INDIAN POLITY

examination, the Polity section has a great relevance.

Analys1ng the previous year question papers of CDS
The topics which are asked include Fundamental
Around 14-16 questions are asked from this section. Important Articles,
Panchayati Raj system,
Rights, Erecutive, Legislative and Judiciary system of India, Constitution etc.
Important Constitutional Amendment Acts, Schedules of the

affairs of India. These

Government has introduced a series of constitutional reforms to regulate and control the of India as an
The British India. The emergence
constitutional reforms were guided towards ensuring responsible governance inBritish rule in India.
has its roots in the history of
independent and sovereign democratic republic we start with brief reviews of
Indian Polity and Constitution can be better understood, only if
The evolution of
rule.
constitutional development during British
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
it was first constitutional
intervention by British
traced from 1723 as
Constitution can be
The very genesis of Indian regulate the affairs of East India Company in India. British rule in India till 1858 was
India in its
Government to control and Company because after that British Government took the governance of
basically that of the East India
affairs which resulted in
hands directly.
responsibilitics of company, need was felt to regulate and control the
With rising activities and
British Parliament. that is
various enactments by
experiment in India can be divided into two phases for better understanding
experiments under
" The period of British
constitutional Company (1773-1857) and the constitutional
rule of East India
constitutional experiments during the
(1857-1947).
the British crown
India Company
Constitutional Development Under East
Regulating Act (1773) Bengal.
Bengal was elevated to the poSition of the Governor-General of Supreme
" Th¹ Governor of
right to intervene in the aftairs of the company. The dual government was abolished. A
The Paciament gor_the headed by Elijah Impey.
Court was set-up at Calcutta
 948
CDS Pathfinder

Pitts
" The India Act (1784)
act
affairs of established siN commisioners for the
India. This body
Constitutional
British Crown
Development Under
Board of Control was known as the
to
control over the Board ofexercise an elfective
Directors. who Government of India Act (1858)
possessed
the
the
company. charge of the administration of As aresult of the Sepoy
The conrol of the transferred fromthe East Mutiny, the powcr
India Campany to theguvcn was
British cown.
Governor-General
council over the presidencies of Madrasin and A post of Secretary of State (a
was created, menmber of British Counl) to India
Bombay
more cffecri sclearly defined and rendered
was assisted by a 15 Member Council
Council). He was to exercise the powers of the crown. (allcd Indan
" The Board of Control and the
The Charter Act The court of directors were abol1sihcd.
The powers of Board (1793)
Governor-General
Secretary
was given the title
of Statc, who was assisted by an Viceroy. He represented
of
in the handsControl were consisted of high officjals of the [Link] Council which
concentrated
who virtually became the of the President, The viceroy's status was reduced to a
for India. Cabinet Minister relation to the British Government in subordinate authouty in
The salaries_ of the members of execution of policy. He was aided by anmatters of policy as well as
Executive Council o5
Control and that of the Presidentthewere
Board of
to be
members, who were heads of different departments.
drawn from the Indian exchequer. Indian Council Act (1861)
The Charter Act (1813) " Provincial Legislative
Asserted the crown's sovereignty over Briuish Governor was known Council members introduced. Council of
as Imperial Legislative Council. Non official
India. Company' (Indians) were added.
abolished except strade
monopoly overtrade
with China, allotted,
" Portfolio system was introduced. High Courts (1865)
Servic Act, 1861established
money promote
to (High Court Act, 1861). Indian Civil
Christian missionarieseducation
in Indian ma_ses.
were permitted. was passed.
Indian Council Act (1892)
The Charter Act (1833) It provided for
The act abolished the trading nomination
Legislative Council of some
non-official members to Central
and Provincial Legislative
company and activities of the This act made the provision for Council.
hence forth, it
became a purely election
administrative
" The
body. non-officials
the
seats in for filling the some
first time in the central and provincial legislative councils tor
Governor-General
designated as the
of Bengal was constitutional development of Tndia.
Governor-General
William Bentinck thus of
became the first India. Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)
Governor-General of India. The Morley-Minto forReforms or the Indian Council Act, 1909.
Abolition of the power of different Separate electorate muslims was introduced.
presidencies to make law for themselves and Direct election (non-official
giving power to the could discuss the budget and members who are directly clected). They
council to make laws. Governor-General
in also cross
A bicameral
legislature at thec centre was questioning could be done.
In order to enable the provinces which unlike its dictionary provided. Dyarchy in the
the important functionscouncil
to discharge
efficiently, a new Transferred and Reserved. meaning of two bodies:
member with expert knowledge of law was Separate electorates were further extended to
added to it.
non-Brahmins in Madras. Right to Vote for women Sikah-in the Punjab and
The Charter Act (1853) was provided.
The number of directors were reducçd and Government of
This is also known asIndia Act (1919)
the power of patronage was taken away secretary of state EdwinMontague-Chclmsford Reforms, after the
from them by instituting and open
competutive cxAm1nation tor the recrutment
" The
Executive Council Montague and the Viceroy Chelmsford.
was enlarged and Central
of civil seryants. thoroughly
Council remodelled and Legislature was
of State and the made bicameral, two chambers
The approval of the crown was made " The Legislative Council. being the
legislature had virtually no
necessary tor all appointments of councillors.
both central and provincial.
Executive
Tontrol overCouncil which the control over the Viceroy and his
the Provincial Central Govenment had
dyarchy or dual governmentGoyernment. The unrestricted
in the provinces. Act introduced
GENERAL STUDIES > 949
Indian Polity

