Indian Polity and Constitution
Indian Polity and Constitution covers the framing of the Constitution, the rights framework, the three organs of government and the Chhattisgarh state set-up.
Basics
- Constituent Assembly first met on 9 December 1946; the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
- Preamble declares India sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and a republic; the 42nd Amendment, 1976 added socialist, secular and integrity.
- Fundamental Rights occupy Articles 12–35: 14 equality before law, 15 no discrimination, 16 public employment, 17 abolition of untouchability, 18 abolition of titles, 19 six freedoms, 21 life and personal liberty, 21A education, 32 writs to the Supreme Court.
- Directive Principles: Articles 36–51, not enforceable in court.
- Fundamental Duties: Article 51A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation.
- The 73rd Amendment, 1992 gave panchayats constitutional status (Part IX, Article 243); the 74th did the same for municipalities.
Chhattisgarh
- Unicameral legislature with 90 Assembly seats.
- 11 Lok Sabha seats and 5 Rajya Sabha seats.
- The Governor is appointed by the President; the Chief Minister heads the Council of Ministers.
Worked example
Which Article abolishes untouchability? Reasoning: read the equality block in order - 14 general equality, 15 discrimination, 16 employment, 17 untouchability, 18 titles. Answer: Article 17, enforced through the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
Traps
- Swapping Article 32 (Supreme Court writs) with Article 226 (High Court writs).
- Claiming Directive Principles are judicially enforceable.
- Confusing the 42nd Amendment with the 44th, which removed the right to property as a fundamental right.