SSC Guide: Important Notes about Judiciary of India

Judiciary of India

• The Judiciary of India is an independent body and is separate from the Legislative and Executive bodies of Indian Government. The Indian Judicial System is one of the oldest legal systems in the world today.
• The Judicial System of India is stratified into various levels. At the apex is the Supreme Court, which is followed by High Courts at state level, District Courts at the district level and Lok Adalats at village level.
• An important feature of the Indian Judicial System is that it’s a ‘common law system’. In a common law system, law is developed by the judges through their decisions, orders or judgments.
• The Judiciary of India takes care of maintenance of law and order in country along with solving problems related with civil and criminal offences.
• India has a Quasi-Federal Structure with 29 states further sub-divided into about 601 administrative Districts.
• Indian judicial system has adopted features of other legal Systems in such a way that they don’t conflict with each other while benefitting the nation and the people.

Jurisdiction & Powers of the Courts

The Supreme Court

• The Jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court are defined under Articles 124 to 147 of the Indian Constitution. The jurisdiction includes original, writ and appellate jurisdiction.
• The Supreme Court of India is located only in the capital city of Delhi, without any benches in any part of the nation, and is presided by the Chief Justice of India.
• It is an appellate court which takes up appeals against judgment of the High Courts of the states and territories. It also takes writ petitions in cases of serious human rights violations or any petition filed under Article 32 which is the right to constitutional remedies or if a case involves a serious issue that needs immediate resolution.
• The Supreme Court comprises the Chief Justice and 30 other Judges.

The High Court

• Every state has a High Court, which works under the direct guidance and supervision of the Supreme Court of India and is the uppermost court in that state. There are 24 High Courts at the State Level.
• The High Courts are also termed as the courts of equity, and can be approached in writs not only for fundamental rights under the provisions of Article 32 of the Indian Constitution.
• The High Courts are the principal civil courts of original jurisdiction in the state along with District Courts which subordinate to the High Courts.
• However, primarily the work of most High Courts consists of Appeals from the lower courts and writ petitions in terms of Article 226 of the Indian Constitution.
• Judges in a High Court are appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, Chief Justice of High Court and the Governor of the State.

The District Court

• The District Courts of India are established by the State Government of India. The highest court in each district is District Court. These courts are under administrative control of the High Court of the State to which the district concerned belongs. The decisions of District court are subject to the appellate jurisdiction of the concerned High Court.
• The District Court is presided over by one District Judge appointed by the State Government. In addition to the district judge there may be number of Additional District Judges and Assistant District Judges depending on the workload. The Additional District Judge and the court presided have equivalent jurisdiction as the District Judge and his district court.
• The district judge is also called "Metropolitan session judge" when he is presiding over a district court in a city which is designated "Metropolitan area" by the state Government.
• The district court has appellate jurisdiction over all subordinate courts situated in the district on both civil and criminal matters. Subordinate courts, on the civil side are, Junior Civil Judge Court, Principal Junior Civil Judge Court, Senior Civil Judge Court (also called sub-court).
• Subordinate courts, on the criminal side are, Second Class Judicial Magistrate Court, First Class Judicial Magistrate Court, and Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. In addition 'Family Courts" are established to deal with matrimonial disputes alone. The Principal Judge of family court is equivalent to District Judge.

Polity Notes about The President Of India For SSC Exam

Today we will be covering a very important topic from the general knowledge section that is- about The President of India in the Indian Constitution these points will be helpful for your upcoming exams like SSC  Exam 2016. If you like it let us know.

The President of India in the Indian Constitution

• There shall be a President of India as per Article 52; President of India is the executive head of the Union of India.
• President of India is also the Supreme Commander of the Defense Forces.
• Office of the President of India is Rashtrapati Bhavan

Qualifications to become the President (Article 58) 

A Candidate for the office of the President should have the following qualifications-

• He should be an Indian citizen.
• He should not be less than 35 years of age.
• He should have qualifications for elections as a member of the House of the people.
• He should not be holding any office of profit under any government for local body.
• He should not be a member of Parliament or any State Legislature. A government servant or a servant of a local authority is, however, ineligible for election as President.

Election of the President (Article 54, 55) 

• The election of the President is made by secret ballot in accordance with the system of proportional representation by a single transferable vote i.e., by indirect direction.

The President is thus elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of:-

(a) The elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament, and

(b) Elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the States. (Elected members of the Legislative Council, however, do not constitute the Electoral College for election of the President of India.)

Note: The Chief Minister of a State of India is NOT eligible to vote in the Presidential election if he is a member of Upper House of the State Legislature).

