Revision: Civics >> The Three Main Organs of the Indian Government: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary History and Civics ICSE ICSE Class 8 CISCE

Key Points: Powers and Functions of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha

Both Houses share equal powers in legislation, constitutional amendments, impeachment, emergencies, and judicial matters.
Lok Sabha has greater financial powers: Money Bills can be introduced only here, and it controls the Council of Ministers.
Parliament makes laws on Union, Concurrent and Residuary Lists, and on State List subjects in special situations.
Parliament exercises control over the Executive through Question Hour, No-Confidence Motion, Adjournment Motion, etc.
Special powers: Rajya Sabha can authorise Parliament to legislate on State subjects, while Lok Sabha alone can pass No-Confidence Motions.

Key Points: Council of Ministers and the Cabinet

India has a Parliamentary system where the President is nominal and real power lies with the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister, leader of the majority in the Lok Sabha, heads the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers aids and advises the President and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
The Cabinet is the core body of senior ministers that decides major policies and programmes.
Ministers hold office as long as they enjoy majority support in the Lok Sabha.

Key Points: The Supreme Court

Composition: Chief Justice of India + 33 judges (since 2019).
Qualifications: Indian citizen; 5 years HC judge / 10 years HC advocate / distinguished jurist.
Appointment: Appointed by the President in consultation with CJI and judges.
Term: Holds office till 65 years; can resign to the President.
Removal: Only by impeachment by Parliament for misbehaviour/incapacity.
Seat: New Delhi (or any place decided by CJI with President’s approval).

Key Points: The High Courts

Position & Structure: Each State has a High Court; Parliament may create a common High Court for two or more States/UTs. India has 25 High Courts; only Delhi among UTs has its own High Court.
Composition: Each High Court consists of a Chief Justice and other Judges, including additional judges (temporary) and acting judges appointed by the President.
Qualifications: A judge must be an Indian citizen, below 62 years, and either have 10 years’ judicial experience or 10 years’ practice as an advocate in a High Court.
Appointment: Judges are appointed by the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, Governor of the State, and Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
Independence & Security: Judges enjoy security of tenure, fixed salaries charged on the Consolidated Fund, and cannot be removed except by impeachment for proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Transfer & Service Conditions: Judges may be transferred by the President after due consultation; salaries cannot be reduced (except during Financial Emergency), and judges receive pension after retirement.
Restrictions after Retirement: Retired High Court judges may practise only in the Supreme Court or other High Courts, but not in the High Court where they served.