Polity 1 Ias Baba

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ILP - 2023
Integrated Learning Programme
MODULE - 2 (POLITY)
VAN - DAY 1
IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2
Contents Notes
Historical Background ................................................................................................................. 5

THE COMPANY RULE (1773–1858) ......................................................................................... 6
Regulating Act of 1773............................................................................................................ 6
Pitt’s India Act of 1784 ............................................................................................................ 8
Charter Act of 1833 ................................................................................................................ 9
Charter Act of 1853 .............................................................................................................. 10
Revolt of 1857 or Sepoy Mutiny ........................................................................................... 11
Government of India Act of 1858 ......................................................................................... 12
Indian Councils Act of 1861 .................................................................................................. 14
Indian Councils Act of 1892 .................................................................................................. 15
Indian Council Act 1909 ........................................................................................................ 15
Simon Commission (1927) .................................................................................................... 18
Communal Award (1932) ...................................................................................................... 18
Indian Independence Act of 1947 ......................................................................................... 20
Cabinet Mission Plan ............................................................................................................ 22
Objective Resolutions ........................................................................................................... 23
ENACTMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION ................................................................................... 25
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION ............................................................................... 25
Schedule ................................................................................................................................... 26
Preamble................................................................................................................................... 26
Philosophy ................................................................................................................................ 26
Union Territory ......................................................................................................................... 26
Citizenship ................................................................................................................................ 26
www.iasbaba.com 1|P A G E
Notes
POLITY ADVANCE MODULE 2 – DAY 1 & 2
Introduction: Now that you have covered the NCERT’s and have developed
enough foundation, it is time to start the advance segment of Polity.
The only source to be followed is:

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
This document contains topics like Historical Background, Making of

Constitution, Features, Preamble and Philosophy etc.
It is not important to read multiple sources rather revising the same source for
multiple times will make a difference. As far as Polity is concerned, UPSC asks
questions from aspects covered in M. Laxmikanth and current affairs.
Current Affairs forms a major part of Prelims and almost 100% in Mains GS
Paper 2. We are already covering the current affairs part in Babapedia. You
should not ignore it at any cost.
The questions in Prelims are a mix of basics and application based but majority
of them are anyway discussed in current affairs courtesy to issues like SC
Judgments, Articles, Ministry or departments in news. You can smartly prepare
all these aspects from current affairs and revise the static aspects of the same
from VAN and Laxmikanth too.
Going through Previous Years Questions (PYQ):

• It should be a consistent exercise and part of your daily schedule to go
through PYQs.
• Whatever topics you study in a day, must ensure to cross check the
PYQs from the same and get the idea on the dimensions and aspects in
which UPSC has already asked questions from.
• Do not neglect to practice the concepts from PYQs of last 15 years.
• UPSC has been picking some concepts already asked in previous years
and if you are unlucky in this too, then nothing can be more disastrous.
MAINS SYLLABUS/TOPICS of GS PAPER 2

• Historical underpinnings,
• Evolution & features,
• Significant provisions and basic structure.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other

Notes
countries.
This document will guide you with various possible dimensions on which UPSC
frames questions in Mains. It will help you gauge the issues with its
interconnections as well as importance while preparing such topics.
Let us glance through previous years UPSC Mains questions to understand the
various dimensions associated with above Topics. It will give you enough idea
to approach the issues and understand the broad sphere of coverage to be
done. Note that UPSC Mains questions are truly based on the syllabus that
UPSC has given:
• ‘Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself and is

founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional
Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions.
• Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the
higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.
• Analyze the distinguishing features of the notion of Equality in the
Constitutions of the USA and India.
• Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and
anomalies, if any that have led to recent reported conflicts between the
elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor
in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a
new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?
• Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the
‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
• What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that
judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the
Constitution?
• Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution?
Discuss
• Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest
judgment of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy.
• ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will
limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will
reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss.
Looking at the topics mentioned in the UPSC syllabus and previous year’s
questions asked by UPSC, it is very clear that, questions are more of in-depth
understanding of the subject matter and interrelations. We are providing some
basic template for you to handle GS paper 2 questions.
• There can be two types of questions that you will encounter from given
Notes
topics (as mentioned above).
• One is very static in nature like- Did the Government of India Act, 1935
lay down a federal constitution? Discuss
• The other is a mix (static and dynamic) of both like - Examine the scope
of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgment of the
Supreme Court on Right to Privacy.
• You should always try to enrich your content with lot of examples
(contemporary or static) in GS 2 paper.
• This will give you a better approach and understanding since the
theoretical aspects remains the same as Prelims.
• In Mains, you need to identify the areas, connect it with dynamic
aspects and frame your content accordingly.
Thumb Rule- Follow this for all the GS Papers (1 to 4)

• Keep preparing at least, TWO Introduction/Conclusion for each key
word of the syllabus, related issues and sub-topics.
• This will help you TACKLE the question without wasting a minute. You
can maximize your time factor in gathering inputs for the answer.
• It is not so difficult to be ready with Introduction/Conclusion.
• Example- You can prepare a really good introduction on Indian
Constitution, Basic Structure, Amendment, Preamble etc. And if you
encounter a question on the same, start with your ready-made
introduction (20-25 words).
• Same way, topics like Employment Issues, Poverty, and Economic
Development- One can easily be ready with a decent
introduction/conclusion.
Note- MAINSPEDIA will give you better idea on this. Keep making notes
from it.
Historical Background Notes
This topic is important for both Prelims and Mains. You will encounter this even
in Modern History- Coming of Europeans- British Government and its Policies.
Points to know:
• British came to India in 1600 as traders (EAST INDIA COMPANY-EIC had
purely trading functions).
• In 1765, EIC obtained 'diwani rights' -- Shah Alam granted these rights after
losing the battle of Buxar against EIC → This started its career as a
territorial power.
• Revolt of 1857 or the ‘sepoy mutiny’.
• In 1858 - British Crown assumes direct responsibility for the governance
of India. i.e., Company rule ends and Crown rule starts.
• Crown rule continues until India was granted independence on August 15,
1947
Why we have to study this chapter?

• This chapter is highly important and favorite of UPSC. Almost every
alternate year there are questions from this chapter (both Prelims and
Mains).
• Various features of our Indian Constitution and polity have their roots in
the British rule. So, as an aspirant, it is important to know certain events
that laid down the legal framework for the organization and functioning of
government and administration in British India.
• Also, it is important to study these events as they have greatly influenced
our constitution and polity (moral responsibility to know about our nation)
Common problem faced by aspirants:

• There are so many events, how will I remember?
• There are so many features in each Act. I get confused. 
• Polity is boring. I keep forgetting. “The rate of evaporation is way too
high”.
Solution: It is always easy to remember things in story or pictures. Hope it

helps:
• First let us observe the above time-line carefully. Can you identify two
rules? –
THE COMPANY RULE (1773–1858) and THE CROWN RULE (1858–1947)

Notes
• Now think – What are these rules? Even though EIC came in 1600, there
were no such rules and why this Company rule started suddenly in
1773?
Try to remember 3 Acts under these two rules:

COMPANY RULE (1773–1858) CROWN RULE (1858–1947)
1. Regulating Act 1. Government of India Acts
2. Pitt’s India Act 2. Indian Council Acts
3. Charter Acts 3. Indian Independence Act
THE COMPANY RULE (1773–1858)

By 1773, the East India Company was in dire financial troubles, as they faced
competition from other countries and
also was facing difficulties to maintain
monopoly. The Company was important
to the British Empire because it was a
monopoly trading company in India and in
the east and many influential people were
shareholders.
Now, these shareholders (some of them
were Parliamentarians) thought –
“What shall we do with this EIC? They are not able to bring enough profits and
unable to meet its commitments. Let us make an Act to take over the
management of the East India Company's rule in India.”
“Yes, let us have some control and regulation on EIC – hmm.. let us call it
Regulating Act”.
Regulating Act of 1773

Why this Act is important?
• It was the first step taken by the British Government to control and regulate
the affairs of the EIC in India.
• First time, British government recognized the political and administrative
functions of the EIC.
• British government laid the foundations of central administration in India.
Features of the Act:

This act permitted the company to retain its territorial possessions in India but
sought to regulate the activities and functioning of the company. It did not take
over power completely, hence called ‘regulating’.
• The Act designated the Governor of Bengal as the ‘Governor-General of

Notes
Bengal’ and created an Executive Council of four members to assist him.
The first such Governor-General was Lord Warren Hastings (1774-1785).

How to remember? – Till this Act, EIC was enjoying in India without any control.
But now an executive came to control them. So EIC started HATING him.
(HATING → HASTING) → Warren Hastings
• Governor of Bengal was made ‘Governor-General of Bengal’ and Governors
of Bombay and Madras presidencies were made his subordinates. (So,
these governors were also “HATING” him)
• Since he was hated, there were fights throughout the year. To solve this,
the Act provided for establishment of Supreme Court (1774).
• Real objective was to control and manage corrupt EIC → so the Act
prohibited servants of EIC from engaging in any private trade or accepting
bribes and gifts from native.
• The company directors were elected for a period of five years and one-
fourth of them were to retire every year. Also, they could not be re-elected.
• The Act told the governing body of the Company i.e., Court of Directors to
report all its affairs (revenue, civil, military etc.) to British Government.
• A Supreme Court of Judicature was established at Calcutta in 1774 with Sir
Elijah Impey as the first Chief Justice. Judges were to come from England. It
had civil and criminal jurisdiction over the British subjects and not Indian
natives.
Crux: (Regulating Act)
Regulating Act was passed by British Government for controlling and regulating
affairs of EIC → as they enjoyed unlimited political and administrative functions
→ so need for central administration → Governor General of Bengal + 4
Executive Council members + 2 subordinate governors (Madras and Bombay)
→ HATINGS starts → need for Supreme Court → control EIC = No pvt. trade
and bribes → Court of Directors should report all affairs to British government.
So did the Regulating Act help?

