Polity Class 01

             Polity_Class_01_2018_RB3_22-06- 2017
         Importance of Polity for Prelims and Mains exam
         Sources to be read for Polity
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
         What is a constitution
         Basic idea about the constitution
         Objectives of the constitution
         Functions of the constitution
IMPORTANT TERMS OF POLITY
         Legislature
  Bicameralism - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
  Composition of Parliament
  Members of Parliament
  Legislative Assembly and Council
  Composition of Legislative Assembly and Council
  Members of Legislative Assembly and Council
         Judiciary
         Executive
         Constitutionalism
         Separation of Powers in Indian Polity
         System of checks and balance in Indian polity
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: To be continued
Polity Class 02
Types of Majority in Parliament
         Simple Majority
         Absolute Majority
         Effective Majority
         Special Majority
         Special Majority according to Article 368
Constitution of India
         Reasons for such a big constitution in India
         Sources of Indian Constitution
         Difference between written and unwritten constitution.
         Rigid and Flexible Constitution
         Why Indian Constitution is neither rigid nor flexible?
         Federal and Unitary system of government
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: To be continued
Polity class 03
FEDERALISM
         What is federal system of government
         Why India is called a “Union of States”?
         Why the word “federalism” not used in constitution?
         Quasi-Federalism in India
         Features of federalism
  Division of power
o    Union List
o    State List
o    Concurrent List
o    Residuary List
  Supremacy and Rigidity of Constitution
o    Subjects to be amended as per Article 368
  Representation of States in Parliament
         How India has a unique federalism
         Unitary features of Indian Constitution
         Instances where Parliament can make laws on State List
  Article 249
  Article 250
  Article 252
  Article 253
  Article 356
  Article 352
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Federalism to be continued & Parliamentary System
Polity class 04
FEDERALISM continues
         Unitary Features
o    Instances where Parliament can make laws on State list
o    Instances where Parliament can give administrative directions to the states
o    Exploitation of office of governor
o    Misuse of the All India Services
o    Unified election system
o    Audit mechanism
o    Rajya Sabha
         Separation of powers
o    Ideas of Montesquieu
o    Principle of checks and balances
         Difference between Presidential and Parliamentary system
o    Structure
o    Responsibility
o    Stability
PREAMBLE OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION
         What is a Preamble?
         Functions of Preamble
         Is it a part of Constitution?
         Is it possible to amend the Preamble?
         Enforceability of Preamble
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
Polity class 05
PREAMBLE
  Ingredients of Preamble
  Nature of Indian State
         Sovereign
         Socialist
         Secular
o    Positive and negative secularism
         Democratic
         Republic
  Objectives of Indian State
         Justice
         Liberty
         Equality
         Fraternity
         Integrity
  Amendment to the preamble
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
  What are fundamental rights?
  Difference between fundamental rights and other legal rights
  Enforceability of Fundamental Rights
  Are the Fundamental Rights absolute?
         Reasonable restrictions
  Division of Fundamental Rights
         Positively worded
         Negatively worded
  Doctrine of Eclipse
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
 Polity Class 06

Fundamental Rights
 
  Doctrine of Eclipse
  Amendability of  Fundamental Rightse
  Art 13(2)
  Shankari Prasad vs UOI 1951
         Parliament has two type of power
o    Ordinary Legislative Power
o    Constitutional Legislative Power
o    Validity of 1st amendment was upheld
  Golak Nath vs State of Punjab
         Supreme court overruled its earlier  judgment
         Article 368 Contains only the procedure to amend constitution
  24th Constitutional amendment act
         Amendment of Art368
  Keshava nanda Bharti vs State of Kerala 1973
         Doctrine of Basic structure
Classification of Fundamental Rights
  Article 14
         Equality before Law
o    Rule of Law
         Equal protection of Law
  Article 15
 
 
 
Topic for the next Class: - Fundamental Rights to be continued (Article 15 Onwards)
Polity Class 07

