INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Unit 1: Introduction to Indian Constitution

1.1.

Indian Constitution

11

1.1.1.

Introduction

11

1.1.2.

Salient Features of Indian Constitution

11

1.1.3.

Composition: Making of the Indian Constitution

16

1.1.4.

Official Language & Schedules in Constitution

17

1.1.5.

Importance of Indian Constitution

18

1.2.

Constitutional Organs

19

1.3.

Union Legislature

20

1.3.1.

Union (Indian) Parliament

20

1.3.2.

Features of Union Parliament

21

1.3.3.

Functions of Union Parliament

22

1.3.4.

Composition of Union Parliament

24

1.3.5.

Qualifications of Members of Parliament

25

1.3.6.

Disqualification of Members of Parliament

26

1.3.7.

Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members

26

1.3.8.

Powers of Parliament

28

1.3.9.

Sessions of Parliament

31

1.3.10.

Joint Session of Parliament

31

1.4.

Union Executive

31

1.4.1.

Members of the Union Executive

32

1.4.2.

President of India

32

1.4.2.1.

Electron of President

33

1.4.2.2.

Qualifications of President

34

1.4.2.3.

Powers and Functions of the President

34

1.4.2.4.

VETO Power of the President

36

1.4.3.

Vice President

37

1.4.3.1.

Qualifications of Vice President

38

1.4.3.2.

Election of Vice President

38

1.4.3.3.

Powers and Functions of Vice President

38

1.4.4.

Prime Minister

39

1.4.4.1.

Qualifications of Prime Minister

40

1.4.4.2.

Appointment of Prime Minister

40

1.4.4.3.

Powers and Functions of Prime Minister

41

1.4.5.

Union Council of Ministers

42

1.4.5.1.

Features of Council of Ministers

42

1.4.5.2.

Appointment of Council of Ministers

43

1.4.5.3.

Powers and Functions of the Cabinet

43

1.4.5.4.

Term of Office

43

1.4.6.

Attorney-General of India

43

1.5.

Judiciary

44

1.5.1.

Introduction

44

1.5.2.

Functions of Judiciary

44

1.5.3.

Organisation of Judiciary

45

1.5.4.

Supreme Court of India (Union Judiciary)

47

1.5.5.

High Court

52

1.5.6.

Subordinate Courts

55

1.6.

PIL (Public Interest Litigation)

56

1.6.1.

Introduction

56

1.6.2.

Features of Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

57

1.6.3.

Objectives of Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

58

1.6.4.

Who can file a Public Interest Litigation?

58

1.6.5.

Process to file a Public Interest Litigation

58

1.6.6.

Supreme Court Guidelines for Admitting PIL

59

1.6.7.

Significance of Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

59

1.6.8.

Cases Related Public Interest Litigation

60

1.7.

Citizenship

61

1.7.1.

Meaning and Definition of Citizenship

61

1.7.2.

Principles of Citizenship

62

1.7.3.

Citizenship related Provisions in Constitution

62

1.7.4.

Citizenship Act, 1955

64

1.7.5.

Termination of Citizenship

66

1.8.

Exercise

67

Unit 2: Emergency Provisions & Amendments to Constitution

2.1.

Emergency

76

2.1.1.

Introduction

76

2.1.2.

Types of Emergency

76

2.1.3.

National Emergency

76

2.1.3.1.

Constitutional Provisions Related to National Emergency

77

2.1.3.2.

Grounds of Declaration of National Emergency

77

2.1.3.3.

Procedure for Proclamation

77

2.1.3.4.

Parliamentary Approval of National Emergency

78

2.1.3.5.

Duration of National Emergency

78

2.1.3.6.

Revocation of Proclamation of National Emergency

78

2.1.3.7.

Effects of National Emergency

79

2.1.3.8.

Significance of National Emergency

80

2.1.3.9.

Criticism of National Emergency

80

2.1.3.10.

Occurrences of National Emergency in India

81

2.1.4.

President’s Rule/State Emergency

82

2.1.5.

Financial Emergency

86

2.2.

Amendment to Constitution

88

2.2.1.

Introduction

88

2.2.2.

Procedure for Amendment to the Indian Constitution

88

2.2.3.

Types of Amendments in Indian Constitution

89

2.2.3.1.

By Simple Majority of Parliament

89

2.2.3.2.

By Special Majority of Parliament

89

2.2.3.3.

By Special Majority of the Parliament and Consent of Half States

90

2.2.4.

Important Constitutional Amendments till Today

90

2.2.5.

Significance of the Constitutional Amendment

92

2.2.6.

Limitations of the Constitutional Amendment

92

2.3.

Exercise

93

Unit 3: Fundamental Rights

3.1.

Fundamental Rights

102

3.1.1.

Introduction

102

3.1.2.

Nature/ Features of the Fundamental Rights

102

3.1.3.

Significance of Fundamental Rights

103

3.1.4.

Kinds/ Types of Rights

104

3.2.

Fundamental Rights Enshrined in Article 14 to 32

106

3.2.1.

Right to Equality [Articles 14 to 18]

107

3.2.2.

Fundamental Freedom [Article 19 to 22] - Expansion by Judicial Interpretation

109

3.2.3.

Right Enshrined in Article 19

109

3.2.3.1.

Freedom of Speech and Expression [Article 19(1) (a)]

110

3.2.3.2.

Freedom of Assembly [Article 19(1) (b)]

112

3.2.3.3.

Freedom of Associations or Unions [Article 19(1) (c)]

113

3.2.3.4.

Freedom of Movement [Article 19(1) (d)]

114

3.2.3.5.

Freedom of Residence [Article 19(1) (e)]

115

3.2.3.6.

Freedom of Profession or Occupation or Trade or Business [Article 19(1) (g)]

115

3.2.4.

Right Enshrined in Article 20 - Protection in Respect of Conviction for Offenses

116

3.2.5.

Right to Life & Personal Liberty [Enshrined in Article 21]

117

3.2.6.

Right Protection against Arrest and Detention in Certain Cases [Enshrined in Article 22]

118

3.2.7.

Right against Exploitation [Articles 23 to 24]

119

3.2.8.

Right to Freedom of Religion [Articles 25 to 28]

120

3.2.9.

Cultural and Educational Rights [Articles 29 to 30]

122

3.2.10.

Right to Constitutional Remedies [Article 32]

122

3.2.11.

Reasonable Restriction on Fundamental Right’s

123

3.3.

Exercise

124

Unit 4: Inter-relationship between Fundamental Rights & Directive Principles

4.1.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)

132

4.1.1.

Introduction

132

4.1.2.

Nature of Directive Principles

133

4.1.3.

Classification of Directive Principles

133

4.1.4.

Implementation of Directive Principles

137

4.1.5.

Constitutional Amendments Related to Directive Principles

138

4.1.6.

Directives Contained in Other Parts of the Constitution

139

4.1.7.

Relevance of Directive Principles in Indian Society

140

4.1.8.

Criticism of Directive Principles