Notes
• No, there was some loop holes. EIC’s Court of Directors (COD) was only
corrupt.
• So, in 1781, British government called COD to inquire about this and
tried to rectify the defects of Regulating Act.
• However, COD bribed British Government and made an Act of
Settlement requesting the government to stay silent for few years.
Pitt’s India Act of 1784

• Again, the British Government wanted to rectify the defects of the
Regulating Act of 1773, so they passed Pitt’s India Act of 1784.
Why the name “PITT”? The then Prime Minister of British was William Pitt.
• The Act knew EIC’s COD was corrupt, so it decided to reduce its powers. So,
Act distinguished commercial and political functions of the EIC.
• Now, COD will look after commercial functions only and a new body, Board
of Control (BOC) will take care of political functions.
• We shall call it “system of double government” (COD+BOC)
• The Act empowered BOC to supervise, direct all operations (civil and
military) or revenues of the “British possessions” in India.
• Hence, British Government was given the supreme control over Company’s
affairs and its administration in India.
Crux: Pitt’s India Act

Regulating Act of 1773 had defects → Act of Settlement in 1781 → Pitt’s India
Act 1784 (to rectify the defects)
Commercial and Political functions of EIC was divided → COD to control
commercial and BOC to control Political → BOC was empowered more to look
after “British Possessions” → with this, British government gained supreme
control over EIC’s affairs
But still COD has some powers in regard to commercial. So, final step towards
centralization in British India was made by Charter Acts. Since, in Pitt’s India
Act, they called “British Possessions” first time, the British government decided
to prepare “CHARTS” to highlight its possession of British India.
Charter Act of 1833

Notes
The Charter Act of 1813 passed by the British Parliament renewed the East
India Company’s charter for another 20 years. This is also called the East India
Company Act, 1813.
Background:
British tradesmen and merchants suffered as a result of Napoleon Bonaparte's
Continental System in Europe (which barred the import of British goods into
French allies in Europe). As a result, they demanded a share of British trade in
Asia and the end of the East India Company's monopoly, to which the company
objected.
• Charter act of 1813 ended the monopoly of the East India Company in
India. Other British merchants were allowed to trade in India under a
strict licensing system. But the company’s monopoly in trade with China
(Opium trade) and trade in tea with India was kept intact.
• The company’s rule was extended to another 20 years.
• This act also gave missionaries freedom to enter India and engage in
religious proselytization. In accordance with the Act, the missionaries
were successful in obtaining the appointment of a Bishop for British
India, with his headquarters in Calcutta.
• This act regulated the company’s territorial revenues and commercial
profits. It was asked to keep its territorial and commercial accounts
separate.
• There was also a provision that Company should invest Rs. 1 Lakh every
year on the education of Indians.
• It empowered the Local Governments in India to impose taxes on
persons and to punish those who did not pay them.
• Here, the Government decided - instead of Governor General of Bengal
(GGB), let us make Governor General of India (GGI) for entire territorial
area possessed by the British in India.
• So, the Act made GGB as GGI. It vested all civil and military powers to
GGI.
• The GGI was given exclusive legislative powers for the entire British
India.
• This first GGI was so powerful; he “BENT” everyone to his knees and
“KICKED” them.
Lord William “BENTINCK” was the first Governor-General of India.

• This Act ended all the activities of the East India Company as a
commercial body.
• EIC was left as purely administrative body (implement what the

Notes
government says).
• Charter Act of 1833 attempted to introduce a system of open
competition for selection of civil servants (including Indians), but COD
pleaded – please negate this provision at least. So, this provision was
negated.
Crux: Charter Act 1833
• Pitt’s India Act created ‘system of double government’ → Commercial and

Political functions were divided → COD + BOC
• But now in Charter Act of 1833 → All powerful GGI was created for entire
British India → Legislative powers of governors of Madras and Bombay was
deprived → Both Executive and exclusive Legislative powers also to GGI →
EIC is no more a commercial body, now just an administrative body → 1st
attempt towards CSE open to Indians also (but this attempt failed)
Charter Act of 1853
Features of the Act

• GGI alone could not do all the work. So, the legislative and executive
functions of the Governor- General’s council were separated for first
time.
• The Act created a separate GG Legislative Council – called “Indian
(Central) Legislative Council”. For the first time, local representation
was allowed in the Indian (Central) Legislative Council.
• This Indian (Central) Legislative Council acted as a mini-Parliament (on
same lines of British Parliament)
• Thus, legislation, for the first time, was treated as a special function of
the government, requiring special machinery and special process.
• Now, it needed good civil servants to help framing and implement the
legislation. This Charter Act of 1853 introduced an open competition
system of selection and recruitment of civil servants (open to Indians
www.iasbaba.com 10 | P A G E
also) – Macaulay Committee, the committee on the Indian Civil Service

Notes
was appointed in 1854.
• This Act extended the Company’s rule and allowed it to retain the
possession of Indian territories on trust for the British Crown.
• But it did not specify any particular period, unlike the previous Charters.
This was a clear indication that the Company’s rule could be terminated
at any time the Parliament liked.
Crux: Charter Act 1853

Charter Act of 1833 gave full powers to GGI = Executive + Legislative → To
make things simple, Charter Act of 1853 first time separated L and E
function → created separate body “Indian (Central) Legislative Council” or
mini-Parliament→ Act also allowed local representation to this Legislative
council → CSE was open to all, including Indians → The Act allowed EIC to
retain the possession of Indian territories but for first time, it did not
specify particular time → indicating any time Company’s rule could be
terminated.
From the above events we could see how British Government made steady
progress to control EIC affairs and how the government laid foundation for
full centralization.
Revolt of 1857 or Sepoy Mutiny
• By 1857, the British followed an expansionist policy in India. The policies

made by GGIs adversely affected every section of the Indian society.
This led to one of the important events of Indian history -- the Revolt of
1857. It was the first rebellion against the East India Company which
took the massive form. (There were many causes, which you will study
in History)
• So, due to this Mutiny or Revolt, the British decided to enact an act,
known as the Act for the Good Government of India.
The Crown Rule (1858-1947)

• Now all Acts were called as either Government of India (GOI) Acts or Indian
Council Acts.
Government of India Act of 1858

Notes
(or Act for the Good Government of India):
• This Act abolished the East India Company, and transferred the powers
of government, territories and revenues to the British Crown. The
Company Rule was ended in 1858. The Crown Rule began.
Features of the Act

• India will be governed by Crown Rule (Her Majesty)
• The designation GGI was changed to Viceroy of India (VOI). Lord
Canning became the first Viceroy of India.
How to remember?
• When India’s governance was transferred from Company’s Rule to Crown’s
Rule, her Majesty was thinking –
“Who CAN be the best suitable candidate for VOI?”

• A person came forward telling “I CAN” because my name starts with “CAN”.
I am CAN-NING :P
Lord CANNING
• Government of India Act of 1858 ended the ‘system of double

government’ of Pitt’s India Act of 1784 (i.e., it abolished COD + BOC)
• Instead, it created new office “Secretary of State for India” (SOS) – so
COD’s administrative authority and control was given to SOS.
• This SOS was a member of the British cabinet and was responsible
ultimately to the British Parliament.
• The Act also created a 15-member Council of India to assist the
secretary of state (SOS). However, this Council was an advisory body.
• GOI Act, 1858 was largely confined to the improvement of the
administrative machinery by which the Indian Government was to be
supervised and controlled in England.
• It did not alter in any substantial way the system of government that
prevailed in India.
Notes
Crux GoI 1858
• After 1857 revolt/sepoy mutiny → GOI Act 1858 was enacted to abolish EIC
→ powers of government, territories and revenues were transferred to the
British Crown.
• GGI designation was changed to VOI (Lord Canning was first VOI) → system
of double government was ended (No COD+BOC) → instead a new office
SOS+15-member Council of India to assist the SOS was created → SOS was
vested with complete authority and control over Indian administration.
• GOI, 1858 was intended to bring Good Government in India, alter the
system of government in India → by improving the administration
machinery → But it did not alter in any substantial way the system of
government.
Indian Councils Act of 1861, 1892 and 1909
• We had seen that Charter Act of 1853 had created a separate Legislative
Council called Indian (Central) Legislative Council.
• After 1857 revolt, the British Government felt the necessity of seeking the
cooperation of the Indians in the administration of their country.
• In pursuance of this policy of association, three acts were enacted by the
British Parliament.
Indian Councils Act of 1861

Notes
• This Act made a beginning of representative institutions -- it associated

Indians with the law-making process.
• The Act provided that VOI should nominate some Indians as non-
official members of his expanded legislative council.
(In 1862, Lord Canning, the then viceroy, nominated three Indians to his
legislative council). (The Raja of Benares, the Maharaja of Patiala and Sir Dinkar
Rao).
• Process of decentralization was initiated: Legislative powers
(legislative devolution) were restored to Bombay and Madras
Presidencies.
• It thus reversed the centralizing tendency that started from the
Regulating Act of 1773.
• This policy of legislative devolution grants almost complete internal
autonomy to the provinces.
• It also provided for the establishment of new legislative councils for
Bengal, North-Western Frontier Province (NWFP) and Punjab
• ‘Portfolio’ system was introduced by Lord Canning – i.e., Indian
Councils Act (ICA) 1861 transformed the VOI's executive council into a
cabinet run on the portfolio system. Therefore, 6 members in executive
council took charge of separate departments.
• Ordinance making power: The Act empowered the VOI to make
ordinance during an emergency. However, the life of such an ordinance
was 6 months.
Crux: ICA, 1861

• There was need for Indian cooperation in law making process → so ICA
1861 provided for “representative institutions” → VOI should nominate
some Indians as non-official members to his Legislative Council
• ICA 1861 provided for “devolution of legislative powers to provinces”
(Bombay and Madras) → also established new legislative councils for other
provinces → “reversed the policy of centralizing tendency” it followed
• ICA 1861 also introduced “Portfolio system” → charge of each department
was given to members of executive council
• “Ordinance making power” to VOI during emergency
Indian Councils Act of 1892

Notes
Features:
• Number of additional Indian (non-official) members in the Central and
provincial legislative councils were increased. However still the official
majority were non-Indians.
• Functions of legislative councils were increased and gave them the
power of discussing the budget and addressing questions to the
executive.
• Nomination made on the recommendation: Certain bodies like
governors of provinces, Universities, zamindars and chambers could
now recommend Indians for the nomination of non-official members.
• The act made a limited and indirect provision for the use of election in
filling up some of the nonofficial seats both in the Central and provincial
legislative councils. However, the word “election” was, not used in the
act.
Crux, ICA, 1892
• Number of Indian (non-official) members to Legislative Council was

increased
• Functions of Legislative councils were also increased → power to discuss
the budget and addressing questions to executive
• Certain bodies can recommend some Indians to be nominated as non-
official members to Central and provincial councils → The Act made a
limited and indirect provision for the use of election → but the word
“election” was not used.
Indian Council Act 1909
Features:
• This Act is also known as Morley-Minto Reforms (Lord Morley was SOS
and Lord Minto was VOI) → Remember 909 from 1909 and MOM from
Morley-Minto. (9=M)
• Increased the size of Legislative Councils (both central and provincial)
from 16 to 60
• It retained official majority in the Central Legislative Council but allowed
the provincial legislative councils to have Indian non-official majority.
• Increased the functions of Legislative councils at both levels →
members were allowed to ask supplementary questions, move
resolutions on the budget, and so on.
• It provided (for the first time) for the “association of Indians with the
Notes
executive Councils” of the Viceroy and Governors.
• Satyendra Prasad Sinha became the first Indian to join the Viceroy's
executive council. He was appointed as a law member.
• ICA 1909 introduced a system of communal representation for
Muslims -- concept of ‘separate electorate’.
(Lord Minto came to be known as the Father of Communal Electorate.)
Crux, ICA 1909
• 1909 → MOM → Morley-Minto Reforms → System of communal

representation or concept of separate electorate was introduced
• ICA 1909 increased the size of legislative council from 16 to 60 at both
central and provincial levels → however majority was maintained in
central, provincial councils were allowed to have Indian non-official
majority
• Powers and functions of LC were increased → members can ask
supplementary questions, move resolutions on the budget
In 1917 Edwin Samuel Montague, the then SOS made a historic declaration
(called August Declaration of 1917 or Montague Reforms) defining the goal of
British policies in India.
On August 20, 1917, the British Government declared, for the first time, that
its objective was the “gradual introduction of responsible government” in India.
Important excerpt:
“Increasing association of Indians in every branch of administration, and the
gradual development of self-governing Institutions with a view to the
progressive realization of responsible governments in India as an Integral part
of the British Empire”.
The keyword was Responsible Government -- the rulers must be answerable to

the elected representatives.
The Government of India Act of 1919 was thus enacted, which came into force
in 1921. This Act is also known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Montagu was
SOS and Lord Chelmsford VOI).

