POLITY

`` India
`` World
B-224 Polity

 Important Acts
Making of  Constituent Assembly
Constitution  Enactment & Enforcement

 Introduction
Salient Features  Basic Features
of Constitution  Important Quotes
 Sources
Structure of  List of Articles
Indian  List of Schedules
Constitution  List of Amendments (Till date)
INDIAN POLITY - MIND MAP
Indian Constitution

 Preamble
 Union & Territories
 Citizenship
 FRs, FDs, & DPs.
 Union & State Executives
 Union & State Composition
Constitutional  Supreme Court & High Court
Framework  Indian Penal Code
 Panchayati Raj System & Municipalities
 Centre State Relations
 List I, II, III
 Interstate Council
 Zonal Council
 Article 370 - Jammu & Kashmir
 Uniform Civil Code

 Election Comm.  CAG

Constitutional  UPSC / SPSC  AG
Bodies  Finance Comm.  Advocate General
 National Comm.

Statutory  Lokpal & Lokayukta  NDC

Bodies  NITI Ayog  NHRC

 Democratic
Types of  Parliamentary
Government  Federal

 Legislature
Institutional
Indian Government

 Executive
Framework
 Judiciary

 Union
Levels of
 State
Government
 Local
 Electoral System
Elections  Electoral Reforms
Political Parties &  Composition
Pressure Groups
 Principles &  Look - East
Foreign Objectives  Gujaral Doctrine
 Nuclear Policy

Modi's Visit to Nation

Polity B-225

INDIAN CONSTITUTION
Making of Constitution
Important Acts
Constitutional Important Provisions
Landmark
Pitts India Act, 1784 •• Indian affairs under direct control of British government.
•• Board of control was established.
Government of India, •• Company rule replaced by British crown.
1858 •• Secretary of state for India appointed to exercise the
power of the crown. He was a member of British cabinet,
responsible to it & was assisted by council of India with
15 members.
•• Governor General became the agent of the crown and
now known as Viceroy of India.
Indian Councils Act, •• Parliamentary system started in India.
1861 •• Indians become non-official members of the legislature.
•• Started decentralization of power.
Indian Councils Act, •• Central legislative council becomes imperial legislative
1909 (Morley-Minto council with officials forming the majority.
Reforms. Lord Morley •• Provincial legislative councils had a majority of non-official
was the then secretary members.
of state for India and •• Introduced communal representation for Muslims with a
Lord Minto was then separate electorate system. Legalized communalism. Lord
Viceroy of India). Minto created a communal electorate.
Government of India •• Separated central subjects from provincial subjects.
Act, 1919/ Montague •• Provincial subjects were: transferred and reserved.
- Chelmsford Reforms. •• Transferred subjects were administered by Governor with
Montague was the help of ministers who were responsible to the legislature.
secretary of state •• Reserved subjects were administered by Governor
for India and Lord and executive council who were not responsible to the
Chelmeford was the legislature.
Viceroy of India. •• Diarchy/ Dual system of government was introduced.
•• Bicameral legislature with upper and lower houses were
formed with direct elections.
•• Majority of members in both houses were directly elected.
•• 3 of the 6 members of governor-general’s council had to
be Indians.
Government of India •• Established All India federation of provinces & princely
Act, 1935 states as constituent units.
•• Federal, provincial & concurrent were introduced.
•• Abolished diarchy in provinces which now had provincial
autonomy.
•• Introduced diarchy at the centre & bicameralism in the
provinces.
•• Introduced responsible governments in provinces.
B-226 Polity

The August Offer, •• Expansion of the Governor-General’s Executive council

1940 to include more Indians.
•• Establishment of an advisory war council.
Cripps Proposals, 1942 •• Provision made up for participation of Indian states in the
constitution making body.
•• The leaders of the principle sections of the Indian people
were invited to take active and effective participation in the
councils of their country.
Cabinet Mission Plan, •• There should be a Union of India, embracing both British
1916 India and the states which should deal with foreign affairs.
•• A Constituent Assembly should be set up to draw up the
future constitution of the country.
Indian Independence •• Declared India as independent & sovereign state.
Act, 1947 •• Established responsible government at the center &
provinces.
•• Designated Governor General of India & Provincial
Governors as Constitutional heads or nominal heads.
Objective Resolution •• On Jan 22, 1947 the Constituent Assembly adopted
Objective resolution as advocated by Jawahar Lal Nehru.
It contained fundamental propositions of the constitution
& set forth the political ideas that should guide its
deliberations.

Constituent Assembly
•• The Constituent Assembly was constituted in Nov. 1946 under the scheme
formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan 1946.
•• Total members – 389
•• Members elected indirectly from British India – 296
•• Members nominated by princely states. – 93
•• The Constituent Assembly had both Nominated & Elected members. The
elected members were indirectly elected by members of the Provincial
Assemblies.
•• 1st meeting of Constituent Assembly –Dec.9, 1946.
•• Muslim League boycotted the Constituent Assembly.
•• Temporary president of the Assembly – Dr. Sachidanand.
•• Permanent President of the Assembly – Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Vice President of the Assembly – H.C. Mukherjee.
Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly – Sir B.N.Rau

Important Committees
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Drafting Committee Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Flag Committee J. B. Kriplani
Union Constitution Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
Provincial Constitution Committee Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
Union Powers Committee Jawaharlal Nehru
Polity B-227

Committee on Fundamental Rights and Minorities Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

Special Committee to Examine the Draft Constitution (Chairman: Alladi
Krishnaswamy Iyer)
Expert Committee on Financial Provisions
Ad-hoc Committee on Supreme Court
Ad-hoc Committee on National Flag
Committee on Chief Commissioners’ Provinces

Drafting Committee
It consisted of 7 members –
1 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman)
2 N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar
3 Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar.
4 Dr. K.M. Munshi
5 Syed mohammad Saadullah.
6 N. Madhava Rau
7 T.T Krishnamachari
The Drafting Committee took less than 6 months to prepare its draft. In all
it sat only for 141 days. Indian Constitution was formed by a Constituent
Assembly in a long time of 2 years, 11 months & 18 days.
Enactment & Enforcement of the Constitution
The constitution was adopted on Nov. 26,1949, contained a Preamble, 395
Articles & 8 Schedules. Now, it increased to 447 Articles & 12 Schedules. It
came into force on January 26,1950. This day is celebrated as the Republic Day.
Salient features of the Constitution
The term Constitution is derived from Latin word “Constituere” which means
“to establish”. A Constitution is something established as the basis of government
(whether by a constitutional convention or by process of evolution). The
Constitution of our country is a collection of legal rules which provides the
framework of the governmental machinery & also it is an effective instrument
of orderly social change .
Lengthiest
Written Constitution Combination
Supremacy of Constitution of Rigidity &
Flexibility
Republican form of govt. Emergency
Provisions
Secularism Federal System
Basic with Unitary Bias
Federal character Features
Structure
Sovereignty of the Country Integrated and
Independent
Parliamentary Democracy Judiciary
Parliamentary System
Fundamental Rights, DPs. of Government
Synthesis of Parliamentary
Sovereignty & Judicial Supremacy
Features of Indian Constitution
B-228 Polity

Sources of Indian Constitution

Indian constitution has borrowed its provisions from following sources.
Country Provisions Borrowed
Government of Federal scheme
India Act, 1935 Declaration of emergency powers
Ordinance defining the power of the President and Governors
Office of the Governor
Power of federal judiciary
Administration at the centre and state level
United Parliamentary system
Kingdom Bicameral parliament
Prime minister
Council of ministers
Single citizenship
Office of CAG
Writ jurisdiction of courts
Rule of law

USA Written constitution

Fundamental rights
Supreme Court
President as executive head of the state
Impeachment of the president, removal of S.C and HC judges
Vice President as chairman of Rajya Sabha
Judicial review, independence of judiciary
Australia Concurrent list
Cooperative federalism
Centre State relationship
Joint sitting of two houses of parliament

USSR Fundamental duties

Weimer Suspension of fundamental rights during emergency
Constitution of Ballot system
Germany
Canada Federal system
Residuary powers
Appointment of Governor
Advisory jurisdiction of S.C.
South Africa Procedure of constitutional amendment.
Electing member to Rajya Sabha
Ireland Concept of Directive Principles of State Policy.
Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha by the President.
Presidential election.

Schedules of the Constitution

Numbers Subject Matter Articles Covered
First Names of the States and their territorial jurisdiction. 1 and 4
Schedule Name of the Union Territories and their extent.
Polity B-229

Second Provisions relating to the emoluments, allowances, 59, 65, 75, 97, 125, 148,
Schedule privileges and so on of: 158, 164, 186 & 221
The President of India
The Governors of States
The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the
Rajya Sabha
The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the
Legislative Assembly in the states
The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the
legislative Council in the states
The Judges of the Supreme Court
The Judges of the High Courts
The Comptroller and Auditor - General of India
Third Forms of Oaths or Affirmations for: 75, 84, 99, 124, 146, 173,
Schedule 188 and 219
The Union ministers
The candidates for election to the Parliament
The members of Parliament
The Judges of the Supreme Court
The Comptroller Auditor - General of India
The state ministers
The candidates for election to the state legislature
The members of the state legislature
The judges of the High Courts
Fourth Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states 4 and 80
Schedule and the union territories.
Fifth Provisions relating to the administration and control 244
Schedule of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes.
Sixth Provisions relating to the administration of tribal 244 and 275
Schedule areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura
and Mizoram.
Seventh Division of power betweeen the Union and the 246
Schedule States in terms of List I (Union List), List II (State
List) and List III (Concurrent List). Presently, The
Union List contains 100 subjects (originally 97),
The State list contains 61 subjects (Originally
66) and the concurrent list contains 52 subjects
(originally 47).
Eighth Languages recognized by the Constitution. 344 and 351
Schedule Originally, it had 14 languages but presently there
are 22 languages. They are: Assamese, Bengali,
Bodo Dogri (Dongri), Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada,
Kashmiri, Konkani, Mathili(Maithili), Malayalam,
Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, sanskrit,
Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Sindhi
was added b the 21st Amendment Act of 1967:
Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added by the
71st Amendment Act of 1967; Konkani, Manipuri
and Nepali were added by the 71st Amendment Act
of 1992; And Bodo, Dongri, Maithili and Santhali
were added by the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003.
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Ninth Acts and Regulations (originally 13 but presently 31 - B

Schedule 282) of the state legislatures dealing with land
reforms and abolition of the zamindari system
and of the Parliament dealing with other matters.
This schedule was added by the 1st Amendment
(1951) to protect the laws included in it from judicial
scrutiny on the ground of violation of fundamental
rights. However, in 2007, the Supreme Court ruled
that the laws included in this schedule after April
24, 1973, are open to judicial review.
Tenth Provisions relating to disqualification of the 102 and 191
Schedule members of Parliament and State Legislatures
on the ground of defection. This schedule was
added by the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985, also
known as anti defection Law.
Eleventh Specifies the powers, authority and responsibilities 243 - G
Schedule of Panchayats. It has 29 Matters. This schedule
was added by the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992.
Twelfth Specifies the powers, authority and responsibilities 243 - W
Schedule of Municipalities. It has 18 matters. This schedule
was added by the 74th Amendment Act of 1992.

List of Important Amendment

No Amendments Enforced since Objectives
1 Amend articles 66 and 19 December Election of Vice President by Electoral
71. 1961 College consisting of members of
both Houses of Parliament, instead
of election by a Joint Sitting of
Parliament. Indemnify the President
and Vice President Election procedure
from challenge on grounds of existence
of any vacancies in the electoral college
2 Amend article 31. 20 April 1972 Restrict property rights and
Insert article 31C. compensation in case the state takes
over private property
3 Amend articles 81, 330 17 October 1973 Increase size of Parliament from 525 to
and 332. 545 seats. Increased seats going to the
new states formed in North East India
and minor adjustment consequent to
1971 Delimitation exercise
4 Amend article 371. 1 July 1974 Protection of regional rights in
Insert articles 371D Telangana and Andhra regions of State
and 371E. of Andhra Pradesh
Amend schedule 7.
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5 Amend articles 31, 1 April 1977 Amendment passed during internal

31C, 39, 55, 74, 77, 81, emergency by Indira Gandhi. Provides
82, 83, 100, 102, 103, for curtailment of fundamental
105, 118, 145, 150, 166, rights, imposes fundamental duties
170, 172, 189, 191, 192, and changes to the basic structure of
194, 208, 217, 225, 226, the constitution by making India a
227, 228, 311, 312, 330, “Socialist Secular” Republic
352, 353, 356, 357, 358,
359, 366, 368 and 371F.
Insert articles 31D,
32A, 39A, 43A, 48A,
131A, 139A, 144A,
226A, 228A and 257A.
Insert parts 4A and
14A.
Amend schedule 7.
6 Amend articles 330 16 June 1986 Provide reservation to Scheduled Tribes
and 332. in Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram
and Arunachal Pradesh Legislative
Assemblies
7 Amend article 326. 28 March 1989 Reduce age for voting rights from 21
to 18
8 Amend article 356. 16 April 1990 Article 356 amended to permit President’s
rule up to three years and six months
in the state of Punjab
9 Amend article 338. 12 March 1990 National Commission for Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes formed
and its statutory powers specified in
The Constitution.
10 Amend article 16. 9 June 2000 Protect SC / ST reservation in filling
backlog of vacancies
11 Amend article 335. 8 September 2000 Permit relaxation of qualifying marks and
other criteria in reservation in promotion
for SC / ST candidates
12 Amend articles 45 and 12 December Provides Right to Education until the
51A. 2002 age of fourteen and Early childhood
Insert article 21A. care until the age of six
13 Amend article 338. 28 September The National Commission for
Insert article 338A. 2003 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes was bifurcated into The National
Commission for Scheduled Castes
and The National Commission for
Scheduled Tribes
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14 Amend Art 19 and 12 January 2012 Added the words “or co-operative
added Part IXB. societies” after the word “or unions” in
Article 19(l)(c) and insertion of article
43B i.e., Promotion of Co-operative
Societies and added Part-IXB i.e., The
Co-operative Societies.
The amendment objective is to
encourage economic activities of
cooperatives which in turn help
progress of rural India. It is expected
to not only ensure autonomous and
democratic functioning of cooperatives,
but also the accountability of the
management to the members and other
stakeholders.
15 Insertion of new 13 April 2015 The amendment provides for the
articles 124A, 124B and [103] formation of a National Judicial
124C. Amendments to Appointments Commission. 16 State
Articles 127, 128, 217, assemblies out of 29 States including
222, 224A, 231. Goa, Rajasthan, Tripura, Gujarat
and Telangana ratified the Central
Legislation, enabling the President of
India to give assent to the bill.[104]
The amendment is in toto quashed by
Supreme Court on 16 October 2015.
16 Amendment of 1 August 2015 Exchange of certain enclave territories
First Schedule to with Bangladesh and conferment of
Constitution[105] citizenship rights to residents of
enclaves consequent to signing of
Land Boundary Agreement (LBA)
Treaty between India and Bangladesh.

PREAMBLE
Meaning •• Introduction or preface to the constitution.
•• Summary or essence of the Constitution
Components •• Source of Authority – People of India
•• Nature of Indian State – Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic
& Republican.
•• Objectives of Constitution –Justice, Liberty, Equality & Fraternity.
Amendment •• 42nd Amnd Act 1976 added 3 new words – Socialist, Secular & Integrity.
Part of the •• In kesavananda Bharati case (1973), Supreme court held that
Constitution preamle is an integra part of the constitution.

