Basics in Indian Polity

Syllabus and Terminology

Prelims – Polity SyllabusIndian Polity and Governance • Constitution• Political System,• Panchayati Raj• Public Policy• Rights Issues

• Constitution• Governance• Polity• Social Justice• International Relations

Mains – Polity Syllabus

Mains Syllabus - Constitution1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features,

amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.2. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues

and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

3. Separation of powers between various organs - dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.

4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries

5. Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

Mains Syllabus - Polity• Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and

the Judiciary - Ministries and Departments of the Government; • Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their

role in the Polity• Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers,

functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies• Government policies and interventions for development in

various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Mains Syllabus - Social Justice • Development processes and the development industry-

the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders

• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Mains syllabus - Governance

• Important aspects of governance• Transparency and accountability• e-governance- applications, models, successes,

limitations, and potential; • Citizens charters, transparency & accountability and

institutional and other measures.• Role of civil services in a democracy.

Mains Syllabus – International Relations

• India and its neighborhood- relations.• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and

agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

• Indian diaspora.• Important International institutions, agencies

and fora- their structure, mandate.

Polity Politics Political Science

1.A geographic area with a corresponding Government

2. Thomas Hobbes considered bodies politic in this sense in Leviathan

1. Achieving and exercising positions of governance

2. It is the practice and theory of influencing other people on a civic or individual level.

1.A study of the state, nation, government, and politics and policies of government

2. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state

LeviathanIt is a book written by

Thomas Hobbes in 1651

The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory

Government 1. Government is the means

by which state policy is enforced, as well as the mechanism for determining the policy of the state.

2. Government in a democracy consists of - legislature, executive and Judiciary

Legislature• It is the law making

body • Examples – 1. India – Parliament2. States – Assembly3. US – Congress4. UK – Parliament5. Pakistan- Majlis-e-

Shoora6. Japan - Diet

Executive• Law enforcing /

Implementing agency• It includes – 1. President2. Prime Minister3. Council of Ministers4. Chief Minister5. Governor6. King / Queen7. Dictator

Standard of the President of India1st quarter: state emblem

(the lions of Sarnath) to represent national unity;

2nd quarter: elephant from Ajanta Caves to represent patience and strength

3rd quarter: scales from the Red Fort, Old Delhi to represent justice

4th quarter: lotus vase from Sarnath to represent prosperity

Judiciary• Law interpretative

Agency • Examples – 1. India – Supreme Court2. US – Federal Court3. UK – Supreme court

Governance• It is the act of

governing.• A networked

Government• Government working

with - a. Market b. Civil Society

Govt

Civil Society

Market

Panchayat Raj

• It is an "assembly" (ayat) of five (panch) wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community.

Panchayat Raj Structure

Gram Panchayat

Panchayat Samiti• Intermediate

Panchayat• Block level

Panchayat• Tehsil • Mandal Parishat • Kshetra Panchayat

Taluka

Zilla Parishat• District level

local body• District council• District

Panchayat• Zilla Panchayat

Public Policy• PP is what ever the

government chooses to do or not to do• Most Powerful

Policy making body – The Cabinet

Rights• Rights are the privileges

offered by the state • Rights are not optional• They are not Charity• They are the

entitlements of the citizens

• If you ignore them they ignore you

• Every Human has rights