Unit - 1

Defence &
Foreign Policy

Learning Objectives
Students acquire knowledge about
▶ The Indian Armed Forces
▶ Paramilitary Defence Forces
▶ Foreign Policy of India
▶ India’s relation with neighbouring countries

I. Defence

Introduction Security Forces in India can be

divided into
India is a peace loving country. India has
Indian Armed Forces – They are primary
always maintained cordial relationship with
forces consist of country’s Army, Navy, Air
all the other countries in general and with its
Force and Coast guard. They serve under the
neighbours in particular. At the same time,
Ministry of Defence.
it has to strengthen its security to defend its
border from any foreign aggression. So the Paramilitary Forces – They are Assam
Government of India has given higher priorities Rifles and Special Frontier Force.
to the defence sector. Let us understand the Central Armed Police Forces – They are
various defence forces of our country. BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB. They serve
under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs.
Need for Defence System
CAPF work along with both Army and Police in
National Security is very essential for the different roles assigned to them.
political, social and economic development of
any country. It is also important for the growth Indian Armed Forces
of a country’s peace and prosperity.
Army
Indian Defence Services The Indian Army is the
The President of India being the head land-based branch and it the
of the State occupies the highest position in largest volunteer army in
our defence organisation. He is the supreme the world. It is commanded
commander of the Armed forces in India. by the Chief of Army Staff

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 The National War Memorial is a monument built by the
Government of India to honour the Indian Armed Forces.
The memorial is spread over 40 acres of land and is built
around the existing chhatri (canopy) near India Gate, New
Delhi. The names of armed forces personnel martyred during
the conflicts are inscribed on the memorial walls.

(COAS), who is a four-star general. The mission is to secure Indian airspace and to
primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict.
national security, national unity, defending The Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal, is a
the nation from external aggression, internal four-star officer and is responsible for the bulk
threats and maintaining peace and security of operational command of the Air Force. It has
within its borders. It conducts humanitarian seven commands.
rescue operations during natural disaster and
calamities. The Indian Army has a regimental Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
system. It is operationally and geographically
The Indian Coast Guard was established
divided into seven commands.
in 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of
Navy the Parliament of India as an independent
The primary objective of the navy is to Armed force of India. It operates under the
safeguard the nation's maritime borders, and Ministry of Defence. The Coast Guard works
in conjunction with other Armed Forces of in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the
the union, act to deter or defeat any threats Department of Fisheries, the Department of
or aggression against the territory, people or Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State
maritime interests of India. The Chief of Naval police forces.
Staff, a four-star Admiral, commands the navy. Paramilitary Defence Forces
It has three Naval Commands.
The Forces which help in maintaining
Air Force internal security, protecting the coastline and
The Indian Air Force is the air arm assisting the army are known as “Paramilitary
of the Indian armed forces. Its primary Forces”. The responsibility is the security of
INDIAN ARMY
important places like Railway stations, Oil fields
and refineries, water reservoirs lines. They also
participate in the management of natural or

Field Marshal – is a Five Star General officer

rank and the highest attainable rank in the
General Lt. General Maj. General Brigadier Colonel Lt. Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Indian Army.
INDIAN AIR FORCE

Sam Manekshaw was

the first Field Marshal
Air Chief Air Air Vice Air Group Wing Squadron Flight Flying
of India and the second
Marshal
1
Marshal
2
Marshal
3
Commodore
4
Captain
5
Commander Leader
6 7
Lieutenant
8
Officer
9
Field Marshal was
INDIAN NAVY K. M. Cariappa.
Arjan Singh was the first and
the only office of the Indian Air
Force to be promoted to Five Star
Admiral
1
Vice Admiral
2
Rear Admiral
3
Commodore
4
Captain
5
Commander
6
Lieutenant Lieutenant Sublieutenant
Commander 8 9 Rank as Marshal.
7