Government of Government
The
The act provided for
India Act
the (1935) Members of Interim
of India Viscount
Wavel
Federatipn. It establishment of an all India
divided the powers into three lists Viceroy and Governor-General
Vice-President
Jawaharlal Nehru
i. Federal List, and Vallabhbha Patel
Horne Atfairs, Intormation
ii. Provincial List and Broadcasting Rajendra Prasad
i. Concurrent List Agriculture and Food
Ibrahin Ismal Chundrigar
Cornmerce
Besiduary powers were with the (Muslim League)
a of 1935 introduced the Governor-General. Education and Arts
CRajagopalachar1
provincial autonomy and
bolition of Dyarchy. The provincial legislatures Baldev Singh
made bicameral for the first time were Defence LIquat Ali Khan (Muslim League)
6 provinces (i.e. Finance
Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Health
Ghazantar Ali Khan (Muslim
League)
Assam). John Mathai
Industries and Supplies
The Indian Independence Act (1947) Labour
Jagjivan Ram
Jogendra Nath Mandal
The act provided for setting up of two independent Law (Muslim League)
dominions, to be known as India and Pakistan from 15th Posts and Air
Abdur Rab Nishtar (Muslim League)
August, 1947. Asat Ali
Railways and Communication
The territories of the dominion of India would include Work, Mines and Power CH Bhabhan
the whole British India exclusive of the territories
consisting Pakistan. The legislature of cach dominion Drafting Committee
would have full power to make laws for that dominion.
. With effect from 15th August, 1947, the British On 29th August, 1947, the
Constituent Assembly set-up a
Government would cease to have any responsibility for Drafting Committee under theChairmanship of
the Government of British. India and all treaties and Constitution for
Dr BR Ambedkar to prepare a Draft
agreements between his majesty's government and the India.
rulers of Indian states. The Constitution of India was adopted on 26thappended
The two dominions as the provinces would be November, 1949 and the honourable members
governed as nearly as may be in accordance with the In all, 284 members
their signatures to it on that day. 26th November, 1949 is
Act of 1935. actually signed the Constitution. date on which the
the armed forces also mentioned in the Preamble as the
Provision was made for the division of dominions. themselves
and the civil services between
the new Each people of India adopted, enacted and gave to
over its armed and the Constitution.
dominion would exercise authority
civil services. Constitution Committees and their Chairmen
Major Committees Chairmen
MAKING OF THE Drafting Committee
Dr BR Ambedkar
Members
CONSTITUTION 1. N Gopalaswami Ayyangar V
2. AK Ayyar
political destiny should putbe 3 KM Munshi
The demand that India's themselves had been 4. Moharnmed Saduilah
determined by the Indians
Gandhi as carly as in 1922. The 5. BL Mittar
forward by Mahatma
Assembly for India was put 6 DP Khaitan
idea of a Constituent time by MN Roy in 1934. Jawaharlal Nehru
forward for the first Constituent Assembly was first Union Power Committee
Jawaharlal Nehru
Union Constitution Committee
The demand for the (1940). The
in August offer the Cabinet Sardar Patel
accepted by the British Provincial Constitution Committee
set-up as per
Constituent Assembly wasinterim government was
Sardar Patel
Advisory Committee on Fundamental
Mission Plan of 1946. An elected Rights and Minorities, Tribal Atfairs
1946 from the newly Dr Rjendra Prasad
formed on September held on Rules of Procedure Committee
The first meeting was Jawaharial Nehru
Constituent Assembly. Sinha, as the States Committee
December, 1946 with Sachidanand11th December. Steering Commitee
Dr lajendra Prasad
9rh President. On Sir Alladi Krishna Swany lyer
interim or provisional
Prasad was elected as the
President
Special
Committee to Exarnine the Draft

