KSEAB SSLC Political Science key terms

The fundamental law of a country that sets out how government is organised, what powers each organ holds, and what rights citizens possess. In India it took effect on 26 January 1950.

The opening statement of the Indian Constitution declaring the source of authority as the people and listing the goals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, along with the words sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republic.

The principle, established in the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973, that Parliament may amend the Constitution but cannot destroy its essential features such as supremacy of the Constitution, judicial review and free elections.

A formal change to the text of the Constitution carried out under Article 368 by special majority in Parliament, with ratification by half the state legislatures required for certain federal provisions.

The rule that every person in India holds one common national citizenship regardless of the state of residence, unlike the dual citizenship of centre and state found in some federations such as the United States.

Six categories of rights guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution, enforceable against the state through writ petitions in the Supreme Court under Article 32 or a High Court under Article 226.

The right in Article 32 that lets a person move the Supreme Court directly when a fundamental right is violated; Dr. Ambedkar called it the heart and soul of the Constitution.

A formal written order of a court commanding action or restraint, such as habeas corpus for release from unlawful detention, mandamus to compel a public duty, or certiorari to quash an order.

A limitation placed by law on a fundamental right that must serve a legitimate public purpose, such as public order, morality or national security, and must be proportionate rather than excessive.

Custody of a person without trial to prevent a feared future offence rather than to punish a past one; the Constitution allows it but requires safeguards such as grounds of detention and review by an advisory board.

Eleven obligations listed in Article 51A, added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, asking citizens to respect the Constitution, protect sovereignty, promote harmony and safeguard public property; they are non-justiciable.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Constitution that direct governments to promote welfare, such as reducing inequality and securing living wages; they cannot be enforced in court but guide law-making.

A model of government in which the state actively works to provide basic needs, social security and equal opportunity to citizens instead of leaving outcomes to the market alone; the Directive Principles aim at this model.

The idea, mentioned in Article 44 as a Directive Principle, of replacing personal laws based on religion with one common set of civil rules on marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption for all citizens.

The doctrine that the legislature holds supreme law-making authority; in India this is qualified, because the Constitution is supreme and courts can strike down laws that violate fundamental rights.

The power of courts to examine laws and executive actions and declare them invalid if they violate the Constitution, a power exercised by the Supreme Court and High Courts in India.

The rule under Article 75 that the Council of Ministers is jointly answerable to the Lok Sabha, so the whole ministry must resign if it loses the confidence of that House.

The body headed by the Prime Minister that advises the President or Governor; it has three tiers, namely cabinet ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers, and is collectively responsible to the legislature.

A proposal moved in the Lok Sabha by opposition members expressing lack of confidence in the Council of Ministers; if passed by a majority, the government must resign.

The Tenth Schedule provision, added in 1985, that disqualifies a legislator who voluntarily quits a party or defies its whip, aimed at discouraging floor-crossing for office or money.

A system in which powers are divided by a written constitution between a central government and regional governments, each supreme in its own sphere, as with the Union and the states in India.

The part of the Constitution containing three lists: the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List, which together distribute legislative subjects between Parliament and the state legislatures.

The three-tier system of rural local self-government at village, block and district levels, given constitutional status by the 73rd Amendment of 1992 with mandatory elections and reservation of seats.

The 1992 amendment that inserted Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule, making Panchayati Raj institutions constitutional bodies with five-year terms and a State Election Commission to conduct their elections.

The lowest tier of rural local government, elected by villagers at the village or cluster level, responsible for local civic functions such as water supply, sanitation, street lighting and maintenance of village assets.

The constitutional authority under Article 324 that supervises, directs and controls elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President, including preparation of electoral rolls.

A set of guidelines enforced by the Election Commission from the announcement of a poll until results are declared, restricting ruling-party announcements, official resources and provocative campaigning.

A public document in which a political party states the policies and promises it will implement if voted to power, used by voters to compare alternatives before an election.

An organised group that seeks to win power through elections by putting forward candidates and a shared programme; recognised parties get symbols and broadcast time under Election Commission rules.

A situation in which two or more parties jointly form a government because no single party has a majority, sharing ministries and agreeing on a common minimum programme.

An organised body of people with a shared interest, such as a trade union or farmers' association, that tries to influence government policy without contesting elections itself.

The views and preferences that a large section of the public holds on political questions, shaped by media, education, parties and personal experience, and measured through surveys and election results.

A sustained collective effort by ordinary people, often outside parties, to bring about or resist social or political change, such as the freedom struggle or the Chipko movement.

The space of voluntary organisations, non-governmental bodies, media and associations that sit between the family, the market and the state and help citizens voice demands and hold power accountable.

The foreign policy stance adopted by India under Nehru of staying out of military blocs while keeping friendly ties with both superpowers, and of judging each international issue on its merits.

The five principles of peaceful coexistence, agreed with China in 1954, covering mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality and peaceful settlement of disputes.

The global organisation founded in 1945 with the General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat and other organs, working on peace, development and human rights; India was a founding member.

The right of each of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to block a substantive resolution by a single negative vote, a key reason India's bid for permanent membership matters.

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself within its territory without external control, which is why India insists on resolving disputes bilaterally and resists outside interference.

The way voters decide whether and for whom to vote, influenced by party loyalty, caste and community ties, local candidate image, welfare promises, campaign spending and media coverage.

A tendency of courts to take up matters on their own initiative and issue directions to government, often through public interest litigation, to protect rights that other organs have failed to protect.

A petition filed in a court by any public-spirited person on behalf of those unable to approach it themselves, relaxing the usual rule that only an aggrieved party may sue.

The transfer of powers, functions and funds from higher levels of government to lower elected bodies so that decisions are taken closer to the people they affect.

The constitutional head of a state, appointed by the President, who normally acts on the advice of the state Council of Ministers but has discretionary powers in matters such as government formation.

The upper house of the Karnataka legislature, a permanent body whose members are elected by graduates, teachers, local bodies and legislators and partly nominated by the Governor.

State legislation that gives effect to the 73rd Amendment in Karnataka by setting up gram panchayats, taluk panchayats and zilla panchayats with defined functions, funds and reservation rules.

A protected category of citizens whose access to education, employment and public spaces is supported by law and by reservation, reflecting the constitutional promise of equality and dignity.

The misuse of public office or public resources for private gain, which weakens rule of law and service delivery; India counters it through bodies such as the Lokpal and the Central Vigilance Commission.

The treatment of religion as the main basis of political identity and mobilisation, which strains secularism and social harmony and is often countered by constitutional and civil society efforts.

The constitutional principle that the state has no official religion, treats all faiths equally and may intervene to reform religious practices that violate fundamental rights.