Questions
2 questions per paper
Difficulty
Medium
Importance
High yield for CTET/DSSSB
Overview
Indian Government and Politics forms the backbone of Civics and Social Science sections in teaching recruitment exams like CTET and DSSSB. It provides a structural understanding of how the Indian state functions, requiring aspirants to grasp the division of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Mastering this topic is essential for scoring in the general awareness segment, as questions are often direct and fact-based.
Union & State Executive
The executive branch is responsible for the implementation of laws and the administration of the country. At the Union level, it consists of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers, while the State level mirrors this structure with the Governor and Chief Minister.
- President is the formal Head of State; Prime Minister is the real executive head.
- Article 52–78 covers the Union Executive; Article 153–167 covers the State Executive.
- Governor is appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the President.
- Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
Legislature: Parliament & State Assemblies
The legislature is the law-making body of the Indian political system. It follows a bicameral structure at the center with the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and Lok Sabha (Lower House), and many states follow a similar pattern.
- Rajya Sabha represents the states and is a permanent house (1/3rd members retire every 2 years).
- Lok Sabha is the House of the People, directly elected by the public.
- Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
- Joint sitting of Parliament is summoned by the President under Article 108.
- Quorum for any house meeting is 1/10th of the total membership.
Judiciary
The Indian judiciary is an integrated and independent system with the Supreme Court at the apex, followed by High Courts and Subordinate Courts. It acts as the guardian of the Constitution and the final interpreter of laws.
- Supreme Court judges retire at the age of 65; High Court judges at 62.
- Article 32 allows citizens to move to the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
- Judicial Review is the power to declare laws unconstitutional.
- Judges are appointed via the Collegium System.
Political Parties & Elections
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ensures the democratic process through free and fair elections. This section covers the classification of national versus state parties and the role of the ECI in maintaining the electoral roll.
- Election Commission is an independent body established under Article 324.
- Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately upon the announcement of elections.
- National Party status is determined by performance in Lok Sabha or State Assembly elections.
- Universal Adult Franchise grants voting rights to all citizens aged 18 and above.
Exam Tip
Focus on the specific Articles related to the President, the Emergency provisions, and the Fundamental Rights, as these are the most frequently tested areas in teacher recruitment exams.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the discretionary powers of the President with those of the Governor.
- Assuming the Rajya Sabha has equal power to the Lok Sabha in financial matters.
- Misidentifying the retirement ages for Supreme Court vs. High Court judges.
More Revision Notes
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