Article 16 - Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment

         Protection from discrimination in employment
         Reservation Policy in India
  Rationale behind reservations
o    Conditions for reservations
o    Positive discrimination
  Reservation for SC/STs in public employment
  Reservation for OBCs
o    Concept of Creamy Layer
  Reservation in promotion
         Exceptions from discrimination in employment [Article 16 (5)]
Article 17 – Protection against Untouchability
         What is Untouchability?
         Absolute right without any exception
Article 18 – Abolition of Titles
         Restrictions on using titles as prefix to names
Article 19 – Right to Freedom
         Freedom of Speech and Expressions
  Derived rights from freedom of speech and expressions
  Grounds of Reasonable restrictions
         Right to assemble peacefully
  Band, Hartal, Strike etc.
         Right form associations
  Exceptions
  Reasonable restrictions
         Right to move freely throughout the territory of India
  Reasonable restrictions
         Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India
  Exceptions
         Right to property (Not a fundamental right now)
         Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
  Reasonable restrictions
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Fundamental Rights Continued..
Polity Class 08

Article 20 - Protection in Respect of Conviction for Offences

         No ex-post-facto law
         No double jeopardy
         No self-incrimination
Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty
         What is right to life?
         Derived rights from Article 21
         Due Process of Law
         Procedure established by law
         Difference between “Due process of law” and “Procedure established by law”
         Principles of Natural Justice
  No one can be judge of own case
  Authority must act bona fide
  No one can be punished without being heard
Article 21-A – Right to Education
         Free and Compulsory education
         Fundamental Duty under Article 51 A (K)
Article 22 - Protection against Arrest and Detention
         Preventive and Punitive detention
Article 23 - Prohibition of Traffic in Human Beings and Forced Labor
         What is forced labor?
         Exceptions of Article 23
Article 24 - Prohibition of Employment of Children in Factories etc.
         Who is a child as per law
         Recent laws related to child labor
Right to Freedom of Religion
         Freedom of Conscience
         Right to profess
         Right to practice
         Right to propagate
         Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs
         Freedom from Taxation for Promotion of a Religion
         Freedom from Attending Religious Instruction
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Fundamental Rights continued…
Polity Class 09
Protection of Minorities
         Who is a minority as per Constitution?
  Religious minority
  Linguistic minority
         Specific interests of minorities that need protection
         Rights for protection of Minorities
         Article 30 - Right of Minorities to Establish and Administer Educational Institutions
RIGHT TO CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES
         Writ Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
  Habeas Corpus
  Prohibition
  Certiorari
  Mandamus
  Quo-Warranto
         Public Interest Litigation
         Difference between the writ jurisdiction of Supreme and High Court
         Discontinuance of constitutional remedies in case of Emergency
  Exceptions
JUDICIAL REVIEW
         What is Judicial Review?
         Judicial review power of Supreme Court and High Court
         Rationale behind the power of Judicial Review
         Characteristics of Judicial review
FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
         Evolution of Fundamental Duties
         Fundamental Duties list
         Significance of Fundamental Duties
         Criticism of Fundamental Duties
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Directive Principles of State Policy
Polity Class 10

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

         What are the DPSPs?
         Need of DPSP
         Characteristic features of DPSP
         Brief discussion on all the DPSPs
         DPSP v/s Fundamental Rights
  Different Judicial interpretations and Constitutional amendment
  DPSPs that prevail over Fundamental Rights
  Difference between Fundamental Rights and DPSP
         Issues related to DPSP
  Uniform Civil Code
         Directives outside Part IV of the constitution
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: PRESIDENT
Polity Class 11
Directive Principles of State Policy
         Evaluation of success and failure in implementation of DPSP
PRESIDENT OF INDIA
         Structure of Executive
         Constitutional position of President of India
         Executive powers of President
         Manner of election of President
  Electoral college for the election
  Vote value of the electoral college
  Calculation of votes for election of President
  Single Transferable voting system
  Qualifications for becoming the President of India
         Vacancy and absence in the office of President
         Impeachment of President
  Process of impeachment
  Electoral college for impeachment
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Polity Class 12
Legislative powers of President
         Presidential assent to different types of Bills
  Money Bill
  Ordinary Bill
  Constitutional Amendment Bill
  Financial Bill
         Discretionary powers of President while giving assent to a Bill
         Summoning and dissolution of Parliament
         Addressing the Parliament
         Other legislative powers
         Constitutional position of President
  Aid and advice of CoM
  Amendments to Article 74
Discretionary powers of the President
Ordinance
         Ordinance making power of President
         Life of an ordinance
         Limitations on ordinance making power
         Criticism of power of President
         Re-Promulgation of Ordinance
Pardoning powers of President
         Pardon
         Reprieve
         Respite
         Remission
         Commute
         Scope of Judicial Review
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers
Polity Class 13
Power and Position of Indian President
         Is the President of India a rubber stamp or has real powers
         Provisions of constitution
         Mind of Constitution makers
         Judicial pronouncements
         Actual working on ground
         Examples where President used his/her wisdom
VICE PRESIDENT
         Election of Vice-President
  Electoral college for election of Vice-President
  Why states are not included in the elections
         Constitutional position of Vice – President
         Removal of Vice – President
  Grounds for removal
         Vacancy in the office of Vice – President
         Salary and emoluments of Vice – President
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
         Structure of Council of Ministers
         Different rank of Ministers
  Cabinet Ministers
  Ministers of State
  Deputy Ministers
         Constitutional status
  Collective responsibility
         Cabinet Meetings
         Parliamentary Secretary
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Prime Minister, Cabinet
Polity Class 14
EXECUTIVE
         Cabinet
  Difference between Cabinet and Council of Ministers
  Constitutional recognition to cabinet
  Highest decision making body in India