Notes
• Demarcation of separate central and provincial subjects: Central and
provincial legislatures can make laws on their respective list of subjects.
• Transferred and Reserved Subjects: Provincial subjects were further
divided into two parts - transferred and reserved subjects.
o Transferred subjects were to be administered by the governor
with the aid of ministers responsible to the legislative Council
o Reserved subjects, on the other hand, were to be administered
by the governor and his executive council without being
responsible to the legislative Council
• Dyarchy or Double rule: This dual scheme of governance was known as
‘dyarchy’ — which means double rule.
• Upper House and Lower House: First time, bicameralism and direct
elections in the country were introduced. (Only at Centre)
• Three of the six members of the Viceroy’s executive Council should be
Indian.
• Extended communal representation or separate electorate to Sikhs,
Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
• It granted franchise to a limited number of people on the basis of
property, tax or education.
• It created a new office of the High Commissioner for India in London
and transferred to him some of the functions hitherto performed by the
Secretary of State for India.
• It provided for the establishment of a public service commission (Hence,
a Central Public Service Commission was set up in 1926 for recruiting
civil servants.)
• It separated, for the first time, provincial budgets from the Central
budget and authorized the provincial legislatures to enact their
budgets.
• It provided for the appointment of a statutory commission to inquire
into and report on its working after ten years of its coming into force.
Crux, GOI 1919
• August Declaration of 1917 or Montague Declaration → Montague-

Chelmsford Reform → “gradual introduction of responsible government”
in India → more association of Indians in every branch of administration →
development of self-governing institutions
• GOI Act 1919 → Montague-Chelmsford Reforms → Separate subject for
Centre and Province → Provincial subjects divided into two – Transferred
and Reserved subjects → Transferred = Governor + minsters (responsible
to Legislative Council) → Reserved = Governor + Executive council (not
responsible to Legislative Council) → “introduction of diarchy” or double

Notes
rule
• GOI Act 1919 → Introduction of Upper House and Lower House
(bicameralism and direct elections for first time) → Increased Indians
association → 3 out of 6 members of the Viceroy’s executive Council should
be Indian → Communal representation to other castes → Limited franchise
→ UPSC → new office of the High Commissioner for India in London (with
some of SOS powers) → Decentralisation of Budget → appointment of a
statutory commission to report on the condition of India (inquiry report
after 10 years)
Simon Commission (1927)
• The British Government announced the appointment of a seven-

member statutory commission 2 years before the schedule.
• Chairman of the committee was Sir John Simon.
• The statutory committee was set up to report on the condition of India
under its new Constitution. However, all the members of the
commission were British and hence, all the parties boycotted the
commission.
• The commission submitted its report in 1930
Recommendations of the Commission:

• Abolish diarchy
• Extend responsible government in the provinces
• establishment of a federation of British India and princely states
• continuation of communal electorate and so on
To consider the above proposals British Government convened three round

table conferences of the representatives of the British Government, British
India and Indian princely states.
On the basis of these discussions, a ‘White Paper on Constitutional Reforms’

was prepared and submitted for the consideration of the Joint Select
Committee of the British Parliament. The recommendations of this committee
were incorporated (with certain changes) in the next Government of India Act
of 1935.
Communal Award (1932)

• In August 1932, Ramsay MacDonald, the British Prime Minister
announced Communal Award – to extend separate electorate not only
for Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo- Indians and Europeans but
Notes
also extended it to the depressed classes (scheduled castes).
• Gandhiji undertook fast unto death in Yeravada Jail (Poona) to get the
award modified.
• At last, there was an agreement between the leaders of the Congress
and the depressed classes.
• The agreement, known as Poona Pact, retained the Hindu joint
electorate and gave reserved seats to the depressed classes.
• Nearly twice as many seats (147) were reserved for the depressed
classes in the legislature than what had been allotted under the
Communal Award.
Features:
• The Act intended to bring completely responsible government in India
• It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation consisting
of provinces and princely states as units. (However, the federation
never came into being as the princely states did not join it.)
• Act divided powers – Central list, Provincial list and Concurrent list;
Residue powers to Governor
• Abolished ‘diarchy’ in the provinces and introduced ‘provincial
autonomy’ in its place.
• Act introduced responsible governments in provinces (i.e. governor was
required to act with the advice of ministers responsible to the provincial
legislature) – was in operation only from 1937-1939
• It provided for the adoption of diarchy at the Centre → i.e. Federal
subjects be divided into ‘transferred’ and ‘reserved’ – But this also
never came into operation
• It introduced bicameralism in six out of eleven provinces.
• Extended separate electorates for depressed classes (scheduled
castes), women and labour (workers)
• Abolished the Council of India (which was estd. in GOI, 1958 to assist
SOS). SOS was provided with team of advisors
• Establishment of a Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and
credit of the country
• Federal PSC + Provincial PSC (on lines of UPSC + SPSC)
• Establishment of a Federal Court (in 1937)
• Franchise extension: 10% of the total population got the voting right.
Crux, GOI Act 1935

Notes
• Complete responsible government → establishment of All-India Federation

(consisting of provinces and princely states as units) → Establishment failed
as the princely states did not join it
• Federal List + Provincial + Concurrent + Residuary List (given to VOI)
• Abolishment of dyarchy in province → instead, introduce provincial
autonomy and responsible governments in provinces → governor was
required to act with the advice of ministers responsible to the provincial
legislature
• Adoption of ‘dyarchy’ at the Centre → Transferred and Reserved subjects
(did not come into force)
• Introduced bicameralism in six out of eleven provinces
• Extended separate electorates for depressed classes (scheduled castes),
women and labour (workers)
• Abolished the Council of India (which was estd in GOI, 1958 to assist SOS).
SOS was provided with team of advisors
• Establishment of a Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and credit
of the country.
• Federal PSC + Provincial PSC (on lines of UPSC + SPSC)
• Establishment of a Federal Court (in 1937)
Indian Independence Act of 1947
On June 3, 1947 Lord Mountbatten, the viceroy of India, put forth the partition
plan, known as the Mountbatten Plan. The plan was accepted by the Congress
and the Muslim League. Immediate effect was given to the plan by enacting the
Indian Independence Act (1947).
Features of the Act

• It ended the British rule in India and declared India as an independent
and sovereign state from August 15,1947
• It provided for the partition of India
• It abolished the office of viceroy and SOS. British government will have
no responsibility with respect to the Government of India or Pakistan.
• It empowered the Constituent Assembly to frame and adopt
Constitution and to repeal any act of the British Parliament, including
the Independence act itself.
• It proclaimed the lapse of British paramountcy over the Indian princely
states and treaty relations with tribal areas from August 15, 1947.
• It granted freedom to the Indian princely states either to join the

Notes
Dominion of India or Dominion of Pakistan or to remain independent.
• It designated the Governor-General of India and the provincial
governors as constitutional (nominal) heads of the states. They were
made to act on the advice of the respective council of ministers in all
matters.
Lord Mountbatten became the first governor-general of the new Dominion of

India. He swore in Jawaharlal Nehru as the first prime minister of independent
India. The Constituent Assembly of India formed in 1946 became the
Parliament of the Indian Dominion.
Miscellaneous Points
• Lord Warren Hastings created the office of District Collector in 1772, but
judicial powers were separated from District collector later by Cornwallis.
• Laws made before Charter Act of 1833 were called Regulations and those
made after are called Acts.
• 1833 Charter act was the most important act before the act of 1909.
• From 1773 to 1858, the British tried for the centralization of power. It was
from the 1861 Councils act they shifted towards devolution of power with
provinces.
• From the powerful authorities of unchecked executives, the Indian
administration developed into a responsible government answerable to the
legislature and people.
• The development of portfolio system and budget points to the separation
of power.
• Lord Mayo's resolution on financial decentralization visualized the
development of local self-government institutions in India (1870).
• 1882: Lord Ripon's resolution was hailed as the ‘Magna Carta' of local self-
government. He is regarded as the ‘Father of local self-government in
India'.
• 1921: Railway Budget was separated from the General Budget.
• Till 1947, the Government of India functioned under the provisions of the
1919 Act only. The provisions of 1935 Act relating to Federation and
Dyarchy were never implemented.
• The Executive Council provided by the 1919 Act continued to advice the
Viceroy till 1947. The modern executive (Council of Ministers) owes its
legacy to the executive council.
• The Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly came to be known as
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha after independence
Some Important Events:

Notes
• 1922 - Mahatma Gandhi put forward the demand that India's political
destiny should be determined by the Indians themselves
• May 17, 1927 - At Bombay session, Motilal Nehru moved a resolution
calling up on the Congress working committee to frame a Constitution
for India.
• May 19, 1928 - In all party conference a committee was set up under
the Chairmanship of Motilal Nehru to determine the principles of the
Constitution of India.
• 1928 Nehru Report: Report was submitted on August 10, 1928 and was
called Nehru Report.
• This was the attempt by Indians to frame a full-fledged Constitution for
India.
• 1934 – M.N. Roy put forward the idea of Constituent Assembly (CA) for
India
• 1935 – Indian National Congress (INC) officially demanded for CA to
frame Constitution
• 1938 – Nehru declared that Constitution must be framed by a CA
elected on basis of adult franchise
• 1940 – Demand was finally accepted by British government (August
Offer, 1940)
• 1942 – Sir Stanford Cripps (member of Cabinet) came with a draft
proposal of British government on framing independent constitution.
• Cripps proposals were rejected by Muslim league which wanted India
to be divided into two autonomous states with two separate CAs.
• 1946 – Cabinet Mission Plan was finally sent to India → it put forth a
scheme for the Constituent Assembly which more or less satisfied the
Muslim League.
Cabinet Mission Plan

• The Cabinet Mission consisting of three members (Lord Pethick
Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A V Alexander) arrived in India.
• Constituent Assembly (CA) was constituted in November 1946 under
the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan.
Features of the scheme: (Not important, just remember the bolded lines)
• Allocation of seats based on population: Each province and princely

states were to be allotted seats in proportion to their respective
population. (1 seat for every million population)
• Seats allocated to each British province were to be decided among the

Notes
three principal communities—Muslims, Sikhs and general (all except
Muslims and Sikhs), in proportion to their population.
• Separate electorate: The representatives of each community were to
be elected by members of that community in the provincial legislative
assembly.
• Voting was to be by the method of proportional representation by
means of single transferable vote**.
• The representatives of princely states were to be nominated by the
heads of the princely states.
• Constituent Assembly was to be a partly elected and partly nominated
body.
• No Adult Franchise and Direct election: Constituent Assembly was not
directly elected by the people of India on the basis of adult franchise**
• CA comprised representatives of all sections of Indian Society—
Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Anglo–Indians, Indian Christians, SCs, STs
including women of all these sections. It included all important
personalities (with the exception of Mahatma Gandhi and M A Jinnah).
The elections to the Constituent Assembly (CA) were held in July–August 1946
Some important facts:

• Dr Sachchidanand Sinha, the oldest member, was elected as the
temporary President of the Constituent Assembly.
• Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Harendra Coomar Mukherjee were
elected as the President and Vice-President of the Assembly
respectively.
• Sir B N Rau was appointed as the Constitutional advisor to the
Assembly.
Just remember that Dr Rajendra Prasad was the President of Constituent

Assembly.
Objective Resolutions
• It was moved by J. Nehru in 1946.
• It defined the aims of the Constituent Assembly
• This resolution encapsulated the aspirations and values behind the
Constitution.
Based on this resolution, our Constitution gave institutional expression to these

Notes
fundamental commitments: equality, liberty, democracy, sovereignty and a
cosmopolitan identity.
Indian Independence Act of 1947 made the following changes in the position
of the CA
• CA was made a fully sovereign body to frame Constitution (Constituent
Body)
• The act empowered the CA to abrogate or alter any law made by the
British Parliament in relation to India.
• CA also became a legislative body.
• Two separate functions were assigned -- making of a constitution for
free India and enacting of ordinary laws for the country.
• Whenever the Assembly met as the Constituent body it was chaired by
Dr. Rajendra Prasad and when it met as the legislative body, it was
chaired by G V Mavlankar.
ENACTMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

Notes
• Dr B R Ambedkar introduced the final draft of the Constitution in the
Assembly on November 4, 1948 (first reading)
• Dr B R Ambedkar moved a motion— ‘the Constitution as settled by the
Assembly be passed’.
• The motion on Draft Constitution was declared as passed on November 26,
1949, and received the signatures of the members and the president.
The Constitution as adopted on November 26, 1949, contained a Preamble, 395

Articles and 8 Schedules. The Preamble was enacted after the entire
Constitution was already enacted. The Preamble also mentions November 26,
1949 as the date on which Constitution as adopted.
Dr B R Ambedkar:
• Chairman of Drafting Committee
• ‘Father of the Constitution of India’
• undisputed leader of the scheduled castes
• ‘Chief architect of the Constitution of India’
• He is also known as a ‘Modern Manu’
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

• All the provisions (major part) of the Constitution came into force on
January 26, 1950 -- celebrated as the Republic Day.
• January 26 was specifically chosen as the ‘date of commencement’ of
the Constitution because of its historical importance. It was on this day
in 1930 that Purna Swaraj day was celebrated, following the resolution
of the Lahore Session (December 1929) of the INC.
Notes
1. Features borrowed from Government of India Act, 1935

• Federal Scheme, Office of governor, Judiciary, Public Service
Commissions, Emergency provisions and administrative details.
Remember this Story:

Why are we preparing for UPSC? For working in GOI
As soon as GOI, 1935 → imagine that you preparing for UPSC → After cracking
IAS → we go to Mussoorie (IAS academy) → which is full of FOG → if we JUMP
with joy here and there → we will land into EMERGENCY (as less visibility in
fog)
GOI → UPSC → IAS → Mussorie (FOG) → JUMP with joy → land into
Emergency
• GOI = GOI Act 1935
• UPSC + IAS = UPSC and Administrative details
• Mussorie (FOG) = Federal provisions and Office of Governor
• JUMP = Judiciary
• EMERGENCY = Emergency provisions
2. Features borrowed from British Constitution:

Notes
• Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, legislative procedure, single
citizenship, cabinet system, prerogative writs, parliamentary privileges
and bicameralism.

As soon as we think of British, we remember that they colonized India and
exploited us
British colonized India → exploited Indian Citizens → made rules and laws →
they built Parliament building → they made 2 Cabins for Upper House and
Lower House → they enjoyed all privileges
British → 1. Single citizenship → 2. rule of law → 3. Parliamentary system → 4.

Cabinet system → 5. Bicameralism → 6. Parliamentary privileges
3. Features borrowed from US Constitution:

• Fundamental rights, independence of judiciary, judicial review,
impeachment of the president, removal of Supreme Court and high
court judges and post of vice-president.

• Everyone wants to go to US or Las Vegas → as it guarantees full freedom,
independence and rights to everyone
• US is powerful country → It doesn’t even mind to remove SC and HC judges,
even President and Vice President
US → Guarantees Fundamental Rights → Independence to everyone (including

Judiciary) → Removes SC and HC judges → removes President and Vice
President also.
4. Features borrowed from Irish Constitution:

• Directive Principles of State Policy, nomination of members to Rajya
Sabha and method of election of president.
• Ireland is one among the most peaceful countries in the world →
because they follow some principles in life → they respect elders in the
House
• Ireland → Peaceful country → follows principles → respects elders in
House
Notes
Ireland → 1. DPSP (Directive Principles of State Policy) → 2. Nomination of
members to Rajya Sabha/House of Elders → 3. Method of election of President
5. Features borrowed from Germany:

• Weimar Constitution of Germany
• Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency.

• You might have heard of history of the Jews in Nazi Germany or about
Hitler
• Remember it like this → In Germany → Hitler wanted to kill all Jews →
so FRs were suspended
6. Features borrowed from Japanese Constitution

• Procedure established by Law

• Japanese are very hardworking and disciplined → they don’t break the
rules/laws → they follow the procedures sincerely
• Japanese → Hardworking and disciplined → follows procedure estd. by
law
7. Canadian Constitution
• Federation with a strong Centre, vesting of residuary powers in the
Centre, appointment of state governors by the Centre, and advisory
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Remember this Trick:

• Whenever you see an option/statement in question defining “strong
Centre” or “by Centre” → directly tick “C for Canada”
• C for Canada → C for Centre → Strong Centre, residuary powers in
Centre, appointment of Governor by Centre
8. Features borrowed from Australian Constitution

• Concurrent List, freedom of trade, commerce and inter-course, and
joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.
Remember this Trick:

• Currently, there is a need for India and Australia to jointly sit together
and make agreement to improve their trade and commerce ties.
• Concurrently → we need India and Australia → Joint Sitting → to

Notes
improve trade and commerce, intercourse
The below ones are easy and try to by heart them -
9. Features borrowed from France

• French Constitution Republic and the ideals of liberty, equality and
fraternity in the Preamble.
10. Soviet Constitution

• (USSR, now Russia)
• Fundamental duties and the ideal of justice (social, economic and
political) in the Preamble.
11. Features borrowed from South Africa:

• Procedure for amendment of the Constitution and election of members
of Rajya Sabha.
Schedule Notes
Followings are the schedules in Constitution of India
First Schedule • Names of the States and names of Union Territories (UTs)
• Salary and allowances of President, Governors, Chief Judges,

Second
Judges of High Court and Supreme court, Comptroller and
Schedule
Auditor General
Third
• Forms of Oaths and affirmations
Schedule
• Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and the
Fourth
Schedule union territories.
Fifth Schedule • Administration and control of scheduled areas and tribes
Sixth • Provisions relating to the administration of tribal areas in the

Schedule states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
• Division of powers
Seventh o Union List (for central Govt) 97 Subjects.
Schedule o States List (for State Govt) 66 subjects
o Concurrent List (for both Union and States) 47 subjects.
• List of 22 languages of India recognized by Constitution
Eighth 1.
2. Bengali 3. Gujarati
Schedule Assamese
6.
4. Hindi 5. Kannada
Kashmiri
7. Manipuri 8. Malayalam 9. Konkani

10. Marathi 11. Nepali 12. Oriya
13. Punjabi 14. Sanskrit 15. Sindhi
16. Tamil 17. Telugu 18. Urdu
19. Santhali 20. Bodo 21. Maithili
22. Dogri
• Sindhi was added in 1967 by 21 Amendment
• Konkani, Manipuri ad Nepali were added in 1992 by 71

Notes
amendment Santhali, Maithili, Bodo and Dogri were added in
2003 by 92 amendment.
• Contains Acts and Regulations dealing with land reforms and

abolition of the zamindari system.
• This schedule was added by the 1st Amendment (1951) to
Ninth protect the laws included in it from judicial scrutiny on the
Schedule ground of violation of fundamental rights.
• However, in 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the laws
included in this schedule are now open to judicial review.
Tenth • Added by 52nd amendment in 1985. Contains provisions of

Schedule disqualification of grounds of defection
Eleventh • By 73rd amendment in 1992. Contains provisions of Panchayati

Schedule Raj.
Twelfth • By 74th amendment in 1992. Contains provisions of Municipal

Schedule Corporation.
Again, having problem to remember, right??
(Schedule 1 – 4) Imagine how our parents search for a bride/groom
1) What is the name of the bride/groom?

2)What salary and allowance she/he gets?
3) Will she/he take an oath to look after the family?
4) Yes, bride/groom confirmed → Allocate a seat for her/him in our family
(Schedule 5 and 6) → Very important for Mains and Prelims

5) Scheduled Areas → throughout the country except Assam, Mizoram, Tripura and
Meghalaya
6) Tribal Areas- ATM- Me-Kya kar raha hai :P (Applicable only to Assam, Tripura,
Mizoram and Meghalaya)
Notes
7) 007 → James Bond → Centre acts as Bond in Central List; States acts as Bond in
States List and both act as Bonds in Concurrent List (Division of power)
8) Language
9) Acts and Regulations dealing with land reforms and abolition of the zamindari
system.
10) Disqualification of MLAs or MPs/Anti-defection Law - Important
(Schedule 11 and 12) – Important

11) Panchayat
12) Municipal
Notes
Notes
Note:
• Fifth Schedule (administration of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes)

and Sixth Schedule (administration of tribal areas) can be amended by
the Simple majority of the two Houses of Parliament outside the scope
of Article 368.
• Those provisions of the Constitution which are related to the federal
structure of the polity can be amended by a special majority of the
Parliament and also with the consent of half of the state legislatures
by a simple majority.
• To amend any of the lists in the Seventh Schedule and Representation
of states in Parliament requires this type of amendment. The fourth
Schedule contains provisions as to the allocation of seats in the Council
of States.
Features
Notes
1. Lengthiest Written Constitution
• Indian Constitution is written (US Constitution is also written, British not
written)
• Constitution of India is the lengthiest of all the written constitutions of
the world
Why Indian Constitution is the lengthiest of all the written constitutions of

the world?
(a) Geographical factors, that is, the vastness of the country and its
diversity.
(b) Historical factors, e.g., the influence of the Government of India Act of
1935, which was bulky.
(c) Single Constitution for both the Centre and the states.
(d) Dominance of legal luminaries in the Constituent Assembly.
(e) Constitution contains not only the fundamental principles of
governance but also detailed administrative provisions.
(f) Those matters which have been left to the ordinary legislation in other
modern democratic countries have also been included in the
constitutional document itself in India.
2. Drawn from Various Sources

