➤ The Supreme Court of India can issue five types of writs under Article 32 for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
➤ These writs act as powerful tools for judicial review and protection of citizens’ rights.
➤ The five writs are:

1. Habeas Corpus – To produce a person who is detained unlawfully.

2. Mandamus – To direct a public authority to perform its duty.

3. Prohibition – To prohibit a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction.

4. Certiorari – To quash the order of a lower court or tribunal.

5. Quo-Warranto – To question the authority of a person holding a public office.

★ Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue 5 types of writs.
★ These writs are available to enforce Fundamental Rights only.
★ High Courts can also issue these writs under Article 226 (for Fundamental Rights & other purposes).

➤ Article 21A was inserted into the Indian Constitution by the Eighty-sixth Amendment Act, 2002.
➤ This article provides for free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years as a Fundamental Right.
➤ This amendment came into effect along with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act), 2009, which was enforced from 1st April 2010.
➤ The amendment also modified Article 45 (Directive Principles) and added Clause (k) to Article 51A (Fundamental Duties).

★ Eighty-sixth Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A.
★ It made education for children aged 6–14 a Fundamental Right.
★ Also amended Article 45 and added Article 51A(k).

➤ The writ Mandamus is derived from the Latin word meaning “we command”.
➤ It is issued by a court to a public authority or official to perform a public or statutory duty which they have failed to perform.
➤ It cannot be issued against a private individual or a private organization.
➤ Mandamus is used to ensure accountability of public officials.

★ Mandamus = “We Command” (in Latin).
★ It is issued to enforce public duties by government authorities.
★ One of the five types of writs under Article 32 and Article 226 of the Constitution.

➤ The Fundamental Duties are mentioned in Article 51A under Part IVA of the Constitution.
➤ These duties include respect for the Constitution, National Flag, National Anthem, and promoting harmony, protecting the environment, and developing scientific temper, among others.

★ Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
★ There are 11 Fundamental Duties listed under Article 51A.

➤ The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India is responsible for conducting the Census of India and maintaining demographic data.
➤ This office functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
➤ It is responsible for vital statistics, such as birth and death registration, and population enumeration.

★ The Census of India is conducted every 10 years by this office.
★ It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
★ The first census in India was conducted in 1872, and the first complete census was in 1881.

➤ The Fundamental Duties are mentioned in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution.
➤ Clause (a) of Article 51A states that it is the duty of every citizen “to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.”
➤ Hence, asking students to stand during the National Anthem is aligned with this constitutional duty.

★ Article 51A(a) relates to respecting the Constitution, National Flag, and National Anthem.
★ Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 under Part IVA.

➤ Part III of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights of citizens.
➤ It guarantees civil liberties like equality, freedom, protection against exploitation, right to constitutional remedies, etc.
➤ These rights are enforceable by the courts and are considered essential for the development of every individual.
➤ Due to its importance in safeguarding individual rights, it is often referred to as the ‘Magna Carta of India’, drawing a comparison with the English Magna Carta which limited the powers of the king and protected citizens’ rights.

★ Part III (Articles 12 to 35) of the Constitution is known as the Magna Carta of India.
★ It includes six fundamental rights which are essential for the democratic framework.
★ These rights are enforceable through the Supreme Court and High Courts.

➤ Article 23 of the Indian Constitution prohibits traffic in human beings, begar (forced labour), and other similar forms of forced labour.
➤ This Article is applicable to both the State and private individuals, making it a broader protection.
➤ Any violation of this Article is punishable by law, as per the related legislations.
➤ It is a part of the Right against Exploitation, which aims to protect vulnerable sections of society.

★ Article 23 deals with the prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour.
★ It is included in the Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Constitution.
★ Violation of this Article can lead to legal action and punishment under Indian laws.

