Indian Polity For Civil Services and Other State Examinations M Laxmikanth English

Part I
Constitutional Framework

1. Historical Background
The Company Rule (1773–1858)
The Crown Rule (1858–1947)
Notes and References
2. Making of the Constitution
Composition of the Constituent Assembly
Working of the Constituent Assembly
Committees of the Constituent Assembly
Enactment of the Constitution
Enforcement of the Constitution
Criticism of the Constituent Assembly
Notes and References
3. Salient Features of the Constitution
Introduction
Salient Features of the Constitution
Notes and References
4. Preamble of the Constitution
Text of the Preamble
Ingredients of the Preamble
Key Words in the Preamble
Significance of the Preamble
Preamble as Part of the Constitution
Amendability of the Preamble
Notes and References
5. Union and its Territory
Union of States
Parliament’s Power to Reorganise the States
Evolution of States and Union Territories
Notes and References
6. Citizenship
Meaning and Significance
Constitutional Provisions
Citizenship Act, 1955
Single Citizenship
Notes and References
7. Fundamental Rights
Features of Fundamental Rights
Definition of State
Laws Inconsistent with Fundamental Rights
Right to Equality
Right to Freedom
Right Against Exploitation
Right to Freedom of Religion
Cultural and Educational Rights
Right to Constitutional Remedies
Writs—Types and Scope
Armed Forces and Fundamental Rights
Martial Law and Fundamental Rights
Effecting Certain Fundamental Rights
Present Position of Right to Property
Exceptions to Fundamental Right
Criticism of Fundamental Rights
Significance of Fundamental Rights
Rights Outside Part III
Notes and References
8. Directive Principles of State Policy
Features of the Directive Principles
Classification of the Directive Principles
New Directive Principles
Sanction Behind Directive Principles
Criticism of the Directive Principles
Utility of Directive Principles
Conflict Between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
Implementation of Directive Principles
Directives Outside Part IV
Notes and References
9. Fundamental Duties
Swaran Singh Committee Recommendations
List of Fundamental Duties
Features of the Fundamental Duties
Criticism of Fundamental Duties
Significance of Fundamental Duties
Verma Committee Observations
Notes and References
10. Amendment of the Constitution
Procedure for Amendment
Types of Amendments
Criticism of the Amendment Procedure
Notes and References
11. Basic Structure of the Constitution
Emergence of the Basic Structure
Elements of the Basic Structure
Notes and References
Part II
System of Government
12. Parliamentary System
Features of Parliamentary Government
Features of Presidential Government
Merits of the Parliamentary System
Demerits of the Parliamentary System
Reasons for Adopting Parliamentary System
Distinction between Indian and British Models
Notes and References
13. Federal System
Federal Features of the Constitution
Unitary Features of the Constitution
Critical Evaluation of the Federal System
Notes and References
14. Centre–State Relations
Legislative Relations
Administrative Relations
Financial Relations
Trends in Centre–State Relations
Notes and References
15. Inter-State Relations
Inter-state Water Disputes
Inter-State Councils
Public Acts, Records and Judicial Proceedings
Inter-State Trade and Commerce
Zonal Councils
Notes and References
16. Emergency Provisions
National Emergency
President’s Rule
Financial Emergency
Criticism of the Emergency Provisions
Notes and References
Part III
Central Government
17. President
Election of the President
Qualifications, Oath and Conditions
Term, Impeachment and Vacancy
Powers and Functions of the President
Veto Power of the President
Ordinance-making Power of the President
Pardoning Power of the President
Constitutional Position of the President
Notes and References
18. Vice-President
Election
Qualifications
Oath or Affirmation
Conditions of Office
Term of Office
Vacancy in Office
Election Disputes
Powers and Functions
Indian and American Vice-Presidents Compared
Emoluments
Notes and References
19. Prime Minister
Appointment of the Prime Minister
Oath, Term and Salary
Powers and Functions of the Prime Minister 1
Role Descriptions
Relationship with the President
Chief Ministers who became Prime Ministers
Notes and References
20. Central Council of Ministers
Constitutional Provisions
Nature of Advice by Ministers