1946, Dr Rajendra Constitution

of the Constituent Assembly.
 950
CDS Pathfinder

XIl
Borrowed Features of the Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits
Chapter I Finance
264 to 300 A

Constitution of India Chapter lIl Borrowng

Chapter ill Property Contracts, Rights
264 to 291
292 to 293

From UK (England) Parliamengety System, Lower Liabilities, Obligations and Suits

294 to 300

House more powerful, Prime Minister, Cabinet System Chapter IV Rrght to Property 300 A
of Ministers, Single Citizenship, Bicamerá Parliament, XlI Trade. Commerce and Intercourse within the 301 to 307
Provision of Speaker ih Lok Sabha, Çouncil of Ministers Territory of India
responsible to Lower House, Nomina Head-President. XIV Services under the Union and the States 308 1o 323
" From USA Wittetr Constitution, Post of Vice-President, ChapterI Services 308 to 3 14
Fundamentat Rights, Supteme Court, Head'of the State Chapter | Public Service Commiss1on 315 to 323
known as President, Provisioi of States and Judicial XIVA Tribunals
Review. 323 Ato 323 B
XV Elections
" From France Republic and ideals of liberty, 324 to 329 A
and faterhity. equality XVI Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes 330 to 342
XVII Official Language
From Australia Concurtent List, Centre-State Chapter ILanguage of the Union
343 to 351

Relationship, Language of_ the Preamble.