• The Constitution of India has borrowed most of its provisions from the
constitutions of various other countries as well as from the Government
of India Act of 1935.
• We covered this topic above already
Indian Constitution is a ‘borrowed Constitution’, a ‘patchwork’ and contains

nothing new and original. Do you agree?
No, the above statement is not true and is illogical. This is because, the framers
of the Constitution made necessary modifications in the features borrowed
from other constitutions for their suitability to the Indian conditions, at the
same time avoiding their faults.
3. Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility

• Constitutions can be rigid or flexible.
• A rigid Constitution is one that requires a special procedure for its
amendment (Ex. American Constitution)
• A flexible constitution is one that can be amended in the same manner

Notes
as the ordinary laws are made (Ex. British Constitution)
• Indian Constitution is neither rigid nor flexible but a synthesis of both.
Indian Constitution is neither rigid nor flexible but a synthesis of both. Do you
agree? Substantiate your view.
Yes, Indian Constitution is neither rigid nor flexible but a synthesis of both as
some of its provisions require a special procedure for its amendment, while
some provisions can be amended in the same manner as the ordinary laws are
made.
Proof: Article 368 deals with the Powers of the Parliament to amend the
Constitution and procedure there for.
Article 368 provides for two types of amendments:

(a) Some provisions can be amended by a special majority of the Parliament,
i.e., a two-third majority of the members of each House present and voting,
and a majority (that is, more than 50 per cent), of the total membership of
each House.
(b) Some other provisions can be amended by a special majority of the
Parliament and with the ratification by half of the total states.
At the same time, some provisions of the Constitution can be amended by a

simple majority of the Parliament in the manner of ordinary legislative process.
Notably, these amendments do not come under Article 368.
Notes
Note: Save this picture, as one has to refer and revise more than 10 times to
learn these different majorities. It is very confusing. Try to understand carefully.
4. Federal System with Unitary Bias

• The Constitution of India establishes a federal system of government.
However, the term ‘Federation’ has nowhere been used in the
Constitution.
• Usual features of a federation - two government, division of powers,
independent judiciary and bicameralism etc.
• However, the Indian Constitution also contains a large number of
unitary or non-federal features.
• Non-federal or unitary features - strong Centre, single Constitution,
single citizenship, appointment of state governor by the Centre, all-
India services, emergency provisions, and so on.
The Indian Constitution has been variously described as –

Notes
• ‘federal in form but unitary in spirit’,
• ‘quasi-federal’
• ‘co-operative federalism’
• ‘federation with a centralising tendency’
• Parliamentary Form of Government
5. Parliamentary Form of Government

• Constitution of India has opted for the British "parliamentary System"
of Government rather than American Presidential System of
Government
• Parliamentary system --> is based on the principle of cooperation and
co-ordination between the legislative and executive organs
• Presidential system --> is based on the doctrine of separation of powers
(i.e. separation of L and E organs)
The Constitution establishes the parliamentary system not only at the Centre
but also in the states. The features of parliamentary government in India are:
(a) Presence of nominal and real executives;
(b) Majority party rule,
(c) Collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature,
(d) Membership of the ministers in the legislature,
(e) Leadership of the prime minister or the chief minister,
(f) Dissolution of the lower House (Lok Sabha or Assembly).
Do you know?
Indian Parliamentary System is largely based on the British pattern, but there
are some fundamental differences between the two.
• Indian Parliament is not a sovereign body like the British Parliament.
• Indian State has an elected head (republic) while the British State has
hereditary head (monarchy)
In a parliamentary system whether in India or Britain, the role of the Prime

Minister has become so significant and crucial that the political scientists like
to call it a ‘Prime Ministerial Government’.
6. Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial Supremacy

• The “doctrine of sovereignty of Parliament” is associated with the
British Parliament, while the “principle of judicial supremacy” with that
of the American Supreme Court.
• The framers of the Indian Constitution have “preferred a proper

Notes
synthesis” between the British principle of parliamentary sovereignty
and the American principle of judicial supremacy.
Meaning -
• The Supreme Court, on the one hand, can declare the parliamentary
laws as unconstitutional through its power of judicial review.
• The Parliament, on the other hand, can amend the major portion of the
Constitution through its constituent power.
7. Integrated and Independent Judiciary
Indian Constitution establishes a judicial system that is integrated as well as

independent. (Borrowed from US Constitution)
What is integrated judicial system?

• Supreme Court stands at the top
• Below it, there are high courts at the state level.
• Under a high court, there is a hierarchy of subordinate courts, that is,
district courts and other lower courts.
The single system of courts in India enforces both the central laws as well as
the state laws, unlike in USA, where the federal laws are enforced by the
federal judiciary and the state laws are enforced by the state judiciary.
Supreme Court is a:
• highest court of appeal
• guarantor of the fundamental rights of the citizens
• guardian of the Constitution
Note: Questions have come regularly from above
8. Fundamental Rights
Notes
• Part III of the Indian Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights to all
the citizens:
• Right to Equality (Articles 14–18),
• Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22),
• Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24),
• Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28),
• Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30), and
• Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).
9. Directive Principles of State Policy

• According to Dr B R Ambedkar, the Directive Principles of State Policy is
a ‘novel feature’ of the Indian Constitution.
• They are enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution. They can be
classified into three broad categories—socialistic, Gandhian and
liberal–intellectual.
10. Fundamental Duties

• The original constitution did not provide for the fundamental duties of
the citizens.
• These were added during the operation of internal emergency (1975–
77) by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 on the
recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee. The 86th
Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added one more fundamental
duty.
• The Part IV-A of the Constitution (which consists of only one Article—
51-A) specifies the eleven Fundamental Duties.
The fundamental duties serve as a reminder to citizens that while enjoying their
rights, they have also to be quite conscious of duties they owe to their country,
their society and to their fellow-citizens.
11. A Secular State

• Constitution of India stands for a secular state.
• It does not uphold any particular religion as the official religion of the
Indian State.
Which provisions of the Constitution reveal the secular character of the

Notes
Indian State?
The following provisions of the Constitution reveal the secular character of the
Indian State:
(a) The term ‘secular’ was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by
the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976.
(b) The Preamble secures to all citizens of India liberty of belief, faith and
worship.
(c) The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal
protection of the laws (Article 14).
(d) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the ground of religion
(Article 15).
(e) Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment
(Article 16).
(f) All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to
freely profess, practice and propagate any religion (Article 25).
(g) Every religious denomination or any of its section shall have the right to
manage its religious affairs (Article 26).
(h) No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes for the promotion of a
particular religion (Article 27).
(i) No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution
maintained by the State (Article 28).
(j) Any section of the citizens shall have the right to conserve its distinct
language, script or culture (Article 29).
(k) All minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational
institutions of their choice (Article 30).
(l) The State shall endeavor to secure for all the citizens a Uniform Civil Code
(Article 44).
Does Indian concept of secularism connote a complete separation between

the religion and the state?
• The Western concept of secularism connotes a complete separation
between the religion (the church) and the state (the politics).
• This negative concept of secularism is inapplicable in the Indian
situation where the society is multi-religious.
• Hence, the Indian Constitution embodies the positive concept of
secularism, i.e., giving equal respect to all religions or protecting all
religions equally.
12. Universal Adult Franchise

Notes
• The Indian Constitution adopts universal adult franchise as a basis of
elections to the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.
• Universal adult franchise - Every citizen who is not less than 18 years of
age has a right to vote without any discrimination of caste, race,
religion, sex, literacy, wealth, and so on.
• Universal adult franchise makes democracy broad-based, enhances the
self-respect and prestige of the common people, upholds the principle
of equality, enables minorities to protect their interests and opens up
new hopes and vistas for weaker sections.
13. Single Citizenship

• Constitution provides for only a single citizenship, that is, the Indian
citizenship.
• In USA, each person is not only a citizen of USA but also a citizen of the
particular state to which he belongs.
14. Independent Bodies
The Indian Constitution not only provides for the legislative, executive and
judicial organs of the government (Central and state) but also establishes
certain independent bodies.
• Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections to the
Parliament, the state legislatures, the office of President of India and
the office of Vice-president of India.
• Comptroller and Auditor-General of India to audit the accounts of the
Central and state governments. He acts as the guardian of public purse
and comments on the legality and propriety of government
expenditure.
• Union Public Service Commission to conduct examinations for
recruitment to all-India services and higher Central services and to
advise the President on disciplinary matters.
• State Public Service Commission in every state to conduct
examinations for recruitment to state services and to advice the
governor on disciplinary matters.
15. Emergency Provisions

• Indian Constitution contains elaborated emergency provisions to
enable the President to meet any extraordinary situation effectively.
The Constitution envisages three types of emergencies, namely:

Notes
• National emergency
• State emergency (President’s Rule)
• Financial emergency
During an emergency, the Central Government becomes all-powerful and the

states go into the total control of the centre. It converts the federal structure
into a unitary one without a formal amendment of the Constitution.
16. Three-tier Government

• Originally, the Indian Constitution provided for a dual polity (Centre and the
states)
• Later, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992) have
added a third-tier of government (i.e., local) which was not found in any
other Constitution of the world.
• Centre, State and Local govts (Panchayati Raj and Municipal corporation)
Part IX of the Constitution provides for a three-tier system of panchayati raj in

every state, that is, panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels.
Part IX-A of the Constitution provides for three types of municipalities in every
state, that is, Nagar Panchayat for a transitional area, municipal council for a
smaller urban area and municipal corporation for a larger urban area.
Note: Don’t try to by-heart Articles and Parts. Throughout the year you will
read different topics or issues from newspapers or textbooks or notes, you will
be introduced to some articles which are important.
For instance, you might have heard news on –

• President passing an ordinance → Article 123
• Government planning to amend some provisions in the constitution;
say they want to change appointment and transfer of judges through
Collegium system to NJAC → then Article 368
Some articles you have to by-heart, such as Fundamental Rights, Fundamental

Duties and DPSPs. It will come naturally in your memory with more and more
revisions.
Preamble Notes
About Preamble:
• Our Constitution starts with a Preamble.
• Preamble is the introduction to the Constitution.
• Preamble gives an insight into the Philosophy of the Constitution.
• Preamble is the modified version of the ‘Objectives Resolution’ that
was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru (we read above).
Please Note: Preamble is a Part of Indian Constitution.