         Collective responsibility of Council of Ministers towards Lok Sabha

  Meaning of Collective responsibility
  Individual responsibility of ministers
  What happens when a PM dies in office
  No-Confidence Motion

         Prime ministerial form of government

         Cabinet form of government
         Kitchen Cabinet
         Inner Cabinet
         Shadow Cabinet
         Care taker government
         Interim Government
         National Government
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Power and Position of Prime Minister
Polity Class 15
  Revision of previous class
  Regulatory bodies
         Meaning
         Functions
         Examples
o    TRAI, SEBI etc
         Distinctive features
o    Expert body
o    Autonomy of work
o    Political neutrality
         Changes witnessed post LPG
         Trend of regulatory bodies in US
         Concerns of working of these bodies
o    Autonomy
o    Violation of separation of power
o    Answerability, accountability
o    Appointment and removal
o    Proliferation of regulators etc
 
  Prime Minister
         Position of PM in India
o    Primus inter pares
o    Key-stone in cabinet arch
         Significance of PM in India
         Factor/dynamics  affecting powers of PM
o    Era of coalition government
o    Different phases and role of PM
o    Personality of PM
 
  Attorney General of India (Art76)
         Eligibility
         Functions
         Appointment
         Position
         Assisted by
o    Solicitor General
o    Additional Solicitor general
         Difference between AGI and Sol Gen
 
  Conventions
         Meaning
         Purpose
         Examples
 
 
 
 
Topic for the next class – Legislature 
Polity Class 16
 
Parliamentary v/s Presidential System
         Parliamentary System
  Features
  Merits
  Demerits
  Advantages of Parliamentary system for India
         Presidential System
  Features
  Merits
  Demerits
         Should we shift to presidential system?
  Positives
  Negatives
         Way forward for India
         Constructive motion of No-Confidence
  Provisions
PARLIAMENT
         Functions of Parliament
         Rajya Sabha
  Strength
  Significance of Rajya Sabha
  How it protects the interests of States
  Criticism of Rajya Sabha
  Second House or Secondary House
  Election of Members of Rajya Sabha
  Qualification of member of Rajya Sabha
  How Rajya Sabha strengthens federalism
  Features of Rajya Sabha which are against federalism
  Chairman of Rajya Sabha
  Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
  Removal of Presiding Officers
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: PARLIAMENT will be continued
Polity Class 17
Start of the class
         Answer writing
RAJYA SABHA
         Relevance of Rajya Sabha
         Why more power to Lok Sabha than Rajya Sabha
         Importance of Rajya Sabha
LOK SABHA
         Composition
         Functions of Lok Sabha
         Exclusive powers of Lok Sabha
         Presiding officer of Lok Sabha
  Difference between Speaker of LS and Chairman of RS
  Functions of Speaker
  Special functions of Speaker
  Lok Sabha Secretariat
  Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
  Absence and vacancy in office of Speaker
  Special position of Speaker
  Removal of Speaker and Deputy Speaker
         Protem Speaker
  Functions of Protem Speaker
         Tenure of Lok Sabha
DISQUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
         Grounds for disqualification
  Disqualification by President
  Disqualification by Presiding Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: PARLIAMENT to be continued
Polity Class 18
ROLE OF CIVIL SERVICES IN DEMOCRACY
         What is Bureaucracy?
         Hierarchy in bureaucracy
         Division of Bureaucracy
  Civil Services
  Armed forces officers
  Judicial officers
         Design of Civil Services in India
  Central Services
  All India Services
  State Civil Services
         Features of Civil Services
  Rationality
  Rule bound administration
o    Benefits
o    Criticism
  Sphere of competence
  Political accountability or Democratic accountability
  Based on hierarchy
o    Advantages and disadvantages
  Impartiality
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Civil Services to be continued
Polity Class 19
ROLE OF CIVIL SERVICES IN INDIA
         Characteristic features on Civil Services

