Mains)

RECENT BILLS & ACTS

  • 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act
  • Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018
  • Triple Talaq Ordinance                                                                                                 
  • Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
  • Draft Emigration Bill, 2019                                                                                     
  • Consumer Protection Bill, 2018
  • Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018                                                                          
  • Lokpal & Lokayukta Amendment Act, 2016
  • The Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2019        
  • Data (Privacy & Protection) Bill, 2017
  • The Transgender Persons (Protection of  Rights) Bill, 2016    
  • The Indian Institute of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill , 2017 (autonomy of institutes)

ELECTIONS

  • Criminalization of Politics
  • Issues Related to the Working of Political Parties
  • Enact Strong Laws to Cleanse Politics, says Supreme Court
  • How effective is Election Commission in Ensuring Fair Elections                        
  • Freebies Politics in India
  • Election Commission Proposal for Countering Bribe-for-Votes
  • Law Commission Report on Electoral Reforms                                                  
  • State Funding in Elections
  • Role of Civil Society in Free and Fair Election
  • Women Voices in Elections
  • Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Issue                                             
  • About Paper Trail Units
  • Anti-Defection Law                                    
  • Office of Profit & RPA

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Constituent Assembly and its vision of future
  • Making of the Constitution
  • Constitution as a living document
  • Democracy and diversity
  • Outcomes of democracy
  • Crisis of Democratic order
  • National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution
  • Comparison of the Indian Constitutional scheme with that of other countries

Contemporary Issues: (Executive, Judiciary, Legislature) (Mains)

UNION & STATE GOVERNMENT

  • Imposition of President Rule: An Analysis
  • Is President a mere Rubber Stamp?
  • Politicization of the Post of Governor
  • Lacunas in Parliamentary Functioning in India                                                                   
  • Significance of Strong Opposition in Democracy
  • Ordinance Making Power in India
  • Balance between Fundamental Rights & Parliamentary Privileges                                      
  • Special Provisions for other States
  • Special Category Status to States                                   
  • National Register of Citizens in Assam
  • Gorkhaland Crisis                       
  • Issue Related to Office of Profit                                                                                         
  • Women Reservation in Parliament        
  • Centre vs State: Case of AAP vs LG

JUDICIARY

  • Shortage of Judges in Indian Courts
  • Issue Related to Appointment of Judges
  • Procedure for Removal of Judges: Critical Analysis
  • Should Judiciary be under RTI
  • Judicial Accountability
  • Post Retirement Appointment of Judges
  • Issue of Judicial Overreach                                               
  • Judicial Reform: How to Reduce Pendency of Cases?
  • Future Challenges of the Indian Judiciary
  • All-India Judicial Service
  • Draft witness protection scheme
  • Contempt of Court
  • Government as the Biggest Litigant in India                         
  • Public Interest Litigation                                                    
  • National Litigation Policy
  • Administrative Tribunals
  • Sabrimala Temple Verdict
  • Right to Convert
  • Alternate Dispute Redressal Mechanism
  • Should India abolish Death Penalty?

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

  • Education Qualification Made Mandatory for Contesting Local Government Elections
  • Reforms needed in Municipalities in Sync with Urban Development Missions                    
  • Municipal reforms for sustainable development of Cities
  • 14th Finance Commission & Local Governments
  • Telangana: Tribal Hamlets to Village Panchayat Status                           
  • Maharashtra Government Recently Launched a new Initiative to
  • Dharavi- one of the Largest Slums in the World
  • Panchayat Raj                                                    
  • Strengthening Participation of Women in Panchayat                                                       
  • PESA in Tribal Areas                        
  • Deepening Grass Root Democracy in Sixth Schedule Areas
  • 2nd ARC Recommendations

ELECTIONS

  • Criminalization of Politics
  • Issues Related to the Working of Political Parties                                                           
  • Enact Strong Laws to Cleanse Politics, says Supreme Court                                            
  • How effective is Election Commission in Ensuring Fair Elections                                     
  • Freebies Politics in India
  • Election Commission Proposal for Countering Bribe-for-Votes                                           
  • Law Commission Report on Electoral Reforms
  • State Funding in Elections
  • Role of Civil Society in Free and Fair Election                                                      
  • Women Voices in Elections
  • Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Issue
  • About Paper Trail Units
  • Anti-Defection Law                     
  • Office of Profit & RPA

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Revisiting Section 124-A of IPC

Executive, Judiciary, Legislature (Mains)

UPSC SYLLABUS

  • Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States
  • Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
  • Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
  • Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
  • Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive
  • Ministries and Departments of the Government
  • Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary
  • Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES PERTAINING TO THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE

  • Union and its territory
    • Formation of state and Altercation of boundaries
  • Nature of Federal System
  • Peculiar features of Indian federalism
  • A Critique of the Federal System
    • Challenges of Nation building
    • Challenges Of Special Status State And Problems
  • Demand for New states: Gorkhaland, Nagalim, Vidharbha, Purvanchal etc.
  • Era of One-Party dominance
  • Regional aspirations
  • Emergency Provisions
    • Imposition of President Rule
    • Fundamental Rights during Emergency
  • Conversion of state to UT unilateraly by centre-A constitutional question

STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE

  • Governor
    • Provisions related to removal of Governor (Article 156)
    • Discretionary Powers
    • Politicization of the Post of Governor
  • Chief Minister
  • State Council of Ministers

STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE UNION EXECUTIVE

  • President
    • President of India – Discretionary Powers- Imposition of President’s rule
    • Is President a mere Rubber Stamp
  • Vice President
  • Prime Minister
  • Central Council of Ministers
  • Cabinet Committees

PARLIAMENT

  • Parliament
    • Sessions of Parliament: Adjournment, Prorogation, Dissolution etc.
    • Lacunas in Parliamentary Functioning in India
    • When Does a Bill Lapse in Indian Parliament?
    • Types of Majorities Used in the Indian
    • Election to Rajya Sabha: The Procedure.
    • Relevance of Rajya Sabha
    • Government Budgeting: Indian Budget for
    • Budget Documents Made Simple: Key to Budget Documents.
    • Cut Motions: Policy Cut, Economy Cut, and Token Cut.
    • Misuse of Ordinance promulgation power
    • Office of the Speaker: Powers and Issues
    • Issue related to office of profit
    • Breach Of Privilege: Special privileges   to MP’s and its implications
  • Parliamentary Committees
    • Parliamentary Committees in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
    • Diminishing importance of parliamentary committees

STATE LEGISLATURE

  • State Legislature
    • Full statehood to Delhi: Should it be granted or not?
    • Relevance of Council of State    

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNION AND STATES

7th Schedule

SEPARATION OF POWER

  • Power Sharing
  • Centre-State Relations
    • Inter-State Council vs National Development Council.
    • Separate State Flag in Karnataka
    • NITI Aayog: The new ‘think-tank’ to replace Planning Commission.
  • Foreign Policy
  • States demand a say in Foreign Policy?

DISPUTE REDRESSAL MECHANISMS AND INSTITUTIONS

  • Inter-State Relations
    • Inter-state River Water Dispute
    • Inter-state Councils
  • Parliamentary Forums
  • Parliamentary Groups
  • Administrative Tribunals
  • National Integration

DEVOLUTION OF POWERS AND FINANCES UP TO LOCAL LEVELS AND CHALLENGES THEREIN

  • Local Governments
    • Nagaland Reservation in Urban Bodies
    • Education Qualification made mandatory for contesting Local Government Elections
  • Panchayati Raj and PESA 1996
  • Municipalities
    • in Municipalities in Sync with Urban Development Missions

STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE JUDICIARY

  • Higher Judiciary Appointments
    • Collegium system and issues.
    • Collegium Vs. NJAC
    • CJI removal
  • Judicial Review
  • Judicial Activism
    • Judicial activism and judicial Overreach
    • Judicial Accountability & RTI Act
  • Public Interest Litigation
    • Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Controversy
    • National Litigation Policy
  • Other Judicial Issues
    • All India Judicial Services
    • Proposal for National Court of Appeal
    • Judicial Pendency
    • Judicial Reforms
    • Problems with Tribunals, Problems arising out of sidestepping the HC
    • Alternate Dispute Redressal (ADR)
  • Major Judgements of Supreme Court
    • RIGHT TO CONVERT-the Supreme Court’s judgement regarding a person’s right to choose a religion, Issue of Religious  Conversion in India,
    • Reservation in promotion, Argument in favour of reservation in promotion, Argument against the reservation in  promotions
    • Supreme Court judgement on Caste, Religion in Polls
    • Validity of Aadhaar but with certain caveats
    • Cauvery River Verdict
    • Concept of Defamation in India
    • Should the SC proceedings be live streamed?

Executive, Judiciary, Legislature (Mains)

UPSC SYLLABUS

  • Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity
  • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
  • Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
  • Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
  • E-governance-applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential
  • Citizens Charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures
  • Role of civil services in a democracy
  • Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
  • Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

GOVERNANCE

  • Concept of Good Governance
  • Issues Concerning Governance
  • Right Based Approach in Policy Making
  • Public Policy Making and Policy Implementation
  • How to Establish Good Governance

TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Right to Information
    • Information sharing and transparency in government
    • RTI and Official Secret Act: Who’s winning and why Judiciary wants to remain isolated
  • Citizen’s Charters
    • Benefits of Citizen Charter
    • Citizen Charter in India: An Evaluation
    • Problems Faced in Implementing the Charters
    • Steps to improve Citizen Charters
    • Indian Approach to Citizen Charter: Sevottam Model
    • Administrative Reforms Commission’s Seven Step Model for Citizen Centricity
    • Right to Service
  • Extent of regulations and openness of media and social networking sites
    • K. Visanathan Committee On Hate Speech
    • Role of MEDIA in bringing Transparency and Accountability
    • Social Media and Accountability
  • E-Governance
    • Role of E-Governance in bringing Transparency and Accountability
    • Major E-Governance Projects and challenges in their implementation
  • Role of civil services in a democracy
    • Linkage of Civil Services and Democracy
    • Debate on Lateral Entry in Civil Services
    • Relation between Civil Servants and Political Executives
    • Performance Appraisal System in Bureaucracy
    • Reforms Needed In Indian Bureaucracy
  • Codes of Ethics and Code of Conduct
    • Paid news abuse by social media a poll menace
    • Model code of conduct
  • Utilization of Public funds
    • Significance of Public Accounts Committee
    • Challenges of corruption and incompetence