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 The Madras Regiment is In 1025 AD (CE), Rajendra Chola I, the
one of the oldest infantry Chola king from Tamil Nadu launched naval
regiment of the Indian Army, on the city-state of expedition Srivijaya in
originating in the year 1758. maritime Southeast Asia, and conquered
The Regimental Centre is at Kadaram (modern
wellington, Udhagamandalam,
Kedah). Rajendra's
Tamil Nadu.
overseas expedition
In 1962, after the Sino-Indian
War, the need to expand the against Srivijaya was
number of officers was felt. a unique event in
Two Officers Training Schools India's history.
(OTS) were established in
Pune and Chennai to train i) The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
officers for Emergency ii) Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
Commission into the Army. On 1st January
iii) The Border Security Force (BSF)
1988, the school was renamed as the Officers
Training Academy (OTA). iv) Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
v) Special Service Bureau (SSB)
man-made disasters. During peace time, the
paramilitary forces also have the responsibility The Central Reserve Police
of protecting the international borders. Force (CRPF)
a) The Assam Rifles (AR) The mission of Central Reserve Police force
b) The Special Frontier Force (SFF) shall be to enable the government to maintain
Rule of law, public order and internal security
The Assam Rifles (AR) effectively and efficiently, to preserve national
The Assam Rifles came into being in 1835 integrity and promote social harmony and
which was established by the British in the Assam development by upholding supremacy of the
region, as a militia called the ‘Cachar Levy’. Constitution.
There are currently 46 battalions of Assam Rifles. The Rapid Action Force is a specialised wing
It is under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) to
deal with riot, crowd control, rescue and relief
The Special Frontier Force (SFF) operations, and related unrest situations.
The Special Frontier Force (SFF) is a
paramilitary special force of India created Indo-Tibetan Border Police
in 1962. This force was put under the direct (ITBP)
supervision of the Intelligence Bureau, and later,
It is a border guarding police
under the Research and Analysis Wing, India's
force. This force is specialized in high altitude
external intelligence agency.
operations. It is deployed for border guarding
duties from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh
The Central Armed Police (India – China border).
Forces (CAPF)
The Border Security Force
Following five forces which come under (BSF)
Ministry of Home Affairs were earlier considered The border security force is a Border
paramilitary forces, but from March’ 2011, They Guarding Force of India. BSF is charged with
have been reclassifled as Central Armed Police guarding India's land border during peace time
Forces (CAPF) to avoid confusion. and preventing transnational crimes.

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 National Cadet Corps (NCC) 15th January - Army Day
National Cadet Corps is a Tri-Services 1st February - Coast Guard Day
Organization, comprising the Army, Navy
10th March - Central Industrial Security
and Air Force, engaged in grooming the
youth of the country into disciplined and Force Day
patriotic citizens. The National Cadet Corps 7th October - Rapid Action Force Day
in India is a voluntary organization which 8th October - Air Force Day
recruits cadets from high schools, colleges
and universities all over India. The Cadets are 4th December - Navy Day
given basic military training in small arms 7th December - Armed Forces Flag Day
and parades.

Central Industrial Security Home Guards are recruited from various cross
Force (CISF) sections of the civil society such as professionals,
The Central Industrial Security Force college students, agricultural and industrial
was set up under an Act of the Parliament of India workers, etc. who give their spare time for
on 10th March 1969. Its duties are guarding betterment of the community. All citizens of
sensitive governmental buildings, the Delhi Metro, India, in the age group of 18–50, are eligible.
and providing airport security. Normal tenure of membership in Home Guards
is three to five years.
Sashastra Seema Bal/
Special Service Bureau (SSB) To protect and guard our nation, our armed
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), in forces are always kept ready. Youth should
English the Armed Border Force is the border come forward to service and save the nation by
guardening force for Nepal and Bhutan border. joining the armed forces. Recruitment to the
Home Guard Defence services is open to all Indians. It is the
The Indian Home Guard is a voluntary duty of every citizen to have an opportunity to
force, tasked as an auxiliary to the Indian Police. serve the country.
II. Foreign Policy of India
A foreign policy is a set of political goals Panchsheel
that define how a sovereign country will interact Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister
with other countries in the world. It seeks to of India was the chief architect of India’s foreign
secure the best interest of the people, territory policy. Nehru was a supporter of world peace.
and economy of the country. Our country’s Hence he gave utmost importance to world
external relation is based on certain principles peace in his policy planning. He declared the
and policies. India’s foreign policy was evolved five principles of peace, known as Panchsheel.
with the background of her colonial sufferings.
These principles included
Basic Principles of Foreign Policy
1. M utual respect for each other’s territorial
¾¾ Preservation of national interest
integrity and sovereignty
¾¾ Achievement of world peace
2. Mutual non-aggression
¾¾ Disarmament
3. Mutual non-interference in each other’s
¾¾ 
Abolition of Colonialism, Racism and
internal affairs
Imperialism
4. Equality and mutual benefit
¾¾ Incresing the number of friendly nations
¾¾ Economic development 5. Peaceful co-existence.