" From USSR Chapter Il Regional Languages
343 and 344
345 to 347
Fundamental Duties and Five Year Plan. Chapter Ill Language of the Supreme Court. the 348 and 349
" From Germany Emergency
provisions.
From Japan Procedure established
High Courts and so on
Chapter IV Special Directives
by law. v 350 to 351
" From Canada Federal system and XVII Emergency Provisions
" From South Africa Procedure of Residuary
352 to 360
powers. XIX Miscellaneous
361 to 36
Amendment. Constitutional XX Amendments of the
Constitution 368
From Ireland Concept of Directive XXI Temporary. Transitional and Special
Provisions 369 to 392
Principles of State
Policy (originally, it was borrowed from XXII Short Titie. Commencement,
Authoritative Text in 393 to 395
Spain). Hindi and Repeals
Constitution at a Glance Part-VIl (Article 238) deals with states was
the 7th repealed in 1956 by
Part Subject Matter Articles Constitutional Amendment Act.
Covered
I The Uion and its Territory
1to 4
Schedules in Constitution
# Ctizenship
H Fundamental Rights
5 to 11
12 to 35
Arst Schedule List of States and Union
Territories
V Directve Principles of State Poicy V[econd Schedule Salary ot President., Governors. Chief Judges.
36 to 51 Judges of High Court and
NA Fundamental Duties Supreme Court
V The Union
51 A Comptroler and Auditor General
52 to 151 Ahird Schedule Forms of Oaths and Affirmations
Chapteri The Executive
Chapter il Parliament
52 to 78 Fourth Schedule Allocate seats for each State of India in Raya Sabha
79 to 122
Chapter ll Legislative Powers of the President
Chapter V The Union Judiciary
123 Fith Schedule Administration and control of Scheduled Areas an
124 to 147
Chapter VComptroller and Auditor General of Tribes
148 to 151 Shth Schedule
India Provisions for administration of Tribal Area in Assam
V The States
152 to 237 Meghalaya Tripura and Mizoram
Chapteri Genera 152
Seventh Schedule Gives allocaton of powers and functions between
Union and States It contains three lists
Chapter The Executive 153 to 167
Chapter Ii The State Legisiature 1 Union List (for Central Govt ) 97
168 to 212 2
subjects
States List Power of State GoVt) 66 subjects
Chapter V Legislative Powers of the Governors 213
3 Concurrent List (Both Union and States) 4
Chapter V The High Courts 214 to 232 subjects
Chapter VI Subordinate Courts 233 to 237
Vtt The Union Territones Eighth Schedule List of 222 languages of india recognised by
239 to 242 Constitution
x The Panchayats 243 to 243-0 Mnth Schedule Added by 1st Amendment in 1951 Contans acts
IXA The Municipaltes 243 P to 243 ZG and orders related to land tenure land tax, raways
and ndustries
DXB Cooperatves 243 ZG to
243ZT Tenth Schedule Added by 52nd Amendment in 1985 Contains
X The Scheduled and the Triba Areas 244 to 244 A provisions of disQualitication on grounds ot detecton
X Relations between t e Union and the States 245 10 263 Eleventh By 73rd Amendnent in 1992 Contans provisions of
Chapter I Legsiatve Relations 245 to 255 Schedule Panchayat Ra
Chapter l Administratve Relations 256 to 263 Twelfth Schedule By 74th Amendment in 1992 Contans
Municipai Corporation. proVISIons ot
GENERAL STUDIES > 951
Indian Polity
salient Features of the National Symbols
constitution of Andhra
Pingali Venkayya Constituent
was designed by
National Flag It 1947, it was adopted by
breadth of
Thesalientfeatures of the Constitution, as it Pradesh. On 22nd July, between length and
3:2 ratio
ghds today, are as follows Assemblyv. It followscolours saffron, white and green. Middle
has thrce spokes.
Kengthiest Written Constitution The the flag. It
Ashoka Chakra, in blue with 24 (Varanasi)
Indian Constitution is the lengthiest in the portion has from the Sarnath adopted by
world. Originally, the Constitution had 395 It has been taken
National Emblem 26th January, 1950. It
was
Articles, 8 Schedules and 22 parts. Pillar of Ashoka and onThe word Satyameva Jayate which was
sAlend of Rigidity and Flexibility The Government of India. Devanagari script (taken from Mundaka
of amendment of the Indian in
written at the base National Motto of India.
proion is partly flexible and
rigid. Some provisions can be amendedpartlyeasily Upanishad) is the
was
Tagore. Its
written by Rabindra Nath in Calcutta
National Anthem It sung
and some provisions can only be amended by seconds. First time it was
recitation period is 52 December, 1911. On 24th January,
passage in both Union Parliament and half of Session on 27th
the State Legislatures. Congress adopted it (Jan Gan Man).
1950, Constituent Assembly
Parliamentary Government India has a taken from Bankim Chandra24th
National Song Vandemataram officially adopted on
parliamentary system of government both, at
the centre and in the states. The President is Chatterji's work Anandmath, was
for the first time as
Kolkata session of
the head of the Union of India and the January, 1950. It was sung
governors are head of the states. But they act Congress in 1896.
Saka Era, Chaitra is its first
on the advice of the Council of Ministers. National Calendar Based on the Gregorian
They have nominal powers. month and a normal year of the365 days along with the on 22nd
calendar. It was adopted by
Central Government
i/Independent Judiciary There is a single,
integrated and unified judiciary in India. The March, 1957.
Supreme Court is the highest court of the eight species around the world
National Animal It is tiger. It has Royal Bengal Tiger. The
land. Both Supreme Court and high courts and Indian species is known as the National Animal of India.
to interpret
have been given extensive powersvarious
the Constitution and law under majestic tiger (Panthera Tigris) is Cristatus). It is fully protected
India. (Pavo
National Bird Indian peacock Protection
provisions of the Constitution of Act, 1972.
under the Indian Wildlife
Federal System with Unitarycontains federal
Features Our Constitutiondivision of The Preamble
features of government like independent Constitution
Constitution,
powers, writtenbicameralism introduction or preface of the
but, also a large " The Preamble means
judiciary and or essence of the
Constitution.
number of unitary features like a strong
flexibility of The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is based on
the
Pandit Nehru and
centre, single citizenship,
integrated judiciary emergency Objectives Resolution drafted and
moved by
Constitution, adopted by the Constituent Assembly.
ptovisions etc. and political have been taken
The Indian Constitution The idea of justice, social, economic
vi. Secular Statesecular state i.e. all religions in from the Russian Revolution (1917).
stands for a
the same right and
support
" The idea of liberty, equality and fraternity have been taken from
our country have not uphold any the French Revolution (1789-1799).
from the state, it does official religion of the
particular religion as the Preamble of India
0ndian state. Franchise Every Indian in solemnly resolved to constitute
Universal Adult We, the People of India, having democratic, republic and
i. a right to vote
18 years) hasdiscrimination India into a sovereign socialist, secular,
citizen (abovewithout any of secure to all its citizens.
the elections etc.
caste, sex, relation Indian Constitution Justice, social, economic and political.
vii. Emergency Provisions and worship.
provisions to meet any Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith
has special emergency. During among them all.
extraordinary situation or Equality of status and of opportunity and to promote
Government becomes the unity and
emergency the Centralcomes under the total Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and
powerful and state emergency our federal integrity of the nation.
control of it.. During
unitary without any In our Constituent Assembly on this 26th day of
Novernber. 1949, do
system becomes Constitution. nereby adopt. enact and gve to ourselves this Constitution
amendment of the