REGULATORY STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE REFORMS

  • Functions and responsibilities of various Bodies
    • Analysis of Autonomy and functioning of CAG, CBI, CVC and NHRC
    • Lokpal and rise of Ombudsman era: a critical evaluation of journey traveled  so far
    • State and operational effectiveness of Local governments in India
    • Corporate Governance in India – Why is it so critical
  • Police Reforms in India
  • Curb On VIP Culture
  • Prison Reforms in India
  • Improving Governance In Public Systems

DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES AND THE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY

  • Role of Self Help Group in Development
  • Shortcomings and Recommendations to  Improve Self Help Group
  • Role and functions of NGOs in the Development
  • Challenges Faced by NGOs in India
  • Issue of Fund Mismanagement
  • Role of Microfinance Institutions in Development Process
  • Issues Related to Microfinance Institutions and Recommendations
  • Role of Foreign aid in Development
  • The role and function of pressure groups in India
  • Changing Pattern of Pressure Group Politics in India

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  • Concept of Human Development
    • Economic Growth and Human Development: Two-Way Link
    • Measurement of Human Development
  • Understanding Poverty
    • Dimensions of Poverty
    • Linkage between Poverty and Development
    • Recommendations of Rangarajan Committee Report
    • Poverty Alleviation Strategy Since Independence
    • Programmes for Poverty Alleviation
    • Concept of Inequality
    • World Inequality Report 2018: Findings of the Report
    • Income Inequality in India
    • Recommendations to Reduce Inequality
  • HUNGER
    • Manifestations of Hunger and its causes
    • Challenges to Food Security
    • Global Hunger Index Report, 2018
    • Recommendations
  • Institutional Measures for Welfare of Vulnerable Sections
    • Issues Related to the Weaker Sections & Vulnerable groups in India
    • Constitutional Provisions for the  Welfare of Society
    • Institutional Measures for the Welfare of the Society
    • Issues with the Institutional Mechanisms
  • HEALTH
    • Public Health System of India
    • Shortcomings of the Healthcare Sector
    • Urgency of achieving Universal Health  Coverage
    • Evaluation of SWACHH BHARAT MISSION
    • Global Nutrition Report 2018
    • Initiatives Taken In Health Sector : Ayushman Bharat
    • National Health Policy
  • EDUCATION
    • Challenges of Education sector in India
    • Right to Education and Challenges to EWS Children
    • Initiatives by Government

ROLE OF CIVIL SERVICES IN A DEMOCRACY

  • Concept of civil services
  • Need for civil services
  • Different role of civil services
    • Law making
    • Policy formulation
    • Policy implementation
    • Policy evaluation
    • Civil services as protector of democracy
    • To protect minorities (religious and linguistic)
    • To promote Inclusive and sustainable
      growth
    • Various Reforms in Civil Services

PRESSURE GROUPS AND FORMAL/INFORMAL ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE POLITY

  • What are pressure groups?
  • Types of pressure groups
  • Significance of pressure groups in India
  • Differentiate between a pressure group and a political party
  • Evaluation of pressure groups role

APPOINTMENT TO VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL POSTS, POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES

  • Appointment of CAG (procedure of appointment)- composition of CAG
  • Functions and responsibilities of CAG
  • Powers and privileges of CAG (provided by constitution and different Acts of Parliament.)
  • Appointment of ECI (procedure of appointment)- composition of ECI
  • Functions and responsibilities of ECI
  • Powers and privileges of ECI (provided by constitution and different ACTs of Parliament)
  • Appointment to UPSC (procedure of appointment)- composition of UPSC
  • Functions and responsibilities of UPSC
  • Powers and privileges of UPSC (provided by constitution and different ACTs of Parliament.)
  • Appointment to Finance commission (procedure of appointment)- composition of Finance commission
  • Functions and responsibilities of Finance commission
  • Powers and privileges of Finance commission (provided by constitution and different ACTs of Parliament.)
  • National commission for SCs and STs.

STATUTORY, REGULATORY AND VARIOUS QUASI-JUDICIAL BODIES

  • SEBI, CVC, CBI, Planning Commission NDC, PMO
  • TRAI, IRDA
  • National Human Rights Commission
  • State Human Rights Commission
  • Central Information Commission
  • State Information Commission
  • National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
  • Medical Council of India
  • Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
  • Biodiversity Authority of India
  • Press Council of India
  • Forward Markets Commission
  • Inland Waterways Authority of India
  • Role of CAG
  • 14th Finance Commission: Analysis
  • 7th Pay Commission Report and Repercussions
  • AFSPA and Second ARC
  • Inter-State River Water Dispute: Cauvery dispute
  • Role of Niti Aayog

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