Political Science

Political Science — Polity Events, Elections, Schemes and Constitutional Amendments

Overview

Political Science in the Current Events section of TNPSC Group IV tests your awareness of recent developments in India's constitutional and political framework. Unlike the static Indian Polity syllabus, this section demands you stay updated on elections held in the past 1–2 years, major government schemes launched or modified, and constitutional amendments passed recently.

This topic bridges theoretical polity knowledge with real-world application. Questions typically ask about election results (which party won, who became CM/PM), features of new welfare schemes, or the subject matter of recent constitutional amendments.

Success requires connecting current developments to your foundational polity knowledge. When you read about the 106th Amendment, you should immediately recall reservation provisions under Articles 330–334. This cross-linking approach is what distinguishes high scorers.

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Key Concepts

• Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts all elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and offices of President and Vice-President. The Chief Election Commissioner can only be removed through impeachment (like a Supreme Court judge).
• Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into force from the date elections are announced. It is not statutory law but convention-based, yet ECI enforces it strictly to ensure free and fair polls.
• Constitutional Amendments require special majority in Parliament — majority of total membership AND two-thirds of members present and voting. Some amendments also need ratification by half the state legislatures.
• One Nation One Election is a proposed reform to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, currently under active discussion following the High-Level Committee report (2024).
• Delimitation is the process of redrawing constituency boundaries based on census data. The current freeze on delimitation (based on 1971 census for seat allocation) was extended until 2026 by the 84th Amendment.
• EWS Reservation under the 103rd Amendment (2019) provides 10% reservation in education and government jobs for Economically Weaker Sections among forward castes. Supreme Court upheld its validity in 2022.
• Women's Reservation — The 106th Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023) reserves one-third seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, to be implemented after delimitation following the next census.

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Formulas / Key Facts

Key Election Facts (2024):

• 18th Lok Sabha Elections held April–June 2024; NDA formed government; Narendra Modi became PM for third term
• Voter turnout approximately 66%
• NOTA (None of the Above) option available since 2013

Important Schemes — Recent:

• PM Vishwakarma Yojana (2023) — skill and financial support for traditional artisans
• Ayushman Bharat expansion — coverage extended to all senior citizens above 70 years (2024)
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024) — rooftop solar with free electricity up to 300 units

Tamil Nadu Specific:

• TN State Assembly has 234 seats; last election held 2021
• Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (2023) — Rs 1000 monthly for women heads of household
• Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme — free breakfast for government school students

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Worked Examples

Example 1: Which Constitutional Amendment introduced reservation for Economically Weaker Sections?

Solution:

• EWS reservation was introduced for forward castes in 2019
• This amended Articles 15 and 16 to add clause (6)
• Answer: 103rd Constitutional Amendment

Example 2: The 106th Amendment Act relates to: (A) GST Council restructuring (B) Women's reservation in legislatures (C) Simultaneous elections (D) Judicial appointments

Solution:

• 106th Amendment was passed in September 2023
• Called Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
• Provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
• Answer: (B)

Example 3: Which body is responsible for conducting elections to local bodies in Tamil Nadu?

Solution:

• Election Commission of India conducts elections only to Parliament and State Legislatures
• For local bodies (Panchayats, Municipalities), each state has a separate body
• Answer: Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC)

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Common Mistakes

• Confusing ECI with State Election Commission → ECI handles Parliament and State Assembly elections; State Election Commissions handle Panchayat and Municipal elections. Different constitutional provisions (Article 324 vs Article 243K).
• Assuming MCC is a law → Model Code of Conduct is not legally enforceable statute; it is a set of guidelines. However, some actions violating MCC may also violate IPC or Representation of People Act.
• Mixing up amendment numbers → Students often confuse 103rd (EWS), 104th (SC/ST extension), and 105th (OBC identification). Create a mental timeline: 2019-EWS, 2020-SC/ST, 2021-OBC.
• Thinking women's reservation is already implemented → The 106th Amendment has been passed but will only come into effect after delimitation following the next census. Don't select options suggesting it is currently operational.
• Ignoring Tamil Nadu-specific schemes → TNPSC frequently asks about state schemes. Know at least 5 current TN welfare schemes with their target beneficiaries.

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Quick Reference

• 103rd Amendment (2019): 10% EWS reservation — forward castes — education and jobs
• 106th Amendment (2023): 33% women's reservation — Lok Sabha and State Assemblies — after delimitation
• ECI: Constitutional body under Article 324 — CEC removal needs impeachment
• 2024 Lok Sabha: 18th Lok Sabha — NDA government — Modi as PM (3rd term)
• State vs Central Elections: ECI for Parliament/Assembly; TNSEC for local bodies in TN
• MCC: Convention-based, not statutory — enforced by ECI during election period