Polity

Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament, individually and collectively, so that they can “effectively discharge their functions”. When any of these rights and immunities are disregarded, the offence is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under law of Parliament. Rule No 222 in Chapter 20 of the … Read more DMPQ- What is a privilege motion?

Launched by the Hon’ble PM in January, the ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ programme aims to quickly and effectively transform these districts. The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts driven by a mass Movement. With States … Read more DMPQ- Transformation of aspirational districts programme aims to quickly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country. Discuss

The constitution of India has authorised the State to impose certain restrictions on fundamental rights   Restrictions may be put on the right to freedom of speech & expression in the interest of sovereignty , integrity and security of India , friendly relations with foreign states , public order , decency or morality or in … Read more DMPQ- What do you understand by the term reasonable restrictions and also what significance its hold in Indian constitution.

The National People’s Party (NPP) has been recognised as the eighth national party by the Election Commission of India, making it the first regional party of the north-east to be accorded the status. The Election Commission registers political parties for the purpose of elections and grants them recognition as national or state parties on the … Read more DMPQ: What is a National political party. Enumerate the criteria for according the status of National political party.

Free legal aid is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed to all the citizens of the country. Article 21 of the Constitution of India states, “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law”. Hence ensuring legal aid to everyone is necessary for ensuring substantive equality. … Read more DMPQ-Why free legal aid is important as a tool to ensure dispensation of Justice? Discuss the status of free legal aid in India.

NHRC of India is an independent statutory body established on 12 October, 1993 as per provisions of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, later amended in 2006.It is the watchdog of human rights in the country, i.e. the rights related to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by Indian Constitution or embodied in the … Read more DMPQ-There is a need to empower NHRC in the wake of increase in the complexity in the human rights violations. Comment.

Section 53 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code creates a waterfall mechanism, whereby the proceeds from the sale of the liquidation assets in respect of a corporate debtor are required to be distributed in a certain order of priority. Topping the list are the costs associated with insolvency resolution process and liquidation, which are followed … Read more DMPQ: What do you mean by Waterfall mechanism?

ADR is a mechanism of dispute resolution that is non adversarial, i.e. working together co-operatively to reach the best resolution for everyone. ADR can be instrumental in reducing the burden of litigation on courts, while delivering a well-rounded and satisfying experience for the parties involved.It provides the opportunity to “expand the pie” through creative, collaborative … Read more DMPQ- What do you mean by arbitrary dispute resolution mechanism? Explain also the different tools of alternative dispute redressal mechanism.

Need of Independent judiciary: To have rule of law Ensure constitutional ethos and values remain intact. Prevent whims and fancies, arbitrariness of Legislature and Executive To do complete Justice Act as a ray of hope if executives and legislature fail to deliver on democratic and constitutional principles, values and ethos. Ensure Fundamental rights are not … Read more DMPQ- Explain the importance of an Independent judiciary and describe the constitutional provisions to ensure the independence of Judiciary.

In India, right to protest is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. But right to strike is not a fundamental right but a legal right and with this right statutory restriction is attached in the industrial dispute Act, 1947. In the All India Bank Employees Association v. I. T. , … Read more DMPQ- Right to strike is a part of the Fundamental right or not?

The second component under Ayushman Bharat is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna or PM-JAY as it is popularly known. This scheme was launched on 23rd September, 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the largest health assurance scheme in the world which aims … Read more DMPQ- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya yojana.

Rajya Sabha members are elected indirectly by the people, that is, by the MLAs. Members of a state’s Legislative Assembly vote in the Rajya Sabha elections in proportional representation with the single transferable vote (STV) system. Each MLA’s vote is counted only once. To win a Rajya Sabha seat, a candidate should get a required number of votes. That number … Read more DMPQ- Describe the process of election of Rajya sabha member and how it is different then that of Lok sabha member.

Elections have on the evolutionary path of being transparent, more inclusive and efficient. But recently unhealthy practices and patterns have emerged. This patterns are anti to the development of robust democracy. Some of these patterns are as follows: Candidates and winners in assembly are from the affluent section which explicitly shows the nexus between money … Read more DMPQ- Electoral process need to be more fair and transparent as some unhealthy patterns have emerged. Comment

The Van Dhan Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED.  It was launched on 14th April, 2018 and seeks to improve tribal incomes through value addition of tribal products. The scheme will be implemented through Ministry of Tribal Affairs as Nodal Department at the Central Level and TRIFED as Nodal … Read more DMPQ- Van Dhan scheme.