➤ The Swaran Singh Committee (1976) was appointed by the Government to recommend changes to the Constitution during the Emergency period.
➤ This committee specifically recommended the inclusion of Fundamental Duties in the Constitution.
➤ It emphasized that citizens should be aware of their responsibilities, not just their rights.
➤ Based on its recommendations, Part IVA was added to the Constitution through the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, inserting Article 51A which lists 11 Fundamental Duties.

★ Swaran Singh Committee (1976) recommended Fundamental Duties.
★ 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added Part IVA and Article 51A.
★ 11 Fundamental Duties were introduced for Indian citizens.

➤ Part IV A of the Indian Constitution was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
➤ It deals specifically with the Fundamental Duties of the citizens of India.
➤ This part contains Article 51A, which initially listed 10 duties, and later one more was added in 2002 (making it 11).
➤ These duties are moral obligations for all citizens to help promote the spirit of patriotism and uphold the unity of India.

★ Part IV A = Fundamental Duties (Article 51A).
★ Added by 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
★ Total 11 Fundamental Duties for Indian citizens.

➤ The Concurrent List in the Indian Constitution contains subjects on which both the Centre and States can legislate.
➤ The concept of a Concurrent List was borrowed from the Constitution of Australia.
➤ In case of a conflict between the central and state law on a concurrent subject, the central law prevails.

★ Concurrent List = Australia
★ It is found in Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
★ Both Centre and States can make laws on these subjects.
★ Total subjects in Concurrent List: Currently 52.

➤ The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic.
➤ The term ‘Secular’ was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
➤ Secularism means the State has no official religion and treats all religions equally.

★ The term ‘Secular’ was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
★ India = Secular State → no state religion, equal respect to all religions.
★ Preamble reflects the philosophy and values of the Constitution.

➤ The concept of Judicial Review in India has been borrowed from the U.S. Constitution.
➤ Judicial Review means the power of the judiciary to review laws and executive orders to determine whether they are consistent with the Constitution.
➤ In India, Articles 13 and 32 empower the Supreme Court and High Courts to exercise judicial review.

★ Judicial Review is borrowed from the United States.
★ Articles 13 & 32 provide the base for judicial review in India.
★ It is a tool to uphold the Supremacy of the Constitution.

➤ Certiorari is one of the five writs issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to enforce Fundamental Rights.
➤ The writ of Certiorari is issued to quash an order already passed by a lower court, tribunal, or authority when it acts without jurisdiction or in violation of principles of natural justice.
➤ It is part of the Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32 (for Supreme Court) and Article 226 (for High Courts).

★ Certiorari is a writ under Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).
★ It is used to quash illegal or invalid judicial/quasi-judicial orders.
★ Part of Fundamental Rights – Part III of the Constitution.

➤ The Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.
➤ Although it was adopted in November 1949, it came into force on 26 January 1950, marking the beginning of the Republic of India.
➤ The date 26 January was chosen to honor the Purna Swaraj Declaration of 1930.

★ Adoption Date: 26 November 1949
★ Enforcement Date: 26 January 1950 (celebrated as Republic Day)
★ Preamble was also adopted on 26 November 1949.

➤ The President, not the Prime Minister, is empowered by the Constitution to proclaim three types of emergencies (Article 352 – National, 356 – President’s Rule, 360 – Financial).
➤ The reservation policy exists in India to promote social justice and uplift Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
➤ The Supreme Court has the power of Judicial Review, enabling it to strike down laws that are unconstitutional (Articles 13 and 32).
➤ The Constitution ensures universal adult suffrage for all citizens aged 18 and above (Article 326).

★ Emergency powers rest with the President, not the Prime Minister.
★ Judicial Review is a key feature of the Indian Constitution (Article 13).

➤ Article 20 of the Indian Constitution provides protection in respect of conviction for offences.
➤ It gives protection against arbitrary and retrospective criminal laws.
➤ This Article has three provisions:

1. No ex-post facto law – A person can’t be punished under a law that was not in force at the time of the offence.

2. No double jeopardy – A person cannot be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once.

3. No self-incrimination – No person accused of a crime can be compelled to be a witness against themselves.

★ Article 20 = Protection in criminal convictions under Fundamental Rights (Part III).
★ It is available only to persons accused of a crime, not to companies or corporations.