Tenure

• Elected for five years but is eligible for immediate re-election and can serve any number of terms.
• Emoluments: 150000

Oath of office 

• The oath of office by the President of India is conducted by the Chief Justice of India.

The President can be removed from office if he goes against the Constitution

When he does that, not less than one-fourth of the total membership of both the Houses of Parliament can give 14 days’ notice that they propose bringing a motion of “impeachment” (Article 61) against the President. He may be removed from office for violation of the Constitution by impeachment (Article 61).

• The motion can be introduced in either House i.e., in the Lok Sabha or in the Rajya Sabha.
• If a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the Parliament votes that the charges against the President stand proved.

Powers of the President with respect to Parliament

• The President can summon, prorogue, address and send messages to the two Houses of Parliament.
• He gives assent to bills passed by the Parliament.
• He can issue ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
• He can declare a state of emergency arising due to war, external aggression, internal disturbances, and failure of constitutional machinery in any State or threat to the financial stability or credit of India. Indian Parliament can invade the State List if-

(a) a subject in the State List assumes national importance, and

(b) a proclamation of emergency has been issued by the President of India.

 Powers:

 (i) Executive and Administrative Powers 

• He appoints the senior officials of the state including the Prime Minister.
• All Union Territories are under the President of India.

(ii) Legislative Powers 

• Appoints 12 members to the Rajya Sabha and two Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha.
• Dissolves the House of People.
• Assents or withholds his assent to any Bill passed by the Parliament; Issues ordinances.

(iii) Financial Powers 

• Causes the budget to be laid before the Parliament; (Article 112)
• Sanctions introduction of money bills
• Apportions revenue between the Centre and the States.

 (iv) Judicial Powers 

• He appoints the Chief Justice and the Judges of the Supreme Court and Zonal High Courts.
• He can seek advice from the Supreme Court on any question of Law of fact (Article 143).
• Empowered to grant pardons, reprieve, remit the sentences, or suspend, remit or commute punishments.

(v) Emergency Powers 

(a) National Emergency

• Article 352 empowers the President to proclaim an emergency and take under his direct charge the administration of any State.
• The President cannot be questioned by any court for the action taken by him in the discharge of his duties. No criminal proceedings can be launched against him.

(b) State Emergency (Article 356)

• It can be proclaimed by the President on the failure of Constitutional machinery in the State.
• The Proclamation of the President’s rule should be approved by the Parliament within two months.
• If approved, it remains in force for six months from the date of Proclamation of the State Emergency.
• It can be extended for a maximum period of three years with the approval of the Parliament every six months.

(c) Financial Emergency 

• Under article 360 if he is satisfied that the financial stability or credit of India or any part thereof is threatened.
• Approved by the Parliament within two months.

SSC Guide: Important Points about Rajya Sabha(Councils of States)

The Rajya Sabha or Councils of States

• Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Parliament of India.
• The Rajya Sabha should consist of not more than 250 members - 238 members representing the States and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President.
• Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution.
• One third of the members retire every second year, and are replaced by newly elected members.
• Each member is elected for a term of six years.
• The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• The House also elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. There is also a panel of Vice- Chairman in the Rajya Sabha.
• The senior minister, who is a member of Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as Leader of the House.

Qualifications for the member of Rajya Sabha

• One should be a citizen of India
• One should be at least 30 years old
• Be elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union Territories by means of single transferable votes through proportional representation.

Limitations

• Money bills, as defined in the constitution of India Article 110, can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. If Lok Sabha passed a Money Bill and transmitted it to Rajya Sabha, then Rajya Sabha has only 14 days to return the bill with or without amendments.
• If Rajya Sabha fails to return the bill in 14 days, the bill is deemed to have passed by both Houses. Also, if Lok Sabha rejects any of the amendments proposed by Rajya Sabha, the bill is deemed to have been passed by Houses of Parliament in the form Lok Sabha finally passes it. Hence, Rajya Sabha cannot stall, or amend a money Bill without Lok Sabha’s concurrence on the same.

Powers of Rajya Sabha

• The constitution empowers Parliament of India to make laws on matters reserved for States. This can only be done if Rajya Sabha first passes a resolution by two-third special majority granting such a power to the Union Parliament. The union government can’t make a law on a matter reserved for stated without an authorization from Rajya Sabha.
• If Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not less than two- thirds of the members present and voting declaring that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest to create one or more All India Services common to the Union and the States, Parliament becomes empowered to create by law such services.