The Union & Its Territory

•• Article 1 stipulates that India, that is Bharat, shall be Union of states.
•• The country is described as ‘Union‘ beacuse it is indestructible.
•• The ‘territory of India’ includes the entire area over which the Sovereignty
of India extends.
•• Under Articles 2 &3, Parliament has the power to establish new States,
form a new State from the territory of any State or by uniting two or more
Polity B-233

States, increase or decrease the area of any State, or after the boundaries
or the name of any State.
•• First Linguistic State – Andhra Pradesh.
State Recorganisation Act 1956
States Recorganisation Act 1956 was adopted by the Govt. of India that resulted
in the formation of new states & UTs.
LIST OF NEW STATES & UTs CREATED AFTER 1956
STATES/UTs YEAR
1. Maharashtra & Gujarat 1960
2. Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1961
3. Goa, Daman & diu 1962
4. Goa (Statehood) 1987
5. Puducherry 1962
6. Nagaland 1963
7. Haryana, Chandigarh 1966
8. Himachal Pradesh (Statehood) 1971
9. Manipur, Tripura & Meghalaya (Statehood) 1972
10. Sikkim (full – fledged State) 1975
11. Arunachal Pradesh & Mizoram 1987
12. Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand & Jharkhand 2000
13. Telangana 2014

Citizenship
Person domiciled
Single Citizenship in India
3 Categories entitled Refugees who migrated
to citizenship to India from Pakistan
Indian Indians living in other
Citizenship Act (1955)
Citizenship Countries.
Provides for acquisition
& loss of Citizenship
after commencement of
the Constitution.
Dual Citizenship for PIOs

Acquisition of Citizenship

By Birth By Descent By By By
Registration Naturalisation Incorporation
of Territory
Loss of Citizenship

By Renunciation By Termination By Deprivation

 Can be Suspended FRs available only to citizens
Magna Carta Part III (Article Borrowed from during Emergency & Not to Foreigners- Art. 15,
B-234

of India 12 to 35) USA & France except Art. 20 & 21 16, 19, 29, 30

Fundamental Rights

Right to Equality Right to Freedom Right Against Exploitation Right to Freedom of Curtural and Right to Constitutional
Religion Educational Rights Remedies

Articles Articles Articles Articles Articles Articles

14-18 19-22 23-24 25-28 29-30 32
(14) Equality before Law (19) 6 Rights: Freedom of (23) Prohibition of traffic (25) Freedom of conscience & (29) Protection of Includes writs:
& Equal protection speech & expression, in human beings & free profession, practice & interests of (1) Habeas Corpus
of law. Assembly, Association, forced labour. propagation of religion. minorities. (2) Mandamus
Movement, Residence (3) Prohibition
& Profession. (4) Certiorari
(5) Quo–warranto
Fundamental Rights

(15) Prohibition of (20) Protection in respect of (24) Prohibition of (26 ) Manage religiour affairs. (30) Right of minorities
discrimination on conviction for offences. employment of to establish
grounds of religion, children in factories & administer
race, sex etc. etc. educational
institutions.
(16) Equality of (21) Protection of life & (27) Freedom from payment of
opportunity in personal liberty. taxes for promotion of any
public employment religion.
(17) Abolition of (22) Protection against arrest (28) Freedom from attending
untouchability. & detention in certain religious instruction
cases. or worship in certain
educational institutions.
(18) Abolition of titles.
Polity
Polity B-235

Directive Principles
Promote concept
Part IV, Article
“Instrument of instructions” of welfare state
36 – 51
– B.R. Ambedkar
Mixture of
socialist
Directive Non-justiciable
Gandhian &
Principles
Liberal
principles

Fundamental Borrowed from

Aim to economic
guidelines in country’s Ireland & social justice
governance

ARTICLES RELATED TO DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

AT A GLANCE
Article No. Subject - matter

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

•• Means of livelihood to all.
•• Use of resources for common good.
•• Prevention of concentration of wealth
•• Equal pay for equal work
•• Protection of workers, children & youth

39 A 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

43 A Participation of workers in management of industries

43 B 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
B-236 Polity

46 Promotion of educational and economic interests of scheduled Castes,

Scheduled Tribes and other weaker section.

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

48 A 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 security

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
Fundamental Duties

Covered Part IV A, Article 51–A

Borrowed from USSR

Amendment 42nd Amendment 1976, introduced Article 51 A in the

constitution.

Recommended by Swaran Singh Committee.

Numbers Originally–10 duties

Now–11 duties (added bye 86th Amendment ACT, 2002)

List of F.Ds 51 A (a) Abide by the Constitution and respect National Flag
& National Anthem
B Follow ideals of the freedom struggle
C Protect sovereignty & integrity of India
D Defend the country and render national services when
called upon
E Spirit of common brotherhood
F Preserve composite culture
G Protect natural environment
H Develop scientific temper
I Safeguard public property
j Strive for excellence
K Duty of all parents & guardians to send their children
in the age group of 6-14 years to school..
 President
Polity

Position Term Oath Emolument Qualification Election Vacancy Powers

Executive
• Executive • 5 years • By chief • ` 1.5 lakh • Citizen of • Elected • On expiry of Legislative
Head of • Eligible for justice per month India indirectly by term Judicial
the state Re-election of India • Pension • Completed 35 electoral college • By death Emergency
• First citizen or senior ` 75,000 years consisting • By resignation
of the most per month • Qualified for elected members • By impeachment
country judge of election as a of both houses
supreme member of of parliament &
court Lok Sabha state’s legislative
• Not hold any assemblies
President

office of profit • Following

under GOI formula is
adopted first
stage:
Total population of state 1
=Value of vote of an MLA ×
Total no.of elected members in the state legislative assembly 1000
UNION & STATE EXECUTIVES

Total value of votes of all MLAs of all states

Value of vote of an MP =
Total no.elected MPs
•• At second stage, a complex system of calculating Quota of individual candidate is used which
is based on the order of preference of candidates.
B-237
 Powers of President
B-238

Executive Legislative Judicial

Appoints PM, Directly Dissolution Address Nominates Assent Laying Issue Seek Power to
Council of administers or & Send Members on Bills down some Ordinance Advice of grant
ministers, UTs Prorogation messages of passed by reports Supreme pardon
Attorney_General, Court
of to houses Parliament Parliament before
CAG, Judges of
Supreme Court Parliament Parliament Emergency
& High Courts,
Governors,
Administrators Miscellaneous National Failure of Financial
of UTs, Chairman Emergency Constitutional Emergency
& Members of
(Art. 352) Machinery (Art. 360)
Public service
Commission, in States
Supreme Conclude (Art. 356)
Chairman &
Commander & Approve
Members of.
finance Commission, of Armed International
Chief Election Forces Treaties &
Commissioner Agreements
& Election
commissioners,
Inter - State
Council,
Commission
investigate the
condition of SCs,
STs & OBCs.
Polity
Polity B-239

List of Presidents till date

List of President Joining date Leaving date
Dr.Rajendra Prasad 1/26/1950 5/13/1962
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 5/13/1962 5/13/1967
Zakir Hussain 5/13/1967 5/3/1969
Varahagiri Venkata Giri 5/3/1969 7/20/1969
Muhammad Hidayatullah 7/20/1969 8/24/1969
Varahagiri Venkata Giri 8/24/1969 8/24/1974
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed 8/24/1974 2/11/1977
Basappa Danappa Jatti 2/11/1977 7/25/1977
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy 7/25/1977 7/25/1982
Giani Zail Singh 7/25/1982 7/25/1987
Ramaswamy Venkataraman 7/25/1987 7/25/1992
Shankar Dayal Sharma 7/25/1992 7/25/1997
Kocheril Raman Narayanan 7/25/1997 7/25/2002
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 7/25/2002 7/25/2007
Smt. Pratibha Patil 7/25/2007 7/25/2012
Pranab Mukherjee 7/25/2012 Incumbent

Vice President
Qualification Proportional representation by
(1) Citizen of India. means of the single transferable
(2) Completed 35 years. vote.
(3) Qualified for election as a member Functions
of of Rajya Sabha. (1) Ex-officio chairman of Rajya
(4) Not hold any office of profit under Sabha.
Union/State government or any (2) Suspend or adjourn the business
Local Authority. of the House.(Rajya Sabha)
Term (3) Issues direction to the Chairman
(1) 5 years. of various committees.
(2) Elegible for re-election. (4) Acts as President when vacancy
Oath occurs in the office of the President
due to his resignation. Removal,
(1) Administered by the President.
death, or otherwise.
Emoluments
Removal
(1) ` 1.25 Lakh per month salary.
(1) He can be removed by a resolution
Election of the Rajya Sabha passed by an
(1) Indirectly elected absolute majority & agreed to
(2) Elected by an electoral college by the Lok Sabha. But, no such
consisting of the members of resolution can be moved unless at
both Houses of Parliament & in least 14 days advance notice has
accordance with the system of been given.
B-240 Polity

Prime Minister
Appointment
(1) By President
Position
(1) Real executive authority (de facto executive).
(2) Head of the government.
(3) Leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.
Election
(1) Elected directly by the people.
Term
(1) 5 years
(2) The PM actually stays in office as long as he enjoy the confidence of the
parliament, but the normal term is automatically reduced if the Lok sabha
is dissolved earlier.
Powers
(1) Advise the president to summon & prorogue the Parliament & dissolve
the Lok Sabha.
(2) Act as a Link between the cabinet & the President.
(3) All the members of the council of ministers are appointed by the president
on the recommendations of the Prime Minister.
(4) Allocates Portfolios among the various ministers & reshuffles them.
(5) Presides over the meetings of the council of Ministers.
(6) Ask a minister to resign.
(7) Coordinates the policies of the various departments & Ministries.
List of Prime Ministers of India Till Date Party Name
Narendra Modi 2014 till date Bharatiya Janata Party
Manmohan Singh 2004-14 Indian National Congress
Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1998-2004 Bharatiya Janata Party
IK Gujral 1997-98 Indian National Congress
HD Deve Gowda 1996-97 Janata Dal (Secular)
AB Vajpayee 1996 Bharatiya Janata Party
PV Narasimha Rao 1991-96 Indian National Congress
Chandra Shekhar 1990-91 Samajwadi Janata Party
VP Singh 1989-90 Janata Dal (National Front)
Rajiv Gandhi 1984-89 Indian National Congress
Indira Gandhi 1980-84 Indian National Congress
Charan Singh 1979-80 Janata Dal (Secular)
Morarji Desai 1977-79 Janata Dal
Indira Gandhi 1966-77 Indian National Congress
Gulzarilal Nanda 1966-66 Indian National Congress
Lal Bahadur Shastri 1964-66 Indian National Congress
Gulzarilal Nanda 1964 Indian National Congress
Jawaharlal Nehru 1947-64 Indian National Congress
Polity B-241

Governor
Position •• Chief Executive of the State.
•• Act as an head agent of the Central Government.
Qualification •• Citizen of India.
•• Completed 35 years.
•• Not hold any office of profit under government.
•• Not a member of Parliament or State legislature.
Appointment & •• Appointed by President.
Tenure •• Term is 5 years.
Oath •• Administered by chief justice of high court
Powers and •• (A) Executive Powers –
Functions •• Appoints Chief Minister & other ministers, Advocate
General, chairman & Members of State PSC, State Election
Commissioner & Finance Commission, Vice Chancellors of
Universities in State.
•• Nominate one member of Anglo Indian Community to the
legislative Assembly of his State & 1/6th members of Sate
legislative council.
•• Recommend President that government of the Sate cannot
be carried on in accordance with the Provisions of the
Constitution.
•• (B) Legislative Powers –
•• Summon, adjourn & Prorogue State legislature & Dissolve the
State legislative assembly.
•• Address the state legislature at the commencement of the first
session after each general election and the first session of each
year.
•• Give or withold Assent to the bill.
•• Return or reserve the Bill.
•• Submission reports from auditor General, State PSC, State
finance commission before the legislature.
•• (C) Discretionary Powers –
•• Appointing a new Chief Minister when no Single Party
Commands a clear-cut majority in legislative Assembly.
•• Dismissal of ministry if he is convinced that it has lost
majority support.
•• (D) Other powers –
•• Grant Pardons & Suspend the sentence of any person but
cannot Pardon in case of death sentence.
•• No demand of grants can be made except on the
recommendation of the governor.
•• Ensures that Budget of State is laid before State legislature
every year.
 Assist Ministers with
whom they are attached
B-242

Tenure
& perform administrative
duties

Qualification
Appointment

Powers & Functions

Collective No Separate charge
Responsibility to
T Y M I N IS T
Lok Sabha at central PU ER
E Head Important

D
level and Legislative

S
Ministries of central
Assembly at State ST
ERS O F S
T

I
/ State Government
level

N
5 years

AT
Attend Cabinet’s

MI
E
CABINET meetings & decide
By Governor

MINISTERS
Ministers.

policies
Supreme
Individual (Independent Executive
Chief Minister

Responsibility to Charge) authority

President at central
level & Governor at
Ministries & Departments.

State level.
Independent charge of
Ministries / Departments.
(2) Head of the Council of Ministers.

(4) Allocates portfolios among Ministers.

Work under Supervision &

guidance of Cabinet ministers.
Member of either house of the State legislature

Not members of Cabinet &

(1) Chief link between the Governor & the council of

be appointed as members of the Council of Ministers

(5) Supervises & coordinates Policies of the several

(3) Recommends to the Governor the names of persons to

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (AT CENTRE & STATE LEVEL) : COMPOSITION

donot attend Cabinet meeting.

