Polity Master - Quick Revision
Polity Master - Quick Revision
One-Liners
- 42nd Amendment 1976: Added “Socialist”, “Secular” & “Integrity” to Preamble.
- Article 32: Heart & soul of the Constitution – Right to Constitutional Remedies.
- President’s Rule: Imposed under Art. 356 on failure of constitutional machinery in a State.
- Money Bill: Can be introduced ONLY in Lok Sabha & President’s assent is mandatory.
- Supreme Court: 34 judges (including CJI) as per Judges (Strength) Act, 2019.
- 92nd Amendment 2003: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili & Santhali added to 8th Schedule (total 22).
- Election Commission: 3-member body (1 CEC + 2 ECs) appointed by President.
- No-Confidence Motion: Can be moved ONLY in Lok Sabha with support of 50 MPs.
- DPSP – Art. 44: Uniform Civil Code for citizens.
- Finance Commission: Constituted every 5 years under Art. 280.
- GST Council: 101st Constitutional Amendment created Art. 279A; chaired by Union FM.
- Impeachment of President: Requires special majority (2/3) in both Houses separately.
- Rajya Sabha: Maximum strength 250; 12 nominated by President (Art. 80).
- Gram Sabha: Constitutionally mandated base of Panchayati Raj under Art. 243.
- CAG: Holds office for 6 yrs or till 65 yrs (whichever earlier) – Art. 148.
- National Emergency: Art. 352 – can be proclaimed only on written advice of Cabinet.
- Anti-Defection Law: 10th Schedule added by 52nd Amendment 1985.
- Supreme Court Judges: Retire at 65 yrs; High Court Judges at 62 yrs.
- Ordinance: Valid for 6 weeks from re-assembly of Parliament (Art. 123).
- Panchayati Raj: 73rd Amendment 1992; added 11th Schedule & Part IX.
| Formula / Rule |
Use |
| 1. Special Majority (Constitution Amendment) |
2/3 present & voting + >50 % of total strength |
| 2. Effective Strength for Simple Majority |
≥½ of total membership (quorum) & >50 % of votes cast |
| 3. Money Bill Certification |
Speaker’s certificate = final & non-justiciable |
| 4. President Election Value |
MLA vote = (State pop ÷ 1000) ÷ (total MLAs); MP vote = 708 |
| 5. Quorum of either House |
1/10 of total members |
| 6. Supreme Court Writs |
5 types – Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo-warranto |
| 7. Panchayat Term |
5 yrs from date of first meeting (Art. 243E) |
| 8. CJI Appointment |
Senior-most judge of SC (no collegium override) |
| 9. Cut-off for Statehood |
Art. 3 – simple majority + President refers Bill to legislature concerned |
| 10. Joint Sitting Clause |
Art. 108 – Speaker presides, no amendment beyond deadlock stage |
Memory Tricks
- “FIVE H” for Writs: Habeas, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo-warranto.
- “SC SITS at 65, HC HITS 62” – Retirement ages.
- “356 = State, 352 = Nation, 360 = Money” – Emergency articles.
- “DPSC” – Directive Principles: DPSP → D (irective) P (rinciples) S (tate) C (hapter 4).
- “12 in RS, 12 in 12th” – 12 nominated RS members & 12 Schedules originally.
Common Errors
| Error |
Correct |
| President can return Money Bill once |
President must give assent – no return |
| Governor appoints CJI |
President appoints CJI; Governor has no role |
| Impeachment of MP judges in State legislature |
Parliament (both Houses) impeaches HC judges |
| Ordinance can be issued when Lok Sabha dissolved only |
Can be issued anytime except when both Houses in session |
| Panchayat reservation for women is 33 % |
Not less than 1/3 (33 %) – may be more |
5 Quick MCQs
1. Which amendment added the words “Secular” & “Socialist” to the Preamble?
A) 24th B) 42nd C) 44th D) 73rd → **Ans: B**2. The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot exceed:
A) 3 months B) 4 months C) 6 months D) 9 months → **Ans: C**3. Who certifies a Bill as Money Bill in India?
A) President B) Finance Minister C) Speaker D) CAG → **Ans: C**4. Under which article can the Supreme Court issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights?
A) 226 B) 32 C) 139 D) 131 → **Ans: B**5. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment is related to:
A) Municipalities B) Panchayati Raj C) Cooperative societies D) GST → **Ans: B**
BETA
