Karnataka Polity – 50 Important Points

Karnataka is a state of the Union of India and its government functions within the framework of the Constitution of India.
Karnataka has a unicameral legislature? No. Karnataka has a bicameral legislature.
The Karnataka Legislature consists of the Governor, Legislative Assembly (Vidhana Sabha) and Legislative Council (Vidhana Parishad).
The Governor is the constitutional head of the state.
The Governor is appointed by the President of India.
The normal term of the Governor’s office is five years, but the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President.
The Chief Minister is the real executive head of the state government.
The Governor appoints the Chief Minister, normally the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Legislative Assembly.
The Council of Ministers is headed by the Chief Minister.
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly.

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly (Vidhana Sabha) is the lower house of the state legislature.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has 224 elected seats.
The normal term of the Legislative Assembly is five years, unless dissolved earlier.
The minimum age to become a member of the Legislative Assembly is 25 years.
The Speaker presides over the Legislative Assembly.
The Deputy Speaker performs the Speaker’s functions when required.
A Money Bill in the state legislature can be introduced only in the Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Assembly exercises control over the Council of Ministers through mechanisms such as questions, motions, discussions and the no-confidence motion.
The Assembly approves the state’s budget and demands for grants.
The Legislative Assembly participates in the election of the President of India through its elected members.

Karnataka is one of the Indian states having a Legislative Council.
The Karnataka Legislative Council (Vidhana Parishad) is the upper house of the state legislature.
The Legislative Council is a permanent house and is not subject to dissolution.
Members of the Legislative Council generally serve a six-year term.
Approximately one-third of the members retire every two years.
The minimum age for membership of the Legislative Council is 30 years.
The Legislative Council has 75 members.
Members of the Council are elected by different electorates, including MLAs, local authorities, graduates and teachers, while some are nominated by the Governor.
The Governor nominates members with special knowledge or practical experience in areas such as literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service.
The Legislative Council can discuss and scrutinize legislation, but its powers over Money Bills are more limited than those of the Assembly.

Karnataka comes under the jurisdiction of the High Court of Karnataka.
The principal seat of the High Court of Karnataka is at Bengaluru.
The High Court also has a permanent bench at Dharwad and a bench at Kalaburagi.
The High Court is the highest court at the state level.
The Advocate General of Karnataka is the highest law officer of the state.
The Advocate General is appointed by the Governor.
The State Election Commission conducts elections to local bodies such as Panchayats and Municipalities.
The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor.
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) conducts recruitment examinations for various state government services.
Members and the Chairman of the State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor, subject to constitutional provisions.

Karnataka has a three-tier Panchayati Raj system consisting of Gram Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat.
The Gram Panchayat functions at the village level.
The Taluk Panchayat functions at the intermediate/taluk level.
The Zilla Panchayat functions at the district level.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment provided the constitutional framework for Panchayati Raj institutions.
The 74th Constitutional Amendment relates to urban local government.
Urban local bodies in Karnataka include Municipal Corporations, City Municipal Councils, Town Municipal Councils and Town Panchayats.
The Gram Sabha consists of persons registered in the electoral rolls of the village-level Panchayat area.
Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women is provided in Panchayati Raj institutions according to constitutional and state provisions.
Karnataka Rajyotsava – 1 November is associated with the formation of the unified Kannada-speaking state, while Karnataka’s state administration operates through the Governor, elected government, legislature, judiciary and local self-government institutions.

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