         Political Neutrality
o    What is Political Neutrality?
         Unbiased towards any political party
         Uninfluenced by any ideology
         Working towards the welfare of people
o    Reasons for politically biased civil services
o    History of Political Neutrality in India
o    Benefits of Political Neutrality
o    Misuse of AIS for personal and political gains
o    Recommendations of 2nd ARC

         Role of All India Services in maintaining federalism

o    Use of AIS by Centre to harass the States

         Permanent nature of Civil Services

         Anonymity of Civil Services

o    Meaning of Anonymity
o    Ministerial Responsibility
o    Advantages of anonymity
o    Disadvantages of anonymity

         Functions of Civil Servants

 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Civil Services (To be continued)
Polity Class 20
Characteristic features of Civil Services
         Uniformity of civil services throughout India
  How to ensure uniformity?
  Need of uniformity

         Cadre based service

  All India Services under Colonial rule
  Rationale behind cadre based services
  Role in Cooperative federalism
  Limitations of cadre based services
  Benefits and limitations of Home cadre
Benefits / Limitations of All India Services
         Benefits of All India Services

         Criticism of All India Services

  Elitism
  Reluctance against transfers
  Inclination/affiliation towards one state/ home state
  Overburden of routine work
  Lack of rotation between office and field work
 
Reforms needed in All India Services
         Promotion from state services
         Training
         Lateral entry in services
  Advantages of lateral entry
  Disadvantages of lateral entry
  Way forward
         Civil Services Board
         Specialist officers
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Civil Services (To be continued)
Polity Class 21
CIVIL SERVICES
         Is the name “All India Services a misnomer”?

         Civil Services activism

  Actions taken by activist civil servants
  Negatives of civil services activism

         Democracy v/s Bureaucracy

  Are these at cross-purpose?
  Differences in approach
  Similar objectives of the two
  How bureaucracy strengthens democracy?

         Representative Bureaucracy
  Meaning
  Exception in representative democracy
  How bureaucracy prevents undemocratic decisions
  Decision making in national interest

         Relationship between Political ministers and Bureaucrats

  Significance of bureaucracy in decision making
  How bureaucrats support ministers?
  Why cooperation between the two is important?

         Participative Bureaucracy
  Meaning
  Different models of participative bureaucracy
  Benefits of participative bureaucracy

         Organismic Bureaucracy
  Meaning
  Benefits of organismic bureaucracy
  Methods to ensure evolution with time
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: PARLIAMENT
Polity Class 22
EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
         Types of Emergency imposed in India
  National Emergency (Article 352)
  State Emergency (Article 356)
  Financial Emergency (Article 360)

         Instances of National Emergency in India

         National Emergency
  Grounds for proclamation of National Emergency
o    War or external aggression
o    Armed rebellion
  Need of written recommendation
  Parliamentary approval of Emergency
o    Majority needed
  Withdrawal of National Emergency
   Effects of National Emergency
o    On Center – State relations
         Financial relation
         Administrative relation
         Legislative relation
o    Fundamental Rights
         Article 358 and 359
  Constitutional amendments for approval of emergency

