Civics and Indian Polity: Constitution, Federalism and Local Government
Civics checks whether you can use constitutional language precisely: which list a subject falls under, which right protects a person, and which tier of government acts. Questions are often situational.
Constitution and democracy
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
- Key features: parliamentary government, federalism with a strong Centre, secularism, universal adult franchise (18 years after the 61st Amendment, 1988).
- Fundamental Rights (Part III) are enforceable in court; Directive Principles (Part IV) guide policy but are not directly enforceable; Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) were added by the 42nd Amendment.
Federal structure and local government
- Subjects are divided into the Union, State and Concurrent Lists; residuary powers rest with the Union.
- The 73rd Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad, with reserved seats for SCs, STs and women.
- The 74th Amendment deals with municipalities and nagar panchayats.
Worked example
A state wants to make primary education free and compulsory. Which provision supports it? Reasoning: Article 21A, inserted by the 86th Amendment (2002), makes free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6–14. The Directive Principle in Article 45 had earlier urged the state to provide it within ten years; after 2002 the enforceable right, not merely the Directive, is the correct answer.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating Directive Principles as directly enforceable rights.
- Confusing Article 32 (constitutional remedies) with Article 226 (High Court writs).
- Saying the President is the head of government; the Prime Minister is.
- Forgetting that local bodies were constitutionalised only in 1992, not in 1950.