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 Non-Alignment India is a vast country with
The word Non-Alignment was coined ¾¾ Pakistan and Afghanistan to the north-west
by V.K. Krishna Menon. Non-alignment has ¾¾ China, Nepal, Bhutan to the north
been regarded as the most important feature ¾¾ Bangladesh to the east
of India’s foreign policy. Non-alignment aimed ¾¾ Myanmar to the far east
to maintain national independence in foreign ¾¾ Sri Lanka (south-east) and
affairs by not joining any military alliance ¾¾ Maldives (south-west)
formed by the USA or Soviet Union in the
Neighbouring Countries of India
aftermath of the Second World War. Non- N

alignment was neither neutrality nor non- W E

S
involvement nor isolationism. It was a dynamic
concept which meant not committing to any
military bloc but taking an independent stand
on international issues.
The founding fathers of Non-Aligned
Movement: Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Tito
of Yugoslavia, Nasser of Egypt, Sukarno of
Indonesia, and Kwame Nkumarah of Ghana. Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal

Nelson Mandela –
Leader of the African
National Council
of South Africa. A Not to Scale
Indian Ocean
determined fighter
against apartheid. Apartheid is the worst
Neighbourhood First policy
form of racial discrimination. It is against
humanism and democracy. India fought It is part of India’s foreign policy that
against Apartheid and opposed all types of actively focuses on improving ties with
racial discrimination. The end of racialism in India’s immediate neighbours. India provides
South Africa in 1990 was a great success for neighbours with support as needed in the form
India’s policy. of resources, equipment and training. Greater
connectivity and integration is provided so as to
India’s Relation with Neighbouring improve the free flow of goods, people, energy,
Countries capital and information.
India’s position is unique in its Act East Policy
neighbourhood. India has always favoured
international and regional cooperation, because South East Asia begins with North East
she believes that through cooperation all India. Myanmar is our land bridge to the
disputes and problems among nations can be countries of the Association of the Southeast
sorted out peacefully. India's foreign policy is Asian Nations (ASEAN). The purpose is to
based on the principle of developing friendly ensure a stable and multipolar balance of power
relations and cooperation with her neighbours. in the Indo-Pacific and to become an integral
part of Asia.
India shares a common land border
India is actively engaged in general
with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, China,
Bhutan, Bangladesh and Burma. It also shares economic diplomacy with its neighbouring
a common sea border with Sri Lanka. countries as below.

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 SAARC Its main objectives are to strengthen and
India believes in regional co-operation. To improve the technological economic
foster the bonds of brotherhood, co-operation cooperation, international trade and foreign
and peaceful co-existence SAARC (South Asian direct investment cooperation. The member
Association for Regional Cooperation) was countries are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar,
established. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan BBIN
are the eight members of the SAARC. Bangladesh – Bhutan - India – Nepal
BCIM has signed a framework to enable movement
of passengers, cargo vehicles and for energy
This Bangladesh – China – India -
development.
Myanmar Economic corridor envisages
To summarise, India is a huge country
the formation of a thriving economic belt,
with manifold cultures. It has high status in
focusing on cross- border transport, energy and
the South East Asia. India’s foreign policy
telecommunication networks.
is to maintain peace, freedom and mutual
BIMSTEC co-operation among the nations. Though
It refers Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi- India is not in any major military alliance, our
Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. relations with the major powers have acquired a
strategic depth.

Recap
■ National security is very essential not only for peace but also for the economic development.
■ Indian defence forces consist of the Army, Navy, Air force, various paramilitary organisations and
various inter – service institutions.
■ The president is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
■ India has maintained cordial relationship with all the countries.
■ India gives highest priority to her neighbours. A peaceful periphery is essential for India to achieve
her multifarious developmental goals.
■ India has been implementing a policy of asymmetric engagement to strengthen bridges of
friendship and create new opportunities for the growth and security.