Polity
Polity B-243

COUNCIL OF MINSTERS IN 12TH FIVE YEAR PLAN

Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Atomic Energy
Department of Space
Cabinet Ministers
1 Shri Raj Nath Singh Home Affairs
2 Smt. Sushma Swaraj External Affairs
Overseas Indian Affairs
3 Shri Arun Jaitley Finance
Corporate Affairs
Information & Broadcasting
4 Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu Urban Development
Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
Parliamentary Affairs
5 Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari Road Transport and Highways Shipping
6 Shri Manohar Parrikar Defence
7 Shri Suresh Prabhu Railways
8 Shri D. V. Sadananda Gowda Law & Justice
9 Sushri Uma Bharati Water Resources, River Development and Ganga
Rejuvenation
10 Dr. Najma A. Heptulla Minority Affairs
11 Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
12 Shri Kalraj Mishra Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
13 Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi Women and Child Development
14 Shri Ananth Kumar Chemicals and Fertilizers
15 Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad Communications and Information Technology
16 Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Health and Family Welfare
17 Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Civil Aviation
Pusapati
18 Shri Anant Geete Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
19 Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal Food Processing Industries
20 Shri Narendra Singh Tomar Mines, Steel
21 Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh Rural Development
Panchayati Raj
Drinking Water and Sanitation
22 Shri Jual Oram Tribal Affairs
23 Shri Radha Mohan Singh Agriculture
24 Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot Social Justice and Empowerment
25 Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani Human Resource Development
26 Dr. Harsh Vardhan Science and Technology
Earth Sciences
Ministers of State (Independent Charge)
1 General V. K. Singh Statistics and Programme Implementation
External Affairs
Overseas Indian Affairs
B-244 Polity

2 Shri Inderjit Singh Rao Planning Defence

3 Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar Textiles
4 Shri Bandaru Dattatreya Labour and Employment
5 Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Parliamentary Affairs
6 Shri Shripad Yesso Naik AAYUSH Health & Family Welfare
7 Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Petroleum and Natural Gas
8 Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
9 Shri Prakash Javadekar Environment, Forest and Climate Change
10 Shri Piyush Goyal Power
Coal
New and Renewable Energy
11 Dr. Jitendra Singh Development of North Eastern Region
Prime Minister’s Office
Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Atomic Energy
Department of Space
12 Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Commerce and Industry
13 Dr. Mahesh Sharma Culture
Tourism
Civil Aviation
Ministers of State
1 Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Minority Affairs
Parliamentary Affairs
2 Shri Ram Kripal Yadav Drinking Water and Sanitation
3 Shri Haribhai Parthibhai Home Affairs
Chaudhary
4 Shri Sanwar Lal Jat Water Resources
River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
5 Shri Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Agriculture
Kundariya
6 Shri Giriraj Singh Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
7 Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir Chemicals & Fertilizers
8 Shri G. M. Siddeshwara Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
9 Shri Manoj Sinha Railways
10 Shri Nihalchand Panchayati Raj
11 Shri Upendra Kushwaha Human Resources Development
12 Shri Radhakrishnan P Road Transport & Highways, Shipping
13 Shri Kiren Rijiju Home Affairs
14 Shri Krishan Pal Social Justice & Empowerment
15 Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan Agriculture
16 Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Tribal Affairs
Vasava
17 Shri Raosaheb Dadarao Danve Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
18 Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Mines
Steel
Polity B-245

19 Shri Sudarshan Bhagat Rural Development

20 Prof. (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria Human Resource Development
21 Shri Y. S. Chowdary Science and Technology
Earth Science
22 Shri Jayant Sinha Finance
23 Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Information & Broadcasting
24 Shri Babul Supria (Babul Supriyo) Urban Development
Baral Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
25 Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Food Processing Industries
26 Shri Vijay Sampla Social Justice & Empowerment

Parliament
Indian Legislature

Union Leg
State Leg
(Parliament)

President Rajya Sabha Lok Sabha Bicameral Unicameral

Legislative
Upper House Lower House Council

Also known as House of People

council of states Maximum Leg. Council Leg. Assembly
Strength - 552 or Vidhan or Vidhan
Total members
Parishad Sabha
- 250

238 12 530 20 2 (Nominated Lower House

Indirectly Nominated (States) (UTs) members Upper House
elected from Anglo- Maximum
Indian Maximum Strength - 500
Permanent Body Community) Strength - 1/3 rd
of total strength Minimum
Members are Strength - 60
Term of of Assembly.
directly elected
individual Minimum Members are
member - 6 years Term - 5 years
Strength - 40 directly elected
1/3 rd members Presiding Officers by people
Members
retires at are indirectly Term - 5 years
expiration of Speaker Deputy elected
every 2nd year. Speaker Permanent body
Presiding officers Qualification
1/3rd of its
members retire
Chairman Deputy Citizen Not less every second year.
Chairman of India than 25
Term - 6 years
years.
Qualification

Citizen of Not less

India than 30
years
B-246 Polity

Sessions of Parliament

Budget Session Monsoon Session Winter Session

February- May July-September November–December

Indian Judicary

INTEGRATED JUDICIARY

President

Supreme Court
1. Chief Justice
Governor 2. Judges Parliament

High Courts
1. Chief Justice
2. Judges

COURTS
The Supreme Court
Delhi
High Courts
(In States)

(In Districts) Metropolitan

District and Areas
Session Courts

Metropolitan City - Civil and Presidency Small

Magistrate Courts Session Courts Cases Courts

(Civil) Provincial (Criminal)

Subordinate Small Cases Session Courts
Courts Courts

Subordinate Panchayat
Munsif Nyaya Magistrate Courts Courts
Courts Panchayat

Judicial Executive
Magistrate Magistrate
Polity B-247

Supreme Court •• According to Article 129, SC is

•• Supreme court is the final a “Court of Record”. It means:-
interpreter & guardian of our (a) Court records are
constitution. It is the highest court admitted to be of
of appeal in India. evidentiary value.
•• Presently there are 31 judges (b) It can punish for
(including Chief justice) in Contempt of the court.
Supreme Court. •• Qualification for appointment as
•• The CJI is appointed by the a Judge of SC :-
President. The present CJI is (1) Citizen of India.
Hon’ble Mr. TS Thakur. (2) Either be a distinguished jurist,
•• There is no fixed period of office or one who has been a High
for SC judges. Once appointed, Court Judge for atleast 5 years
they hold office till the age of 65 or an advocate of a High Court
years. ( or 2 or more such courts in
•• A judge of SC can be removed Succession ) for atleast 10
from his office only by the process years.
of impechment.
JURISDICTION OF SUPREME COURT

Types of Jurisdiction

Original Appellate Advisory Review

Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Jurisdiction

Disputes Disputes
relating to involving
Give its legal
union and the vialation of opinion on matters
fundamental
states referred to it by the
rights (writ
jurisdiction) president

Appeal in
Appeal in Appeal in Special leave
constitutional
civil cases Criminal cases to Appeal
cases

Power of Judicial Review (means it can

pronounce upon the constitutional validity
of laws passed by legislature and actions
taken by administrative authority.
B-248 Polity

High Court
•• The judiciary in a State consists of a HC & a hierarchy of Subordinate courts.
•• The judges of HC are appointed by the President .
•• The judge of a HC holds office until he attains the age of 62 years. He can
be removed by the process of Impeachment.
•• Qualification a person appointed as a judge of HC should
(1) Citizen of India.
(2) Held a judicial office in the territory of India for 10 years or have
been on advocate a high court for 10 years.
JURISDICTION OF HIGH COURT
Types of Jurisdiction

Original Writ Appellate Court of

Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Juristiction Record

Issue writs for

Appeal against
enforcement of FRs
of citizens judgements of
subordinate courts
in civil and criminal
Matters of Disputes Revenue matters
Admirality relating to matter
election of
parliament
and state
legislature

Review its own Judgements

Power to
judgement Proceedings
punish for
and Acts are
contempt
recorded for legal
of court
references

Crime Broad classification of crimes

under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
The Indian Penal Code was passed
in the year 1860 and came into effect 1. Crimes Against Body: Murder, Its
from January 1, 1862. The Indian attempt, Culpable Homicide not
Penal Code applies to the whole of
India except for the state of Jammu amounting to Murder, Kidnapping
& Kashmir. It contains 23 Chapters & Abduction, Hurt, Causing
and 511 Sections. Before the Indian Death by Negligence;
Penal Code came into effect, the
2. Crimes Against Property: Dacoity,
Mohammedan Criminal Law was
applied to both Mohammedans and its preparation & assembly,
Hindus in India. Robbery, Burglary, Theft;
Polity B-249

3. Crimes Against Public order: Section 369 : Kidnapping or abducting

Riots, Arson; child under ten years with intent to
4. Economic Crimes: Criminal steal from its person
Breach of Trust, Cheating, Section 372: Selling minor for
Counterfeiting; purposes of prostitution, etc.
5. Crimes Against Women: Rape, Section 373: Buying minor for
purposes of prostitution, etc.
Dowry Death, Cruelty by Husband
Section 378 : Theft
and Relatives, Molestation, Sexual Section 375: Rape
harassment and Importation of Section 376: Punishment against rape
Girls; Section 383: Extortion
6. Crimes Against Children: Child Section 390: Robbery
Rape, Kidnapping & Abduction Section 397: Robbery, or dacoity, with
of Children, Procreation of minor attempt to cause death or grievous hurt
girls, Selling/Buying of girls for
LEGAL TERMS
Prostitution, Abetment to Suicide,
Exposure and Abandonment, Affidavit: This is a sworn statement
made by a party, in writing, made in
Infanticide, Foeticide;
the presence of an oath commissioner
7. Other IPC crimes. or a notary public which is used either
Few Known Sections in support of applications to the Court
Section 120 : Concealing design to or as evidence in court proceedings.
commit offence punishable with Alimony : The maintenance given by
imprisonment a husband to his divorced wife.
Section 120-A and B: Definition of Amicus curiae : Translated from
criminal conspiracy and Punishment the Latin as ’friend of the Court’.
of criminal conspiracy An advocate appears in this capacity
Section 141: unlawful assembly when asked to help with the case by
Section 146 and 147: Rioting and the Court or on volunteering services
Punishment for rioting to the Court.
Section 169: Public servant unlawfully Arbitration : Settling disputes by
buying or bidding for property referring them to independent third
Section 171-B: Bribery parties as an alternative to court
Section 279: Rash driving or riding proceedings.
on a public way Audi alteram partem : This is a rule
Section 295: Injuring or defiling place of natural justice which translates from
of worship with intent to insult the the Latin as ‘hear the other side’ or
religion of any class ’hear both sides’.
Section 298: Uttering, words, etc., Bequeath : To dispose of personal
with deliberate intent to hurt the property by Will.
religious feelings of any person Caveat : Where it is apprehended that
Section 300: Murder an opposite party may file a case, a
Section 304-B: Dowry death party may file a document requesting
Section 307: Attempt to murder the court that no order be made in
Section 317: Exposure and the case without hearing the caveator.
abandonment of child under twelve Cognizable offence : An offence in
years, by parent or person having care which arrest can be made without a
of it. warrant.
B-250 Polity

Dasti Notice : Dasti is a persian Litigation : The totality of the legal

word, which means ‘by hand’. Dast proceedings in any dispute.
Notice means service of the notice by Locus Standi : Translated from Latin
the Petitioner on the Respondent(s) as ’place of standing’, locus standi
in person, and not by the Registry gives the right to pursue a litigation.
through post. Under this rule, only a person or group
Decree : The formal expression of an of persons affected by the issue may
adjudication which, so far as regards petition the Court.
the Court expressing it, Ordinance : A codified law made, as
Estoppel : A legal principle that bars a temporary measure, by the President
a party from denying or alleging a of India or the Governor of a State
certain fact owing to that party’s when the Parliament or legislature of
previous conduct, allegation, or denial. a state is not in session.
Habeas Corpus : A writ requiring Perjury : This occurs when a person
a person under arrest to be brought gives false evidence or false affidavit
before a judge or into court, especially in a case.
to secure the person’s release unless Petition : A written document filed
lawful grounds are shown for their in a court asserting a claim or a right
detention. and seeking relief on legal grounds.
In pari delicto : When both the parties Pleadings : A collective noun for
are equally in fault.lk all the petitions, affidavits, replies,
rejoinders drafted by or on behalf of
Interim Order : Any order by a court
the parties to a case.
before a final order is made.
Prima facie : At first sight; on the
Interlocutory Application : Petition
face of it.
seeking a relief even while the main
petition remains in the Court. Pro bono publico : Translated from
the Latin as ’for the public good’. In
Intervenor : A person who is not a
PIL, this refers to a petitioner acting
party to the proceedings may, with the bonafide in the public interest.
permission of the court, intervene if it
Respondent : A party against whom
is shown that the outcome of the case
a petition is filed. A proforma
will affect such person in some way.
respondent is a party against whom
Judgment-debtor : Any person against no relief is sought.
whom a decree has been passed or an Stare decisis : The principle that
order capable of execution has been decisions of Courts in previous cases
made; must be followed in subsequent cases
Judicial Review : A term that of similar nature.
describes the function of the judiciary Statute : A codified law that is
being able to examine and correct the enacted by the Parliament or a State
actions of all the organs of State— Legislature.
the executive, the legislature and the Stay Order : A party filing a petition
judiciary itself. may require some immediate relief,
Justiciable : A matter is justiciable even before the respondents can be
if it lends itself to adjudication by a heard or a final decision given.
court. This is determined by criteria Suo Motu : The Court may take action
laid down in law. on its own when facts requiring legal
Polity B-251

intervention reach its notice. The Court Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)
is then said to be acting suo moto. The term Panchayati Raj (PRI) in
Void : One that law regards as never India signifies the system of rural
having taken place. local self government. It has been
Vox populi : Translated from the Latin established in all the States of India
as ’the voice of the people’. by the Acts of the state Legislatures to
Writ : A writ is a direction that the build democracy at the grassroot level.
Court issues, which is to be obeyed It is entrusted with rural development.
by the authority/person to whom it It was constitutionalised through the
is issued. 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act
Writ Petition : A petition seeking 1992.
issuance of a writ is a writ petition.
COMMITTEES ON PANCHAYATI RAJ
Committee Year Important Recommendations
1. Balwant Rai 1957 •• Three – tier Panchayati Raj System – Gram Panchayat
Mehta at Village level, Panchayat Samiti at Block level & Zila
Parishad at district level.
2. Ashok Mehta 1977 •• Two – tier PR System – Mandal Panchayats at Village
level & Zila Panchayat at district level.
•• Official representation of Political Parties at all levels
of Panchayat elections.
•• Seat for SCs & STs should be reserved.
•• Constitutional recognition to PRIs.
3. GVK Rao 1985 •• Regular elections to the PRIs.
4. LM Singhvi 1986 •• Regular, Free & fair elections to PRIs.
•• Establishment of Nyaya Panchayats.
•• More financial resources to village Panchayats.

Constitutionalisation 2. Reservation of seats for women,

SCs, STs & OBCs in Panchayats,
73rd Amendment Act 1993
at all levels.
The Parliament has passed 73rd and
3. Elections to the panchayats shall be
74th Constitutional Amendment Acts in
1993 to ensure the effective participation held with in a period of 6 months
of rural & urban people in the from the date of dissolution.
institutions of local Self government. 4. Members of Block Panchayat &
•• Added part -IX (Articles 243 to Zilla Panchayats are to be elected
243-0) & the 11th Schedule to the by people directly along with the
Constitution.
election of members of Gram
•• 11th Schedule contains 29
functional items & deals with Panchayat. The heads of Gram
Article 243 – G. Panchayat shall be elected by the
•• The important provisions of 73rd directly elected members of these
Constitutional Amendment Act bodies.
are as Follows – 5. Establishment of an independent
1. It made mandatory to hold the
elections of Panchayats in due State Election commission in
time on regular basis. every State.
B-252 Polity

6. Power to the Panchayats to impose relations. A total of 56 Articles, from

and collect taxes in accordance Article 245 to 300 deal with the centre
with the provisions made by the state relations.
State government. Committees Appointed to study
7. Establishment of a State Finance Centre -state relation.
Commission. 1. Setalvad committee (1966).
2. Rajamannar committee (1969)
8. Prepare & implement the plans
3. Sarkaria committee (1983).
for economic development.
Division of Legislative Powers
Municipalities
between Centre & the States
For the establishment of self-
government in urban areas urban I.
Three Lists
bodies have been established. 1. Union List – List I – 97 subjects
The urban institutions have been 2. State List – List II – 66 subjects
granted constitutional status by 74th 3. Concurrent List – List III – 52
constitutional Amendement (enforced subjects
with effect from January 1,1993). In IMPORTANT SUBJECTS IN
the Part IX A of the Constitution the VARIOUS LISTS
provisions for Municipalities have Union List (List I)
been made from Article 243 P to 243 1.
Atomic energy and mineral
ZG. Besides a 12th Schedule also has resources.
been incorporated in the Constitution, 2. Extradition.
which contains 18 subjects relating to 3. Banking.
the jurisdiction of Municipalities. 4. Insurance.
As per this Constitutional Amendment 5. Stock exchanges and futures
3 types of urban institutions have been markets.
established on the basis of population 6. Patents, inventions and designs;
copyright; trade-marks and
they are –
merchandise marks.
1. Nagar Panchayat for a transitional
7. Census.
area.
8. Corporation tax.
2. Municipal council for a smaller 9. Any other matter not enumerated
urban area. in List II or List III including any
3. Municipal corporation for a larger tax not mentioned in either of
urban area. those lists.
Centre – State Relations State List (List II)
The basic provisions regarding the 1. Public order.
distribution of powers between the 2. Local government.
central & provincial governments are 3. Public health and sanitation.
in Part XI & XII of the Constitution. 4. Libraries, museums and other
Both the Union & the States derive similar institutions.
their authority from the Constitution, 5. Agriculture.
which divides all powers Legislative, 6. Fisheries.
executive & financial between them. 7. Gas and gas-works.
Our Constitution makers elaborate 8. Markets and fairs.
provisions to govern centre state 9. Captivation taxes.
Polity B-253