SSC Guide: Important Point about Lok Sabha (House of the People)

Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of the adult suffrage. The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the constitution is 552, which made up by election upto 530 members to represent the States, upto 20 members to represent the Union Territories and not more than two members of Anglo- Indian Community to be nominated by the Hon’ble President, if, in his/her opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the House.  The total elective membership is distributed among the States in such a way that the radio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the Population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.

Qualifications for being a member of Lok Sabha

• The qualifying age for membership of Lok Sabha is 25 years.
• He / She should be a citizen of India.
• He/ She possesses such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made by Parliament.
• He / She should not be proclaimed criminal i.e. they should not be a convict, a confirmed debtor or otherwise disqualified by law.
• He / She should have his/ her name in the electoral rolls in anypart of the country.

However a member can be disqualified of being a member of Parliament:

• If he/ she holds office of profit
• If he / she is of unsound mind and stands so declared by competent court
• If he/ she is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizen of a foreign state, or is under any acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign state
• If he/ she is violating party discipline

Lok Sabha, unless sooner dissolved, continues for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and the expiration of the period of five years operated as dissolution of the House. However, while a proclamation of emergency is in operation, this period may be extended by Parliament by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not extending, in any case, beyond a period of six months after the proclamation has ceased to operate.

Lok Sabha elects one of its own members as its Presiding Officer and he is called the Speaker. He is assisted by the Deputy Speaker who is also elected by Lok Sabha. The conduct of business in Lok Sabha is the responsibility of the Speaker.

Polity Notes : Salient Features of Indian Constitution

Lengthy Constitution

Indian Constitution has 395 Articles and 12 Schedules. It was framed by a Constituent Assembly which was established for the purpose in 1946. The Constitution of India is the lengthiest constitution in the world as no other constitution contains as many articles. The constitution of USA has 7 Articles, China 138, Japanese 103 and Canadian 107 Articles.

India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and Republic State

The Constitution declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic.

• Sovereign means absolutely independent, it is not under the control of any other state.
• Socialist involves a system which will endeavour to avoid concentration of wealth in a few hands and will assure its equitable distribution. It also implies that India is against exploitation in all forms and believes in economic justice to all its citizens.
• Secular means there is no state religion in India. Every citizen is free to follow and practice the religion of his/her own choice. The state cannot discriminate among its citizens on the basis of the religion.
• Democratic means that the power of the government is vested in the hands of the people, people exercise this power through their elected representatives who are responsible to them. All citizens enjoy equal political rights.
• Republic means that the head of the state is not a hereditary monarch.

Federal Government: The constitution provides for a federal form of government. In a federation, there are two governments- at the central level and at the state level. The powers of the government are divided between the central government and the state government.

Fundamental Rights & Fundamental Duties: Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties are most important characteristics of the Constitution. Fundamental Rights are considered to be essential for the proper moral and material uplift of people. These rights are fundamental in the sense that any law passed by the legislature in the country would be declared as null and void if it is derogatory to the rights guaranteed by the constitution.

Parliamentary Government: Indian Constitution provides a parliamentary form of government. President is nominal head of the state. The government is run by the Prime Minister and other members of the council of Minister. The council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Parliament.

Partly rigid and partly flexible: The Constitution of India is neither wholly rigid nor wholly flexible. It is partly rigid and partly flexible.

• Certain provisions of the constitution can be amended by a simple majority in the Parliament.
• Certain provisions can be amended by two-third majority of the Parliament and its ratification by at least fifty percent states.
• The remaining provisions can be amended by the Parliament by two-third majority.

Single Citizenship: In federation, normally we have double citizenship. In U.S.A every citizen of United States of America, is also a citizen of the state in which he or she resides. But the constitution of India provides single citizenship to every Indian.

Independent Judiciary: The Indian Constitution provides for an independent judiciary. The judiciary has been made independent of the Executive as well as the Legislature. The judges give impartial justice.

Important Points to Remember about Constituent Assembly of India

Polity  is an important topic in GK section for SSC Exam,so we are provide you with an important points to remember about constituent assembly of India which will be so helpful for your upcoming SSC Exam 2016. 

Idea for a Constituent Assembly for drafting a constitution for India was first provided by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1895. In 1934, the demand for a constituent assembly was raised for the first time, which was later became an Official Demand in 1935. This demand was accepted in August 1940 offer by the British.