The Lok Sabha, which is the highest legislative body in the country, chooses its Speaker who presides over the day to day functioning of the House.Electing the Speaker of the House is one of the first acts of newly constituted House.The office of the Speaker is a Constitutional Office. The Speaker is guided by the … Read more DMPQ- Lok sabha speaker is apolitical post but the politicisation of the post is regular affair. Comment

Act of parliament relating to following matters would not apply to Nagaland unless state assembly so decides: ? Religious & social practices of Nagas ? Nagas customary law & procedure ? Administration of civil or criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law ? Ownership & transfer of land & its resources Special responsibility … Read more DMPQ-Special status is accorded to Nagaland under article 371A. What are the different provisions of the article?

The purported objective of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) is the establishment of a Nagalim (Greater Nagaland), consisting of all the Naga-inhabited areas of neighbouring Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and some portions Myanmar, which it considers to be the rightful homeland of the Nagas. Slated to be an independent State, the Nagalim lies … Read more DMPQ-What do you understand by the term Greater Nagaligam?

The Constitution provides a scheme for demarcation of powers through three ‘lists’ in the seventh schedule. The aim of the concurrent list was to ensure uniformity across the country where independently both centre and state can legislate. However, there is increasing centralization of power vis a vis Concurrent list which is axiomatic- Since 1950, the … Read more DMPQ-Concurrent list subjects have become the area of tension between union and state government. Comment

The Act seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to provide for road safety.  The Act provides for grant of licenses and permits related to motor vehicles, standards for motor vehicles, and penalties for violation of these provisions. Salient features of the act are as follows: Compensation for road accident victims:The central government will … Read more DMPQ-What are the salient features of Motor vehicle amendment act, 2019?

Article 32 – Right to Constitutional Remedies is referred to as ‘Heart & Soul’ of the Indian Constitution by Mr. B. R. Ambedkar. Article 32 provides for right to constitutional remedies through which a person may approach the Supreme Court on violation of his/her fundamental rights. Part III provides for fundamental right to all the persons … Read more DMPQ-Why article 32 is termed as heart and soul of the Indian constitution?

Public Accounts Committee was introduced in 1921 after its first mention in Government of India Act, 1919 also called Montford Reforms. It is existing in Indian Constitution since then. It is one of the parliamentary committees that examine the annual audit reports of CAG which President lays before the Parliament of India. Those three reports submitted by … Read more DMPQ-Write a short note on Public accounts committee and Estimate committee.

According to Article 112 of the Indian Constitution, the Union Budget of a year is referred to as the Annual Financial Statement (AFS). It is a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government in a financial year (which begins on 01 April of the current year and ends on 31 March of the following year). In addition … Read more DMPQ- What is the process of government budgeting in the Parliament?

The Code on Wages, 2019 seeks to regulate wage and bonus payments in all employments where any industry, trade, business, or manufacture is carried out.  The Code replaces the following four laws: (i) the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, (ii) the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, (iii) the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, and (iv) the … Read more DMPQ- What are the objectives of Code on wages act 2019? Write down the salient Features.

The fundamental right under Article 21 is one of the most important rights provided under the Constitution which has been described as the heart of fundamental rights by the Apex Court in Unni Krishnans case. The objective of the fundamental right under Article 21 is to prevent encroachment upon personal liberty and deprivation of life … Read more DMPQ- Right to life under article 21 scope and meaning has been increased by Judicial pronouncement to a higher level. Comment

Article 61 of the constitution provides for the impeachment procedure of President.  The impeachment can be done on the basis of violation of the constitution. No such charge shall be preferred unless- the proposal to prefer such charge is contained in a resolution which has been moved after at least fourteen days’ notice in writing … Read more DMPQ- Impeachment of President under article 61 is a difficult task to achieve. Comment

A pressure group is a group of people who are organised actively for promoting and defending their common interest. It is so called as it attempts to bring a change in public policy by exerting pressure on the government. It acts as a liaison between the government and its members. Example: All India Trade Union … Read more DMPQ- How Pressure groups affect the Political structure and its dynamics across the country.