Concurrent List (List III) (b) For providing cooperation for the
1. Criminal law. implementation of development
2. Criminal procedure. plans & progress.
3. Preventive detention. Composition : The Union Home
4. Marriage and divorce. Minister is the ex–officio chairman
5. Transfer of property other than of all the Zonal Councils. Each
agricultural land. Zonal council includes the Chief
6. Contracts. Ministers of the member states &
7. Civil procedure. the Administrators of the Union
8. Contempt of court, but not Territories. The chief secretaries of
including contempt of the the member states are also included.
Supreme Court. Uniform Civil Code
9. Prevention of cruelty to animals.
No specific definition is available
10. Economic and social planning.
on UCC. All we know is that some
11. Legal, medical and other
common law covering issues relating
professions.
to marriage, succession and property
12. Electricity.
is called Uniform Civil Code but what
13. Archaeological sites.
these laws would be is anyone’s guess.
II. Inter state Council In article 44, our constitution clearly
Inter–State Council is one of the specifies the UCC: “The State shall
important extra judicial bodies formed endeavour to secure the citizen a
in 1990 on the recommendation of Uniform Civil Code throughout the
Sarkaria Commission. The Article territory of India”. The constitution is
263 of Constitution empowers the thus, very clear that unless a uniform
President to appoint or establish an civil code is followed, integration
Inter–State Council for (1) enquiring cannot be imbibed. However, the fact
into & advising upon inter–state is that it is only a “directives principle”
disputes. (2) Investigate & Discuss laid down in the constitution and as
on subjects in which states alone or Article 37 of the Constitution itself
states & union have common interest. makes clear, the directive principles
The Council is headed by the Prime “shall not be enforceable by any court”.
Minister & its members include 6 Nevertheless, they are “fundamental in
Cabinet Ministers & Chief Ministers the governance of the country”. This
shows that although our constitution
of States.
itself believes that a Uniform Civil
III. Zonal Council Code should be implemented in
Zonal Councils were constituted some manner, it does not make this
on the recommendation of States implementation mandatory. Hence,
Reorganization Commission 1956. the debate on having a uniform civil
In 1956, five zonal councils were code for India still continues. The
established – North, South, East, demand for a uniform civil code
West & Central. In 1971, the 6th zonal essentially means having one set of
council was established i.e. North–east laws that will apply to all citizens of
zonal council. Its objectives are:– India irrespective of their religion.
(a) To promote collective approach & Though the exact contours of such a
sorting out common problems of uniform code have not been spelt out,
the member states. it should presumably incorporate the
B-254 Polity

most modern and progressive aspects Nehru’s promise that Article 370 will
of all existing personal laws while be gradually abrogated, it has not
discarding those which are retrograde. happened even after more than six
decades have whiled away.
Article 370 It is not known to many that the article
Under Article 370 of the Indian 370 has been eroded time and again
Constitution, Jammu & Kashmir is due to a series of Presidential Orders.
granted autonomy. It is a ‘temporary These orders over a period of time
provision’ that accords special status have made almost all Union laws
to the state. All the provisions of applicable to J&K. Today, the state
is within the “scope and jurisdiction”
the Constitution are not applicable
of almost every institution of India.
to J&K, unlike other states. Except
finance, defence, communications, How J&K Different from Other
and foreign affairs, central government States?
needs the state government’s consensus •• Directive Principles of State
for applying all other laws. Because Policy (DPSP) are not applied to
of this article, residents of Kashmir J&K but applied to other states.
follow separate set of laws in terms of DPSP = states are required to do
citizenship, property ownership, and some things for the welfare of
other rights. community.
•• President can’t declare financial
Moreover, as per Article 370, the power
emergency (salaries and allowances
of Parliament to make laws for the said reduction etc.) in relation to J&K.
State is “limited to those matters in •• High Court of J&K can issue
the Union List and the Concurrent writs only for enforcement of
List.” It doesn’t have the authority Fundamental Rights.
to increase or reduce the borders of •• Right to property is still guaranteed
the state. For those uninitiated, the in J&K.
article was drafted by N. Gopalaswami •• Permanent residents of J&K have
Ayyangar in 1949 against the wish some special fundamental rights.
of Dr BR Ambedkar, who found •• Although Supreme Court, EC and
it discriminatory and against the CAG are applicable to J&K along
interest of India. Despite Jawaharlal with all other states.

CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES
Election Commission are appointed by the President for
It is a permanent & an independent a term of 6 years. The Regional
Commissioners may also be appointed
body established by the Constitution by the President in consultation with
of India directly to ensure free & fair the Election Commission for assisting
elections in the country. Elections to the Election Commission. The CEC
Parliament, State legislatures, President can be removed from office before
& Vice–President are vested in it. expiry of his term by the President
Composition: The Election on the basis of a Resolution passed by
Commission consists of a Chief the Parliament by a special majority
Election Commissioner & such other on the ground of proved misbehavior
commissioners as the President may, or incapacity. The other Election
form time to time, decide. Commissioners may be removed by
Appointment & Term: The CEC the President on the recommendation
& other Election Commissioners of the CEC.
Polity B-255

Powers & Functions:

Current Chief Election Commissioner is Mr. Nasim Zaidi

Public Service Commissions (c) On all disciplinary matters

person serving under the
I. Union Public Service goverment of India.
Commissions (UPSC) 4. Presents annually to the President
•• Independent Constitutional body. a report on its performance. The
•• Recruitment of civil servants at President places this report before
the union level. both the Houses of Parliament.
•• Chairman & members are II. State Public Service
Commission
appointed by the President & have
tenure of 6 years or until age of •• Recruitment of Civil Services at
the state level.
65 years.
•• Two or more states, if parliament
•• The President can also remove provides by law, may have a Joint
them before expiry of their term on Public Service Commission.
grounds of proved misbehaviour. •• Service conditions of SPSC’s
The President can issue orders for members are determined by
the removal of the members of the Governor whereas service
UPSC only after the Supreme court conditions of Joint PSC are
makes such a recommendation on determined by President.
the basis of an enquiry. •• Chairman & members of SPSC
are appointed by Government &
Functions: in case of JPSC by the President.
1. Conduct examinations for •• Chairman & members of SPSC &
appointment to the services of JPSC have tenure of 6 years or
the union. until age of 62 years.
2. Assists the states in framing •• Members may resign by writing to
Governor. It is only the President
& operating schemes of joint
who can make a reference to the
recruitment. Supreme Court & make an order
3. Advises the President of India– of removal in pursuance of the
(a) All matters relating to report of the Supreme court.
methods of recruitment in Functions
civil services & for civils posts.
1. Conduct examinations for
(b) Suitability of Candidates for appointments to the services of
appointments for promotions. the state.
B-256 Polity

2. Advise on matter that may be National Commission for

referred by the Governor. Scheduled Castes & Tribes
3. Present Annual report to the The President has power to appoint
Governor who shall cause it to a National Commission for SCs &
be laid before the state legislature. STs. The Commission shall consist
4. Any other function that state of a Chairman, a Vice–Chairman &
legislature may by law assign.
5 other members. This Commission
Finance Commission was given contitutional status by the
An instrument which the constitution 65th Amendment Act 1990.
has evolved for the purpose of Functions
distributing financial resources 1. To investigate & monitor all
between centre & states is the Finance matters relating to the safeguards
Commission,. According to Article provided for SCs & STs under the
280 of the Constitution, it is to be Constitution of India & to evaluate
constituted by the President once every the working of such safeguards.
5 years consisting of a chairman & 2. To enquire specific complaints
four other members appointed by the with respect to the deprivation
President. of rights & safeguards of SCs &
Functions STs.
The duty of the Commission is 3. To submit its Annual Report to
to make recommendations to the the President.
President as to–
National Commission for
1. The distribution between the
Union & the States of the net
Backward Classes
proceeds of taxes which are to Article 340 empowers the President to
be divided between them and appoint a Commission to investigate
the allocation between the states the conditions of the socially &
themselves of the respective shares educationally backward classes. The
of such proceeds. Commission recommends removal of
2. The principles which should all difficulties of Backward Classes
govern the grant– in–aid of the & raising them to a higher social,
revenue of the states out of the educational & economic standard.
Consolidated fund of India. After constitution was adopted two
3. The measures needed to augment ‘Backward Class Commissions’
the consolidated fund of a state to were appointed – (1) Kaka Saheb
supplement the resources of the Kalelkar Committee & (2) B.P. Mandal
Panchayats & the Muncipalities Committee.
in the state on the basis of the
recommendation by the State Comptroller & Auditor –
Finance Commission. General (CAG)
4. Any other matter referred to the The CAG is the custodian of public
commission by the President in purse & controls the entire financial
the interests of sound finances. system of the country. He is appointed
Polity B-257

by the President for a period of 6 years Attorney General (AG)

or till he attains the age of 65 years The AG is the highest legal officer
whichever is earlier. It is his duty to
of the Goverment of India. He is
see that no money is spent out of the
appointed by the President & holds
Consolidated fund of India or of a
office during the pleasure of the
State without the authority of the
President. He must have the same
appropriate legislation. The reports
qualifications as are required to be a
of the CAG are presented to the
judge of the Supreme Court.
President or the Governor, as the case
Though the AG of India is not a
may be, & laid before the Parliament member of the Cabinet, he shall have
& the respective State legislatures. the right to address in the House of
In Lok Sabha, the Public Accounts Parliment but shall have no right to
Committee considers this Report. vote. In the performance of his official
The current CAG of India is duties the AG is entited to audience
Shashikant Sharma. in all Courts in the territory of India.
Functions Functions:
He can audit & report on:– 1. Give advice on all such legal
1. All expenditure from consolidated matters & to perform all such other
fund of India & each state & duties of a legal character as may,
each Union Territories having from time to time, be referred to
a legislative Assembly & see him by the President.
whether expenditure has been in 2. Discharge the functions conferred
accordance with the law. on him by the constitution or any
2. All expenditure from the other law for the time being in
Contingency Funds & Public force.
Accounts of the Union & the 3. Appear before the Supreme Court
states. & various High Courts in cases
3. All trading, manufacturing, profit involving the Goverment of India.
& loss accounts etc.., Kept by any Advocate General
Department of the Union or a Each state shall have an Advocate
State. General. He is the state’s counter
4. The receipts & expenditure of part of the Attorney General of India.
the Union & of each state to He is appointed by the Governor of
satisfy himself that the rules the State who holds office during the
& procedures are designed to pleasure of the Governor. A person
secure an effective check on the qualified to be a High Court Judge can
assessment, Collection & proper be appointed Advocate– General. He
allocation of revenue. has the right to address & take part
5. The receipts & expenditure of all in the proceedings of the House of
bodies & authorities substantially the State Legislature. But he has no
financed from the Union or state right to vote. His functions are similar
Revenues. to those of the Attorney – General.
B-258 Polity

NON–STATUTORY BODIES

PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of India was established on March 15, 1950 on
the basis of a resolution of the Cabinet to that effect. It is a non–statutory/
extra constitutional body. Prime Minister is the ex–officio Chairman of the
Planning Commission. The Deputy Chairman of planning Commission is
of Cabinet rank.
Assessment of material, capital and
human resources and prepare plans for
Examine Achievements of effective and balanced utilisation of these
Plans & suggest Corrective resources
measures

Functions of Determine Priorities

Determine appropriate & Define stages in
planning
machinery required for which plan should be
Commission
successful implement action carried out

Indicate factors which

Advise the retard Economic
Government development

National Development Council Functions

(NDC) •• Lays down the guidelines for the
NDC is one of the key organizations formulation of 5 year plans.
of the Planning system in India. It •• Approving & Reviewing the Plan
was set up by a resolution of Central from time to time.
goverment on August 6, 1952. It is •• Securing Corrdinated
an extra–constitutional body. It is implementation of the plans.
described as a Super Cabinet. It should •• Consider important questions of
meet atleast twice every year. social & economic policy affecting
Composition = Prime minister national development.
(Chairman) + Chief Minister of all
states + Administrators of all union NITI Aayog
territories The government of India has
All Union Cabinet Ministers + replaced Planning Commission with
Members of Planning Commission a new institution named NITI Aayog
Objectives (National Institution for Transforming
•• Strengthen & mobilize the efforts India).
for national planning & the The institution will serve as ‘Think
national resources. Tank’ of the Government - a
•• Prescribe common economic directional and policy dynamo.
policies. NITI Aayog will provide Governments
•• Ensure rapid & balanced economic at the Central and State Levels with
development of all parts of relevant strategic and technical advice
country. across the spectrum of key elements
Polity B-259

of policy, this includes matters of The chairperson & members of

national and international importance Lokpal shall be appointed by a
on the economic front, dissemination Selection Committee consisting of
of best practices from within the PM, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader
country as well as from other nations, of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief
the infusion of new policy ideas and Justice of India & an eminent jurist to
specific issue-based support. be nominated by the President based
Composition: NITI Aayog will have on the recommendations of the other
Prime Minister as its chairman, one members of the Selection Committee.
Vice-Chairman cum chief-executive The jurisdiction of Lokpal extends
officer, 5 fulltime members and 2 part to the PM, Ministers, Current &
time members, apart from 4 central former MPs & members of legislative
government ministers. assemblies, government employees
& employees of companies funded
Lokpal or controlled by the control or state
In India, the institution of government.
Ombudsman (Swedish word meaning It specifies a time limit of 60 days for
Commissioner) has given the name of completion of inquiry & 6 months for
Lokpal & use it as an anti-corruption completion of investigation by CBI.
institution. The Dictionary defines
the Ombudsman as ‘an official to
Lokayukta
investigate complaints by individual The anti-corruption institution of
against maladministration by public Lokayukta is set up at the state level.
authorities. Lokpal is visualised He is appointed by the Governor of
as the country’s watch dog. The the state. In most of the states, the
idea of creating Lokpal was first term of office fixed for Lokayukta is
conceptualized in 1968 in 4th Lok of 5 years duration or 65 years of age,
Sabha. Thereafter in 1971, 1977, 1985, whichever is earlier.
1989, 1996, 1998 & 2001 efforts were National Human Rights
made to enact legislation to create the Commission (NHRC)
institution of Lokpal. The Bill received
NHRC is a statutory body, established
Parliaments assent on 1st Jan 2013.
in 1993, to act as the watch dog of
The Bill as passed by Parliament
human rights in the country, that is the
creates a Lokpal at the centre which
rights relating to life, liberty, equality
shall consist of a chairperson &
& dignity of the individual guaranteed
upto 8 members. Half of these by the constitution or embodied in the
members should have higher judicial international covenants & enforceable
experience & other half should have by courts in India. The commission
experience in public administration, is a multi-member body consisting of
finance, insurance & banking laws, a chairman and four members. The
anti corruption & vigilance. It also Chairman and members are appointed
provides that half the members of by the President. They hold office for
Lokpal shall be from amongst SCs, a term of 5 years or until they attain
STs, OBCs, minority & women. the age of 70 years.
 FEATURES OF INDIAN GOVERNMENT
B-260

Democracy Parliamentary Federal

Representatives Ensure Responsive Government Party 2 Heads Distribution Decentralisation

are elected by Political to the public governs through Repre- of powers of Authority
people indirectly freedom & opinion assembly or sentation
or directly. socio-economic parliament P.M. President
development (Head (Head
of of State)
Govt.)