• Initially the Preamble was not considered a part of the Constitution and its
amendment was not accepted. (In the Berubari's case 1960, the Supreme
Court held that "Preamble is NOT a part of the constitution”)
• However, later in Kesavananda Bharti v/s state of Kerala 1973 case the
Supreme Court ruled that “Preamble is a part of the constitution and can
be amended” as any other provisions of the Constitution, provided the
basic structure of the constitution is not destroyed.
Two things should be noted:

• The Preamble is neither a source of power to legislature nor a
prohibition upon the powers of legislature.
• It is non-justiciable, that is, its provisions are not enforceable in courts
of law.
The Preamble indicates the source from which the Constitution comes. This
source is "we the people of India". The Preamble sets out the aims and
aspirations of the people (Justice, Equality, Fraternity, and Secular etc.) and
Notes
these have been embodied in various provisions of the constitution.
So far Preamble has been amended only once → 42nd Constitutional

Amendment, 1976.
The 42nd amendment added 3 new words to the Preamble:
• SOCIALIST
• SECULAR
• INTEGRITY
Understanding the Preamble

• WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, have solemnly resolved to constitute India:
• India declared itself Republic in 1949 and the Preamble enshrines the
philosophy that the government is by the people and for the people.
The Constitution derives authority from the people (“We the people”).
SOVEREIGN: The word implies that India is an independent state and there is
no authority above it and it is free to conduct its own affairs, internally and
externally.
SOCIALIST: The Word "socialist" was added by the 42nd Constitutional

Amendment Act of 1976. By inserting this word, it set a positive direction to
the Government in formulating its policies. Indian brand of socialism is a
‘democratic socialism’.
• Democratic socialism holds faith in a ‘mixed economy’ where both
public and private sectors co-exist side by side.
• Democratic socialism aims to end poverty, ignorance, disease and
inequality of opportunity.
• Indian socialism is a blend of Marxism and Gandhism, leaning heavily
towards Gandhian socialism.
SECULAR: It signifies that India has respect for all religions. All religions have
the same status. The word secular appeared at only one article that is Article
25 (2)(a) before it was inserted into the Constitution's Preamble.
• State will protect every religion equally but the state will not have any
foundation on religion.
• Accordingly, Articles 25 to 28 (guaranteeing the fundamental right to
freedom of religion) have been included in the constitution.
DEMOCRATIC: India has borrowed its present form of democracy from the
Notes
western world. It means the Government is responsible to the people of India.
(i.e possession of supreme power by the people)
• The Indian Constitution provides for “representative parliamentary
democracy” under which the executive is responsible to the legislature
for all its policies and actions.
• The term ‘democratic’ is used in the Preamble in the broader sense
embracing not only political democracy but also social and economic
democracy.
REPUBLIC:
The term ‘republic’ in our Preamble indicates that India has an elected head
called the president. He is elected indirectly for a fixed period of five years.
A republic also means two more things:

• First, vesting of political sovereignty in the people and not in a single
individual like a king;
• Second, the absence of any privileged class and hence all public offices
being opened to every citizen without any discrimination.
JUSTICE: Justice in the Preamble means social, political and economic justice
• Social justice denotes the equal treatment of all citizens without any
social distinction
• Economic justice denotes the non-discrimination between people on
the basis of economic factors. It involves the elimination of glaring in-
equalities in wealth, income and property.
• Political justice implies that all citizens should have equal political
rights, equal access to all political offices and equal voice in the
government.
The ideal of justice—social, economic and political—has been taken from the
Russian Revolution (1917).
LIBERTY: Liberty is the essential requirement of democratic and free society.

• The term ‘liberty’ means the absence of restraints on the activities of
individuals, and at the same time, providing opportunities for the
development of individual personalities.
The ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in our Preamble have been taken
from the French Revolution (1789–1799).
EQUALITY: The Preamble secures to all citizens of India equality of status and
Notes
opportunity. This provision embraces three dimensions of equality—civic,
political and economic.
• This objective is made more explicit by Article 15 which forbids the state
to discriminate on any basis such as caste, creed, sex or place of birth.
• Article 15(2) throws all public places to all citizens. Article 17 abolishes
the untouchability.
• Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment (Article 16).
FRATERNITY: Fraternity means a sense of brotherhood. The Constitution

promotes this feeling of fraternity by the system of single citizenship.
• The term Fraternity is (perhaps) incorporated from the article 1 of
Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948.
• Articles 1 and 2 are the foundation blocks of the Universal Declaration
of Human rights, with their principles of dignity, liberty, equality and
brotherhood.
The Preamble declares that fraternity has to assure two things—the dignity of
the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.
The word ‘integrity’ has been added to the preamble by the 42nd
Constitutional Amendment (1976).
Significance of Preamble:
https://iasbaba.com/2020/05/mind-maps-preamble-general-studies-2/
Preamble refers to the preface of the constitution. It embodies the basic

Notes
philosophy and fundamental values on which Indian Constitution is based i.e.,
moral, political and religious. As it reflects the dreams of the founding fathers
of the constitution, SC has held that Preamble is the key to understanding the
mind of constitution makers.
Constituent Assembly member Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava observes ‘The

Preamble is soul of the constitution. It is a key to the Constitution’. It acts a
philosophical key with –
• Guide for the state in its functioning whether it is the socialist nature or
secular government functioning.
• It instigates the state to take steps to realize the directive principles of
state policy. E.g., the land ceiling policy was justified by the then
government as in lines of socialist nature of state as mentioned in the
preamble itself.
• It helps the judiciary in deciding the cases based on the philosophical
and ideological brainstorming behind the judgements. E.g., Supreme
Court in the recent Sabarimala and Triple Talaq case mentioned
secularism as well as equality as mentioned in the preamble is the basic
Indian philosophy which needs to be adhered.
• It acts as a guide for Indian citizens in their conduct. For instance, the
philosophy of equality, fraternity as mentioned in the preamble
requires citizens to stay secular, give up communal issues and so on.
As Justice Sikri observed, “It seems to me that the preamble of our

Constitution is of extreme importance and the constitution should be read
and interpreted in the light of the grand and noble vision expressed in the
preamble.”
• The Supreme Court has stated that the preamble is a part of the basic
structure of constitution. In the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), it
stated that the preamble can be used as a viewpoint to understand the
basis of certain articles of the constitution. These features suggest that
the preamble is the philosophical key to the constitution.
• Whenever there is any doubt regarding any provision in the constitution
Preamble will act as guiding light and can be used for grey area
(interpretation).
Preamble Can be Amended

• Preamble has been amended once in 1976- 42nd CAA that added three
new words- Socialist, Secular, Integrity.
Philosophy Notes
The concept of Justice is integral to a democratic polity.
Political Justice
• It means that every person should have equal participation in the
political system. Participation may mean contesting for elections as a
representative or voting for a representative. In the Indian scenario this
transpires into Universal Adult Franchise, reservation of constituencies
for SCs and STs, reservation for women. This is mainly because they go
under represented.
Economic Justice
• It means that there is no distinction between people when they try and
participate in the economic system. The economic system follows the
principles of participatory justice and that everyone gets an equal
opportunity to participate. To ensure economic justice the state should
look at aspects such as equal pay for equal work, minimize inequalities
in income, right to adequate means of livelihood. MGNREGA is a direct
manifestation of the government's mandate to promote economic
justice.
Social Justice
• Social justice ensures that there are no social imbalances within the
society. Social imbalances are mainly caused when the distributive
proceeds from economic participation are not equitable. Social Justice
looks to remove such social imbalances. Reservations for the historically
underprivileged in the sphere of public employment, reservation in
both private and public educational institutions are direct
manifestations of this concept.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, while incorporating these terms into the preamble,
brought out the significance of economic and social justice along with political
justice. While the latter ensures a democratic polity the former two ensure a
democratic society.
The Indian constitution is an expression of a wide range of political philosophy

enshrined in one document. Six Major political philosophies can be traced into
Indian constitution – Socialism, Liberalism, Republicanism, Federalism,
Feminism and Environmentalism.
Notes
Socialism looks for socio-economic equality which comes under conflict with
liberalism sometimes, especially after introduction of economic liberalization.
In pursuance of liberalism government is amending certain laws to provide
more autonomy to facilitate individual freedom and openness. Federalism also
comes into this conflict war. There are mechanisms like NITI Aayog and
National Development Council to iron out differences. But this continues to be
a challenge, especially for liberalism.
Republicanism strengthens democratism which in turn strengthens socialism

and feminism. The last one is getting more emphasis these days due to
increasing women participation, gender budgeting and gender parity in
occupational mobility and education achievement.
Political gender parity remains elusive, partly to be blamed for patriarchal

structure of Indian society.
The last one, Environmentalism, has also grown in stature and size, especially
under aegis of UNFCCC and India’s national action plan of climate change.
Environmentalism strengthens feminism but sometimes creates problem in
federal relations.
Thus, there is occasional incompatibility in some of the philosophies but as a

living document constitution continues to foster these philosophies with
varying success.
Many experts opine that the Tenth Schedule is in violation of the

fundamental tenets of the Constitution. What do you think?
The Constitution (Fifty-second Amendment) Act, 1985 added the Tenth

Schedule to the Indian Constitution to curb the growing tendency of political
defections by parliamentarians and legislators from one party to another after
elections.
Members of Parliament and State legislatures are liable for disqualification if

they leave the political party on whose symbol they got elected and join
another, or violate the party whip to vote a certain way in the House.
Problem with 10th schedule:
While penalising individual acts of defection, it recognised the principle of splits

whereby if one-third of the members of a legislative party broke away and
formed a separate group or joined another political party, they could continue
Notes
as members of the legislature.
Setting the one-third bar was explained in paragraph three of the Tenth
Schedule in terms of “honest dissent” — that is, a critical mass of numbers
would be swayed not by monetary considerations or the perks of office but by
deep ideological or policy differences. In reality, individual defections got
converted into a mass-scale malady. Later the Schedule was amended and bar
was raised to two – third members of a party.
How it is against Fundamental Tenets:

Constitution makers kept Universal Adult Franchise so that citizens can select
their representatives and their needs and aspirations are reflected in the
parliament. But because of 10th schedule, the individuality of the elected
representative is lost and they have to abide by party high command’s decision.
Legislators, rather than articulating the predilections and priorities of the
territorial constituency that they represent, have become but virtual hostages
of a whip-driven tyranny.
Lawmaking in India, far from being a consultative and transparent process that
takes all stakeholders on board, essentially remains a bureaucratic function. On
top of it is the party whip, which directs its members which way to vote
practically on each and every bill. This enforced adherence to the party line
means that a member invariably ends up voting for a bill if he/she is on the
Treasury benches and against a bill if he/she is in the Opposition, with the odd
spectacle of parliamentarians sometimes voting against a legislative
instrument which they had supported previously, depending on whether their
party occupies the Opposition or Treasury benches.
This has the effect of dis-incentivizing lawmakers from seriously thinking,

researching or even rifling for best practices to incorporate into legislation that
is before the House for consideration and focus their energies on procedural
matters. The problem becomes heightened as Indian laws do not come with a
sunset clause. If a bad law is enacted, it would remain on the statute books for
at least a century if not more.
Facts to Remember
• The Chairman or the Speaker of the house has the authority to
disqualify the member.
• Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachilhu and others- The court said that “the anti-
defection law seeks to recognise the practical need to place the
proprieties of political and personal conduct…above certain theoretical
assumptions.” It held that the law does not violate any rights or
Notes
freedoms, or the basic structure of parliamentary democracy.
• Various judgments and orders indicate that a member who publicly
opposes the party or states his support for another party would be
deemed to have resigned from his party. News reports may be used as
evidence for this purpose.
• Can the decision of the presiding officer be challenged in the courts?
The law states that the decision is final and not subject to judicial
review. The Supreme Court struck down part of this condition. It held
that there may not be any judicial intervention until the presiding
officer gives his order. However, the final decision is subject to appeal
in the High Courts and Supreme Court.
The Goswami Committee, the Election Commission and the Venkatachaliah

Commission to Review the Constitution (2002) have recommended that the
decision should be made by the president or the governor on the advice of
the Election Commission. This would be similar to the process for
disqualification on grounds of office of profit.
Union Territory Notes
(Articles 1 to 4) under (Part I) of the Constitution deal with the Union and its
territory.
Article 1 deals with Name and territory of the Union:

• India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.
• The States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First
Schedule.
• The territory of India shall comprise—
• the territories of the States;
• the Union territories specified in the First Schedule; and
• such other territories as may be acquired
Article 1 stipulates that “India, i.e., Bharat, shall be a Union of States".
Very important –Please note: the country is described as ‘Union’ although its
Constitution is federal in structure.
When asked why country is described as ‘Union’, not federation?