GLOSSARY
National Safety of nation நாட்டின் பாதுகாப்பு
Security
Defence Force with arms for the saftely of a நாட்டின் பாதுகாப்பிற்கான
forces country படைகள்
Neutrality the state of not supporting or helping எப்பக்கமும் ஆதரவளிக்காமல்
either side in a conflict இருத்தல்
Racialism A practice of discrimination on the basis இன அடிப்படையில் வேறுபாடு
of racial origin காணுதல்
Frontier a border separating two countries எல்லை

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 7. Which of the following islands belonged
Evaluation to India?
a) Andaman and Maldives
b) Andaman and Lakshadweep Island
I. Choose the correct answer c) Sri Lanka and Maldives
1. The Supreme Commander of the Armed d) Maldives and Lakshadweep Island
forces is our
II. Fill in the blanks
a) President
1. The Madras Regimental Army centre is at
b) Prime Minister
_________
c) Governor
2. The Indian Navy Chief is _________
d) Chief Minister
3. _________is first and only officer of
2. The primary mission of Indian Army is to
Indian Air Force to be promoted to Five
ensure
Star rank Marshal of Indian Air Force.
a) National Security 4. The chief architect of India’s foreign policy
b) National Unity was ________
c) Defending the nation from external 5. The Word Non – Alignment was coined
aggression by ________
d) All the above III. Match the following
3. The Army day is
1. Nelson Mandela - 8 members
a) 15th January
2. National war - Field Marshal
b) 1st February Memorial
c) 10th March 3. Manekshaw - Energy
d) 7th October development
4. Assam Rifles is under the control of 4. SAARC - Apartheid
a) Ministry of Defence 5. BCIM - New Delhi
b) National Security Advisor
c) PMO IV. State true or false
d) Ministry of Home Affairs 1. Central Armed Police Force serve under
the Ministry of Defence.
5. Indian Coast Guard was established in
2. The Madras Regiment is one of the oldest
a) 1976 b) 1977 infantry regiment.
c) 1978 d) 1979 3. The Rapid Action Force is a specialised
6. India’s foreign policy is based on several wing of the CRPF.
principles. One of which is 4. NCC Cadets are given basic military
a) Satyameva Jayate training.
b) Panchasheel 5. Bangladesh is a part of India.
c) both of these 6. Myanmar is land bridge to ASEAN
d) None of these nations.

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 V. Choose the correct statement 5. Find the odd one out
1. Consider the following statement related a) Maldives b) Sri Lanka
to Armed forces.
c) Myanmar d) Lakshadweep
i) 
The Indian Army is the land based
branch of Armed forces. VI. Answer the following in one
ii) The mission of Indian Army is not or two sentences
only ensure the national security but 1. Why national security is very essential?
also conducts humanisation rescue
2. What does the following abbreviation
operations.
stand for?
a) i only b) ii only
a) SFF b) ICG
c) Both i and ii d) Neither i nor ii
c) BSF d) NCC
2. Assertion: The President is the Supreme
3. Write a short note on CRPF
Commander of the Armed forces of India.
4. Name the founding fathers of Non-
Reason: The President is the head of the
Aligned Movement
State and occupies the highest position.
5. Write the basic principles of India’s
a) A is correct and R explains A
Foreign Policy.
b) A is correct and R does not explain A
6. Name the member countries of the
c) A is correct and R is wrong SAARC.
d) Both A and R are wrong
VII. Answer the following in
3. Assertion: India has favoured
detail
international co-operation.
1. Describe the structure and administration
Reason: She believes that all disputes
of Indian Army.
among nations can be solved through
2. Write about Paramilitary Defence Forces.
friendly co-operation.
3. Write five principles of Panchasheel
a) A is correct and R is wrong
4. India focuses on improving ties with its
b) Both A and R are wrong neighbours. How?
c) A is correct and R explains A
VIII. HOTs
d) A is correct and R does not explain A
1. A career in defence forces promises one
4. Which of the following statements is not of the most prestigious and respected
true about “Apartheid?” position in the country. State the
i) 
Apartheid is a policy of racial importance.
discrimination.
IX. Project and Activity
ii) It is against humanism.
1. Prepare an album about our Defence
iii) The policy of racialism is practiced in
System
India.
2. Collect information about awards in the
a) i and ii b) ii and iii
Indian Army (for Example: Param Vir
c) ii only d) iii only
Chakra)
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 3. Divide the whole class into eight groups, each 5. V.P. Dutt, India’s Foreign Policy in a
representing one SAARC countries. Each Changing World, Vikas Publishing House,
group should Display the name of the country New Delhi, 1999.
and its national flag. Hold group discussion 6. Robert Bradnock, India’s Foreign Policy
or quizzes and the Following topics Since 1971, Council on Foreign Relations
i) Land and people Press, New York, 1990.
ii) Form of Government
iii) Capital INTERNET RESOURCES