Government is
responsible
INDIAN GOVERNMENT

to parliament
Union State Concurrent
List List List

Central State Local

Govt. Govt. Govt.
Polity
Polity B-261

Institutional Framework

Legislature Executive Judiciary

Law-making Law-Implementation Law-Adjudication

Body Body

Includes Ministers Settlement Judicial

Introduction, Make
Discussion & Laws & Civil Servants of Disputes Review
passing of
the bills
Formulation
Guardian
& Implementation
Responsible of Fundamental
of Plans & Policies
to the electorate Rights

LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

Union Govt.

State Govt.
PM Council Responsible for
of Administration
Ministers & Governance of
whole Country Chief Council of Responsible for
Minister Ministers Administration &
• District Level unit Governance of
• Examine the Budget State
• Organise meeting Local Govt.
& supervise work
of panchayat samiti
Panchayati Raj Institutions Municipalities
• Adopt measures for (Rural) (Urban)
completion of
activities
• Block level Zila Nagar
• Executive Organ Panchayat Panchayat
of Gram Sabha Panchayat Municipal
• Prepare Plans Samiti Council
• Perform social Gram
welfare & Municipal
Sabha Corporation
Developmental
of activities
• Lowest Unit
• Directly Elected
Members
B-262 Polity

ELECTIONS

3 Types Procedure Basis

Steps

General Mid term Adult Geographical Single Member

By Election
Election Election Suffrage Representation Territorial
1. Nomination Constituencies
of Candidates

Elections Election Election 2. Declaration

of Lok to till due to of final list
Sabha vacant Dissolvement of candidates
& State seat of of Lok Sabha or
Vidhan Sabha 3. Allotment
Assemblies a member of symbols to
of Lok before its tern
is over political
Sabha or parties &
State Independent
Legislative Candidates
Assembly
Election
Manifesto
& campaign

Polling

Counting
of votes

Declaration
of Result

Committees for Electoral Reform :

1. Tarkunde Committee (1974)
2. Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990)
3. Vohra Committee (1993)
4. Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998)
5. Election Commission of India Report on Proposed Electoral Reforms
(2004)
6. Tankha Committee (2010)
Important Electoral Reforms :
•• Lowering of voting age from 21 years to 18 years.
•• Use of Electronic Voting Machines.
•• Adjournment of poll or countermanding of elections in case of Booth
capturing.
•• Candidates of
Recognised
Parties
Listing of Candidates of
candidates Registered
Names Unrecognised
Parties
Other Independent
Candidates
Polity B-263

•• Contestants restricted to Two constituencies.

•• Campaigning period reduced from 20 to 14 days.
•• Declaration of criminal antecedents, assets, etc., by candidates on nomination
paper.
•• Ceiling on Election Expenditure Increased.
Political Parties & Pressure Group
Political Parties
•• Meaning : Group of persons who agree on some ideology & seek to capture
the power & form the government on the basis of collective leadership.
•• Type of Party System in India : Multi Party System :
•• Functions
(i) Representation
(ii) Elite Formation & Recruitment
(iii) Goal Formulation
(iv) Interest Articulation & Aggregation
(v) Socialization & Mobilization
(vi) Organization of Government.
•• Category of Political Party in India:-
Category

National Party State Party

6% of valid 2% seats in lok 6% of valid 3% of total

votes in 4 states sabha & members votes in state no. of seats
or more OR are elected from + OR or 3 seats
+ 3 different states in assembly,
2 seats in
4 seats in lok whichever is
sabha from any assembly
more
state or states
Pressure Groups
•• Represents socio-economic & political interests of a particular section in
political system. Eg. farmers, industrial workers etc.
•• Organised on basis of common goals & share similar values.
•• Seek support of party leaders, legislators & bureaucracy in vigorous pursuit
of their goals.
•• Exert pressure on government in order to obtain laws and administrative
measures in favour of their specific interests.
•• Termed as a “Anonymous Empire”
B-264 Polity

Types of Pressure Group in India

Types

Associational
Pressure Groups Non-Associational Institutional Anomic Pressure
Pressure Groups Pressure Groups Groups
Industry, Labour,
Agriculture, etc. Religion, Caste, Civil Services, Police, Adhoc interest
(Eg. ASSOCHAM, Tribe, language Defence services, Groups set up for
AITUC) or culture Public Sector specific objective
(Eg. Anglo-Indian Employees (Eg. All Assam
Christians Association) (Eg. AISA) Students Union)

NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES OF INDIA

No. Name Abbreviation Symbol Foundation Current
Year Leaders
1. Bharatiya BJP Lotus 1980 Amit Shah
Janata Party
2 Indian National INC Hand 1885 Sonia Gandhi
Congress
3 Communist CPI-M Hammer, 1964 Sitaram
Party of India Sickle and Yechury
(Marxist) star
4 Communist CPI Ears of 1925 Suravaram
Party of India corn and Sudhakar
sickle Reddy
5 Bahujan Samaj BSP Elephant 1984 Mayawtai
Party
6 Nationalist NCP Clock 1999 Sharad Pawar
Congress Party
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTY & PRESSURE GROUP
Political Party Pressure Group
1. Strive to organise public opinion Specific or sectional interets (united
in issues of public concern. (Wider objectives)
objectives)
2. Represents aggregation of interests. Represents specific interest. (Limited
(Large membership) Membership)
3. Generalist in organisation of Specialist in organisation of opinion.
opinion.
4. Contest Elections. Do not contest Elections.
5. Intention of gaining political power. No intention of gaining political power.
6. Help in formulating policies. Tend to influence the policies of
government.
Polity B-265

FOREIGN POLICY OF INDIA propounded & initiated in 1996 by

I.K. Gujral, the then Foreign Minister
I. Principles and objectives
in the Deve. Gowda Government. The
1. Preservation of India’s sovereign Doctrine is a 5-point roadmap to guide
independence. the conduct of India’s foreign relations
2. Non-alignment. with its neighbours.
3. Opposition to Imperialism, These 5 principles are as follows
colonialism & Racial discrimination. 1. With the neighbours India should
4. Opposition to discriminatory not ask for reciprocity, but give to
international regimes & hedonistic them what it can is good faith.
policies. 2. No south asian country should
5. Panchsheel allow its territory to be used
•• mutual respect for each other’s against the interest of another
territorial integrity &sovereignty. country of the region.
•• non-aggression 3. No, country should interfere in the
•• Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs of another country.
internal affairs. 4. All South Asian Countries should
•• equality & mutual benefit. respect each other’s territorial
•• peaceful co-existence. integrity & sovereignty.
6. Support for United Nations & 5. All South Asian countries should
international peace. settle all their disputes through
7. Promotion of unity & solidarity peaceful bilateral negotiations.
of Third world for securing an
IV. Nuclear Policy of India
equitable share in world politics.
India adopted its Nuclear doctrine in
II. Look East Policy
2003. Its main objectives are:-
India’s ‘Lok East’ Policy was first 1. India shall pursue a doctrine
initiated in 1992 by the then Prime of credible minimum nuclear
Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. Since deterrence.
then, the policy has been one of 2. India will not resort to the use or
the cornerstones of India’s foreign threat of use of nuclear weapons
policy. It lays emphasis on improving against states which donot
cooperation with India’s neighbouring possess nuclear weapons, or are
south-east & east. Asian countries not aligned with nuclear weapon
(eg. China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, powers.
Thailand etc.) & also engagement 3. Deterrence requires that India
with various regional organisations maintain:-
such as ASEAN, East Asia Summit, (a) Sufficient, survivable &
BIMSTEC & Mekong Ganga operationally prepared nuclear
Cooperation (MGC). The policy is forces.
pursued in a multi faceted manner (b) Robust command & control
in diverse areas such as improved system.
connectivity, promotion of trade, (c) Effective intelligence & early
investment & cultural exchanges. warning capabilities.
III. Gujral Doctrine India’s first nuclear test - 18 May 1974.
The Gujral Doctrine is a milestone India second nuclear test- 11 May &
in India’s foreign policy. It was 13 May, 1998.
B-266 Polity

MODI’S VISIT TO NATIONS

1
Place Victoria, Seychelles
Date 10th-11thMarch
Purpose To strengthen maritime and bilateral ties
Agreements Cooperation in:
•• hydrography
•• renewable energy
•• infrastructure development
•• Sale of navigation charts and electronic
navigational charts.

2
Place Port Louis, Mauritius
Date 11th -13th March
Purpose To build strategic asset with the island nation.
Agreements Cooperation in:
•• MoU in the field of Ocean Economy.
•• Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the
year 2015-18.
•• MoU on Cooperation in the field of
Traditional System of Medicine and
Homeopathy.

3
Place Colombo, Sri Lanka
Date 13th -14th March
Purpose State Visit.
Agreements The two sides signed four agreements on :
•• visa
•• customs
•• youth development,
•• And building Rabindranath Tagore memorial
in Sri Lanka.

4
Place Paris, Toulouse, Neuve-Chapelle in France
Date 9th-12th April
Purpose Strengthening International Relations.
Agreements •• MoU between L&T and AREVA to improve
the financial viability of Jaitapur project.
•• MoU between ISRO and CNES on Megha
Tropiques, the joint project for sharing and
use of data from the satellite.
•• Railway protocol between Indian Ministry
of Railways and French National Railways
(SNCF) for semi-high speed rail and station
renovation.
Polity B-267

5
Place Singapore
Date 29th March
Purpose State funeral of Lee Kuan Yew
Agreements Along with attending the state funeral of Lee
Kuan Yew, Prime Minister Modi met several world
leaders including the Israeli President.

6
Place Berlin, Hannover in Germany
Date 12th-14th April
Purpose Strengthening Bilateral relations
Agreements No agreement signed until German Chancellor
Angela Merkel visits India in October 2015.

7
Place Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver in Canada
Date 14th-16th April
Purpose Bilateral Visit
Agreements •• Commercial agreements and announcements
worth 1.6 Billion Canadian Dollars under
which Saskatchewan-based Cameco will
supply India with over seven million pounds
of uranium over the next five years.

8
Place Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai in China
Date 14th-16th May
Purpose Strengthen the Bilateral ties
Agreements •• MoU of skill development and
entrepreneurship of India and the ministry of
human resources and social security of China
focussing on vocational education and skill
development.
•• MoU on consultative mechanism for
cooperation in trade negotiations.
•• MoU on education exchange programme.
•• MoU of Niti Aayog and the Development
Research Centre, State Council of China.
•• MoU between Doordarshan and China
Central Television on cooperation in the field
of broadcasting.

9
Place Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Date 16th-17th May
Purpose International Relations
B-268 Polity

Agreements •• Agreement for avoidance of Double Taxation

and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with
Respect to Taxes on Income.
•• MoU for Cooperation of National Security
Council Secretariat of India and the Office of
National Security of Korea.
•• MoU between the Ministry of Youth Affairs
and Sports of India and the Ministry of
Gender Equality and Family of Korea on
Cooperation in Youth Matters.

10
Place Seoul, South Korea
Date 18th-19th May
Purpose Promote Make in India
Agreements •• Cooperation in audio-visual co-production
enabling the co-production of films, animation
and broadcasting programmes.
•• MoU with Ministry of Power and the Ministry
of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea
on cooperation in the field of electric power
development and new energy industries.
•• MoU in the fields of maritime transport
and logistics including through sharing of
technologies, information and experiences.

11
Place Dhaka. Bangladesh
Date 6th-7th June
Purpose Expand the cordial relationship
Agreements •• Memorandum of Understanding between Coast
Guards
•• MoU on Prevention of Human Trafficking
•• MoU on Prevention of Smuggling and
Circulation Fake Currency Notes
•• MoU between Bangladesh and India and for
Extending a New Line of Credit (LoC) of US$ 2
billion by Government of India to Government
of Bangladesh
•• MoU on Blue Economy and Maritime
Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and the
Indian Ocean
•• MoU on Use of Chittagong and Mongla Ports
•• MoU for a Project under IECC (India
Endowment for Climate Change) of SAARC
•• Agreement on Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati Bus
Service and its Protocol
•• Agreement on Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala Bus
Service and its Protocol.
Polity B-269

12
Place Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Date 6th July
Purpose To improve Bilateral and regional issues.
Agreements •• Cooperation in Law Enforcement to Counter-
Terrorism.
•• Cooperation in the field of defence and cyber
security.
•• UN Security Council Reforms to reaffirm India’s
candidature for permanent membership of UN
Security Council.

13
Place Astana, Kazakhstan
Date 7th July
Purpose Boosting trade, energy, defence and security
cooperation
Agreements •• MoU by JSC Kazxnex Invest and JSC Invest
India to establish bilateral trade and economic
relations.
•• MoU on Technical Cooperation in the sphere
of railways between the NC Kazakhstan Temir
Zholy JSC and India’s railways ministry.
•• MoU on defence cooperation which includes
supply of 5,000 tonnes of uranium to India
during 2015-19.
•• Transfers of sentenced persons.

14
Place Ufa, Russia
Date 8th -10th July
Purpose BRICS summit
Agreements •• MoU between Quality Council of India (QCI)
and Federal Accreditation Service of Russian
for elimination of technical barriers in trade
and economic cooperation.
•• MoU by Indian Council of Medical Research
(ICMR) and the Russian Foundation for Basic
Research (RFBR) for cooperation in various
areas of health research.
•• MoU between TATA Power and Russian
Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) exploring
opportunities in the energy sector.
•• MoU between ACRON of Russia and
NMDC of Indiato acquire stake in a potash
mine in Russia.
•• MoU between ESSAR and ROSNEFT to
ensure ten year supply and purchasecrude oil
and feed stocks/productsby India.
B-270 Polity

•• Agreement for Training of Indian Armed

Forces Personnel in the Military Educational
Establishments of the Defence Ministry of the
Russian Federation establishing understanding
between the two forces.

15
Place Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Date 10th-11th July
Purpose To enhance cooperation among the two
nations.
Agreements •• MoU on Supply of Chemical Products between
the Indian Public Sector Undertaking ‘Rashtriya
Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited’ and the
Turkmen State concern ‘Turkmenhimiya’
•• MoU between the Foreign Service Institute of
the Ministry of External Affairs of India and
the Institute of International Relations of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
•• MoU between India and Turkmenistan on
Cooperation in Yoga and Traditional Medicine.

16
Place Bishkek,Kyrgyzstan
Date 12th July
Purpose To counter threat of terrorism and extremism
Agreements •• Agreement on Defence Cooperation in
relation to matters of defence, security,
military education and training.
•• MoU and Cooperation in the field of
Electionsrelating to legislation on elections
and referendums.
•• Agreement on cooperation in culture
ensuringpreservation of cultural heritage,
organisation of folk arts, theatre.

