Maharashtra HSC Political Science flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the Indian Constitution declaring India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic and listing Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity as its objectives.

Basic Structure Doctrine

Judicial principle from Kesavananda Bharati (1973) holding that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution so as to destroy its essential features such as democracy and judicial review.

Article 368

The constitutional provision laying down the procedure for amending the Constitution, requiring a special majority and, for federal provisions, ratification by half the States.

Federal Features

Characteristics such as dual polity, division of powers, a written constitution and an independent judiciary, balanced in India by single citizenship and a strong centre.

Article 32

The right to constitutional remedies empowering the Supreme Court to issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights; called the heart and soul of the Constitution by Ambedkar.

Directive Principles

Guidelines in Part IV (Articles 36-51) directing State policy towards social and economic welfare; they are not enforceable in courts but fundamental in governance.

Fundamental Duties

Eleven moral obligations of citizens listed in Article 51A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation, and not enforceable by courts.

Writ of Mandamus

A judicial command directing a public authority to perform a legal duty it has failed or refused to perform; it cannot be issued against a private person.

Article 21A

Fundamental right to free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen, inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.

Impeachment of President

Procedure under Article 61 for removing the President for violation of the Constitution, requiring a two-thirds majority of the total membership of each House.

Money Bill

A bill dealing only with taxation, borrowing or the Consolidated Fund, certified by the Speaker and introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha has 14 days.

Collective Responsibility

The principle under Article 75 that the Council of Ministers is jointly answerable to the Lok Sabha and must resign if it loses its confidence.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to examine laws and executive actions for conformity with the Constitution and to declare them void if inconsistent with it.

Rajya Sabha

The Council of States, with a maximum strength of 250, representing States and Union Territories; it is a permanent house with one-third of members retiring every two years.

Governor

The constitutional head of a State, appointed by the President for five years, who acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers except in discretionary matters.

73rd Amendment

Constitutional amendment of 1992 that gave Panchayati Raj institutions constitutional status, adding Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule listing 29 subjects.

74th Amendment

Constitutional amendment of 1992 that strengthened urban local bodies, adding Part IXA and the Twelfth Schedule with 18 municipal functions.

State Election Commission

A constitutional body under Article 243K responsible for conducting elections to panchayats and municipalities within a State.

Election Commission

An independent constitutional body under Article 324 that superintends, directs and controls elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.

Model Code of Conduct

A set of guidelines enforced by the Election Commission from the announcement of elections until results, regulating campaigning, rallies and use of government resources.

NOTA

The 'None of the Above' option on ballot papers and EVMs, introduced after a 2013 Supreme Court judgment, allowing voters to reject all contesting candidates.

Pressure Group

An organised association that seeks to influence public policy and legislation through lobbying, agitation and publicity without contesting elections for power.

Article 312

Provision empowering Parliament to create All India Services such as the IAS and IPS, which serve both the Union and the States.

Right to Information Act

A 2005 law giving citizens the right to seek information from public authorities, backed by Information Commissions and a limited list of exemptions.

Good Governance

Administration marked by participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, equity, effectiveness, efficiency and accountability, as identified by the UNDP.

Lokpal

An anti-corruption ombudsman established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries.

Non-Alignment

India's Cold War policy of not joining either superpower bloc while retaining strategic autonomy and promoting decolonisation and world peace.

Panchsheel

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence agreed between India and China in 1954, covering mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Gujaral Doctrine

A 1996 policy of non-reciprocal concessions to smaller South Asian neighbours to build trust and regional cooperation, named after Prime Minister I.K. Gujral.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A 1948 UN General Assembly resolution with 30 articles setting out civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all persons.

National Green Tribunal

A specialised body established in 2010 to dispose of environmental cases speedily, applying principles such as polluter pays and sustainable development.

Globalisation

The growing integration of national economies through trade, investment, technology and migration, accelerated in India by the 1991 liberalisation reforms.