         State Emergency / President’s Rule

  Article 355
  Grounds for imposing President’s rule
o    Failure of constitutional machinery
  Parliamentary approval of President’s Rule
  Effects of President’s Rule
o    On Legislature of state
o    On Executive of state
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Emergency (To be continued)
Polity Class 23
Emergency Provisions (continued)
President’s Rule
         Misuse of Article 356
         S. R. Bommai Case
  Observations of Supreme Court
         Recent cases of misuse of President’s rule
         Sarkaria Commission Recommendations
Financial Emergency
         Grounds of imposition
         Parliamentary approval and duration
         Revocation of Financial Emergency
         Effects of Financial Emergency
Anti – Defection Law
         10th Schedule (52nd Amendment)
         Reasons for bringing anti-defection law
         Grounds for disqualification
         Exceptions
         Deciding authority in case of anti-defection
Parliament (Continued)
         Difference between Ordinary Bill, Money Bill, Financial Bill and Constitutional
Amendment Bill
  Introduction
  Recommendation of these bills
  Majority required
  Deadlock
  Powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
  Assent of President
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Parliament will be continued
Polity Class 24
Funds of Government of India
         Consolidated Fund of India
  Source of Income
  Expenditure “made from”
  Expenditure “charged upon”
  Parliament approval
         Fiscal Federalism
         Public Accounts of India
         Contingency Fund of India
         Relief Funds
Budget (Annual Financial Statement)
         What is a budget?
         Financial Year in India
         Vote on Account
         Finance Bill
         Appropriation Bill
         Process of passing of Budget in Parliament
  Introduction of Budget in Parliament
  General Discussion
  Vote on Account
  Scrutiny by Parliamentary Committees
         Cut Motion
  Policy Cut Motion
  Token Cut Motion
  Economy Cut Motion
         Guillotine Motion
         Recent Changes in Budget
         Role of Rajya Sabha in passing of Budget
         Vote on Credit
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Sessions of Parliament.
Polity Class 25
Parliament (Remaining portion)
Sessions of Parliament
         Three Regular Sessions
  Budget Session
  Monsoon Session
  Winter session
         Special Session
         Presidential Address of the Parliament
         Convention and Prorogation of Sessions of Parliament
         Adjournment of House
  Effect on Bills pending in Parliament
         Adjournment sine die
         Dissolution of Lok Sabha
  Effect on Bills pending in Parliament
Bills in Parliament
         Money Bill
         Financial Bill
  Category I
  Category II
         Difference between Money Bill and Financial Bill
ELECTIONS
         Different Electoral Systems in the world
  First Past the Post System
o    Meaning
o    Advantages of FPTP System
o    Reasons for adopting FPTP System in India
o    Limitations of FPTP System
  Proportional Representation
o    Meaning
o    Advantages
o    Limitations
  List System
  Two Ballot System
  Single Transferable Vote System

         Superintendence, direction and control of elections (Article 324)

         Common Electoral Roll (Article 325)
         Universal Adult Suffrage (Article 326)
         Power of Parliament to make provision with respect to elections (Article 327)
         Power of Legislature of a State to make provision with respect to elections (Article
328)
         Bar to interference by courts in electoral (Article 329)
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: ELECTIONS (To be continued)
Polity Class 26
ELECTIONS (Continued)
         Election Commission of India
  Composition of Election Commission of India
  Article 324 (1)
  Qualification of Election Commissioners
  Appointment of Election Commissioners
  Removal of Chief Election Commissioner
  Removal of Election Commissioners
  Salary and emoluments of ECs
  Tenure of ECs
         Powers of Election Commission of India
  Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an
Election Commission
  Judicial pronouncements regarding powers of EC
  Announcement of Elections
  By – Elections
         Regional Election Commissioner
         Returning Officer
  Powers and functions
         Presiding Officer
         Election Observer
         Proxy Votes
         Right to recall
  Pros and Cons
         Recognition of Political Parties
  Conditions for recognition as:
o    State party
o    National party
  Benefits of recognition as State and National party
         Model Code of Conduct
  Meaning
  Implementation
  Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Electoral laws and Criminalization of Politics
Polity Class 27
ELECTIONS (Continued)
Electoral Laws
         Basic Laws for Elections in India
  Representation of People Act, 1950
  Representation of People Act, 1951
         Electoral Reforms
  Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 1988
         EVM
         Compulsory registration of political parties
         Disqualification from contesting elections
  Dinesh Goswami Committee on electoral reforms
         State Funding of elections
o    Arguments in favor
o    Arguments against
         Rotation of reserved seats for SCs/STs
  Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 1996
         Reduction of period of election campaign
         Bar on contesting from more than two seats
         Disqualifications from contesting election
         Provisions for by-elections
  Reforms needed
Criminalization of Politics
         What is criminalization of politics
         Reasons for criminalization of politics
         Steps taken to fight criminalization of politics
Electoral reforms suggested by ECI for decriminalization of politics
         Right to recall
         NOTA
         Negative Vote System
         Barring a person involved in serious offence from contesting elections
GOVERNOR
         Constitutional position
         Comparison between position and power President and Governor
         Discretionary powers of the Governor
         Special powers of Governor
         Misuse of the position of Governor
         Recommendations of Sarkaria Commission
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Legislative Assembly and Council
Polity Class 28
Brief discussion on the recent judgments of Supreme Court
State Legislature (Continued)
         State Legislative Council
  Secondary House
  Creation and abolition of LC
  Powers and functions of LC
  Relevance of LC
  Strength of LC
  Election and Nomination to LC
o    Grounds for nomination to LC
  Powers of LC regarding passing of Bills
         Procedure of passing a Bill in the State Legislature
  Ordinary Bill
  Money Bill
JUDICIARY IN INDIA
Structure of Judiciary in India
         Integrated judiciary in India
         Relationship between Supreme Court and High Courts
Supreme Court of India
         Functions of Supreme Court
         Appointment of Supreme Court judges
  Provisions of Constitution
  The three judges case
  Collegium System for appointment of judges of SC
  Principle of decision by consensus
         Removal of judges of Supreme Court
  Procedure
  Grounds
  Procedure for introducing the resolution for removal of SC
  Judges Enquiry Bill, 1968
         Salary and emoluments of judges of Supreme Court
         Acting Chief Justice of India
         Ad hoc Judges of Supreme Court
         Retired judges of Supreme Court
         Restriction from pleading in courts after appointment
         SC as a court of record
         Contempt of Court
  Conditions for declaring a court as court of record
 
