Introduction:
Understanding Indian Polity is crucial for success in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs. While studying, students often come across recurring terms in books like the NCERTs or Laxmikanth. To simplify your preparation, here is a comprehensive glossary of key terms often encountered in polity studies, followed by a well-structured list of exam-relevant political concepts.
📘 Frequently Used Terms in Indian Polity
These are the words and phrases you constantly see while reading standard polity textbooks and materials:
A
- Articles – Clauses of the Constitution. Example: Article 14 (Right to Equality).
- Amendment – A change to the Constitution. Example: 42nd Amendment (Mini Constitution).
- Assent – Approval by the President or Governor for a bill to become law.
- Autonomy – Self-governing powers, often seen in the context of institutions or states.
B
- Bill – A draft law under consideration.
- Cabinet – Core group of ministers responsible for decision-making.
- Codified Constitution – A written constitution, like that of India.
- Concurrent List – Subjects on which both the Centre and the States can make laws.
D
- De Facto / De Jure – “In practice” / “In law”
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Non-justiciable guidelines to achieve welfare state goals.
- Doctrine of Basic Structure – The Supreme Court’s principle that core constitutional features cannot be amended.
E
- Electoral College – Elects the President. Includes elected MPs and MLAs.
- Executive – Branch that implements laws (includes President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers).
- First Past the Post – Voting system used in the Lok Sabha elections.
- Fraternity – Constitutional value encouraging brotherhood.
G-J
- Governor – Head of a state appointed by the President.
- Judicial Review – Power of courts to nullify unconstitutional laws.
L-R
- Lok Sabha – Lower House of Parliament.
- Rajya Sabha – Upper House of Parliament.
- No-Confidence Motion – If passed in the Lok Sabha, the government must resign.
- Ordinance – Temporary law made by the President or Governor.
- Preamble – The introduction of the Constitution outlines its goals.
- Proclamation – Formal announcement, like an Emergency declaration.
- Quorum – Minimum members required to hold a meeting.
- Residuary Powers – Legislative powers not mentioned in any list lie with the Centre.
S-W
- Secularism – The State respects all religions.
- Separation of Powers – Division of governance roles.
- Sovereignty – Supreme authority of a state to govern.
- Speaker – Presiding officer of the Lok Sabha.
- Supreme Court – Apex judicial body.
- Unicameral – Legislature with one house.
- Universal Adult Franchise – Voting rights for all adults (18+).
- Writs – Legal orders for the enforcement of rights.
📚 Glossary of Polity Terms – Exam-Oriented Definitions
- Act: A law passed by Parliament or the State Legislature.
- Adjournment: Temporary suspension of a session.
- Barometer: An Instrument to measure atmospheric pressure (mentioned in the context of polity science overlaps).
- Bicameral Legislature: Parliament with two houses.
- Censure Motion: Legislative disapproval of the government’s actions.
- Habeas Corpus: A Writ to produce a detained person before the court.
- Impeachment: Process to remove the President or judges.
- Mandamus: Writ to compel a public authority to perform its duty.
- Nomination: A Formal proposal of a candidate for election.
- Veto Power: The Power of the President to reject a bill.
- Vote on Account: Provision to maintain government expenditure temporarily.
Conclusion
Having a strong command over Polity vocabulary will boost your conceptual clarity and improve accuracy in prelims and mains. Use this glossary as a revision aid and share it with fellow aspirants to spread smart learning!
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