The essence of federalism lies in the sharing of legal sovereignty by the union and the federation units. This separation of power is done through list system enshrined in 7th schedule of the constitution. There are Union list ( Centre law making zone), State list ( state law making zone), Concurrent list ( both can … Read more DMPQ-Concurrent list in the constitution is source of tension between Centre and state. Comment

PRAGATI is an information and communications technology-based platform for, as the name reveals, pro-active governance and timely implementation. It was launched in 2015. It is an interactive and integrated platform chiefly for addressing the grievances of the common man, while at the same time, monitoring government projects and programmes/schemes. The platform was designed by the … Read more DMPQ- Write short note on PRAGATI.

State governments generally have exclusive right to make laws on state subjects but there are instances when Parliament can legislate on state subjects. Circumstances under which Parliament can make laws on matters enumerated in the State list: Article 249: When Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by two-thirds of the member present and voting, declaring … Read more DMPQ- State governments in India don’t enjoy exclusive power to make law on state subjects. Comment.

In reality the parliamentary control over the executive is more theoretical than practical. The following factors are responsible for this: The administration has grown in volume and the Parliament has neither the time nor the expertise to control it. Parliamentarians are usually laymen who face difficulty in understanding the demands for grants which is technical … Read more DMPQ- Parliamentary control over executive is on decline. Discuss the factors responsible for it.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides an alternative approach to traditional process of dispute resolution through litigation. It provides accessible, useful, informal, voluntary, speedy and inexpensive justice to contesting parties. ADR mechanisms in India inter-alia include arbitration, mediation/ conciliation, Lok Adalats and Consumer Dispute Redressal system. Significance of ADR: Mediation can play a very useful role … Read more DMPQ- What do you mean by Alternative dispute resolution? What are the significance of ADR?

The principle of subsidiarity means that a central authority should not exercise functions which can be carried out efficiently by immediate or local level, rather it should support the latter and help coordinate its activity with the activities of the whole community. It ensures that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen … Read more DMPQ- What do you mean by the Principle of subsidiarity.

Above articles were added by the 103rd constitutional amendment act. The aim of the amendment is to provide reservation upto 10% to economic weaker section. It is above the existing quota of reservation. Art 15(6) –  Provided for the reservation in education Institute. Art 16(6)- Provided for reservation in employment to government jobs. They are … Read more DMPQ- Art 15(6) and art 16(6) introduced recently in Indian Constitution aimed for positive discrimination. Critically analyse.

The President is the head of the Indian State. He is the first citizen of India and acts as a symbol of unity, integrity and solidarity of the nation. He is an integral part of the Parliament though he is not a member of either House. As an integral part of Parliament, the President has … Read more DMPQ- Enumerate the different powers of the President of India.

Power of pardon under Article 73 and 161 by the Constitution is different from judicial power as the governor or the President can grant pardon or reduce the sentence of the court even if a minimum is prescribed. The scope of the pardoning power of the President under Article 72 is wider than the pardoning power … Read more DMPQ- Difference between the Pardoning power of Governor and President.

The provisions for the actual conduct of elections to the Houses of Parliament and the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, the qualifications and disqualifications for the membership of these Houses, the corrupt practices and other election offences, and the decision of election disputes were all left to be made in a … Read more DMPQ- How Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 is effective in strengthening of roots of democracy? Explain

Public Interest Litigation means a legal action initiated in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest or general interest in which the public or class of the community have pecuniary interest or some interest by which their legal rights or liabilities are affected.  The introduction of PIL in India was facilitated by … Read more DMPQ- What do you mean by PIL? How effective PIL is ensuring social justice.

Sovereign: India is internally and externally sovereign – externally free from the control of any foreign power and internally, it has a free government which is directly elected by the people and makes laws that govern the people. No external power can dictate the government of India.   Republic: As opposed to a monarchy, in which the head of state is … Read more DMPQ- Explain the following terms in the Preamble: A) Sovereign B) Republic C) Socialist

As per constitution, there are two types of Houses i.e. Lok sabha and Rajya sabha in the Parliament. Rajya sabha provides representation to states and is upper chamber of the house. The power balance is tilted slightly towards Lok sabha which can be gauged from following provisions: Money Bill: A Money Bill can be introduced … Read more DMPQ- Rajya Sabha is not so powerful as compared to Lok Sabha. Comment on the statement.