iv) Currency 1. www.indianarmy.nic.in

v) Points of agreement with India 2. www.indiannavy.nic.in
3. www.indianairforce.nic.in
REFERENCE BOOKS 4. www.assamrifles.gov.in
5. www.crpf.gov.in
1. Annual Report (2017 – 2018), Ministry of
External Affairs, New Delhi 6. www.bsf.nic.in
2. Deshpande, Anirudh., (Ed), The First Line 7. www.itbpolice.nic.in
of Defence Glorious 50 Years of the Border 8. www.cisf.gov.in
Security Force, Shipra Publications, Delhi, 9. www.ssb.nic.in
2015.
10. www.indiancoastguard.gov.in
3. Baatcheet (Monthly Magazine- An Indian
11. www.nccindia.nic.in
Army Publication), Additional Directorate
General, Public Information, IHQ of MoD, 12. www.dgfscdhg.gov.in
New Delhi. 13. www.mod.gov.in
4. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s Foreign Policy, 14. www.madrasregiment.org
Selected Speeches 1946-April 1961,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India, New Delhi, 1961.

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 ICT CORNER
Defence & Foreign Policy

Through this activity you

will know about Ministry of
Defence in India

Step – 1 Open the Browser and type the URL given below (or) Scan the QR Code.
Step – 2 Scroll down , Click on Army from “Important organisation”
Step – 3 Go to Explore army in main menu and select ‘War Memorial’

Step – 1 Step – 2 Step – 3

Web URL: https://mod.gov.in/

*Pictures are indicatives only.
*If browser requires, allow Flash Player or Java Script to load the pag

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 Unit - 2

The Judiciary

Learning Objectives
▶ To trace the evolution of the Judicial system
▶ To understand the hierarchical structure of the Indian judiciary
▶ To explain the Jurisdiction of Supreme court, High Court and Subordinate Courts
▶ To understand the need for the independent Judiciary
▶ To know the differences between Civil Law and Criminal Law

"The excellence of the judiciary is a measure of the excellence of the government."

Introduction of the Kings’ courts dispensed justice according

to ‘dharma’, (righteousness and duty) a set of
The judicial system of a country needs to be conventional laws, Dharmic laws governed not
efficient in order to ensure proper justice to all. only the individual but also the society.
India has a single unified and integrated judicial
system. Judiciary plays an important role as
Smiritis
an organ of the government. It administers
In ancient India Smiritis defined the social
justice, settles disputes, interprets laws, protects
duties for the individual. There are Manusmiriti,
fundamental rights and acts as guardian of the Naradasmiriti, Yajnavalkya smiriti etc.
Constitution.
Law:  It is a system of rules imposed The rebublics of Ganas had their own
through a government or system of law. We find the existence of Kulika
institution to govern people. court. Amongst the Vajjis, there was a board of
Judiciary: 
In law, the Judiciary or Judicial eight Kulikas for the investigation of Criminal
system is the system of courts cases. Appeal proceeded from Kula courts to
which administers Justice in the Gana Courts.
name of the State.
b. Judiciary during Medieval period
Evolution of Indian Judiciary
a. Judiciary during ancient period The Tughlaq period saw the compilation
During ancient times, the concept of of the code of civil procedure. It was called
justice was linked with religion. The king was Fiqha-e-Feroze Shahi. The code prescribed
regarded as the fountain head of Justice. Most details of the procedure and the law in several
matters. It was written in Arabic and was
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 translated into Persian. This was followed till Criminal Procedure Code 1861 were prepared.
the reign of Aurangazeb when it was replaced The Government of India Act 1935 created
by Fatawa-i-Alamgiri written in 1670. Federal Court. It was not the highest court
as appeals could lie in certain situation to the
c. Judiciary during Modern period
Privy Council in England. The Jurisdiction of
The Indian judicial system and laws we Privy council was abolished by the Abolition of
have today was formed by the British during the Privy Council Jurisdiction Act, 1949. The
the colonial rule in the country. The beginning Supreme Court of India was inaugurated on 28
of Indian codified common law is traced back January 1950.
to 1727 (Under the Charter of 1726) when the
Mayor’s court in Madras, Bombay and Calcutta Judiciary and constitution
were established by the East India Company.
India framed its own Constitution.
Regulating Act of 1773 made provision for
Among the noble aims and objectives of the
the formation of Supreme Court. A Supreme
Constitution, the founding fathers accorded the
Court was established for the first time at Fort
highest place to ‘Justice’. During British period,
Williams in Calcutta. Sir Elijah Imphey was
Indian had neither law nor courts of their own
appointed as chief justice of that court. In 1801
and both the law and courts had been designed
and 1824 Supreme Courts were established in
for the Colonial Power. The Constituent
Madras and Bombay. These Supreme Courts
Assembly members therefore tried to ensure the
functioned until 1862 when they were replaced
independence of the Courts with full power of
by the High Courts at all the three places.
Judicial review. Supreme Court Rules, 1966 are
Warren Hasting, established Mofussil framed under Article 145 of the Constitution
Diwani Adalat to resolve civil disputes and to regulate the practice and procedure of the
Mofussil Fauzdari Adalat to resolve criminal Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of India is
disputes. The appeals from these courts could the highest court of the land as established by
be taken to Sadar Diwani Adalat (civil court of Part V (‘The Union’) under Chapter IV titled
appeal) and Sadar Nizamat Adalat (criminal ‘The Union Judiciary’ and Part VI (‘The State’)
court of appeal). Lord Cornwallis reorganised under Chapter VI titled ‘Subordinate Courts’
the civil and criminal judicial system. Under of the Constitution of India. Articles 124 to
Cornwallis, the District Fauzdari court was 147 of the Constitution of India lay down the
abolished and Circuit Court was setup at composition and jurisdiction of the Supreme
Calcutta, Dacca, Murshidabad and Patna. Court of India.
During the period of William Bentinck four
Circuit courts were abolished.
The first political
philosopher, who
The Calcutta High Court is the oldest High propounded the idea
court in the country, established in 1862, of an independent
whereas the Allahabad High Court is the
judiciary, was
largest Court.
Montesquieu, the famous
French philosopher.
Sadar Diwani Adalat and Sadar Nizamat He believed in the theory
Adalat were established at Allahabad. A law of separation of powers
commission was setup by Macaulay, which of the three branches of
codified the Indian Laws. On the basis of the Government - Legislature, Executive and
this Commission, A Civil Procedure Code of Judiciary.
1859, An Indian Penal Code of 1860, and a