Dr B R Ambedkar replied - "the phrase ‘Union of States’ has been preferred to
‘Federation of States’ for two reasons:
• One, the Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement among the
states like the American Federation; and
• Two, the states have no right to secede from the federation. The
federation is a Union because it is indestructible.
• The country is an integral whole and divided into different states only
for the convenience of administration.”
Please Note: (Very important)

• As on today there are 28 states and 8 Union territories in the country.
• The provisions of the Constitution pertaining to the states are
applicable to all the states.
• 1st Schedule contains the names of the States and UTs.
• 5th and 6th Schedule of the Constitution contains separate provisions
with respect to the administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas
within the states.
• States share distribution of powers with the Centre.
• The union territories and the acquired territories are directly
administered by the Central government. (Except Delhi and
Puducherry)
Do you know?
Notes
‘Territory of India’ is a wider expression than the ‘Union of India’
Because the latter includes only states while the former includes not only the
states but also union territories and territories that may be acquired by the
Government of India at any future time.
Article 2: Admission or establishment of new States. Parliament may by law

admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions as
it thinks fit.
Article 2 grants two powers to the Parliament:

• the power to admit into the Union of India new states; and
• the power to establish new states.
Please note:
• The first refers to the admission of states which are already in existence
while the second refers to the establishment of states which were not
in existence before.
• Notably, Article 2 relates to the admission or establishment of new
states that are not part of the Union of India.
Article 3: Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names

of existing States.
Parliament may by law:
• form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting
two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part
of any State;
• increase the area of any State;
• diminish the area of any State;
• alter the boundaries of any State;
• alter the name of any State.
Article 3 notably relates to the formation of or changes in the existing states of

the Union of India.
However, Article 3 lays down two conditions in this regard:

• One, a bill contemplating the above changes can be introduced in the
Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President; and
• Two, before recommending the bill, the President has to refer the same
to the state legislature concerned for expressing its views within a
specified period.
The President (or Parliament) is not bound by the views of the state legislature
Notes
and may either accept or reject them, even if the views are received in time.
Further, it is not necessary to make a fresh reference to the state legislature

every time an amendment to the bill is moved and accepted in Parliament.
In case of a union territory, no reference need be made to the concerned
legislature to ascertain its views and the Parliament can itself take any action
as it deems fit.
Crux: Constitution authorizes the Parliament to form new states or alter the
areas, boundaries or names of the existing states ‘without their consent’.
Hence, the territorial integrity or continued existence of any state is not
guaranteed by the Constitution. Therefore, India is rightly described as ‘an
indestructible union of destructible states.
Article 4: declares that laws made under Article 2 and 3 are not to be
considered as amendments of the Constitution under Article 368.
• Article 4 declares that laws made for admission or establishment of new
states (under Article 2) and formation of new states and alteration of
areas, boundaries or names of existing states (under Articles 3) are not
to be considered as amendments of the Constitution under Article 368.
• This means that such laws can be passed by a simple majority and by
the ordinary legislative process.
Please Note:
• Indian Territory can be ceded to a foreign state only by amending the
Constitution under Article 368.
• However, the Supreme Court in 1969 ruled that, settlement of a
boundary dispute between India and another country does not require
a constitutional amendment. It can be done by executive action as it
does not involve cession of Indian territory to a foreign country.
• So only when there is involvement of cession of Indian Territory to a
foreign country, amendment is needed.
EVOLUTION OF STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES

Notes
Integration of Princely States
We have read earlier that Indian Independence Act (1947) gave three options
to the princely states –
• joining India,
• joining Pakistan or
• remaining independent
Of the 552 princely states situated within the geographical boundaries of India,
549 joined India and the remaining 3 (Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir)
refused to join India.
However, in course of time –

• Hyderabad state was integrated through Police action.
• Junagarh was integrated through referendum.
• Kashmir was integrated through Instrument of Accession.
Some important points:

• After independence, there were demands from different regions,
particularly South India, for reorganization of states on linguistic basis.
• Government of India appointed S K Dhar Committee to examine the
feasibility for reorganization of states on linguistic basis.
• Dhar Committee recommended the reorganization of states on the
basis of administrative convenience rather than linguistic factor.
• This created much resentment and led to the appointment of another
committee - JVP Committee - consisted of Jawaharlal Nehru,
Vallabhbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramayya
• JVP committee’s report formally rejected language as the basis for
reorganisation of states.
• However, the death of Potti Sriramulu, a Congress person of standing,
after a 56-day hunger strike for the cause of creation of separate
Andhra state on linguistic basis -- forced the Government of India to
create the first linguistic state, known as Andhra state
• The creation of Andhra state intensified the demand from other regions
for creation of states on linguistic basis. This forced the Government of
India to appoint Fazl Ali Commission to re-examine the whole question.
• Faiz Ali’s report broadly accepted language as the basis of
reorganisation of states. But it rejected the theory of ‘one language–
one state’. Its view was that the unity of India should be regarded as
the primary consideration in any redrawing of the country’s political
units.
Four major factors should be taken into account in any scheme of

Notes
reorganization of states:
• Preservation and strengthening of the unity and security of the country.
• Linguistic and cultural homogeneity.
• Financial, economic and administrative considerations.
• Planning and promotion of the welfare of the people in each state as
well as of the nation as a whole.
Do You Know?
• The 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015: An Act further to

amend the Constitution of India to give effect to the acquiring of
territories by India and transfer of certain territories to Bangladesh in
pursuance of the agreement and its protocol entered into between the
Governments of India and Bangladesh.
• As of November 1, 1956, India had 14 States and 6 Union Territories.
• Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu- Combined as single Union
Territory. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are the recent UTs of India.
• The United Provinces was the first state to have a new name “Uttar
Pradesh”.
• In 1992, the Union Territory of Delhi was designated as the National

Capital Territory of Delhi by the 69th CAA, 1991.
• “Associate State”- the 35th Amendment laid down a set of conditions

that made Sikkim an "Associate State", a special designation not used
by any other state. A month later, the 36th Amendment repealed the
35th Amendment, and made Sikkim a full state, adding its name to the
First Schedule of the Constitution.
Note- We will study about merging of states under post-Independence

consolidation GS Paper-1. You can refer to Laxmikanth and brush up the
chronology.
Citizenship Notes
(Articles 5 to 11) – (Part II) of the Constitution - deals with the provisions of
Citizenship
• The Constitution confers the following rights and privileges on the
citizens of India (and denies the same to aliens):
• Right against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or
place of birth (Article 15).
• Right to equality of opportunity in the matter of public employment
(Article 16).
• Right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association,
movement, residence and profession (Article 19).
• Cultural and educational rights (Articles 29 and 30).
• Right to vote in elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative
assembly.
• Right to contest for the membership of the Parliament and the state
legislature.
• Eligibility to hold certain public offices, that is, President of India, Vice-
President of India, judges of the Supreme Court and the high courts,
governor of states, attorney general of India and advocate general of
states.
(In India both citizens by birth as well as a naturalized citizen are eligible for the
office of President.)
Along with the above rights, the citizens also owe certain duties towards the
Indian State, as for example, paying taxes, respecting the national flag and
national anthem, defending the country and so on.
Some important facts:

• The Constitution deals with the citizenship from Articles 5 to 11.
• However, it only identifies the persons who became citizens of India at
its commencement (i.e., on January 26, 1950).
• It does not deal with the problem of acquisition or loss of citizenship
subsequent to its commencement.
• It empowers the Parliament to enact a law to provide for such matters
and any other matter relating to citizenship. Accordingly, the
Parliament has enacted the Citizenship Act.
• Therefore, we should know about (Articles 5 to 11) and (Citizenship Act)
According to the Constitution, the following four categories of persons became

Notes
the citizens of India at its commencement i.e., on 26 January, 1950:
(Article 5): A person who had his domicile in India and also fulfilled any one of
the three conditions, viz.,
• if he was born in India; or
• if either of his parents was born in India; or
• if he has been ordinarily resident in India for five years immediately
before the commencement of the Constitution, became a citizen of
India
Articles 6 and 7 deal with two categories of persons, namely, those who were
residents in India but had migrated to Pakistan and those who were residents
in Pakistan but had migrated to India. Those who migrated from Pakistan to
India were divided into two categories:
• those who came before July 19, 1948 and
• those who came after that date.
(Article 6): A person who migrated to India from Pakistan became an Indian
citizen if he or either of his parents or any of his grandparents was born in
undivided India and also fulfilled any one of the two conditions viz., in case he
migrated to India before July 19, 1948, he had been ordinarily resident in India
since the date of his migration; or in case he migrated to India on or after July
19, 1948, he had been registered as a citizen of India. But a person could be so
registered only if he had been resident in India for six months preceding the
date of his application for registration
(Article 7): A person who migrated to Pakistan from India after March 1, 1947,
but later returned to India for resettlement could become an Indian citizen. For
this, he had to be resident in India for six months preceding the date of his
application for registration.
(Article 8): A person who, or any of whose parents or grandparents, was born
in undivided India but who is ordinarily residing outside India shall become an
Indian citizen if he has been registered as a citizen of India by the diplomatic or
consular representative of India in the country of his residence, whether before
or after the commencement of the Constitution. Thus, this provision covers the
overseas Indians who may want to acquire Indian citizenship.
To sum up, these provisions deal with the citizenship of

Notes
(a) Persons domiciled in India;
(b) Persons migrated from Pakistan;
(c) Persons migrated to Pakistan but later returned; and
(d) Persons of Indian origin residing outside India.
The other constitutional provisions with respect to the citizenship are as

follows:
1. No person shall be a citizen of India or be deemed to be a citizen of India, if

he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of any foreign state (Article 9).
2. Every person who is or is deemed to be a citizen of India shall continue to
be such citizen, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament
(Article 10).
3. Parliament shall have the power to make any provision with respect to the
acquisition and termination of citizenship and all other matters relating to
citizenship (Article 11).
The Citizenship Act, 1955