17
Place Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Date 12th-13th July
Purpose Bilateral ties
Agreements •• Programme of Cooperation (POC) between
Ministries of Culture of India and Tajikistan
in the field of Culture for the years 2016-18
for greater cultural understanding between the
countries.
•• Exchange of Note Verbale (NV) on setting up
of Computer Labs in 37 Schools in Tajikistanto
set up computer labs in 37 schools in Tajikistan
for supporting Tajikistan’s human resource and
skill development efforts.
Polity B-271

18
Place Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Date 16th -17th August
Purpose To counter threat of terrorism and enhance
trade
Highlights •• UAE’s ‘landmark’ decision to allocate land
for a temple.
•• UAE to invest 4.5 lakh crore rupees in India.
•• UAE - India to boost trade and establish a
security dialogue.

19
Place Dublin, Ireland
Date 23rd September
Purpose To enhance trade and commerce and aviation.
Highlights •• Promotion of business links and cooperation to
boost tourism ties, which are already growing
at a yearly rate of 14 per cent.
•• Economic partnership in the fields of
information technology, biotechnology and
pharmaceuticals, agricultural and clean energy.
•• Ireland to provide support for India’s
membership into the Nuclear Suppliers Group
and permanent seat in the UNSC.
•• Exchange of views on important international
issues like, terrorism, radicalism and the challenges
emerging out of it in Europe and Asia.

20
Place New York, San Francisco in USA
Date 24th-30thSeptember
Purpose United Nations General Assembly
Highlights •• PM Narendra Modi addressed the Indian
diaspora at the SAP Center in Silicon Valley.
•• Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced
a proposal for introduction of broadband
connectivity, through Wi-Fi hotspots, at 100
railway stations.
•• Qualcomm Incorporated announced
establishment of $150 million India-specific
Venture Fund formed to foster promising
Indian start-ups.
•• Modi launched Bharat Fund at India-
U.S. StartUp Konnect programme. It is
aimed at providing seed funding to Indian
entrepreneurs.
•• Modi answered questions from the audience
at a Townhall at the Facebook headquarters at
Menlo Park, California.
B-272 Polity

21
Place London, Chequers in United Kingdom
Date 12th-14th November
Purpose To enhance and deepen economic engagement.
Highlights •• India and the UK have announced commercial
deals worth 9 billion pounds in London.
•• OPG Power Ventures plc will further invest in
India by £2.9 billion to a total of £3.4 billion,
creating around 100 UK jobs over next few years.
•• Merlin Entertainments to open a Madame
Tussauds wax attraction in New Delhi in 2017.
•• Genus ABS to invest £1 million in India, creating
latest dairy genetics and constructing a state-of-
the-art facility near Pune.
•• Solar PV generator in the UK and Europe,
Lightsource, has announced a £2 billion
investment in India.
•• Vodafone has announced a range of further
investments in India totalling £1.3 billion
(` 13,000 crore) to support the Government
of India’s ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’
campaigns.
•• Holland & Barrett International has partnered
with Apollo Hospitals in a deal worth £20
million.
•• Bharti Airtel intends issuing its maiden sterling
bond of up to £500 million to be listed on the
London Stock Exchange.
•• Wipro has increased its investment in the UK
with the opening of its newest office for Wipro
Digital.
•• MoU signed between the two countries on tech
cooperation in the rail sector.

22
Place Antalya, Turkey
Date 15th–16th November
Purpose G-20 Summit
Highlights •• PM Modi met the leaders of Australia and
Spain, and also the Saudi Arabia’s King
Salman Al-Saud on the sidelines of the G20
Summit.
•• India and Turkey to team up for infrastructure
projects and tackling the problem of terrorism.
•• Modi urged the G20 nations to fulfil the global
aspirations for clean energy.
•• India promised to increase renewable power
capacity four-folds to 175 gigawatt by 2022
and cut fossil subsidies.
•• Nuclear-deal procedure for supplying uranium
has been sealed between India and Australia.
Polity B-273

23
Place Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date 21-22 November
Purpose ASEAN-India summit and East Asia Summit
Highlights •• MoU was signed on Performance Management
Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) to ensure excellent
cooperation in Public Administration and
Governance.
•• PM urged Malaysian government for co-
operation and enhanced participation in projects
like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Smart city’ initiatives.
•• PM Modi also announced the inauguration of
Torana Gate at the entrance of Little India in
Bricksfield, Kuala Lumpur.
•• India and Malaysia to deepen their cooperation
on security challenges and terrorism.

24
Place Singapore
Date 23rd-25th November
Purpose To elevate bilateral relations of both countries.
Highlights •• MoUs on curtailing drug trafficking and
improving cyber security.
•• Collaboration in urban planning and wastewater
management.
•• MoU for cooperation in civil aviation services
and airport management beginning with Jaipur
and Ahmedabad airports.
•• Extending of long-term loan of Indian artefacts
to the Asian Civilisations Museum of Singapore.

25
Place France
Date 30th November – 1st December
Purpose 2015 United Nations Climate Change
Conference COP21
Highlights •• PM Modi inaugurated India Pavilion
showcasing India’s harmony with nature,
environment and commitment to mitigate
climate change.
•• PM Modi and French President Francois
Hollande jointly unveiled the International
Solar Alliance.
•• PM Modi also attended ‘Mission Innovation’
hosted by President of the United States.

26 Place
Date
Russia
23rd December – 24th December

27 Place
Date
Afghanistan
25th December

28 Place
Date
Pakistan
25th December
B-274 Polity

World Polity
Cold War Era
Contemporary world politics is the
direct outcome of World War II.
In 1945, the Allied Forces, led by
the US, Soviet Union, Britain and
France defeated the Axis Powers led by
Germany, Italy and Japan, ending the
Second World War (1939- 1945). The
war had involved almost all the major
powers of the world and spread out
to regions outside Europe including Cuban Missile Crisis
Southeast Asia, China, Myanmar and The Cuban Missile Crisis is a time
parts of India’s northeast. when the United States and the Soviet
The First World War had earlier shaken Union almost had a nuclear war.
the world between 1914 and 1918. The When the U.S. discovered offensive
nuclear missiles in Cuba, it started
end of the Second World War was
a tense period of 13 days while the
also the beginning of the Cold War.
world watched to see if the Soviets
The world war ended when the United would remove the missiles, just 90
States dropped two atomic bombs on miles from the U.S.
the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and President Kennedy did not dare to
Nagasaki in August 1945, causing invade Cuba, because that action could
Japan to surrender. With the defeat of have started a world war - yet he could
Germany and Japan, the devastation not let the missile sites be completed.
of Europe and in many other parts With his advisers, he decided on a
of the world, the United States and naval blockade to prevent Russian
the Soviet Union became the greatest ships delivering the missiles for the
powers in the world with the ability to Cuban sites.
influence events anywhere on earth. Khrushchev warned that Russia
would see the blockade as an act
The Cold War — in spite of being an
of war. Russian forces were put on
intense form of rivalry between great
alert; US bombers were put in the air
powers — remained a ‘cold’ and not carrying nuclear bombs; preparations
hot or shooting war. The dominance were made to invade Cuba. There was
of two superpowers, the United States massive tension in both Washington
of America and the Soviet Union, was and Moscow. Everybody thought the
central to the Cold War. As a result world was going to come to an end.
Non Aligned Movement (NAM) as Secretly, the Americans suggested a
a challenge to the dominance of the trade-off of missile bases - US bases
two superpowers was born. in Turkey for Russian bases in Cuba.
Polity B-275

The Russians made the first public states which declared that armed
move. The ships heading for Cuba attack on any one of them in Europe or
turned back, and Khrushchev sent North America would be regarded as
a telegram offering to dismantle the an attack on all of them. It was created
Cuban bases if Kennedy lifted the in 1955 and its principal function was
blockade and promised not to invade to counter NATO’s forces in Europe.
Cuba. Then, as though having second In East and Southeast Asia and in
thoughts, he sent a second letter West Asia (Middle East), the United
demanding the dismantling of the States built an alliance system
Turkish bases. At the vital moment, called — the Southeast Asian Treaty
Organisation (SEATO) and the Central
a US U2 spy plane was shot down.
Treaty Organisation (CENTO). The
However, Kennedy ignored the U2
Soviet Union and communist China
attack and agreed publicly to the first responded by having close relations
letter, and secretly to the second. The with regional countries such as
crisis was over. North Vietnam, North Korea and
The Emergence of Two Power Iraq. The Cold War threatened to
divide the world into two alliances.
Blocs
Communist China quarrelled with the
The two superpowers were keen on USSR towards the late 1950s, and, in
expanding their spheres of influence 1969, they fought a brief war over a
in different parts of the world. In a territorial dispute. The other important
world sharply divided between the two development was the Non-Aligned
alliance systems, a state was supposed Movement (NAM), which gave the
to remain tied to its protective newly independent countries a way
superpower to limit the influence of of staying out of the alliances.
the other superpower and its allies. The Cold War did not eliminate
The smaller states in the alliances rivalries between the two alliances,
used the link to the superpowers for mutual suspicions led them to
their own purposes. They got the arm themselves to the teeth and to
constantly prepare for war. Huge stocks
promise of protection, weapons,
of arms were considered necessary
and economic aid against their local
to prevent wars from taking place.
rivals, mostly regional neighbours with In time, therefore, the US and USSR
whom they had rivalries. The alliance decided to collaborate in limiting or
systems led by the two superpowers, eliminating certain kinds of nuclear
therefore, threatened to divide the and non-nuclear weapons. A stable
entire world into two camps. This balance of weapons, they decided,
division happened first in Europe. could be maintained through ‘arms
Most countries of western Europe control’. Starting in the 1960s, the
sided with the US and those of eastern two sides signed three significant
Europe joined the Soviet camp. That agreements within a decade. These
is why these were also called the were the Limited Test Ban Treaty,
‘western’ and the ‘eastern’ alliances. Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
The western alliance was formalised and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
into an organisation, the North Thereafter, the superpowers held
Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), several rounds of arms limitation
which came into existence in April talks and signed several more treaties
1949. It was an association of twelve to limit their arms.
B-276 Polity

India and the Cold War on 1 July 1968. Entered into force on
As a leader of NAM, India’s response 5 March 1970. Extended indefinitely
to the ongoing Cold War was two-fold: in 1995.
At one level, it took particular care in Strategic Arms Limitation TalksI
staying away from the two alliances. (SALT-I): The first round of the
Second, it raised its voice against the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks began
newly decolonised countries becoming in November 1969. The Soviet leader
part of these alliances. India’s policy Leonid Brezhnev and the US President
was neither negative nor passive. Richard Nixon signed the following in
During the Cold War, India repeatedly Moscow on 26 May 1972 – a) Treaty
on the limitation of Anti-Ballistic
tried to activate those regional and
Missile Systems (ABM Treaty); and
international organisations, which
b) Interim Agreement on the limitation
were not a part of the alliances led
of strategic offensive arms. Entered
by the US and USSR.
into force on 3 October 1972.
Arms Control Treaties Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II
Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT): (SALT-II): The second round started
in November 1972. The US President
Banned nuclear weapon tests in the
Jimmy Carter and the Soviet leader
atmosphere, in outer space and under
Leonid Brezhnev signed the Treaty
water. Signed by the US, UK and
on the limitation of strategic offensive
USSR in Moscow on 5 August 1963.
arms in Vienna on 18 June 1979.
Entered into force on 10 October 1963. Strategic Arms Reduction TreatyI
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (START-I): Treaty signed by the
(NPT): Allows only the nuclear USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev
weapon states to have nuclear weapons and the US President George Bush
and stops others from aquiring them. (Senior) on the reduction and
For the purposes of the NPT, a limitation of strategic offensive arms
nuclear weapon state is one which in Moscow on 31 July 1991.
has manufactured and exploded a Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
nuclear weapon or other nuclear II (START-II): Treaty signed by the
explosive device prior to 1 January Russian President Boris Yeltsin and
1967. So there are five nuclear weapon the US President George Bush (Senior)
states: US, USSR (later Russia), on the reduction and limitation of
Britain, France and China. Signed in strategic offensive arms in Moscow
Washington, London, and Moscow on 3 January 1993.

UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations is an international Quick Facts
organization founded in 1945 after the •• Membership: 193 Member States
Second World War by 51 countries •• Established: 24 October 1945
committed to maintaining international •• Current UN peacekeeping
peace and security, developing operations : 16
friendly relations among nations •• Official languages: Arabic,
and promoting social progress, better Chinese, English, French, Russian,
living standards and human rights. Spanish.
Polity B-277

•• The first day approved by the UN Aims and Objectives

General Assembly was United
The Main objectives of the UN are :
Nations Day, 24 October (by
(1) To maintain peace and security in
resolution 168 (II) of 31 October
the world.
1947).
(2) To work together to remove
•• Based on five principal organs
poverty, disease and illiteracy and
(formerly six–the Trusteeship
encourage respect for each other’s
Council suspended operations
rights of basic freedom.
in 1994, upon the independence
(3) To develop friendly relations among
of Palau, the last remaining UN
nations.
trustee territory); the General
(4) To be a centre to help nations
Assembly, the Security Council,
achieve these common goals.
the Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC), the Secretariat, and The six main organs of the
the International Court of Justice. United Nations System are :
•• General Assembly: 193 Member
States General Assembly
•• Security Council: 5 permanent The General Assembly is the main
members and 10 non-permanent deliberative assembly of the United
Nations. Composed of all United.
The Permanent Members of the Nations member states, the assembly
Security Council meets in regular yearly sessions under
•• The Peoples’ Republic of China; a president elected from among the
•• The Republic of France; member states.
•• The United Kingdom of Great Security Council
Britain and Northern Ireland; The Security Council is charged
•• The Russian Federation; and with maintaining peace and security
•• The United States of America. among countries. While other organs
Official Language of United Nations : of the United Nations can only
There are six official languages make ‘recommendations’ to member
of the United Nations, used in governments, the Security Council has
intergovernmental meetings and the power to make binding decisions
that member governments have agreed
documents. They are Arabic, Chinese,
to carry out, under the terms of Charter
English, French, Russian and Spanish. Article 25. The decisions of the Council
The UN Flag and the Emblem are known as United Nations Security
Council resolutions.
The UN General Assembly adopted The Security Council is made up of
the UN flag on 20 Oct. 1947. The 15 member states, consisting of 5
white UN emblem is super-imposed on permanent members–China, France,
a light blue back ground. The emblem Russia, UK, USA and 10 non-
consists of the globe map projected permanent members.
from the North pole and embraced in Secretariat
twin olive branches (symbol of peace). The United Nations Secretariat is
The UN emblem was approved on 7 headed by the Secretary-General,
Oct. 1946. assisted by a staff of international
B-278 Polity

civil servants worldwide. It provides United Nations Charter, the Court

studies, information, and facilities began work in 1946 as the successor to
needed by United Nations bodies the Permanent Court of International
for their meetings. It also carries out Justice.
tasks as directed by the UN Security Economic and Social Council
Council, the UN General Assembly, Economic and Social Council
the UN Economic and Social Council, (ECOSOC) assists the General Assembly
and other UN bodies. in promoting international economic
The Secretariat is headed by the and social cooperation and development.
Secretary-General, who acts as the ECOSOC has 54 members, all of which
spokesperson and leader of the UN. are elected by the General Assembly
The current Secretary-General is Ban for a three-year term.
Ki-moon, who took over from Kofi
Trusteeship Council
Annan in 2007 and will be eligible
for reappointment when his first term It is one of the principal organs of
expires in 2011. United Nations which armed at ensuring
the fact that the trust territories were
International Court of Justice administered in the best interest of their
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), in habitant and of international peace
located in The Hague, Netherlands, is and security. It was formed in 1945
the primary judicial organ of the United council the mission of the was fulfilled,
Nations. Established in 1945 by the it collapsed on 1 November 1994.
Secretaries-General of the United Nations
No. Name Country of Took office Left office
origin
1 Trygve Lie Norway 2-Feb-46 10-Nov-52
2 Dag Hammarskjold Sweden 10-Apr-53 18-Sep-61
3 U Thant Burma 30-Nov-61 1-Jan-72
4 Kurt Waldheim Austria 1-Jan-72 1-Jan-82
5 Javier Pérez de Cuéllar Peru 1-Jan-82 1-Jan-92
6 Boutros Boutros-Ghali Egypt 1-Jan-92 1-Jan-97
7 Kofi Annan Ghana 1-Jan-97 1-Jan-07
8 Ban Ki-moon South Korea 1-Jan-07 Incumbent

