UPSC CSE Indian Polity and Governance Syllabus

How does the Constitution distribute legislative powers between the Union and States? Name the three lists and which Schedule contains them.

Via the Seventh Schedule: Union List (subjects only Parliament can legislate on), State List (subjects only State legislatures can legislate on), and Concurrent List (both can legislate; Union law prevails on conflict). Residuary powers belong to the Union (Art 248).

In the legislative lists, who has residuary powers, and which Union List entry covers them in practice?

The Union/Parliament holds residuary powers over matters not in any list (Article 248 and Entry 97 of the Union List).

Under what circumstances can Parliament legislate on a State List subject? Name at least three.

1) Rajya Sabha passes a resolution in national interest (Art 249); 2) During a National Emergency (Art 250); 3) When two or more states request it (Art 252); 4) To implement international treaties/agreements (Art 253); 5) During President's Rule in a state (Art 356).

What type of executive system does India follow at the Centre, and on which model is it based?

A parliamentary (Cabinet/Westminster) system based on the British model, where the real executive (Council of Ministers headed by the PM) is responsible to the legislature (Lok Sabha).

What is the principle of collective responsibility in the Indian parliamentary system, and where is it stated?

Article 75(3): the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha — they swim and sink together; a no-confidence motion passed against one means all must resign. They hold office during the pleasure of the President (Art 75(2)).

Distinguish the nominal/de jure executive from the real/de facto executive at the Union level.

The President is the nominal (de jure) head of state in whom executive power is vested (Art 53). The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers form the real (de facto) executive who actually exercise power and aid and advise the President (Art 74).

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

Lok Sabha: maximum 552 (530 from states + 20 from UTs; the 2 nominated Anglo-Indian seats were discontinued by the 104th Amendment, 2019). Rajya Sabha: maximum 250 (238 elected from states/UTs + 12 nominated by the President).

What is the term and electoral basis of Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha members?

Lok Sabha: 5-year term, directly elected by the people; a dissolvable house. Rajya Sabha: permanent house (not subject to dissolution), members elected indirectly by state legislative assemblies for 6 years, with one-third retiring every 2 years.

Name two special powers that the Rajya Sabha exclusively holds.

1) Authorising Parliament to legislate on a State List subject in national interest (Art 249); 2) Authorising Parliament to create new All-India Services (Art 312). Money Bills, by contrast, can originate only in the Lok Sabha.

What is a Money Bill (Art 110), and what is the Rajya Sabha's role on it?

A Money Bill deals only with matters like taxation, borrowing, or the Consolidated Fund. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha (on the President's recommendation). The Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject; the Speaker certifies a bill as a Money Bill.

How is a deadlock between the two Houses on an ordinary bill resolved?

Through a joint sitting of both Houses (Article 108), summoned by the President and presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It is decided by a simple majority of members present and voting; the larger Lok Sabha usually prevails.

What is the structure of the integrated judiciary in India?

A single integrated system with the Supreme Court at the apex, High Courts at the state level, and subordinate (district and lower) courts below them. Both central and state laws are enforced by the same hierarchy.

What are the three main types of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India?

Original jurisdiction (disputes between Centre and states/among states, and writs under Art 32), Appellate jurisdiction (appeals in constitutional, civil and criminal cases), and Advisory jurisdiction (Art 143 — President may seek the Court's opinion). It is also a court of record.

What is the doctrine of 'Basic Structure'? Which case established it?

It holds that Parliament's power to amend the Constitution (Art 368) does not extend to altering its 'basic structure' or essential features. Established in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973).

Name four features the Supreme Court has declared part of the 'Basic Structure'.

Supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law, judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, secularism, free and fair elections, independence of the judiciary, and parliamentary democracy. (Any four.)

What is judicial review, and from which country's system is it derived?

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 is derived from the United States (American) system.

What body conducts elections in India, and under which article is it established?

The Election Commission of India (ECI), an independent constitutional body established under Article 324, responsible for superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.

Describe the composition of the Election Commission and the security of tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner.

It is a multi-member body: a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and (currently two) Election Commissioners. The CEC can be removed only by the same process as a Supreme Court judge (impeachment by Parliament); Election Commissioners can be removed on the CEC's recommendation.

What is the difference between universal adult franchise and the system used to elect the President of India?

Lok Sabha and state assemblies use universal adult franchise (every citizen aged 18+ votes directly). The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college (elected MPs and elected MLAs) through proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

What is the formula for the value of an MLA's vote in the Presidential election?

Value of an MLA's vote = (Total population of the state / Total number of elected MLAs) ÷ 1000, rounded to the nearest whole number (remainder above 500 counted as one). Population is based on the 1971 Census (frozen until after 2026).

What is the formula for the value of an MP's vote in the Presidential election?

Value of an MP's vote = Total value of votes of all elected MLAs of all states ÷ Total number of elected MPs (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha), rounded to the nearest whole number.

What is the 'quota' a Presidential candidate must secure to win, given India uses a single transferable vote with one seat?

The winning candidate must obtain more than 50% of total valid votes — i.e., the quota = (Total valid votes cast / (1 + 1)) + 1 = (Total valid votes / 2) + 1. It is an absolute-majority requirement.

Which article establishes the Finance Commission, and how often is it constituted?

Article 280. It is a quasi-judicial body constituted by the President every fifth year (or earlier if needed), consisting of a chairman and four other members.

What is the principal function of the Finance Commission?

To recommend the distribution of net tax proceeds between the Centre and states (vertical devolution) and among the states (horizontal devolution), the principles governing grants-in-aid to states from the Consolidated Fund (Art 275), and measures to augment state funds for panchayats and municipalities.

Which article establishes the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and what is the tenure of the CAG?

Article 148. The CAG is appointed by the President, holds office for 6 years or until age 65 (whichever is earlier), and can be removed only by the same procedure as a Supreme Court judge.

What is the primary role of the CAG, and what did Dr. Ambedkar call this office?

The CAG audits the accounts of the Union and state governments and all bodies financed from public revenues, ensuring accountability of the executive to Parliament. Ambedkar regarded the CAG as the most important officer/'guardian of the public purse', one of the bulwarks of the democratic system.

To whom does the CAG submit audit reports, and which parliamentary committee examines them?

The CAG submits reports relating to Union accounts to the President (who places them before Parliament) and state accounts to the Governor (placed before the state legislature). These reports are examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Under Centre-State relations, what are the three categories into which the Constitution divides their relationship?

Legislative relations (Arts 245-255), Administrative/Executive relations (Arts 256-263), and Financial relations (Arts 268-293).

In administrative (executive) relations, what is the principle of Article 256, and what can happen if a state fails to comply with Union directions?

Article 256 requires every state to exercise its executive power so as to ensure compliance with laws made by Parliament and with Union directions. Failure to comply can lead the President to hold that a constitutional breakdown exists, triggering President's Rule under Article 356.

How does the Constitution divide taxing powers between the Centre and the States in financial relations?

Taxes are levied exclusively by either the Union (Union List) or the states (State List); there is no overlapping taxation power, and the Concurrent List has no tax entries. Some Union-levied taxes are collected and/or assigned to or shared with states, and the Finance Commission recommends sharing of the divisible pool. (Since 2017, GST is a shared concurrent levy under Art 246A.)