Indian Polity and Constitution
Indian Polity and Constitution in EPFO SSA tests the Constitution, governance, Panchayati Raj, rights and duties. Expect direct factual questions on articles, amendments, institutions and constitutional bodies.
Core rules
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
- Fundamental Rights are in Part III; Fundamental Duties in Part IVA, added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation.
- Directive Principles of State Policy are in Part IV and are not directly enforceable in courts.
- The 73rd Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj; the 74th Amendment covered urban local bodies.
- The President is the constitutional head; the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers exercise real executive power.
- Writs for rights enforcement: habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo warranto.
Worked example
Question: Which amendment added Fundamental Duties to the Constitution? The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, inserted Part IVA and Article 51A. Reasoning: link the amendment to the Emergency period and the Swaran Singh Committee; do not confuse it with the 44th Amendment, which reversed several Emergency-era changes.
Traps
- The Preamble is not enforceable, though it guides interpretation.
- 'Constitution Day' is 26 November; 'Republic Day' is 26 January.
- Panchayati Raj is a state subject; the 73rd Amendment sets a framework, not a uniform three-tier model for every state.
- Do not confuse constitutional bodies (Election Commission) with statutory bodies or executive think tanks.