SPECIALIZED AGENCIES OF
THE UNITED NATIONS
United Nations Educational, Members : 195 member states
Scientific and Cultural and 9 associate
Organization (UNESCO) members
Functions:
Headquarters : Place de Fontenoy,
••
Mobilizing for education by
Paris, France
providing every child, irrespective
Established : 16 November 1945
of its gender quality education as
Head : Irina Bokova,
a fundamental human right
Polity B-279

•• C reation of World Heritage Members : 188 states (187

Sites to support cultural diversity UN countries and
and protect sites of outstanding Kosovo)
universal value. Functions :
•• Pursuing scientific cooperation •• World Bank provides various
•• Protecting freedom of expression technical services to the member
countries.
The United Nations Children’s •• Bank can grant loans to a member
Fund (UNICEF) country up to 20% of its share in
Headquarters : New York City the paid-up capital.
Established : 11 December 1946 •• Quantities of loans, interest rate
Head : Anthony Lake and terms and conditions are
Members : 36 Member States determined by the Bank itself.
Functions : •• Bank grants loans for a particular
•• Child protection from violence, project duly submitted to the Bank
exploitation and abuse along with by the member country.
social inclusion for disabled.
•• Basic education and gender The International Monetary
equality through programmes Fund (IMF)
like girls education innovation for Headquarters : Washington, D.C.
education learning for the peace Established : 27 December 1945
out-of-school initiative. Head : Christine Lagarde
•• Policy advocacies and partnership Members : 188 countries
through data analysis, leveraging Functions :
resources and child participation. •• Surveillance over Members’
International Labour Economic Policies
Organization (ILO) •• Financing Temporary Balance of
Payments Needs
Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland •• Combating Poverty in Low-
Established : 1919 Head: Guy Income Countries
Ryder •• Mobilizing External Financing
Members : 185 of the 193
member states of the The World Health Organization
United Nations plus (WHO)
the Cook Islands are Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
members of the ILO Established : 7 April 1948
Functions : Head : Margaret Chan,
•• Creation of international labour Director General
standards Members : 194 member states
•• Formulation of international
Functions :
policies,
•• Technical assistance training, •• Providing leadership on matters
•• Education, research and publishing critical to health and engaging in
activities partnerships where joint action is
needed;
World Bank (WB) ••
Shaping the research agenda
Headquarters : Washington, DC, USA and stimulating the generation,
Established : July 1944 dissemination of valuable
Head : Jim Yong Kim knowledge
B-280 Polity

•• Providing technical support, Functions :

catalyzing change, and building •• Peaceful uses: Promoting the
sustainable institutional capacity; peaceful uses of nuclear energy
•• Monitoring the health situation by its member states.
and assessing health trends. •• Safeguards: Implementing
International Fund for safeguards to verify that nuclear
Agricultural Development energy is not used for military
Objective (IFAD) purposes.
•• Nuclear safety: Promoting high
Headquarters : Rome, Italy
standards for nuclear safety.
Established : 1977
Head : Kanayo F. Nwanze United Nations Industrial
Members : 176 member statesv Development Organization
(174 UN members (UNIDO)
states along with
the Cook Islands and Headquarters : Vienna, Austria
Niue) Established : 1966(converted to a
Functions : specialized agency in
To ensure that poor rural mass have 1985)
access to: Head : Li Yong
•• Natural resources, especially Members : 172 States
secure access to land and water Functions :
•• Improved agricultural technologies •• Assists developing countries in
and effective production services. the formulation of development,
•• A broad range of financial services institutional, scientific and
The Food and Agriculture technological policies and
Organization of the United programmes in the field of
industrial development;
Nations (FAO)
•• Analyzes trends, disseminates
Headquarters : Palazzo, Rome, Italy information and coordinates
Established : 16 October 1945, in activities in their industrial
Quebec City, Canada
development;
Head : José Graziano da
•• Acts as a forum for consultations
Silva
and negotiations directed towards
Members : 197 members
Functions: the industrialization of developing
•• Help eliminate hunger, food countries;
insecurity and malnutrition. The United Nations World
•• Make agriculture, forestry and Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
fisheries more productive and
sustainable. Headquarters : Madrid, Spain
•• Reduce rural poverty Established : 1957
Head : Taleb Rifai
International Atomic Energy Members : 157 states
Agency (IAEA) Functions :
Headquarters : Vienna, Austria To promote and develop sustainable
Established : July 29, 1957 tourism so as to contribute to
Head : José Yukiya Amano economic development, international
Members : 166 member states understanding, peace, prosperity etc.
Polity B-281

The World Food Programme in contributing to the safety and

(WFP) welfare of humanity
Headquarters : Rome, Italy •• Under WMO, National
Established : 1961 Meteorological and Hydrological
Head : Ertharin Cousin Services contribute substantially to
Members : 36 member states. the protection of life and property
Functions : against natural disasters
•• Save lives and protect livelihoods The United Nations
in emergencies. Development Programme
•• Support food security and nutrition
(UNDP)
and (re) build livelihoods in fragile
settings Headquarters : New York City
•• Reduce risk and enable people, Established : 1965
communities and countries to Head : Helen Clark
meet their own food and nutrition Members : 177 countries
needs. Functions :
•• Poverty reduction
The World Intellectual Property •• Crisis prevention and recovery
Organization (WIPO) •• Environment and Energy
Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
The United Nations High
Established : July 14, 1967
Head : Francis Gurry
Commissioner for Refugees
(Director-General) (UNHCR)
Members : 188 member states Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
Functions : Established : 14 December 1950
••
Promoting creative intellectual Head : António Guterres
activity and for facilitating the Members : 98 members
transfer of technology related Functions :
to industrial property to the ••
To lead and co-ordinate
developing countries international action to protect
refugees and resolve refugee
World Meteorological problems worldwide.
Organization (WMO) •• To protect and providing
Headquarters :Geneva, Switzerland humanitarian assistance to whom
Established : 1950 HeadMichel it describes as other persons “of
Jarraud (Secretary- concern,” including internally
General) displaced persons
Members : 191 Member States
and Territories The United Nations
Functions : Environment Programme
•• Provides a frame work for (UNEP)
international cooperation in the Headquarters : Nairobi, Kenya
development of meteorology and Established : 5 June 1972
operational hydrology and their Head : Achim Steiner
practical application. Members : 54 countries on the
•• played a unique and powerful role African Continent
B-282 Polity

Functions : •• U niversal primary education

••
Assessing global, regional and and closing the gender gap in
national environmental conditions education by 2015
and trends •• Reducing maternal mortality by
••
Developing international and 75 per cent by 2015
national environmental instruments •• Reducing infant mortality
••
Strengthening institutions for
the wise management of the United Nations Conference on
environment Trade and Developmental
The United Nations Population Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland
Established : 1964
Fund (UNFPA)
Head : Dr. Babatunde
Headquarters : New York City Osotimehin
Established : 1969 Members : 194 member states
Head : Dr. Babatunde
Functions :
Osotimehin
•• To formulate policies relating to all
Members : 36 countries
aspects of development including
Functions :
trade, aid, transport, finance and
•• Universal access to reproductive
technology.
health services by 2015
UN INTERNATIONAL YEARS
Since 1959 the UN has designated International years in order to draw attention
to major issues and to encourage international action to address concerns
which have global importance and ramifications.
2000 International Year for the Culture of Peace; and
International Year of Thanksgiving
2001 International Year of Volunteers; and
United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations; and
International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance
2002 International Year of Mountains; and
International Year of Culture Heritage; and
International Year of Ecotourism
2003 International Year of Freshwater
2004 International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and Its Abolition;
and
International Year of Rice
2005 International Year of Microcredit; and
International Year for Sport and Physical Education
2006 International Year of Deserts and Desertification
2008 International Year of the Potato; and
International Year of Planet Earth; and
International Year of Sanitation; and
International Year of Languages
Polity B-283

2009 International Year of Human Rights Learning - from 10 December 2008 (Human
Rights Day) to
10 December 2009
International Year of Reconciliation; and
International Year of Natural Fibres; and
International Year of Astronomy
2010 International Year of Biodiversity; and
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding - from 12
August 2010 (International Youth Day) to 11 August 2011
2011 International Year of Forests; and
International Year of Chemistry; and
International Year for People of African Descent
2012 International Year of Cooperatives
2013 International Year of Water Cooperation.
2014 International Year of Family Farming International Year of Crystallagraphy

International decades
2011–2020 Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity.
Decade of Action for Road Safety.
2010–2020 United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification.
2008–2017 Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty.
2006–2016 Decade of Recovery and Sustainable Development of the Affected Regions
(third decade after the Chernobyl disaster).
2005–2015 International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”.
2005–2014 United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Second
International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
2003–2012 United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All.
2001–2010 International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the
Children of the World.
Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in
Africa.
Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.

International U.N. Week

•• March 21–27 Week of Solidarity (International) Peace Week.

with the Peoples Struggling against •• October 4–10 - World Space Week,
Racism and Racial Discrimination, recognized by the UN.
recognized by the UN. •• October 24–30 - Disarmament
•• April 25 – May 2 (2009) — Week, recognized by the UN.
Vaccination Week In The Americas. •• October 25–31 - International
•• May 25–31 Week of Solidarity with Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness
the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Week.
Territories, recognized by the UN. •• Road Safety Week - November
•• 4th week of September - •• Shark Week - Summer
B-284 Polity

UN WOMEN The World Trade Organization

The United Nations agreed to the (WTO) is the only global international
formation of a new institution organization dealing with the rules of
trade between nations. The goal is to
named “UN Women” on 2nd July
help producers of goods and services,
2010. The main objective will be the
exporters, and importers conduct
sexual/gender equality and women
their business.
empowerment.
Facts :
The fifty-ninth session of the
Location : Geneva, Switzerland
Commission on the Status of
Established : 1 January 1995
Women took place at United
Created by : Uruguay Round
Nations Headquarters in New
negotiations (1986-
York from 9 to 20 March 2015.
94)
Representatives of Member States ,
Membership : 161 members
UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited
Head : Roberto Azevedo
non-governmental organizations
Functions :
(NGOs) from all regions of the
•• Administering WTO trade
world attended the session. The
agreements
main focus of the session was on the
•• Forum for trade negotiations
Beijing Declaration and Platform for
•• Handling trade disputes
Action, including current challenges •• Monitoring national trade policies
that affect its implementation and the •• Technical assistance and training
achievement of gender equality and for developing countries
the empowerment of women. •• Cooperation with other international
The sixtieth session of the Commission organizations
on the Status of Women will take place Event: Tenth WTO Ministerial
at the United Nations Headquarters in Conference (15th to 19th Dec, 2015)
New York from 14 to 24 March 2016. Place : Nairotri, Kenya
World Trade Organization Agenda: Decision on agriculture,
(WTO) cotton and issues related to least
developed countries.

OTHER AGENCIES
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Movement and are not Oceanian (with
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) the exception of Papua New Guinea
is an intergovernmental organization and Vanuatu).
of states considering themselves not The organization was founded in
aligned formally with or against any Belgrade in 1961, and was largely
major power bloc. As of now, the the brainchild of Yugoslavia’s first
organization has 120 members and 17 President, Josip Broz Tito, India’s first
observer countries. Generally speaking Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru,
the Non-Aligned Movement members Egypt’s second President, Gamal
can be described as all of those countries Abdel Nasser, and Indonesia’s first
which belong to the Group of 77 (along President, Sukarno. All four leaders
with Belarus and Uzbekistan), but were prominent advocates of a middle
which are not observers in Non-Aligned course for states in the Developing
Polity B-285

World between the Western and The symbol of their free association
Eastern blocs in the Cold War. is the Head of the Commonwealth,
The purpose of the organisation as which is a ceremonial position currently
stated in the Havana Declaration held by Queen Elizabeth II.
of 1979 is to ensure “the national Member countries span six continents
independence, sovereignty, territorial and oceans from Africa (19), Asia (8),
integrity and security of non-aligned the Americas (2), the Caribbean (12),
countries” in their “struggle against Europe (3) and the South Pacific (10).
imperialism, colonialism, neo- The Commonwealth Heads of
colonialism, racism, and all forms Government Meeting, abbreviated to
of foreign aggression, occupation, CHOGM, is a biennial summit meeting
domination, interference or hegemony of the heads of government from all
as well as against great power and Commonwealth nations. Every two years
bloc politics.” They represent nearly the meeting is held in a different member
two-thirds of the United Nations’s state, and is chaired by that nation’s
members and 55% of the world respective Prime Minister or President,
population, particularly countries who becomes the Commonwealth
Chairperson-in-Office.
considered to be developing or part
Event: Young Professional Programme
of the third world.
(2015)
Event: Working group meeting (14-
Place: London
July, 2015)
Agenda: Recruit young professionals in
Place: Egypt Agenda total elimination the division such as Economic Policy,
of nuclear weapons. Rule of Law, Human Resources and
THE COMMONWEALTH Youth.
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally European Union
referred to as the Commonwealth The European Union (EU) is an
and previously known as the British economic and political union of 28
Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental member states which are located
organisation of fifty-four independent primarily in Europe.
member states. All except two The Maastricht Treaty established the
(Mozambique and Rwanda) of these European Union under its current name
countries were formerly part of the in 1993. The last amendment to the
British Empire. constitutional basis of the EU, the Treaty
The member states co-operate within of Lisbon, came into force in 2009.
a framework of common values and Event: European Council, (17-18
goals. These include the promotion December 2015)
Place: Brussels
of democracy, human rights, good
Agenda: Focused on migration, fight
governance, the rule of law, individual against terrorism, the five presedent’s
liberty, egalitarianism, free trade, report on the Economic and Monetary
multilateralism and world peace. The Union the completion of the single market
Commonwealth is not a political union, and the UK plans for the referendum.
but an intergovernmental organisation
through which countries with diverse SAARC
social, political and economic The South Asian Association for
backgrounds. Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an
B-286 Polity

organization of South Asian nations, 8th New Delhi 2-4 May 1995
founded in 1985. Its seven founding 9th Malé 12-14 May 1997
members are Bangladesh, Bhutan,
10th Colombo 29-31 July 1998
India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan,
and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan joined the 11th Kathmandu 4-6 January
organization in 2007. Meetings of 2002
heads of state are usually scheduled 12th Islamabad 2-6 January
annually; meetings of foreign secretaries, 2004
twice annually. Headquarters are in 13th Dhaka 12-13 November
Kathmandu, Nepal. 2005
•• The concept of SAARC was first 14th New Delhi 3-4 April 2007
adopted by Bangladesh during 15th Colombo 1-3 August 2008
1977, under the administration 16th Thimphu 28-29 April 2010
of President Ziaur Rahman. 17th Maldives November 2011
•• Afghanistan was added to the 18th Nepal 2014
regional grouping on 13 November
19th Pakistan 2016
2005.
•• On 2 August 2006 the foreign DESIGNATED SAARC YEARS
ministers of the SAARC countries
1989 SAARC Year of Combating
agreed in principle to grant
Drug Abuse and Drug
observer status to the US, South
Trafficking
Korea and the European Union.
•• The SAARC Secretariat was 1990 SAARC Year of Girl Child
established in Kathmandu on 16 1991 SAARC Year of Shelter
January 1986 and was inaugurated 1992 SAARC Year of
by Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Environment
Shah of Nepal. 1993 SAARC Year of Disabled
•• The SAARC Secretariat and Persons
Member States observe 8 December
1994 SAARC Year of the Youth
as the SAARC Charter Day .
1995 SAARC Year of Poverty
SAARC SUMMITS Eradication
No. Location Date 1996 SAARC Year of Literacy
1st Dhaka 7-8 December 1997 SAARC Year of
1985 Participatory Governance
2nd Bangalore 16-17 November
1999 SAARC Year of Biodiversity
1986
3rd Kathmandu 2-4 November 2002- SAARC Year of
1987 2003 Contribution of Youth to
Environment
4th Islamabad 29-31 December
1988 2004 SAARC Awareness Year for
5th Malé 21-23 November TB and HIV/AIDS
1990 2005 South Asia Tourism Year
6th Colombo 21-Dec-91 2006 South Asia Tourism Year
7th Dhaka 10-11 April 1993 2007 Green South Asia Year
Polity B-287

