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KSEAB SSLC Political Science study materials
KSEAB SSLC Political Science study resources

KSEAB SSLC Political Science: Indian Political System: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary

KSEAB SSLC Political Science · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

All guide sections

Indian Political System: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary

What this domain tests

Questions test the composition, powers and relationships of Parliament, the President and Council of Ministers, and the judiciary. You should compare the two Houses and distinguish the constitutional head from the real executive.

Core rules

  • Parliament consists of the President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha (Article 79).
  • Lok Sabha: 543 elected members; term five years. Rajya Sabha: 245 members (233 elected by MLAs, 12 nominated by the President); permanent House; one-third retires every two years; term six years.
  • Money bills (Article 110) can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, on the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha must return them within 14 days and can only recommend changes; the Lok Sabha decides.
  • A no-confidence motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75).
  • The President is the constitutional head, elected indirectly by an electoral college of elected MPs and MLAs. Impeachment is under Article 61. The real executive is the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (Article 74).
  • The judiciary is integrated. The Supreme Court (Article 124) has original jurisdiction (Article 131), appellate jurisdiction (132–134), advisory jurisdiction (143), writ jurisdiction (32) and judicial review. Judges are removed only by impeachment for proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Worked example

Question: 'The Rajya Sabha rejects a money bill. What happens?' Reasoning: under Article 110, the Rajya Sabha has no power to reject or amend a money bill; it may only recommend amendments within 14 days. If it does not return the bill in time, the Lok Sabha is deemed to have passed it. There is no joint sitting for money bills. Answer: the bill still becomes law if the Lok Sabha accepts or ignores the recommendations.

Traps

The Rajya Sabha cannot pass a no-confidence motion. Do not call the President the real executive. Article 74 deals with the PM's advice; Article 75 with appointment and collective responsibility. Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is not binding. Ordinances are issued under Article 123 by the President, not by Parliament.