General Knowledge and Indian Polity
General Knowledge and Indian Polity tests the Constitution, the political system and West Bengal governance. Most marks come from a small set of articles, institutions and procedures, so precise recall beats broad reading.
Core rules
- Fundamental Rights: Article 14 equality, Article 19 six freedoms, Article 21 life and personal liberty, Article 21A free education for children aged 6 to 14.
- Writs: Article 32 for the Supreme Court and Article 226 for High Courts. Article 32 itself is a Fundamental Right.
- DPSP: Directive Principles are not enforceable in court but guide policy.
- Money Bill: defined in Article 110, introduced only in the Lok Sabha with the President's recommendation. The Rajya Sabha can only recommend within 14 days.
- Panchayats: 73rd Amendment, 1992; municipalities: 74th Amendment, 1992.
- West Bengal: Assembly has 294 seats, Lok Sabha 42 and Rajya Sabha 16.
Worked example
A Bill is certified by the Speaker as a Money Bill. What can the Rajya Sabha do? Reasoning: under Article 110 read with Article 109, the Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill. It may make recommendations, and the Lok Sabha may accept or reject them. The Bill must return within 14 days. Answer: only recommend; the Lok Sabha decides.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing Article 32 with Article 226.
- Treating DPSP as judicially enforceable.
- Saying the Governor appoints the Chief Minister; the Governor appoints, but the Chief Minister is the head of government.
- Mixing the 73rd and 74th Amendments.
Revise articles by number and by one-line purpose.