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Difference between plebiscite and referendum?
There is no clear cut demarcation between the plebiscites and referendums. Although both are important tools for direct democracy. Some of the key differences between both of them are as follows:-
| Characteristic | Plebiscite | Referendum |
| Bindingness | Non-binding | Binding |
| Frequency | Less common | More common |
| Purpose | To gauge public opinion | To make a decision on a specific policy or law |
| Example | The 1938 plebiscite in Germany | The 2011 referendum in Ireland |
Directive Principles of State Policy in the Part IV of the Constitution of India. The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy is borrowed from the Irish Constitution. The Directive Principles are non-justiciable in nature.
Article related to Directive Principles of State Policy:-
36. Definition of State
37. Application of the principles contained in this part.
38. State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people.
39. Certain principles of policy to be followed by the state.
39A.Equal justice and free legal aid.
40.Organisation of village panchayats.
41.Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases
42.Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
43.Living wage, etc., for workers
43A.Participation of workers in management of industries.
43B.Promotion of co-operative societies
44.Uniform civil code for the citizens
45.Provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years.
46.Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections
47.Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health
48. Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry
48A.Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife.
49. Protection of monuments and places and objects of national importance
50.Separation of judiciary from executive
51.Promotion of international peace and security
Important Amendments related to Directive Principles of State Policy:-
42nd Amendment Added
1. To secure opportunities for healthy development of children (Article 39).
2. To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor (Article 39 A).
3. To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries (Article 43 A).
4. To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wild life (Article 48 A)
The 44th Amendment
Added one more which requires the State to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities (Article 38).
The 86th Amendment Act of 2002
Changed the subject-matter of Article 45 and made elementary education a fundamental right under Article 21 A.
The 97th Amendment Act of 2011
Requires the state to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies (Article 43B).
Constitution of India has given six Fundamental Rights to Every Citizen of India. These are
Fundamental Rights can be suspended during Emergency except rights guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21.
Equality Articles:-
1. Equality before Law (Article 14)
2. Prohibition of discrimimantion on the ground of religion, race, sex etc, (Article 15)
3. Euality of opportunity in the matter of public employment (Article 16)
4. Abolition of untouchability (Article 17)
5. Abolition of titles (Article 18)
Panchayati Raj – Local Self-Government
Constitutional Amendment – 73rd
Amendment Year- 1992
Part – IX
Article – 243 to 243-O
Committee – Balwant Rai Mehta
Rajasthan Was the First State
First District – Nagaur 2nd October 1959 (Rajasthan)
Q. Fundamental Duties took From?
Ans. USSR (Now Russia)
Q. Fundamental Duties of citizens were added?
Ans. by the 42nd Amendment
Q. 42nd Amendment Year?
Ans. 1976
Q. Government during 42nd Amendment?
Ans. National Congress and Indira Gandhi was PM
Q. Fundamental Duties added upon the recommendations of?
Ans. Swaran Singh Committee
Q. Number of Fundamental Duties?
Ans. Originally 10, Currently 11
Q. Last Fundamental Duties added by?
Ans 86th Amendment in 2002
The Union Executive consists of President, Vice-President & Prime Minister, council of ministers, attorney general of India. President is the head of the Union Executive.
Articles 52 to 78 in Part ‘5’ deal with Union executive
President – Article 52
Election (Article 54):-
President of India elected by electoral college members. Electoral college consists of elected members of both houses of Parliament, elected members of states & union territories legislative assemblies
Qualifications Of President:-
1. He should be a citizen of India
2. Have completed the age of 35
3. Should be qualified for election as a member of Lok Sabha
4. He must not hold any office of profit
Oath (Article – 60):-
Oath of Office to the President is administered by the Chief Justice of India.
Removal Of President (Article – 61):-
The only ground for impeachment of President is “violation of constitution”. Impeachment is a quasi-judicial.
Impeachment charges can be initiated by either House of Parliament.
These charges should be signed by 1/4 members of that house in which impeachment is initiated.
A 14 days notice is given to President.
The resolution is then passed by 2/3 of the total membership of that house an then it is sent to other house for investigation.
If the other house also passed the impeachment resolution by majority of 2/3 of total members of that house then President stands removed from his office.
No President has so far been impeached.
Tenure of President
5 Years (He can resign anytime by addressing the resignation letter to Vice-President)
Powers:-
Executive Powers
Legislative Powers
Military Powers
Diplomatic Powers
Financial Powers
Emergency Powers
Judicial Powers
What is Money Bill?
Money Bills – Article 110
Lok Sabha Speaker decides a bill is money bill or not
It is introduced only in Lok Sabha
It can be introduced only on the recommendation of President
It cannot be amended or rejected by Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha can hold the bill for maximum 14 Days
It can be rejected or approved but cannot be returned by President
Indian Polity Quiz 2:-
Q.1 Indian Parliament Consists of
Ans. President, Rajya Sabha & Lok Sabha
Q.2 Constituation of India was adopted on
Ans 26 Novermber 2016
Q.3 If Prime Minister of India submits his resignation, then it means the resignation of
Ans Prime Minister & Cabinet Ministers
Q.4 First five year plan was based on
Ans. Harrod Domar Model
Q.5 Constitutional Amendment bill, by which lower the voting rate from 21 to 18 year
Ans 61st
Polity Quiz 1:-
Q.1 Who was first Speaker of Lok Sabha?
(a) G.V. Mavalankar
(b) C.D Deshmukh
(c) M. N. Kaul
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Q.2 Annual Financial Statement of economy to be laid by Government on table of Parliament before 31 March, Every Year – Article
(a) Article 148
(b) Article 112
(c) Article 240
(d) Article 143
Q3. Who has the authority to remove the Vice President from his office before the expiry of his term?
(a) Rajya Sabha
(b) Lok Sabha
(c) Parliament
(d) Supreme Court
Q4. The President gives his resignation letter to the
(a) Chief Justice of India
(b) Speaker
(c) Vice President
(d) Prime Minister
Q5. The Constitution of India provides for an Election Commission under Article
(a) 321
(b) 322
(c) 323
(d) 324
Answers:-
1. G.V. Mavalankar
2. Article 112
3. Parliament
4. Vice President
5. Article 324