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: High Courts
Polity Class 29
JUDICIARY (Continued)
Public Interest Litigation
         Meaning of PIL
         Who can file a PIL?
         Objective of PIL
         Authorities against which PIL can be filed
         Examples of recent judgments in PILs
  Right to reputation
  LGBT
         Criticism of PIL
Judicial Activism
         Meaning of Judicial Activism
         Examples of Judicial Activism
         Positives of Judicial Activism
         Criticism of Judicial Activism
  Disturbance of separation of power
         Way forward
Role of Supreme Court in the growth of Constitution
         Meaning of growth of Constitution
  Amendment of Constitution
  Judicial pronouncements
High Courts in India
         Judges of High Court
  Qualification of High Court Judges
  Additional Judge of HC
  Acting Judge of HC and Ad hoc Judges of HC
         Salary and expenses of HC judges
         HC as a court of record
         Mechanism in hands of Legislature to control Judges of High Court
Subordinate Courts in India
         Structure of subordinate judiciary in India
Lok Adalats
         Evolution of Lok Adalats in India
         Principles of working of Lok Adalats in India
Fast Track Courts
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Citizenship and Union Territories
Polity Class 30
Local Self Government
         Meaning of Local Self Government
         Need of third level of government

         Ideas for establishment of local level government before Independence

  Ideas of Gandhiji
  Views of B.R. Ambedkar
  Contrast between ideas of Gandhiji and B.R. Ambedkar
  Adoption of local self-government as DPSP

          Evolution of Panchayati Raj in India

  Community Development Programme
o    Evolution of performance
  National Extension Scheme
  Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, 1957
o    Recommendations
  First State to establish Panchayati Raj – Rajasthan
  Ashok Mehta Committee, 1977
o    Recommendations
  G V K Rao Committee, 1985
o    Recommendations
  L M Singhvi Committee, 1986
o    Recommendations
  Constitutional status to Panchayati Raj

         Evaluation of functioning of Panchayats before 1992

  1st Phase (1959 – 1965)
  2nd Phase (1965 – 1969)
  3rd Phase (1969 – 1992 )
         73  and 74th Amendment Act, 1992 
rd

         73rd and 74th  Amendment Act

  Provisions
o    Compulsory provisions
o    Voluntary provisions
         Structure of Panchayati Raj in India
  Zila Parishad
  Panchayat Samiti
  Gram Panchayat
         Election of members at the three levels
  Direct or indirect
         Reservation of seats in Local Bodies
  For SC/ST
  For Women
         Term of every level of Panchayats
 
