Indian Democracy and Government

Overview

India is the world's largest democracy, operating under a parliamentary system established by the Constitution of 1950. This topic forms the backbone of civics in the upper-primary Social Studies syllabus and carries significant weight in WB TET Paper II. Questions typically test your understanding of how the three organs of government—Legislature, Executive and Judiciary—function and check each other, along with the electoral process that gives citizens their voice.

For the exam, you must know the composition and powers of Parliament, the roles of the President and Prime Minister, the structure of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and the machinery of elections. Expect direct factual questions (number of Lok Sabha seats, tenure of judges) as well as application-based questions on separation of powers and federalism.

Key Concepts

• **Parliamentary Democracy**: India follows the Westminster model where the Executive is drawn from and accountable to the Legislature. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must enjoy the confidence of the Lok Sabha.

• **Separation of Powers**: The Constitution divides authority among the Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements laws) and Judiciary (interprets laws). No organ can encroach on another's domain, ensuring checks and balances.

• **Bicameral Parliament**: The Union Parliament has two Houses—Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People). Rajya Sabha represents states; Lok Sabha represents the people directly.

• **Federal Structure with Unitary Bias**: India is a "Union of States." Powers are divided between the Centre and States (Union, State and Concurrent Lists), but the Centre holds more authority during emergencies.

• **Independent Judiciary**: Courts function independently of the Legislature and Executive. Judges are appointed through a Collegium system and can be removed only by impeachment.

• **Universal Adult Franchise**: Every citizen aged 18 years or above has the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, gender or economic status.

• **Election Commission**: An autonomous constitutional body that conducts free and fair elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and offices of President and Vice-President.

Key Facts

| Institution / Feature | Key Details | |----------------------|-------------| | Lok Sabha | 545 seats (543 elected + 2 nominated Anglo-Indians, though nomination provision ended in 2020); term of 5 years unless dissolved earlier | | Rajya Sabha | 250 members (238 elected by State Legislatures + 12 nominated by President); permanent House—one-third retire every 2 years; member's term is 6 years | | President | Head of State; elected by an Electoral College (MPs + MLAs); term of 5 years; can be re-elected | | Vice-President | Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha; elected by MPs of both Houses; term of 5 years | | Prime Minister | Head of Government; leader of majority party/coalition in Lok Sabha; appointed by President | | Council of Ministers | Appointed by President on PM's advice; collectively responsible to Lok Sabha | | Supreme Court | Apex court; 1 Chief Justice + 33 other judges (as of 2024); Original, Appellate and Advisory jurisdiction | | High Courts | One for each state/group of states; headed by Chief Justice; hears appeals from lower courts | | Election Commission | Chief Election Commissioner + Election Commissioners; CEC can be removed only by impeachment | | Voting Age | 18 years (61st Amendment, 1988) |