Appointment of Ministers
Responsibility of Ministers
Composition of the Council of Ministers
Council of Ministers Vs Cabinet
Role of Cabinet
Role Descriptions
Kitchen Cabinet
Notes and References
21. Cabinet Committees
Features of Cabinet Committees
List of Cabinet Committees
Functions of Cabinet Committees
Groups of Ministers
Notes and References
22. Parliament
Organisation of Parliament
Composition of the Two Houses
System of Elections to Lok Sabha
Duration of Two Houses
Membership of Parliament
Presiding Officers of Parliament
Leaders in Parliament
Sessions of Parliament
Devices of Parliamentary Proceedings
Legislative Procedure in Parliament
Joint Sitting of Two Houses
Budget in Parliament
Multifunctional Role of Parliament
Ineffectiveness of Parliamentary Control
Position of Rajya Sabha
Parliamentary Privileges
Sovereignty of Parliament
Notes and References
23. Parliamentary Committees
Meaning and Classification
Notes and References
24. Parliamentary Forums
Establishment of Forums
Objectives of the Forums
Composition of the Forums
Functions of the Forums
Notes and References
25. Supreme Court
Organisation of Supreme Court
Seat of Supreme Court
Procedure of the Court
Independence of Supreme Court
Jurisdiction and Powers of Supreme Court
Supreme Court Advocates
Notes and References"
Part IV
State Government
26. Governor
Appointment of Governor
Conditions of Governor’s Office
Term of Governor’s Office
Powers and Functions of Governor
Constitutional Position of Governor
Notes and References
27. Chief Minister
Appointment of Chief Minister
Oath, Term and Salary
Powers and Functions of Chief Minister
Relationship with the Governor
Notes and References
28. State Council of Ministers
Constitutional Provisions
Nature of Advice by Ministers
Appointment of Ministers
Oath and Salary of Ministers
Responsibility of Ministers
Composition of the Council of Ministers
Cabinet
Notes and References
29. State Legislature
Organisation of State Legislature
Composition of Two Houses
Duration of Two Houses
Membership of State Legislature
Presiding Officers of State Legislature
Sessions of State Legislature
Legislative Procedure in State Legislature
Position of Legislative Council
Privileges of State Legislature
Notes and References
30. High Court
Organisation of High Court
Independence of High Court
Jurisdiction and Powers of High Court
Notes and References
31. Subordinate Courts
Constitutional Provisions
Structure and Jurisdiction
Notes and Reference
32. Special Status of Jammu & K ashmir
Accession of J&K to India
Present Relationship Between J&K and India
Features of J&K Constitution
J&K Autonomy Resolution Rejected
Group of Interlocutors for J&K
Notes and References
33. Special Provisions for Some States
Provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat
Provisions for Nagaland
Provisions for Assam and Manipur
Provisions for Andhra Pradesh
Provisions for Sikkim
Provisions for Mizoram
Provisions for Arunachal Pradesh and Goa
Provisions for Karnataka
Notes and References
Part V
Local Government
34. Panchayati Raj
Evolution of Panchayati Raj
73rd Amendment Act of 1992
Compulsory and Voluntary Provisions
Pesa Act of 1996 (Extension Act)
Notes and References
35. Municipalities
Evolution of Urban Bodies
74th Amendment Act of 1992
Types of Urban Governments
Municipal Personnel
Central Council of Local Government
Notes and References
Part VI
Union Territories and Special Areas
36. Union Territories
Creation of Union Territories
Administration of Union Territories
Special Provisions for Delhi
Advisory Committees of Union Territories
Notes and References
37. Scheduled and Tribal A reas
Administration of Scheduled Areas
Administration of Tribal Areas
Notes and References
Part VII
Constitutional Bodies
38. Eection Commission
Composition
Independence
Powers and Functions
Notes and References
39. Union Public Service Commission
Composition
Removal
Independence
Functions
Limitations
Role
Notes and References
40. State Public Service Commission
Composition
Removal
Independence
Functions
Limitations
Role
Joint State Public Service Commission
Notes and References
41. Finance Commission
Composition
Functions
Advisory Role
Impact of Planning Commission
Commissions Appointed
Notes and References
42. National Commission for SC s
Evolution of the Commission
Functions of the Commission
Report of the Commission
Powers of the Commission
Notes and References