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 Structure of courts in India
There are three different levels of courts in our country.

Supreme Court of India

99 Its decisions are binding on all courts.
99 Can transfer judges of High Courts.
99 Can move cases from any courts to itself.
99 Can transfer cases from one High Court to another.


High Court
99 Can hear appeals from lower courts.
99 Can issue writs for restoring Fundamental Rights.
99 Can deal with cases within the jurisidiction of the State.
99 Exercises superintendence and control over courts
below it.


District Court
99 Deals with cases arising in the District.
99 Considers appeals on decisions given by lower
courts.
99 Decides cases involving serious criminal offences.


Subordinate Courts
99 
Consider cases of civil and
criminal nature.

District Courts: The Courts that hear civil cases are put forward without advocates. These cases
at the district level are called District Courts are solved through mutual consent. The first Lok
Adalat was held on 1982 at Junagadh of Gujarat.
Sessions Court: The Courts that hear criminal
cases are called the Sessions Court. Fast Track courts: These courts were established
in the year 2000 with an aim to clear the long
The Panchayat Courts: The Panchayat
pending Sessions and other lower judicial cases.
Courts deal with Civil and Criminal cases at
the village level. Tele Law Initiative: To provide legal aid and
service to the people in rural areas, the Tele Law
The Revenue courts: The Revenue courts deal
Initiative was launched by the Ministry of Law
with the cases of land records. It also assesses
and Justice in collaboration with the Ministry
and collects land revenue from the land holders.
of Electronics and Information Technology.
Lok Adalat: Lok Adalat was set up to provide People can seek legal advice from the lawyers
speedy justice. It hears and settles the disputes in through video conferencing available at the
the language of the people in the public presence. common service centre on the ‘Tele Law’ Portal
A Lok Adalat is presided over by a retired judge – a technology enabled platform.
along with a lawyer and a social worker. Cases
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 Family Courts: Family courts specifically Supreme Court of India
handle family law matters. They are civil courts
and are utilised for various family related claims
such as Child custody, Divorce, Adoption,
Juvenile issues etc.,
Mobile courts: Mobile courts will be of great
relief to the rural people. It would create greater
awareness about the judicial system among the
rural masses, cut costs for them and render
justice as their doorstep.
E–Courts: The E–Courts project was
established in 2005. According to the project Supreme Court of India, New Delhi
all the courts will get computerised. Judicial This is the highest court
service centre is the part of e-court. The public of India and is located in
as well as the advocates can ask directly the case New Delhi. According to
status and next hearing dates with free of cost. the Constitution of India,
the Supreme Court is the
NALSA – The National Legal Service guardian of the Constitution
Authority has been constituted under the and the highest Court of
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to appeal.
provide free Legal Services to the weaker
Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
sections of the society and to organise Lok
Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. Original Jurisdiction: The Supreme Court
a. 
can hear dispute for the first time in that
court only. It is mainly concerned disputes
Role of the Judiciary between the Union and one or more states
Role of Judiciary can be classified as, and between two or more states.