➤ Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by any court of law.
➤ They act as guidelines for the government to establish a welfare state and ensure social and economic justice.
➤ In contrast, Fundamental Rights are justiciable and legally enforceable.

★ DPSPs are mentioned in Part IV (Article 36 to 51) of the Constitution.
★ DPSPs aim at public welfare, whereas Fundamental Rights protect individual liberty.
★ The term “non-justiciable” means you cannot go to court if DPSPs are not implemented.

➤ Although multiple private member bills have been introduced regarding UCC (like in 2020), none have been passed yet. These are not official government bills.
➤ UCC refers to a common set of civil laws (related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc.) that would apply uniformly to all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
➤ Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) mentions that “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.”

★ UCC is mentioned under Article 44 of the Constitution.
★ It is a Directive Principle, hence not enforceable in court.
★ The purpose of UCC is to promote national integration and ensure equality before law in civil matters.

➤ Renunciation is not a way to acquire Indian citizenship; it is actually a way to lose or terminate citizenship voluntarily.
➤ The valid methods to acquire citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955 are:
 1. By Birth
 2. By Descent
 3. By Registration
 4. By Naturalization
 5. By Incorporation of Territory

★ Renunciation is a method of losing citizenship, not acquiring it.
★ Birth, Registration, and Incorporation of territory are valid methods to acquire Indian citizenship.

➤ The power to regulate the right of citizenship in India is vested in the Parliament under Article 11 of the Constitution.
➤ Article 11 empowers Parliament to make laws regarding the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all other matters related to it.

★ Article 11 gives Parliament the authority to regulate citizenship laws in India.
★ The Citizenship Act, 1955 was enacted by Parliament to define and regulate citizenship.

➤ The original Constitution of India, when it came into effect on 26 January 1950, provided for seven Fundamental Rights.
➤ These were:

1. Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)

2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)

3. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24)

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28)

5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)

6. Right to Property (Article 31)

7. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)

★ Originally, 7 Fundamental Rights were provided.
★ Right to Property was later removed in 1978 by the 44th Amendment and is now a legal right under Article 300A.

➤ The original Constitution of India (1950) did not include Fundamental Duties.
➤ The reason was that the founding fathers expected citizens to perform their duties willingly and responsibly, without the need for constitutional enforcement.
➤ However, over time, it was felt that reminding citizens of their duties was important for nation-building and social discipline.
➤ As a result, Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.

★ Fundamental Duties were formally added in Part IV-A under Article 51A.

➤ The National Anthem of India – “Jana Gana Mana”, originally composed in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was later translated and adopted in its Hindi version.
➤ The Constituent Assembly of India officially adopted the Hindi version of the National Anthem on 24 January 1950, just two days before the Constitution came into effect.

★ The National Anthem is approximately 52 seconds long in its full version.

➤ Writ of Quo-Warranto literally means “by what authority” or “what is your authority”.
➤ It is issued by a court to prevent a person from holding a public office illegally.
➤ The person is asked to show under what authority they are holding that office.
➤ This writ protects citizens from the arbitrary usurpation of public office by an individual.

★ Quo-Warranto = “By what authority” → prevents illegal occupation of public office.
★ It is one of the five writs under the Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32/226).

➤ The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 29 March 2023.
➤ It was subsequently passed by the Rajya Sabha on 3 April 2023.
➤ The President gave assent to the bill on 11 April 2023, and it became the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023.
➤ The Act brought key reforms in merger control thresholds, penalty calculation, and introduced the settlement and commitment framework for quicker resolution of antitrust cases.

★ President’s Assent Date: 11 April 2023.
★ The original act amended is the Competition Act, 2002.
★ The amendment introduces deal value thresholds, faster CCI approvals, and expanded definition of anti-competitive agreements.
★ It aims to make competition law more effective in addressing digital economy challenges.