43. National Commission for ST s
Separate Commission for STs
Functions of the Commission
Other Functions of the Commission
Report of the Commission
Powers of the Commission
Notes and References
44. Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
Constitutional Provisions
Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities
Role
Vision and Mission
Functions and Objectives
Notes and References
45. Comptroller and Auditor General of India
Appointment and Term
Independence
Duties and Powers
Role
Cag and Corporations
Appleby’s Criticism
Notes and References
46. Attorney General of India
Appointment and Term
Duties and Functions
Rights and Limitations
Solicitor General of India
Notes and References
47. Advocate General of the State
Appointment and Term
Duties and Functions
Notes and References
Part VIII
Non-Constitutional Bodies
48. Planning Commission
Functions
Composition
Internal Organisation
Personnel
Programme Evaluation Organisation
Critical Evaluation
Notes and References
49. National Development Council
Composition
Objectives
Functions
Critical Evaluation
Notes and References
50. National Human Rights Commission
Establishment of the Human Rights Commission
Composition of the Commission
Functions of the Commission
Working of the Commission
Role of the Commission
Performance of the Commission
Human Rights (Amendment) Act,
Notes and References
51. State Human Rights Commission
Composition of the Commission
Functions of the Commission
Working of the Commission
Human Rights Courts
Notes and References
52. Central Information Commission
Composition
Tenure and Service Conditions
Powers and Functions
Notes and References
53. State Information Commission
Composition
Tenure and Service Conditions
Powers and Functions
Notes and References
54. Central Vigilance Commission
Composition
Organisation
Functions
Jurisdiction
Working
Notes and References
55. Central Bureau of Investigation
Establishment of CBI
Motto, Mission and Vision of CBI
Organisation of CBI
Composition of CBI
Functions of CBI
CBI vs. State Police
CBI Academy
Notes and References
56. Lokpal and Lokayuktas
Global ScenarioLokpal
Lokayuktas
Notes and References
Part IX
Other Constitutional Dimensions
57. Co-operative Societies
Constitutional Provisions
Reasons for the 97th Amendment
Notes and References
58. Official Language
Language of the Union
Regional Languages
Language of the Judiciary and Texts of Laws
Special Directives
Notes and References
59. Public Services
Classification of Services
Constitutional Provisions
Notes and References
60. Tribunals
Administrative Tribunals
Tribunals for Other Matters
Notes and References
61. Rights and Liabilities of the Government
Property of the Union and the States
Suits by or Against the Government
Suits Against Public Officials
Notes and References
62. Authoritative Text of the Constitution in Hindi L anguage
Constitutional Provisions
Reasons for the 58th Amendment
Notes and References
63. Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes
Rationale of Special Provisions
Specification of Classes
Components of Special Provisions
Notes and References
Part X
Political Dynamics
64. Political Parties
Meaning and Types
Party System in India
Recognition of National and State Parties
Notes and References
65. Elections
Electoral System
Election Machinery
Election Process
Notes and References
66. Electoral Reforms
Committees Related to Electoral Reforms
Electoral Reforms Before 1996
Electoral Reforms of 1996
Electoral Reforms After 1996
Electoral Reforms Since 2010
Notes and References
67. Anti-Defection Law
Provisions of the Act
Evaluation of the Act
91st Amendment Act (2003)
Notes and References
68. Pressure Groups
Meaning and Techniques
Pressure Groups in India
Notes and References
69. National Integration
Meaning of National Integration
Obstacles to National Integration
National Integration Council
National Foundation for Communal Harmony
Notes and References
70. Foreign Policy
Principles of Indian Foreign Policy
Objectives of Indian Foreign Policy
Look East Policy of India
Gujral Doctrine of India
Nuclear Doctrine of India
Notes and References
Part XI
Working of the Constitution
71. National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution
Terms of Reference of the Commission
Fifty Years of Working of the Constitution
Areas of Concern: Commission’s Perception
Recommendations of the Commission
Notes and References