General Studies 2

Parliament: Composition and Duration

Constitutional Provision for Parliament Articles 79 to 122 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organisation, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges, powers and so on of the Parliament. Composition of Parliament President Rajya Sabha / Council of States/ … Continue reading

Posted in General Studies 2, Polity |

Cabinet Committees

What is it? Cabinet committees are extra-constitutional in nature. They are not mentioned in the Constitution. These are established under the Rules of Business. Cabinet committees are of two types–standing and ad hoc. Standing committees are of a permanent nature, … Continue reading

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Central Council of Ministers

Constitutional Provisions Under Part V: Article 74 – 78 deal with provision of council of ministers. Articles Article 74: Council of Ministers to Aid and Advise the President There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at … Continue reading

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Vulnerable Sections: Scheduled Castes

Scheduled Castes The Scheduled Castes (SC) are defined under Article 341 of the Indian Constitution, and they comprise about 16.6 % of India’s population (2011 Census).  Punjab, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh have the highest share of the SC population. … Continue reading

Posted in General Studies 2, Social Justice |

Self Help Groups (SHG)

Self Help Groups (SHG) Definition: SHGs are typically small groups of people (usually women) from similar socio-economic backgrounds who come together voluntarily to form a group for mutual support, saving, and lending practices. Objectives Financial Inclusion: SHGs aim to provide … Continue reading

Posted in General Studies 2, Social Justice |

Manual Scavenging

Manual Scavenging Manual scavenging refers to the unsafe and manual removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers”. Manual scavenging is the “most inhuman” and violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed under … Continue reading

Posted in General Studies 2, Social Justice |

Prime Minister: Functions and Roles

Relating to the Council of Ministers(CoM) Recommending individuals for appointment as ministers by the President, who can only appoint those recommended by the Prime Minister. Assigning and reassigning portfolios among ministers. Asking for a minister’s resignation or advising the President … Continue reading

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Prime Minister: Appointments and Powers

Basics In the parliamentary system of government, the President is the nominal executive authority (de jure executive) and the Prime Minister is the real executive authority (de facto executive). Appointment of the Prime Minister According to Article 75, the Prime … Continue reading

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Vice-President

Constitutional Provisions Article 63 – 71 in Part V deals with the constitutional provision of vice – president. Election Elected indirectly The Electoral college consists of both elected and nominated members of parliament. Election through proportional representation systems, with a … Continue reading

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President: Ordinance Making and Clemency Powers

Ordinance Making What is it? Article 123 of the Indian Constitution grants the President of India certain Lawmaking powers, i.e., to Promulgate Ordinances when either of the two Houses of the Parliament is not in session, which makes it impossible … Continue reading

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