• A comprehensive law dealing with citizens was passed by Parliament in
1955 in accordance with the powers vested in it by Article 11 of the
Constitution.
• The provisions of the Act may be broadly divided into three parts,
acquisition of citizenship, termination of citizenship and supplemental
provisions.
Acquisition of Citizenship
The Act provides five modes of acquiring the citizenship of India. These are:
(1) By Birth:
• Every person born in India on or after January 26, 1950 but before June
30, 1987, shall be a citizen of India by birth.
• A person is citizen of India by birth if he/she is born in India on or after
July 1, 1987 but at the time of the birth either of his parents was a
citizen of India.
• Note: The children of foreign diplomats posted in India and enemy
aliens cannot acquire the Indian citizenship by birth.
(2) By Descent:
• A person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, shall be citizen
of India by descent if his father or mother is a citizen of India at the time
of his birth.
• Children of those who are citizens of India by descent, as also children

Notes
of non-citizens who are in service under a government in India, may also
take advantage of this provision and become Indian citizens by descent,
if they so desire, through registration.
(3) By Registration: Any person who is not already an Indian citizen by virtue
of the provisions of the Constitution or those of this Act can acquire
citizenship by registration if that person belongs to any one of the following
five categories:
• Persons of Indian origin who are ordinarily resident in India and who
have been so resident for at least six months immediately before
making an application for registration.
• Persons of Indian origin who are ordinarily resident in any country or
place outside undivided India;
• Women who are, or have been, married to citizens of India;
• Minor children of persons who are citizens of India; and
• Persons of full age and capacity who are citizen of the Common wealth
countries or the Republic of Ireland.
(4) By Naturalisation: Any person who does not come under any of the
categories mentioned above can acquire Indian citizenship by
naturalisation if his application for the same has been accepted by the
Government of India and certificate is granted to him to that effect.
An applicant for a naturalisation certificate has to satisfy the following

conditions:
(a) He is not a citizen of a country which prohibits Indians becoming citizens
of that country by naturalisation;
(b) He has renounced the citizenship of the country to which he belonged;
(c) He has either resided in India or has been in the service of a government
in India, normally, for one year immediately prior to the date of
application;
(d) During the seven years preceding the above mentioned one year, he
has resided in India or been in the service of a government in India for
a period amounting in the aggregate to not less than four years;
(e) He is of good character;
(f) He has an adequate knowledge of a language specified in the
Constitution;
(g) If granted a certificate, he intends to reside in India or enter into, or
continue in service under a government in India.
The Act provides, however, for a conspicuous exemption under which any or
Notes
all of the above conditions may be waived in favour of a person who has
rendered distinguished service to the cause of science, philosophy, art,
literature, world peace or human progress generally.
Every person to whom a certificate of naturalisation is granted has to take an

oath of allegiance solemnly affirming that he will bear true faith and allegiance
to the Constitution of India as by law established, and that he will faithfully
observe the laws of India and fulfill his duties as a citizen of India.
(5) By Incorporation of Territory:

• If any territory becomes part of India, the Government of India, by
order, may specify the persons who shall be citizen of India by reason
of their connection with that territory.
Termination of Citizenship
The Act envisages three situations under which a citizen of India may lose his
Indian nationality. These are:
(1) By Renunciation:
• If any citizen of India who is also a national of another country
renounces his Indian citizenship through a declaration in the prescribed
manner, he ceases to be an Indian citizen of registration of such
declaration.
• When a male person ceases to be a citizen of India, every minor child of
his also ceases to be a citizen of India. However, such a child may within
one year after attaining full age, becomes Indian citizen by making a
declaration of his intention to resume Indian citizenship.
(2) By Termination:
• Any person who acquired Indian citizenship by naturalisation,
registration or otherwise, or he or she voluntarily acquired the
citizenship of another country at any time between January 26, 1950,
the date of commencement of the Constitution, and December 30,
1955, the date of commencement of this Act, shall have ceased to be a
citizen of India from the date of such acquisition.
(3) By Deprivation:
• The Central Government is empowered to deprive a citizen of his
citizenship by issuing an order under the act.
• But, this power of the Government may not be used in case of every
citizen; it applies only to those who acquired Indian citizenship by
naturalisation or by virtue only of clause (c) of Article 5 of the
Constitution or by registration.
The possible grounds of such deprivation are:

Notes
• Obtaining of a citizenship certificate by means of fraud, false
representation, concealment of any material fact;
• Disloyalty of disaffection towards the Constitution shown by act or
speech;
• Assisting an enemy with whom India is at war;
• Sentence to imprisonment in any country for a term of not less than
two years within the first five years after the acquisition of Indian
citizenship and
• Continuous residence outside Indian for a period of seven years without
expressing in a prescribed manner his intention to retain his Indian
citizenship.
• The Act also provides for reasonable safeguards in order to see that a
proper procedure is followed in every case of deprivation of citizenship.
SINGLE CITIZENSHIP
• Indian Constitution provides for only a single citizenship, that is, the Indian
citizenship. The citizens in India owe allegiance only to the Union. There is
no separate state citizenship.
• The other federal states like USA and Switzerland, on the other hand,
adopted the system of double citizenship.
• In USA, each person is not only a citizen of USA but also of the particular
state to which he belongs.
• The Constitution of India, like that of Canada, has introduced the system of
single citizenship and provided uniform rights (except in few cases) for the
people of India to promote the feeling of fraternity and unity among them
and to build an integrated Indian nation.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO)
• The Indian diaspora will no longer have to get a visa affixed on their
passports every time they travel to India as the Union government has
decided to do away with the process.
• The government has decided that since the categories Overseas Citizen of
India (OCI) and the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) were merged few years
back, the OCI card will suffice to enter the country and hence would require
no visa.
• In other words, both OCI and PIO don’t need visa to enter the country, only
OCI card will suffice.
Carrying a passport will, however, be mandatory (Check and read recent news
Notes
for more updates on PIO and OCI)
Exercise for you- Learn about OCI, PIO and NRI?
Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019

The conferment of a person, as a citizen of India, is governed by Articles 5 to 11
(Part II) of the Constitution of India. The legislation related to this matter is the
Citizenship Act 1955, which has been amended by the Citizenship
(Amendment) Acts of 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005, 2016 and 2019.
What is Citizenship Act, 1955?

The Act regulates that a person may become an Indian citizen if he is born in
India or has Indian parentage or has resided in the country over a period of
time. However, illegal migrants are prohibited from acquiring Indian
citizenship.
An illegal migrant is a foreigner who:
(i) enters the country without valid travel documents, like a passport and visa,
or
(ii) enters with valid documents, but stays beyond the permitted time period.
Illegal migrants may be imprisoned or deported under the Foreigners Act, 1946
and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920. The 1946 and the 1920 Acts
empower the central government to regulate the entry, exit and residence of
foreigners within India.
The 1955 Act was amended six times — 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005, 2015 and
2019. While the 2003 amendment mandated the government to have a
National Register of Citizens, the latest one seeks to ease the citizenship
process for the persecuted minorities — Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and
Notes
Christian — of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Background:
• CAA 2019 amend the definition of illegal immigrant for Hindu, Sikh,
Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan
and Bangladesh, who have lived in India without documentation.
• They will be granted fast-track Indian citizenship in five years.
Eligibility:
• Applies to the people who were forced to seek shelter in India due to
persecution on the ground of religion.
• The cut-off date was December 31, 2014, which means the applicant
should have entered India on or before that date.
• Indian citizenship, under present law, is given either to those born in
India or if they have resided in the country for a minimum of 11 years.
• According to the 2019 Act, a foreigner may register as an OCI under the
1955 Act if they are of Indian origin (e.g., a former citizen of India or
their descendants) or the spouse of a person of Indian origin.
• The new Act also entitles the OCI cardholders to benefits such as the
right to travel to India and to work and study in the country. However,
the new law permits the cancellation of OCI registration if the person
has violated any law notified by the central government.
Govt stand and criticism:

• Centre says these minority groups have come escaping persecution in
Muslim-majority nations. However, the logic is not consistent – the act
does not protect all religious minorities, nor does it apply to all
neighbors.
• The Ahmedia Muslim sect and even Shias face discrimination in
Pakistan. Rohingya Muslims and Hindus face persecution in
neighbouring Burma, and Hindu and Christian Tamils in neighbouring
Sri Lanka.
• The government responds that Muslims can seek refuge in Islamic
nations, but has not answered the other questions.
Exceptions:
• CAA won’t apply to areas under the sixth schedule of the Constitution –
which deals with autonomous tribal-dominated regions in Assam,
Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• The ACT will also not apply to states that have the inner-line permit
regime (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram).
How is it different from NRC (National Register for Citizens)?

Notes
• The National Register of Citizens or NRC that we saw in Assam targeted
illegal immigrants.
• A person had to prove that either they, or their ancestors were in Assam
on or before March 24, 1971.
• NRC, which may be extended to the rest of the country, is not based on
religion unlike CAA.
Why so much opposition? Arguments by opposition:

• The CAA discriminates Muslim identity by declaring India a welcome
refuge to all other religious communities.
• It seeks to legally establish Muslims as second-class citizens of India by
providing preferential treatment to other groups.
• This violates the Constitution’s Article 14, the fundamental right to
equality to all persons.
• India was not created on the basis of religion, Pakistan was. Only the
Muslim League and the Hindu Right Groups advocated the two-nation
theory of Hindu and Muslim nations, which led to Partition.
All the founders of India were committed to a secular state, where all citizens
irrespective of religion enjoyed full membership.
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IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

Historical Background ................................................................................................................. 5

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

The only source to be followed is:

This document contains topics like Historical Background, Making of

Going through Previous Years Questions (PYQ):

MAINS SYLLABUS/TOPICS of GS PAPER 2

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other

• ‘Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself and is

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

Thumb Rule- Follow this for all the GS Papers (1 to 4)

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

Historical Background Notes

Why we have to study this chapter?

Common problem faced by aspirants:

Solution: It is always easy to remember things in story or pictures. Hope it

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

THE COMPANY RULE (1773–1858) and THE CROWN RULE (1858–1947)

Try to remember 3 Acts under these two rules:

THE COMPANY RULE (1773–1858)

Regulating Act of 1773

Features of the Act:

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

• The Act designated the Governor of Bengal as the ‘Governor-General of

The first such Governor-General was Lord Warren Hastings (1774-1785).

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

So did the Regulating Act help?

Pitt’s India Act of 1784

Crux: Pitt’s India Act

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

Charter Act of 1833

Lord William “BENTINCK” was the first Governor-General of India.

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

• EIC was left as purely administrative body (implement what the

Crux: Charter Act 1833

• Pitt’s India Act created ‘system of double government’ → Commercial and

Charter Act of 1853

Features of the Act

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

also) – Macaulay Committee, the committee on the Indian Civil Service

Crux: Charter Act 1853

Revolt of 1857 or Sepoy Mutiny

• By 1857, the British followed an expansionist policy in India. The policies

The Crown Rule (1858-1947)

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

Government of India Act of 1858

Features of the Act

“Who CAN be the best suitable candidate for VOI?”

• Government of India Act of 1858 ended the ‘system of double

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

Crux GoI 1858

Indian Councils Act of 1861, 1892 and 1909

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2

Indian Councils Act of 1861

Features of the Act:

• This Act made a beginning of representative institutions -- it associated

Crux: ICA, 1861

IASBABA ILP ADVANCE POLITY 2023 –DAY 1 & 2