Indian Polity: An Overview

Indian polity, or the political system of India, is a fascinating and complex structure rooted in its historical, cultural, and socio-economic context. Governed by the longest written constitution in the world, India's political framework combines the best elements of various global political systems, adapted to suit its unique needs and circumstances. This article provides an overview of the key features of Indian polity, its constitution, and its functioning.

The Constitution of India

The Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950, is the supreme law of the land. It lays down the framework that defines political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, often called the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, played a pivotal role in its drafting.

Key Features of the Indian Constitution:

  1. Federal Structure with Unitary Bias:

    • India is a federal union of states with a strong central government. The Constitution divides powers between the central government and the state governments, but the central government holds more authority, especially in times of emergency.

  2. Parliamentary System:

    • India follows a parliamentary system of government, both at the centre and in the states. The President is the head of the state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Parliament consists of two houses – the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

  3. Secular State:

    • India is a secular country, meaning there is no official state religion. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens.

  4. Independent Judiciary:

    • The judiciary in India is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Supreme Court is the apex court, followed by High Courts and subordinate courts. It plays a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution and acts as its guardian.

  5. Fundamental Rights and Duties:

    • The Constitution provides a comprehensive list of Fundamental Rights to its citizens, including the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies. It also enumerates the Fundamental Duties of citizens.

  6. Directive Principles of State Policy:

    • These principles, though non-justiciable, guide the government in making policies and laws aimed at establishing a just society. They reflect the ideals that the state should strive to achieve.

Political System

Central Government:

  1. The President:

    • The President of India is the ceremonial head of the state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college for a five-year term.

  2. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers:

    • The Prime Minister is the head of government and is appointed by the President. The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers, which is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

  3. Parliament:

    • The bicameral Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha members are elected by the state legislatures.

State Government:

  1. Governor:

    • The Governor is the ceremonial head of a state, appointed by the President of India. The Governor acts on the advice of the state's Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.

  2. Chief Minister and Council of Ministers:

    • The Chief Minister is the head of the state government and is appointed by the Governor. The Chief Minister leads the Council of Ministers, which is collectively responsible to the state legislature.

  3. State Legislature:

    • The states can have either a unicameral or bicameral legislature. In states with a bicameral system, the legislative assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the lower house, and the legislative council (Vidhan Parishad) is the upper house.

Electoral System

India has a robust and independent election commission that conducts free and fair elections at regular intervals. The Election Commission of India is responsible for administering election processes at both the central and state levels. The country follows a first-past-the-post electoral system for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections.


Indian Polity MCQs

1. Which of the following is not a Fundamental Right under the Indian Constitution?

a) Right to Equality
b) Right to Freedom
c) Right to Property
d) Right against Exploitation

Answer: c) Right to Property

2. The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution are borrowed from which country’s Constitution?

a) USA
b) Ireland
c) Canada
d) UK

Answer: b) Ireland

3. Who is the head of the executive in India?

a) President
b) Prime Minister
c) Chief Justice of India
d) Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Answer: a) President

4. How many members are there in the Lok Sabha?

a) 250
b) 275
c) 543
d) 552

Answer: c) 543

5. Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with the Union and its Territory?

a) Part I
b) Part II
c) Part III
d) Part IV

Answer: a) Part I

6. Which amendment to the Constitution of India included Fundamental Duties?

a) 42nd Amendment
b) 44th Amendment
c) 52nd Amendment
d) 61st Amendment

Answer: a) 42nd Amendment

7. The President of India can declare a National Emergency under which Article of the Constitution?

a) Article 352
b) Article 356
c) Article 360
d) Article 368

Answer: a) Article 352

8. The power to establish a High Court for a Union Territory lies with which body?

a) Parliament
b) President
c) Supreme Court
d) Prime Minister

Answer: a) Parliament

9. The term 'bicameral legislature' refers to:

a) A single legislative body
b) Two legislative bodies
c) A judiciary and legislature
d) None of the above

Answer: b) Two legislative bodies

10. The 'Right to Information' is a part of which fundamental right?

a) Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression
b) Right to Equality
c) Right to Constitutional Remedies
d) Right to Life and Personal Liberty

Answer: a) Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression

11. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the impeachment of the President?

a) Article 52
b) Article 56
c) Article 61
d) Article 72

Answer: c) Article 61

12. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Vice President
d) Chief Justice of India

Answer: b) President

13. The minimum age required to become a member of the Rajya Sabha is:

a) 25 years
b) 30 years
c) 35 years
d) 40 years

Answer: b) 30 years

14. Which part of the Constitution of India deals with the Panchayats?

a) Part VIII
b) Part IX
c) Part X
d) Part XI

Answer: b) Part IX

15. Which of the following is not a Union Territory of India?

a) Chandigarh
b) Lakshadweep
c) Uttarakhand
d) Puducherry

Answer: c) Uttarakhand