• The constituent assembly was formed on the recommendation of the Cabinet Mission which visited India in 1946
• The first meeting of Constituent Assembly was held on December 9, 1946— its temporary president was Dr  Sacchidanand Sinha
• The second meeting was held on December 11, 1946. Its president was Dr Rajendra Prasad.
• The Objectives Resolution was passed under chairmanship of J.L. Nehru.on 13 December, 1946.
• The Draft of Indian Constitution was presented in October 1947. President of the Drafting Committee was Bhim Rao Ambedkar
• The total time consumed to prepare the draft was 2 years, 11 months, 18 days.
• The Constituent assembly was the First parliament of Independent India.
• The Indian Constitution was enacted on November 26, 1949 and put into force on January 26, 1950.
• On that day, the Constituent Assembly ceased to exist, transforming itself into the Provisional Parliament of India until a new Parliament was constituted in 1952

Functions performed by Constituent Assembly:-

• Enacting of ordinary laws
• Adopted national flag- 22-7-1947
• Adopted national anthem- 24-01-1950
• Adopted national song- 26-01-1950
• Elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad first President of India-24-01-1950

 Facts about constituent assembly

• Had 11 sessions over 2 years, 11 months and 18 days
• Constitution makers visited 60 countries.
• Total expenditure - Rs 64 lakh

Major Committees

• Union Powers Committee - Jawaharlal Nehru
• Union Constitution Committee - Jawaharlal Nehru
• Provincial Constitution Committee - Sardar Patel
• Drafting Committee - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
• Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights and Minorities - Sardar Patel

This committee had Two sub-committes:

(a) Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee - J.B. Kripalani

(b) Minorities Sub-Committee - H.C. Mukherjee

• Rules of Procedure Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad
• States Committee (Committee for Negotiating with States) - Jawaharlal Nehru
• Steering Committee - Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Important Notes on Indian Soil and Agriculture

In this article we will discuss about the India soil and types of agriculture performed in India. This topic covers one or two marks questions in SSC CGL or other competitive exam.

Soil:

• Soil is our prime and natural resources as India is an Agrarian country, soil plays a vital role in the economy of India.
• About 65 to 70% of the total population of the country is depended on agriculture .
• Our industry are mainly Agro-based industry.

Generally there are six types of soil found in India

• Alluvial soil
• Regur or Black soil
• Red soil
• Laterite soil
• Desert Soil
• Mountain soil

Alluvial Soil:

• Deposition of materials by sea and river is called alluvium and the soil formed due to deposition of alluvium is called as alluvial soil.
• This type of soil mainly found in the Indo-Ganga and Brahamputra plain i.e. the whole northern plain and in some parts of river basin in south and some plateau region.
• This soil is also  found in the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari,  Cauveri and Krishna.
• Alluvial soil can be broadly categorised in two types i.e. New alluvial soil and old alluvial soil.
• Old alluvial soils are found in slightly elevated areas far away from river and are clayey and sticky.
• New alluvial soil is found in the flood plain of the river and is much fertile in comparison to the old alluvial soil.
• Crops Grown : alluvial soil is suitable for the rabi and kharif crop like cereals, cottons, oilseeds  and sugarcane.

Regur or Black soil:

• The regur or black soils have developed extensively upon the Lava Plateaus of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh mainly Malwa and  are formed due to volcanic activities.
• These soils are very fertile and contain a high percentage of lime and a moderate amount of potash.
• The type of soil is especially suited for the cultivation of cotton and hence sometimes called ‘black cotton soil.’
  Crops Grown: Cotton, Jowar, Wheat, Linsead, Gram, Fruit and Vegetable.

Red Soils:

•  Red soils develop on granite and geneses rocks under low rainfall condition i.e. due to weathering of the metamorphic rocks.
• These soils are red in colour due to high concentration of Iron Oxide.
•  These soils are friable and medium fertile and found mainly in almost whole of Tamil Nadu, South-eastern Karnataka, North-eastern and South-eastern Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand the major parts of Orissa, and the Hills and Plateaus of North-east India.
• These soils are deficient in Phosphoric acid, organic matter and nitrogenous material.
• Crops Grown: Wheat, Rice, Millet's, Pulses.

Laterite Soils:

•  Laterite is a kind of clayey rock or soil formed under high temperature and high rainfall and with alternate dry and wet period,.
• Laterite and lateritic soils are found in South Maharashtra, the Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka, at places in Odisha, small parts of Chottanagpur and  in some parts of Assam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and in western West Bengal (particularly in Birbhum district).
• Crops Grown:
• This type of soil is unsuitable for agriculture due to high content of acidity and inability to retain moisture.

