UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations Syllabus

Compare the Indian and US models on federalism and head of state powers.

India: quasi-federal with a strong unitary bias and single citizenship; nominal (figurehead) President in a parliamentary system. USA: rigidly federal with dual citizenship; an executive President who is both head of state and government in a presidential system.

How is the President of India elected and what is the term of office?

Elected indirectly by an electoral college (elected MPs of both Houses + elected MLAs of states and Delhi/Puducherry) by proportional representation with single transferable vote. Term: 5 years; eligible for re-election.

Distinguish the President's three types of veto power.

Absolute veto (withholds assent entirely); Suspensive veto (returns a bill for reconsideration — can be overridden by re-passage); Pocket veto (takes no action, neither assenting nor returning). The President has NO veto over Constitutional Amendment Bills (must assent).

What is the constitutional position of the Prime Minister in relation to the Council of Ministers and the President?

The PM is the head of government, appointed by the President; the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75). The President exercises functions on the aid and advice of the Council headed by the PM (Article 74).

Who appoints the Governor of a state, what is the term, and to whom is the Governor accountable?

Appointed by the President (effectively the Union government); holds office during the pleasure of the President; normal term 5 years. The Governor is the nominal head of the state executive and acts on the aid and advice of the state Council of Ministers.

Name three discretionary powers of the Governor not available to the President.

Reserving a bill for the President's consideration; recommending President's Rule (Article 356); seeking information from the Chief Minister. The Governor also has special discretion under provisions for certain states (e.g., Sixth Schedule areas).

What is the composition and maximum strength of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?

Lok Sabha: maximum 552 (530 states + 20 UTs); current strength 543. Rajya Sabha: maximum 250 (238 elected by states/UTs via STV + 12 nominated by the President); current strength 245.

What is the term of the Rajya Sabha and how often do its members retire?

The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house (not subject to dissolution); one-third of its members retire every two years, and each member's term is 6 years.

What is a Money Bill, who certifies it, and what is the Rajya Sabha's power over it?

A Money Bill (Article 110) deals only with taxation, borrowing or the Consolidated Fund. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha certifies it. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations (which the Lok Sabha may reject) and must return it within 14 days.

When can a joint sitting of Parliament be summoned, who presides, and on which bills is it NOT available?

Summoned by the President (Article 108) to resolve a deadlock on an ordinary bill. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides. It is NOT available for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.

Differentiate between adjournment, prorogation and dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Adjournment: suspends a sitting for a specified time (does not end the session). Prorogation: ends a session (does not end the House). Dissolution: ends the very life of the Lok Sabha, requiring fresh elections; the Rajya Sabha is never dissolved.

What is the difference between a no-confidence motion and a censure motion?

A no-confidence motion is moved against the entire Council of Ministers; if passed, the government must resign. A censure motion expresses disapproval of specific policies/ministers and need not state grounds; even if passed, the government need not resign.

How are Supreme Court judges appointed and what is their retirement age?

Appointed by the President through the Collegium system (CJI + senior-most judges). Retirement age: 65 years for Supreme Court judges (62 years for High Court judges).

Explain the difference between original, appellate and advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Original (Article 131): disputes between Centre and states/among states. Appellate (Articles 132-136): appeals in constitutional, civil, criminal matters and by Special Leave Petition. Advisory (Article 143): President may seek the Court's opinion on questions of law/fact (opinion is not binding).

What is judicial review and on what constitutional basis does the Supreme Court exercise it?

Judicial review is the power of courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions and declare them void if they violate the Constitution. It flows from Articles 13, 32, 131-136, 226 and is part of the basic structure.

What is the procedure for removal (impeachment) of a Supreme Court/High Court judge?

On grounds of 'proved misbehaviour or incapacity' (Article 124(4)): a motion signed by 100 Lok Sabha or 50 Rajya Sabha members, passed by each House by special majority (majority of total membership AND 2/3 of members present and voting) in the same session, then the President removes the judge.

What is Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and how does it relax the rule of locus standi?

PIL allows any public-spirited person to approach the court (under Articles 32/226) on behalf of those unable to do so themselves, relaxing the traditional locus standi rule (which required the petitioner to be the aggrieved party). It expanded access to justice for the poor and marginalized.

What is the doctrine of separation of powers and how is it applied in the Indian Constitution?

It divides government into legislature, executive and judiciary to prevent concentration of power. India follows a functional (not rigid) separation; the executive is part of and responsible to the legislature, but the judiciary is independent. It is part of the basic structure.

Give two examples each of how the judiciary and the legislature check the executive in India.

Judiciary checks executive: judicial review of executive action; issuing writs against illegal action. Legislature checks executive: no-confidence motion, question hour/parliamentary committees, control over budget/finances. (Executive in turn influences judicial appointments and can promulgate ordinances.)

What is the difference between the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and a court regarding enforcement power?

The NHRC is a recommendatory body — it inquires into human rights violations and recommends action/compensation, but its recommendations are not binding and it cannot punish. A court can pass binding, enforceable orders. NHRC was set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

What are tribunals, and which two Articles were added to provide for them?

Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies for speedy, specialized dispute resolution (e.g., administrative, tax). Articles 323A (administrative tribunals like CAT) and 323B (tribunals for other matters) were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).

What is the Lok Adalat and under which Act is it organized?

Lok Adalat ('People's Court') is an alternative dispute resolution forum for amicable, out-of-court settlement, organized under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Its award is final, binding, and has the status of a civil court decree with no appeal.

How does the Constitution distribute legislative powers between the Centre and states?

Through three lists in the Seventh Schedule: Union List (Centre legislates — e.g., defence, foreign affairs), State List (states legislate — e.g., police, public health), and Concurrent List (both legislate — e.g., education, criminal law). Residuary powers rest with the Centre (Article 248).

In a conflict between a Central and a State law on a Concurrent List subject, which prevails?

The Central law prevails and the State law becomes void to the extent of repugnancy (Article 254). Exception: if a State law has received the President's assent, it prevails in that state — but Parliament can still override it later.

What are the grounds and constitutional basis for imposing President's Rule in a state?

Article 356 — imposed when the President is satisfied that the government of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution (failure of constitutional machinery). It requires parliamentary approval within 2 months and can normally last up to a maximum of 3 years.

What is the role of the Inter-State Council and under which Article is it provided?

Provided under Article 263, the Inter-State Council is a recommendatory body to investigate and discuss subjects of common interest between the Centre and states and to make recommendations for better coordination of policy and action. It was established in 1990 on the Sarkaria Commission's recommendation.

What is the role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State relations and how often is it constituted?

Constituted by the President every fifth year (Article 280), the Finance Commission recommends the distribution of tax proceeds (vertical/horizontal devolution) between the Centre and states, grants-in-aid to states, and measures to augment state funds. Its recommendations are advisory.

What is the minimum population age for voting and the reserved categories in Panchayati Raj under the 73rd Amendment?

Universal adult franchise (voting age 18). Seats are reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to their population, and not less than one-third of total seats are reserved for women. Panchayats have a fixed 5-year term.

What is the three-tier structure of the Panchayati Raj system, and which states are exempt from it?

Three tiers: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti/Block (intermediate), and Zila Parishad (district). States with a population below 20 lakh may omit the intermediate tier. The system was recommended originally by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957).

What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?

The Gram Sabha is the body of all registered voters in a village (the deliberative, foundational unit of direct democracy). The Gram Panchayat is the elected executive/administrative body at the village level. The Gram Sabha exercises powers and functions assigned by the state legislature.