The Judicial system provides a mechanis for resolving disputes

between
• Citizen
Dispute Resolution
• Citizens and the government
• Two State governments
• The centre and the State governments

The Judicial has the power to declare a law unconstitutional if

Judicial Review it believes that the law passed by the Parliament is violating the
basic structure of the Constitution.

Upholding the Every citizen of India can approach the Supreme Court or High
Law and Enforcing Court if they believe that their fundamental rights have been
Fundamental violated.
Rights

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 b. 
Appellate Jurisdiction: It can hear appeals This is the highest court in the states. Every
against the decisions made by the High state in India has a High Court. Two or three
Court on the granting of certificate by the states may have a common High Court. For
High Court. example Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh is
c. 
Advisory Jurisdiction: The Court can having one High Court. It has original, Appellate
report to the President its opinion about a and Writs Jurisdiction. Below the High Court
question of the public importance referred there are a Subordinate courts in the States.
to it by the President.
Independent and impartial
d. 
Writs Jurisdiction: The Writs are issued by function of Judiciary
the Supreme Court under Article 32 and
The framers of the Constitution established
by the High Courts under Article 226 of
independent and impartial judiciary in India.
the Constitution of India.
Independence of judiciary is important for the
e. 
Court of Record: It maintains records of purpose of fair justice. Democratic country
the court proceedings and its decisions are like India, judiciary is the custodian of rights
finding upon the lower courts. of citizens. Therefore, the framers of the Indian
f. 
Special Powers: It supervises the Constitution at the time of framing of our
functioning of the lower courts. constitution were concerned about the kind of
judiciary our country should have. This concern
High Court of the members of the constituent assembly
was responded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the
following words:
“There can be no difference of opinion
in the House that our judiciary must be both
independent of the executive and must also be
competent in it. And the question is how these
two objects can be secured.”
An effective judiciary should be
independent as well as accountable. The
independence of the judiciary is the
independence of the exercise of the functions
High Court of Madras by the judges in an unbiased manner i.e. free
from any external influence.

The Litigation Process

There are two different types of legal sections in India: Civil and Criminal
Civil Law Criminal Law
• It deals with disputes over money property and • It deals with conducts or acts that the law
social matters. defines as offences.
Eg. Disputes relating to land, rent, marriage Eg. Theft, murder, women harassment etc.,
dispute etc., • It usually begins with lodging of an FIR (First
• A petition has to be filed before the relevant Information Report) with police investigation
court by the affected parties. after which a case is filed in the court.
• Sentences awarded in the form of money • Punishment is awarded if proven guilty, the
remuneration and as per the petitioner’s claim. accused is sent to jail.

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 Public Interest Litigation (PIL): PIL is a litigation filed in a court of law for the protection of
“public interest”. The Supreme court introduced this system which allows a person to approach
the court with his case. PIL can be filed for the following reasons such as violation of basic human
rights, religious rights, pollution, and road safety. This could be done by a written letter stating the
case. This concept is unique to the Indian Judiciary.

Conclusion
Judiciary plays a crucial role in a democratic state. Judiciary is the custodian of the
Constitution and guardian of fundamental rights. India, the largest representative democracy of
the world possesses a well-structured and independent judicial system.

Recap
� Sadar Diwani Adalat and Sadar Nizamat Adalat were established at Allahabad.
� Lok Adalat was set up to provide speedy justice.
� The E–Courts project was established in 2005.
� According to the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court is the guardian of the Constitution

Glossary
Litigation the process of taking legal action வழக்கு

Writ a form of written command in the name of legal நீதிப்பேராணை

authority
Lok Adalat peoples court மக்கள் நீதிமன்றம்
Judicial Review receiving the laws by the court நீதிபுனராய்வு