Desert soil:

• This type of soils found in Rajasthan, Haryana and the South Punjab, and are sandy.
• In the absence of sufficient wash by rain water soils have become saline and rather unfit for cultivation.
•  In spite of that cultivation can be carried on with the help of modern irrigation.
• Wheat, bajra, groundnut, etc. can be grown in this soil.
• This type of soil is rich in Phosphates and Calcium but deficient in Nitrogen and humus.

Mountain Soil:

• Soil found in higher altitude on mountain is called as Mountain soil.
• The characteristics of this type of soil are changed according to the altitudes.
• This type of soil is suitable for the cultivation of potatoes, fruits, tea coffee and spices and wheat.

Types of Agriculture in India:

There are different types of farming activities performed in India which are as follows:

Subsistence Farming:

• Subsistence farming is a type of farming in which nearly all the crops or livestock raised are used to maintain the farmer and farmer’s family leaving little.
• Subsistence farms usually consist of no more than a few acres, and farm technology tends to be primitive and of low yield.

Mixed farming:

• Mixed farming is an agricultural system in which a farmer conducts different agricultural practice together, such as cash crops and livestock
• The aim is to increase income through different sources and to complement land and labour demands across the year.

Shifting cultivation:

• Shifting cultivation means migratory shifting agriculture.
•  Under this system, a plot of land is cultivated for a few years and then, when the crop yield declines because of soil exhaustion and the effects of pests and weeds, is deserted for another area.
• Here the ground is again cleared by slash-and-burn methods, and the procedure is repeated.
• Shifting cultivation is predominant in the forest areas of Assam (Known as jhum), Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunchal Predesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh (Podu).

Extensive Farming:

• This is a system of farming in which the farmer uses the limited amount of labour and capital on relatively large area.
• This type of agriculture is practiced in countries where population size is small and land is enough.
• Per acre yield is low but the overall production is in surplus due to less population.
• Here machines and technology is used in farming.

Intensive Farming:

• This is a system of farming in which the cultivator uses larger amount of labour and capital on a relatively small area.
• This type of farming is performed in countries where the population to land ratio is high i.e. population is big and land is small.
• Annually two or three types of crops are grown over the land.
• Manual labour is used.

Plantation Agriculture

• In this type of agriculture cash crops are mainly cultivated.
• A single crop like rubber, sugarcane, coffee, tea is grown.
• These crops are major items of  export.

GK Notes: Important Deserts of the world

Deserts cover a good number of questions making it an important topic to cover in SSC Exams.  Around 1-3 questions asks from this topic which surely makes it important for you to study the topic well for upcoming SSC and Other Competitive Exams.Here is important deserts & its facts for SSC Exams  which you should not ignore.

Important Deserts of the world 

Desert: A desert is a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs and consequently living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. in desert their is less precipitation

1. Continent: Antarctica

• Desert Name: Antartic

2. Continent : Asia,Europe ,north america:

• Desert Name: Arctic desert

3. Continent: Asia

Desert Name: Karakorum, Thar desert,Kyzyl Kum,Taklamakan

4. Continent:Africa

• Desert Name: Kalahari,Namib,Sahara,

5. Continent: Australia

• Desert Name: Gibson,Great Sandy,Great Victoria,Simpson,Tanami

6. Continent: Europe

• Desert Name: Arabian,Dasht-e Kavir,Dasht-e Lut

7. Continent: North America

• Desert Name:Great Basin,Mojave,Sonoran

8. Continent: South America

Desert Name: Atacama,Patagonian

Important Points to be remember    about Important  desert of the world

Desert name: Antartic

• largest desert in the world
• largest cold desert in the world
• present in south pole
• area: 1,38,29,430 square km
• type: polar

Desert name: Arctic desert

• second largest desert in the world
• area:1,37,26,937 square km
• Type: polar
• present in south pole

Desert name: Gobi

• present in asia
• area:1,300,000 square km
• cold winter desert

Desert name: Sahara

• largest hot desert
• present in africa
• subtropical deseert
• 94,00,000 square km

Desert name: Atacama

• The Driest Desert on the Earth
• area 1,40,000 square km
• present in Chile
• Type: Cool Coastal

Desert name: Great Basin

• Type: Cold Winter
• Present in US
• area: 4,92,000 square km

Types of Question Can be asked in SSC  & Other competitive Exam

1. Which is the largest desert of the world : Antarctica desert
2. Which is the largest cold desert in the world: Antarctica desert
3. Which is the largest hot desert of the world: Sahara desert
4. Which is the largest desert of india: Thar desert
5. Which is the largest driest desert of the world: Atacama desert( present in chile in south america)
6. Which is the second largest desert of the world: Arctic desert
7. Where is aklamakan desert : china