Democracy and Government

Overview

Democracy and Government is a core civics topic for KAR TET Paper II Social Studies. It tests your understanding of how India's parliamentary democracy functions, the relationship between the executive and legislature, and the constitutional framework that holds them together. Questions typically focus on distinguishing between different organs of government, understanding the roles of key constitutional offices, and knowing the procedures through which laws are made and governments are held accountable.

This topic connects directly to the Indian Constitution unit and Local Self-Government, so mastering it helps you across multiple areas. Expect 2–4 questions on parliamentary procedures, composition of Parliament and State Legislatures, powers of the President and Prime Minister, and the principle of collective responsibility. A clear grasp of how the executive emerges from and remains answerable to the legislature is essential.

Key Concepts

• **Democracy** means "rule by the people" — citizens choose their representatives through free and fair elections, and the government remains accountable to them.

• **Parliamentary democracy** is a system where the executive (Council of Ministers) is drawn from and responsible to the legislature — this is India's chosen model, borrowed from Britain.

• **Separation of powers** divides government into three organs — Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements laws), and Judiciary (interprets laws) — each checking the others.

• **Collective responsibility** means the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha; if Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the entire ministry must resign.

• **Individual responsibility** means each minister is responsible for their department's functioning and can be asked to resign for personal failure or misconduct.

• **Sovereignty of Parliament** is limited in India because the Constitution is supreme — Parliament cannot pass laws that violate fundamental rights, and courts can strike down unconstitutional laws.

• **Bicameralism** — India has a two-house Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) at the Centre; most states have unicameral legislatures (Vidhan Sabha only), though six states have Vidhan Parishad as well.

• **Federal structure with unitary features** — India distributes power between Centre and States but the Centre has overriding powers during emergencies.

Formulas / Key Facts

| Fact | Detail | |------|--------| | Parliament comprises | President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha (Article 79) | | Lok Sabha strength | Maximum 552 (530 from states, 20 from UTs, 2 Anglo-Indians nominated — now discontinued) | | Rajya Sabha strength | Maximum 250 (238 elected by state legislatures, 12 nominated by President) | | Lok Sabha term | 5 years (can be dissolved earlier; extended during Emergency) | | Rajya Sabha term | Members serve 6 years; one-third retire every 2 years (permanent house, not dissolved) | | Minimum age — Lok Sabha | 25 years | | Minimum age — Rajya Sabha | 30 years | | President's term | 5 years; elected by electoral college (elected MPs and MLAs) | | Prime Minister | Appointed by President; must command majority in Lok Sabha | | Money Bill | Can be introduced only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can delay it by 14 days only | | Quorum in Parliament | One-tenth of total membership of the House | | Karnataka Legislative Assembly | 224 elected members + 1 nominated Anglo-Indian (now discontinued) |