Evaluation

c) Two State governments

I. Choose the correct answer d) all the above
1 The highest and final judicial tribunal of
3. Dispute between States of India comes to
India is
the Supreme Court under
a) President
a) Original jurisdiction
b) Parliament
b) Appellate jurisdiction
c) Supreme Court
c) Advisory jurisdiction
d) Prime Minister
d) none of these
2 Judicial system provides a mechanism for
4. Which of the following state/ Union
resolving disputes between
territories have a common High Court?
a) Citizen
a) Punjab and Jammu Kashmir
b) Citizen and the government
b) Assam and Bengal

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 c) Panjab, Haryana and Chandigarh III. Match the following.
d) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar 1. Supreme Court - social duties
5. The System of Public Interest Litigation 2. High Court - speedy justice
has been introduced in India by
3. Lok Adalat - highest court of
a) Supreme Court appeal
b) Parliament 4. Sir Elijah Impey - highest court in
c) Political parties the States
d) Constitutional amendments 5. Smiritis - chief justice
6. How many courts are there in apex level
in India? IV. State true or false.

a) One b) Two 1. The Supreme Court of India was

inaugurated on 28th January 1951.
c) Three d) Four
2. During the Tughlaq period, the code of
7. Supreme court is located at
procedure was written in Arabic.
a) Chandigarh b) Bombay
3. The Regulating Act of 1773 made
c) Calcutta d) New Delhi
provision for the formation of Supreme
8. F I R means Court.
a) First Information Report 4. Sadar Diwani Adalat was a Criminal court
b) First information Result of appeal.
c) First Incident Report 5. The Allahabad High Court is the largest
d) None of these court in India.
9. The court that hear criminal cases are 6. The Constitution of India secures justice
called to all its citizen.
a) District court b) Sessions court V. Choose the correct statement.
c) Family court d) Revenue court
1. Consider the following statements.
II. Fill in the blanks. i) 
A law commission was setup by
1. The _________ High Court is the oldest Macaulay.
High Court in India.
ii) It codified the Indian Laws.
2. The framers of the Constitution established
Which of the statements given above is /
___________and __________ judiciary
in India. are correct?

3. ___________, a famous French a) i only b) ii only

philosopher propounded the idea of an c) Both i and ii d) Neither i nor ii
independent judiciary.
2. Consider the following statements.
4. __________ deals with disputes over
money, property and social matters. i) An Indian Penal Code was prepared in
5. During ancient times, most of the Kings’ 1860.
courts dispensed justice according to ii) 
T he Calcutta High Court was
______________. established in 1862.
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 iii) The Government of India Act, 1935 2. What are the different levels of courts in
created Federal Court. India?
Which of the statements given above is/ 3. Differentiate Law and Judiciary.
are correct?
4. Write a note on Lok Adalat.
a) i only b) ii, iii only
5. What are the advantages of mobile courts?
c) i,iii only d) All the above
3. Which of the following statement is not VII. Answer the following in
true about India’s Supreme Court?
detail.
i) 
The Supreme Court of India is the
1. Write about the role of judiciary.
highest court of the land.
2. Differentiate Civil Law and Criminal Law.
ii) 
It was established by part V under
Chapter IV of Indian Constitution. 3. Describe Jurisdiction of Supreme Court.
iii) Supreme court cannot transfer cases
from one High court to another VIII. Project and Activity.
iv) Its decisions are binding on all courts 1. Discuss: Is it necessary to have an
a) i b) ii c. iii d. iv independent judiciary? List two reasons.
4. Assertion: The Supreme Court is a Court 2. Organize your classroom for a mockup
of Record. courtroom session. (Take a case with the
Reason: It maintains records of the court help of the teacher)
proceedings and its decisions are finding
upon the lower courts. REFERENCE BOOKS
a) A is correct and R is wrong.
1. D
 urga Das Basu - Introduction to the
b) Both A and R are Wrong Constitution of India, Wardhe and
c) A is correct and R explains A Company, Agra, 2004.
d) A is correct and R does not explain A 2. M
 . V. Pylee - An Introduction to the
5. Agree or disagree Constitution of India, Vikas Publishing
House, Bombay, 2007.
a) Every citizen of india can approach the
Supreme court. 3. Subash Kashyap - Our Constitution,
National Book Trust, New Delhi, 2013.
b) Rich and powerful people control the
judiciary system. 4. J.C. Johari - Indian Polity, Lotus Press, New
Delhi, 1998.
c) Every citizen has a right to get justice
through the courts. INTERNET RESOURCES
d) Politicians can not control over judges.
1. https://sci.gov.in
VI. Answer the following in one 2. www.hcmadras.tn.nic.in
or two sentences.
1. Why do we need judicial system?

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