Indian Polity and Constitution
Indian Polity and Constitution tests the text and working of the Constitution: rights, duties, institutions, amendments and federalism. For a 10th-level paper, Articles and landmark amendments matter.
Core rules
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950; Dr B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.
- The Preamble declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic; the words “socialist” and “secular” were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
- Fundamental Rights (Part III, Articles 12–35) are justiciable; Directive Principles (Part IV) are non-justiciable guidelines.
- Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Amendment on the Swaran Singh Committee’s recommendation.
- Parliament has two houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; the President is the constitutional head and the Prime Minister the real executive.
- Emergency provisions are in Articles 352, 356 and 360.
Worked example
Question: “Which Article protects the right to life and personal liberty?” Part III includes Article 21: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.” Answer: Article 21.
Traps
- Calling DPSPs enforceable in court.
- Mixing Article 32 (Supreme Court writs) with Article 226 (High Court writs).
- Attributing the 42nd Amendment to the 44th.
- Confusing the President’s formal appointment of the Governor with the Chief Minister’s advice.