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Local Self Government (Continued)
Polity Class 31
Local Self Government
Finances of Local Bodies
         Source of finance for Local Bodies
         Functions of State Finance Commission
         Role of Finance Commission of India
State Election Commission
         Appointment and removal of members
         Functions of State Election Commission
Urban Local Bodies
         Criteria for declaration of an area as urban area
         Difference between Municipal Council, Corporation and Nagar Panchayat
         Cantonment Board, Port Trust, Industrial Council
         Functions of Urban Local Bodies
         Structure of Urban Local Bodies
  Wards – Municipal Councilors
  Council of Municipal Corporations
  Standing Committees
  Municipal Commissioner and Mayor
         Nagar Panchayat/ Town Area Council
         Ward Committee
Planning in Local Governments
         Planning by Panchayats and Municipalities
         District Planning Committee
         Metropolitan Planning Committee
         Functions of DPC and MPC
         Manner of election of the members of DPC and MPC
Union Territories
         Reasons for establishment of Union Territories
  Political and administrative consideration
  Cultural distinctiveness
  Strategic importance
         Administration of Union Territories
  Administrators
  Difference between Governor and Administrator of UT
         Special Provisions for Delhi and Pondicherry
  Reasons for special status
         Difference between status of Delhi and Pondicherry
         Home Minister’s Advisory Council
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: Scheduled Areas, Citizenship
Polity Class 32
Structure of Local Government in different States
         States covered under 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act
         States having 5th Schedule area
  Different needs in local governments
         States having 6th Schedule area
  Different needs in local government
         Provisions of the Panchayats(Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
  Rationale of bringing PESA Act
  Provisions of PESA Act
o    Structure of Local Government
o    Objectives of PESA
o    Enhanced role of Gram Sabha
o    Provision of Reservations
o    Nominations of seats
         Scheduled Areas under 5  Schedule
th

  Additional powers to Governor

  Role of Centre and State in governing these areas
  Tribal Advisory Council
         Tribal Areas under 6th Schedule
  Structural difference between 5th Schedule and 6th Schedule Area
  Structure of Local Government
  Autonomous District Council
o    Powers of ADC
o    Executive, legislative and judicial functions
o    Election and nomination of members
o    Role of Governor and President
         Local Governments in States with special status
  Jammu and Kashmir
  Manipur
o    Demand for inclusion in Sixth Schedule
  Nagaland
o    Issue of reservation for women in ULBs
CITIZENSHIP
         Meaning of citizenship
         Rights available only to Indian citizens
         Constitutional provisions regarding citizenship
  Powers of Parliament to regulate citizenship
o    Indian Citizenship Act, 1955
         Acquisition of Citizenship of India
  Principle of jus soli and jus sanguine
  By Birth, Descent, Registration, Naturalization and Incorporation of
territory
         Termination of Citizenship of India
  By Renunciation, Termination and Deprivation
         Persons of Indian Origin
         Overseas Citizens of India
 
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS :  Few remaining miscellaneous Topics 
Polity Class 33
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
         Comparing the office CAG in India and UK
         Significance of office of CAG in India
         Reports of CAG in parliament
         Appointment and Removal of CAG
         Oath, salaries and allowances of CAG
FEDERALISM
         What is Federalism?
         Cooperative Federalism
o    Need of cooperative federalism in India
o    Examples of cooperative federalism in India
o    Constitutional mechanisms for cooperative federalism
         Legislative mechanism
  Inter State River Water Disputes
         Consultative mechanism
  Inter State Council
         Delegatory mechanism
         Administrative mechanism
         Financial mechanism
  Finance Commission
         Full faith and credit clause
o    Extra Constitutional mechanisms
         Zonal Councils
         Competitive Federalism
o    What is competitive federalism?
o    Significance of competitive federalism
         Cooperative – Competitive Federalism
         Fiscal Federalism
o    Significance
o    Limitations/Challenges
         Asymmetrical Federalism
         Areas of conflict between Centre and State
         Recommendations of Sarkaria Commission to improve federalism
Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial Supremacy
         Difference between India, UK and USA
         Relation between Judicial supremacy and parliamentary sovereignty in India
Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
Structure of Secretariat in Centre and State
TOPICS FOR NEXT CLASS: All Topics Completed