NATO organization facilitating international

The North Atlantic Treaty police cooperation. It was established
Organization or NATO also called as the International Criminal Police
the (North) Atlantic Alliance, is an Commission in 1923 and adopted its
intergovernmental military alliance telegraphic address as its common
based on the North Atlantic Treaty name in 1956.
which was signed on 4 April 1949. The Its membership of 190 countries
NATO headquarters are in Brussels, provides finance of around $78
Belgium, and the organization million through annual contributions.
constitutes a system of collective The organization’s headquarters is in
defence whereby its member states Lyon, France.
agree to mutual defense in response Its current Secretary-General is
to an attack by any external party. Jiirgen Stock. Mireilli Ballestrazzi is
On 1 April 2009, membership was
the current president.
enlarged to 28 with the entrance of
Events: Conference on strengthening
Albania and Croatia.
Meetings of NATO Ministers of law enforcement capacity in the
Foreign Affairs Americas (14-15 December, 2015)
Place: Brussels Place: Trenidad and Tabago.
Agenda: Open door policy Agenda: Discuss strategic and
operational policing issues affecting
SEATO the Americas region and to identify
The Southeast Asia Treaty the ways to strengthen collaborating
Organization (SEATO) was an partnerships.
international organization for
collective defense which was signed GROUP OF 8
on September 8, 1954 in Manila. The The Group of Eight is a forum, created
formal institution of SEATO was
by France in 1975, for governments
established at a meeting of treaty
of six countries in the world: France,
partners in Bangkok in February
1955. It was primarily created to block Germany, Italy, Japan, the United
further communist gains in Southeast Kingdom, and the United States. In
Asia. The organization’s headquarters 1976, Canada joined the group (thus
were located in Bangkok, Thailand. creating the G7). In 1997, the group
SEATO was dissolved on June 30, added Russia thus becoming the G8.
1977. In addition, the European Union
SEATO was planned to be a Southeast is represented within the G8, but
Asian version of the North Atlantic cannot host or chair. “G8” can refer
Treaty Organization (NATO), in to the member states or to the annual
which the military forces of each summit meeting of the G8 heads of
member would be coordinated to government.
provide for the collective defense of
Event: G8 Elmau Summit (7-8 June,
the members’ country.
2015)
INTERPOL Place: Germany
Interpol (the International Criminal Agenda: Biodiversity: A vital found-
Police Organization) is largest ation for sustainable development.
B-288 Polity

Group of 77 countries in the areas of investment,

The Group of 77 (G-77) was trade, and technology.
established on 15 June 1964 by Group of 20
seventy-seven developing countries The Group of Twenty Finance
signatories of the “Joint Declaration Ministers and Central Bank Governors
of the Seventy-Seven Countries” from 20 economies: 19 countries
issued at the end of the first session plus the European Union, which
of the United Nations Conference on is represented by the President of
Trade and Development (UNCTAD) the European Council and by the
in Geneva. Beginning with the first European Central Bank. Their
“Ministerial Meeting of the Group heads of government or state have
of 77 in Algiers (Algeria) on 10 - 25 also periodically meet at summits
October 1967, which adopted the since their initial meeting in 2008.
Charter of Algiers”, a permanent Collectively, the G-20 economies
institutional structure gradually comprise 85% of global gross national
developed which led to the creation product, 80% of world trade (including
of Chapters of the Group of 77 with EU intra-trade) and two-thirds of the
Liaison offices in Geneva (UNCTAD), world population.
Nairobi (UNEP), Paris (UNESCO), The G-20 was proposed by former
Rome (FAO/IFAD), Vienna Canadian Finance Minister Paul
(UNIDO), and the Group of 24 (G-24) Martin (later, Prime Minister) for
in Washington, D.C. (IMF and World cooperation and consultation on
matters pertaining to the international
Bank). Although the members of the
financial system.
G-77 have increased to the original
Event: Years Summit (15-16
name was retained because of its November, 2015)
historic significance. Place: Antalya, Turkey
GROUP OF 15 Agenda: Concrete action to slrengthen
the global economy, make goal growth
The Group of Fifteen (G-15) was more inclusive, enhance the resilience
established at a Summit Level Group of international financial system,
of Developing Countries in September mobilize investment for long-term
1989, following the conclusion of the growth and implement previous
Ninth Non-Aligned Summit Meeting commitments on economic reforms
in Belgrade. The Group was originally and labour markets.
founded by 15 developing countries.
While there are now 17 member Asian Development Bank
countries, the original name of the The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Group has been retained. is a regional development bank
This forum was set up to foster established on 22 August 1966 to
cooperation and provide input for facilitate economic development of
other international groups, such as countries in Asia. The bank admits
the World Trade Organization and the members of the UN Economic
the Group of Eight. It is composed Commission for Asia and the Far East
of countries from North America, (now UNESCAP) and nonregional
South America, Africa, and Asia with developed nations.
a common goal of enhanced growth Event: Loan Support Program to
and prosperity. The G-15 focuses Improve Urban Health in India (28
on cooperation among developing May 2015)
Polity B-289

Arab League Agenda: Discuss the significant

The Arab League is a regional achievements in the implementation
organisation of Arab states in North of the Road map for an ASEAN
and Northeast Africa, and Southwest community (2009-2015)
Asia. It was formed in Cairo on 22 OPEC
March 1945 with six members:
Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi The Organization of the Petroleum
Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as Exporting Countries is a cartel of
a member on 5 May 1945. The Arab twelve developing countries made
League currently has 22 members up of Algeria, Angola, Ecuador,
and four observers. The main goal Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria,
of the league is to “draw closer the Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
relations between member States and Emirates and Venezuela. OPEC has
co-ordinate collaboration between maintained its headquarters in Vienna
them, to safeguard their independence since 1965, and hosts regular meetings
and sovereignty, and to consider in a among the oil ministers of its Member
general way the affairs and interests Countries. Indonesia withdrew in 2008
of the Arab countries. after it became a net importer of oil,
Event: Arab League Summit 2015
but stated it would likely return if it
Place: Egypt
Agenda: Yeman, Libya and Joint became a net exporter in the world
military force among tropics were again.
discussed. Event: OPEC 168th Meeting (4
December, 2015)
ASEAN Place: Vienna
The Association of Southeast Agenda: Negotiated the importances
Asian Nations is a geo-political and COP-21/CMP-11 for all OPED
economic organization of 10 countries member countries.
located in Southeast Asia, which
was formed on 8 August 1967 by APEC
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Singapore and Thailand. Since then, (APEC) is a forum for 21 Pacific
membership has expanded to include Rim countries that seeks to promote
Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, free trade and economic cooperation
Laos, and Vietnam. Its aims include throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
the acceleration of economic growth, Established in 1989 in response to
social progress, cultural development the growing interdependence of Asia-
among its members, the protection
Pacific economies and the advent of
of the peace and stability of the
regional economic blocs (such as
region, and to provide opportunities
for member countries to discuss the European Union and the North
differences peacefully. American Free Trade Area) in other
If ASEAN were a single country, it parts of the world, APEC works to
would rank as the 9th largest economy raise living standards and education
in the world and the 3rd largest in Asia levels through sustainable economic
in terms of nominal GDP. growth and to foster a sense of
Event: 27th ASEAN summit (18-22 community and an appreciation of
November, 2015) shared interests among Asia-Pacific
Place: Kuala Lumpur countries. Members account for
B-290 Polity

approximately 40% of the world’s Amnesty International

population, approximately 54% of Amnesty International was established
world GDP and about 44% of world on 28 May 1961, with its headquarters
trade. at London, by Peter Benson, a British
OECD lawyer.
A worldwide organization, it
The Organisation for Economic Co- investigates violations of human
operation and Development is an rights. It campaigns for the release of
international economic organisation all prisoners of conscience, provided
of 34 countries founded in 1961 to they have not used or advocated
stimulate economic progress and violence, fair, and prompt trails for all
world trade. It defines itself as a prisoners, and abolition of torture and
forum of countries committed to capital punishment. It now has more
democracy and the market economy, than 1,100,000 members in over 150
providing a platform to compare countries, with 6,000 local groups in
policy experiences, seeking answers 70 countries in Africa, the Americas,
to common problems, identifying Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It
good practices, and co-ordinating won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1977.
domestic and international policies Red Cross
of its members.
Red cross was established in 1864
The OECD originated in 1948 as
by Jean Henri Durant. In 1859,
the Organisation for European
J.H. Durant, a Swiss businessman,
Economic Co-operation (OEEC),
travelling through Italy witnessed the
led by Robert Marjolin of France, Battle of Solferino, when France tried
to help administer the Marshall Plan to free Italy from Austrian domination,
for the reconstruction of Europe after in which about 30,000 soldiers were
World War II. Later, its membership wounded of killed. He organized relief
was extended to non-European work for the wounded soldiers and
states. In 1961, it was reformed into subsequently called for the formation
the Organisation for Economic Co- of a permanent relief society for those
operation and Development by the wounded in war. Durant’s appeal had
Convention on the Organisation immediate results. An international
for Economic Co-operation and conference took place in Geneva in
Development. Most OECD members 1864 where 26 governments were
are high-income economies with a represented. The Conference led
high Human Development Index to the Geneva Convention and the
(HDI) and are regarded as developed emblem of Red Cross was adopted.
countries (Chile being the only OECD Each year World Red Cross and Red
member which is also a member in the Crescent Day is celebrated on May
organisation of developing countries, 8, the birthday of its founder Henri
the Group of 77). Dunant. Its motto is Charity in War.
Event: OECD Forum 2015 A red cross on a white background
is its symbol (it is the reverse of the
Place: Paris
flag of Switzerland). The Red Cross
Agenda: Idea factories a new age and
completed 132 years on 8 May 1994
the future of the internet.
Polity B-291

and in it 126th year, it adopted the which is 40% of the world population,
slogan ‘125 Years at Work — and Stilll with a combined nominal GDP of
Developing’ US$16.039 trillion (20% world GDP)
In the Middle Fast, a Red Crescent and an estimated US$4 trillion in
replaces The Red cross. ICRC combined foreign reserves. As of
(International Committee of the Red 2014, the BRICS nations represented
Cross) together with the League of 18 percent of the world economy.
Red Cross Societies, constitutes the Brazil held the chair of the BRICS
International Red Cross. The League group in 2014, having hosted the
of Red Cross Societies was founded group’s sixth summit in 2014.
in 1929. Russia chaired the 7th BRICS summit
on 8-9th july 2015.
BRICS Events: 7th annual diplomatic summit
BRICS is the acronym for an (8-9 July, 2015)
Place: Ufa, Russia
association of five major emerging
Agenda: Inaugural meetings of
national economies: Brazil, Russia,
New Development Bank were held
India, China, and South Africa.
and BRICS contingent Reserve
The grouping was originally known Arrangement were discussed.
as “BRIC” before the inclusion of
South Africa in 2010. The BRICS MDG – 2015
members are all developing or newly The united Nation organisation started
industrialised countries, but they or fixed the millenium development
are distinguished by their large, fast- Goal (MDG-2015) in 2000. There
growing economies and significant are eight main aims mentioned in the
influence on regional and global goal. These goals range from halving
affairs; all five are G-20 members. extreme poverty rates to halting the
As of 2014, the five BRICS countries spread of HIV/AIDS and providing
represent almost 3 billion people universal primary education.
LIST OF PARLIAMENT OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
Country Parliament Name Country Parliament Name
India Sansad/Parliament Maldeep Majlis
Pakistan National Assembly Span Cortes
Bangladesh Jatiya Sansad Nepal Rastriya Panchayat
China National Peoples Congress Russia Duma
Bhutan Tsondu France National Assembly
Srilanka Parliament of Sri Lanka  Iran Majlis
Afganistan Shora Malasiya Diwan Nigara
England Parliament Switzerland Fedral Assembly
Canada Parliament Turkey Grand National Assembly
Australia Parliament
USA Congress
Germany Wondstag
Taiwan Yuan
Japan Daet
Israil Neset
B-292 Polity

Country Ruling Party or Coalition Parties in opposition

India National Democratic Alliance led by UPA, NDA and Other non-
Bharatiya Janata Party UPA, non-NDA parties
Pakistan Pakistan Muslim League (N)
Bangladesh Awami League, Jatiyo Sangshad
China Communist Party of China National Assembly of
Pakistan
Bhutan Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party People’s Democratic Party
United Kindoms Conservative Party Labour Party
Canada Liberal Party of Canada Loyal Opposition
Australia Social Democratic Party of Austria, Freedom Party of Austria
Austrian People’s Party
US Democratic Party (President),
Republican Party (Legislature)
Germany Christian Democratic Union, Christian
Social Union, Social Democratic Party
of Germany
Srilanka National Unity Government (consists Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi
of All Ceylon Muslim Congress,
Jathika Hela Urumaya, Sri Lanka
Freedom Party, Up-Country People’s
Front, National Union of Workers,
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, United
National Party, Democratic People’s
Front)
Taiwan Kuomintang Democratic Progressive Party
Japan Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito Democratic Party
Burma National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi
Iraq State of Law Coalition, Al-Muwatin,
Al-Ahrar Bloc, Kurdistan Democratic
Party, Iraq Alliance
Israel Likud, The Jewish Home, United The Knesset
Torah Judaism, Kulanu, Shas
Spain People’s Party Congress of Deputies
Nepal Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Nepali Congress
Marxist–Leninist), Unified Communist
Party of Nepal (Maoist), Rastriya
Prajatantra Party Nepal, Madhesi Jana
Adhikar Forum, Nepal (Loktantrik)
Russia United Russia Shadow Cabinet
France Socialist Party, Radical Party of the National front
Left
Iran Moderation and Development Party Tudeh Party
Malaysia National Front Barisan Nasional
Turkey Justice and Development Party Republican Reople’s Party