Anti defection was brought up by the 52nd amendment act which brought changes in the 4 article and added X schedule of the constitution. The main aim was to prevent defection, when one member leave a political party and joins another. The act was aimed to provide stability to the political party and prevent aaya … Read more DMPQ- . The role of individual MPs have diminished over the years and as it result healthy constructive debate on policy issues are not closely witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti defection law which was legislated but with different intention.

Comptroller and Auditor general is a constitutional body sanctioned by article 148 of the constitution. Its work is to audit the expenditure incurred by government of India, Government of state from consolidated fund of India, Contingency fund of India, Public accounts of India. Its function is to prepare audit reports on appropriation, finance and public … Read more DMPQ- Autonomous functioning of CAG is an important part to keep our democracy vibrant. Discuss the provisions provided in the constitution to have free functioning of CAG.

Since auditing is a task of impartial evaluation of the performance of governmental functions, it requires autonomy for the CAG. Constitution has thereby secured independence via following provisions: He is appointed by the President by a warrant under his hand and seal and his oath of office requires him to uphold the Constitution of India … Read more DMPQ- What are the safeguards provided in the constitution for effective functioning of CAG?

The Parliamentary system of government refers to “a system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature. Reasons for adopting Parliamentary government are as follows: Because of the familiarity with the previous government of India act 1909,1919 … Read more DMPQ- Why our constitutional makers adopted parliamentary form of government?

Legislative Council or Vidhan Parishad is the upper house in bicameral legislatures in some states of India. Article 169 of the constitution of India deals with the creation or abolition of State Legislative Councils. The power of abolition and creation of the State legislative council is vested in Parliament of India as per article 169. To create … Read more DMPQ- What is the procedure for the formation of legislative council?

Article 123 of the Constitution grants the President certain law-making powers to promulgate ordinances during the recess of Parliament. These ordinances have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament but are in the nature of temporary laws.  Similarly power is given under article 213 to governor of states. Issues associated with the … Read more DMPQ: Ordinance making power is an emergency power but in Indian constitutional history this power has been surrounded with issues. Explain the issue involved with ordinance making power.

Indian constitution with strong centre but it has federal elements too like dual polity, law making ability is vested separately to centre and states. Dual executives are also there but here are some provisions in the constitution which makes the federation with strong centre: Single Constitution: There are no separate constitutions for the States. In a … Read more DMPQ: Indian constitution is federation with strong centralist tendencies. Comment

“The makers of our Constitution envisaged the role of the Rajya Sabha along three axes: as a legislative chamber of elders discussing, revising or delaying legislation as per need; as an institution where interests of the states of the Indian Union could be projected and safeguarded and; as a deliberative chamber where greater and diverse … Read more DMPQ-“Healthy bicameralism is predicated on the constructive relationship between Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.” Analyse the contemporary relevance of the statement.

Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to make such order as is necessary for doing “complete justice” in any matter before it. Article 142 is conceived to give the apex court the powers to meet the situation(s) which cannot be effectively tackled by existing provisions of law. Over the years, the apex court has often … Read more DMPQ-Though the provision was used many times for the good of deprived sections, the Supreme Court’s vast powers under the Article 142 raise important concerns. Discuss, along with the need for checks and balances to uphold the doctrine of separation of powers.

The status of “Right to privacy” under the Constitution has not been settled as yet in India. In fact in M.P. Sharma vs. Satish Chandra 1954, an 8-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that it is not a fundamental right and this decision of the Supreme Court has not been overruled by the Supreme … Read more DMPQ-Right to privacy has been elusive in India and the absence of a law specifying safeguards to privacy increases the risk of infringement of this right. This is accentuated by the myriad of sources collecting information about the citizens. Do you think there is a threat to privacy in India and to what extent can a law mitigate them?

Dr. Ambedker’s objection was premised on the potential frailty in individual decision making, howsoever wise the person may be. As President acts on the advice of Council of Ministers, it was thought that “consultation” with Chief Justice of India (CJI) is better than the President being required to concur with the opinion of Chief Justice … Read more DMPQ-“Dr. Ambedkar’s objection to the concurrence of Chief Justice in India in the appointment of Judges was legally allayed by the Second and Third Judges Cases.” Explain the statement in the light of the Judgment of the Apex Court in the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association Vs. Union of India, 2015 (Fourth Judges case). Also explain why the Supreme Court did not consider it as necessary to review the Second and Third Judges decisions.