Questions are usually factual and conceptual rather than highly analytical. The most tested areas are: Constitution basics, Parliament, President–Prime Minister, Supreme Court, federal structure, local government, elections, and emergency provisions.
AFCAT 2 2026 Exam Static GK – Polity
Constitution of India: Core Facts
| Topic | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Adopted by Constituent Assembly | 26 November 1949 |
| Effective (came into force) | 26 January 1950 |
| Length/character | World’s longest written national constitution at commencement |
| Nature | Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic (socialist, secular, integrity added by 42nd Amendment, 1976) |
| Borrowed features (examples) | Parliamentary system (UK), Fundamental Rights (US), DPSPs (Ireland), federal scheme with strong Centre (Canada influence in some aspects) |
| Schedules | 12 Schedules (after later amendments) |
Exam tip
Remember 26 Nov 1949 (adopted) vs 26 Jan 1950 (enforced).
Fundamental Rights & DPSPs
| Feature | Essence |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Rights (Part III) | Justiciable rights enforceable by courts |
| Right to Constitutional Remedies | Article 32; called the “heart and soul” of the Constitution by B. R. Ambedkar |
| Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) | Non-justiciable guidelines to the State |
| Fundamental Duties | Part IVA, added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) |
Common trap
DPSPs are non-justiciable, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
Parliament of India
| House | Type | Maximum strength (constitutional) | Normal term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lok Sabha | Lower House / House of the People | 552 (historical constitutional maximum; current elected strength differs) | 5 years (unless dissolved earlier) |
| Rajya Sabha | Upper House / Council of States | 250 | Permanent body; one-third retire every 2 years |
Money Bill: Can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of the President. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a bill is a Money Bill.
Exam tip
Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only recommend changes within 14 days.
President, Vice-President & Prime Minister
| Office | Key points |
|---|---|
| President of India | Constitutional Head of State; elected by an Electoral College; ordinarily acts on aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the PM. |
| Vice-President | Elected by members of both Houses of Parliament; ex officio Chairperson of Rajya Sabha. |
| Prime Minister | Real executive authority; head of the Council of Ministers. |
Important distinction: The President is the nominal/constitutional executive, while the Prime Minister is the real executive.
Supreme Court & Judiciary
| Feature | Static GK point |
|---|---|
| Highest court | Supreme Court of India |
| Established | 28 January 1950 |
| Chief Justice | Head of the judiciary |
| Judicial Review | Courts can review constitutionality of laws |
| Writs (Articles 32 & 226) | Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto |
Exam tip
Article 32 → Supreme Court; Article 226 → High Courts (wider scope for writ jurisdiction).
Federal Structure & Schedules
| Topic | Static fact |
|---|---|
| Union List | Parliament legislates exclusively |
| State List | State legislatures legislate primarily |
| Concurrent List | Both can legislate; Union law prevails on conflict (subject to constitutional rules) |
| Residuary powers | Vested in the Union (Parliament) |
| 8th Schedule | Recognized languages of the Constitution |
| 10th Schedule | Anti-defection provisions |
| 11th Schedule | Panchayats (29 subjects) |
| 12th Schedule | Municipalities (18 subjects) |
73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments
| Amendment | Institution | Exam points |
|---|---|---|
| 73rd (1992) | Panchayats | Constitutional status to rural local bodies; Eleventh Schedule; reservation provisions; State Election Commission. |
| 74th (1992) | Municipalities | Constitutional status to urban local bodies; Twelfth Schedule. |
Election Commission & Constitutional Bodies
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Election Commission of India | Conducts elections to Parliament, state legislatures, President and Vice-President. |
| Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) | Audits government accounts. |
| Finance Commission | Recommends distribution of financial resources between Union and States. |
| Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) | Conducts recruitment examinations for central services. |
Emergency Provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360)
| Emergency | Ground | Key AFCAT fact |
|---|---|---|
| National Emergency | War, external aggression, armed rebellion | Article 352 |
| President’s Rule / State Emergency | Failure of constitutional machinery in a state | Article 356 |
| Financial Emergency | Threat to financial stability/credit of India | Article 360 |
Common trap
Since the 44th Amendment, the constitutional term is armed rebellion, not “internal disturbance,” for Article 352.
One-minute AFCAT Polity Revision
- Constitution adopted 26 Nov 1949; enforced 26 Jan 1950.
- Article 32 = Right to Constitutional Remedies (Ambedkar’s “heart and soul”).
- Lok Sabha = 5-year term; Rajya Sabha = permanent body.
- Money Bill only in Lok Sabha; Speaker certifies it.
- President = constitutional head; PM = real executive.
- Supreme Court established 28 Jan 1950.
- Residuary powers belong to the Union.
- 73rd Amendment → Panchayats; 74th Amendment → Municipalities.
- Article 352 National Emergency; 356 President’s Rule; 360 Financial Emergency.
- 11th Schedule → Panchayats; 12th Schedule → Municipalities.
