COURSE DESCRIPTION

(DETAILED)

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NOTES:
1. For defining course outcomes, ask yourself what the most important things a student
should know (cognitive), be able to do (skills), or value (affective) after completing
the course/program.
2. Checklist for each course outcome: is the learning outcome measurable? Is the
learning outcome student-cantered? Does the learning outcome match instructional
activities and assessments?
3. Teaching-Learning strategies refer to an appropriate combination of Lectures, Case
Studies, Class assignments, Solo Projects, Group Projects, MOOCs, etc.
4. Learning resources can include textbooks, case studies, research papers, videos,
websites, articles, etc.
5. Try to limit the number of modules to a reasonable number (typically 3-4 for a course
with three lecture hours per week, 4-5 for a course with four lecture hours per week)
6. Each course should have at least one section on textbooks or reference books. For the
foundation courses, it is mandatory to give textbooks. The textbooks shall be
indicated as in the examples given below:
a) Wayene Wolf, Modern VLSI Design: IP-Based Design (4th ed.), Prentice Hall,
2008. ISBN 978-0137145003, ISBN 0137145004.
b) Ivan Sutherland, Robert F. Sproull and David Harris, Logical Effort:
Designing Fast CMOS Circuits, Morgan Kaufmann, 1999. ISBN 978-
1558605572, ISBN 1558605576.
7. Formatting guidelines: Font style-Times New Roman (body), Font size-12 and
Margin-Normal
8. Add lines, columns and tables as required

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 COURSE CONTEXT
SCHOOL School of Law VERSION NO. OF
CURRICULUM/SYLLABUS
THAT THIS COURSE IS A
PART OF
DEPARTMENT DATE THIS COURSE
WILL BE EFFECTIVE
FROM
DEGREE BBALLB/BALLB VERSION NUMBER OF
THIS COURSE

COURSE BRIEF
COURSE TITLE Constitutional Law I PRE-REQUISITES NA
COURSE CODE LLLB203L TOTAL CREDITS 5
COURSE TYPE Core L-T-P FORMAT 5-0-1

COURSE SUMMARY
Constitutional Law-II is aimed at teaching the students the system of governance as stipulated
under the Constitution of India and will introduce the students with the organization and
function of the State in India. Beginning with historical traces, the course will discuss several
important aspects like basic structure, rule of law, constitutionalism, separation of powers,
democracy, federalism, thereby, exploring the fundamental principles of the Constitution of
India. Focus will be laid on the Centre-state relations and the distribution of powers between
the three organs of the state namely the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. (Parts
VI, VII , VIII and XI) and local self-government( Part IX, Part IX-A, Part IX-B and Part X).
The relevant provisions on the proclamation of emergency (Part XVIII) will also be analyzed
while discussing the distribution of powers.
The course will also introduce students to financial and taxation powers of the central and
state governments and the capacity of these governments to enter into contract and incur
liability (Part XII). In addition, the provisions of the Constitution on Trade, Commerce and
Intercourse (Part XIII),Union and State Public Service Commissions (Part XIV) and
Tribunals (Part XIV-A) will be discussed.

COURSE-SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES (CO)

By the end of this program, students should have the following knowledge, skills and values:
CO1. To discuss the system of governance as envisaged under the Indian Constitution
through study of center-state relations and understand how this system of governance aims to
promote democracy and social justice. In addition, to understand the doctrine of separation of
powers and understand the individual limits of the legislature, executive and judiciary.

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CO2. To understand the capacity of the central government and state governments to enter
into contract, impose taxes and conduct trade and commerce across the country.
CO3 To understand the emergency powers of the government and their implications on day
to day functioning of the legislature and the executive.

Detailed Syllabus

COURSE PLAN SUMMARY

Sr. No Topics Lecture/Sessions
1. Fundamental Aspects of the 5
Constitution of India
2. The Union and its Territory 4
3. The Executive: Union and State 6
4. Parliament and State Legislature 6
5. Judiciary and the Tribunals 6
6. The Panchayats, Municipalities 6
and the Co-operative Societies
7. Relations Between the Union and 10
State
8. Taxation 6
9. Trade, Commerce and Intercourse 6
Within the Territory of India
10. Emergency 5
11. Amendment of the Constitution 5
12. Constitutional Institutions 5
Special Instructions
- In case of indiscipline, the decision of the instructor will be final.
- Class representative will be the key contact point between the
instructor and class.

DETAILED COURSE PLAN

1. Fundamental Aspects of the Constitution of India

Since the essential focus of this module is the functioning of the legislature, executive and
judiciary as well as centre-state relations in various spheres, it is important to introduce
students to various theoretical aspects of federalism and constitutionalism, before
embarking on studying these theories in practice. For a thorough understanding, it is also
essential to study these features in a few foreign constitutions, to gain a comparative
perspective into the working of the Indian Constitution.

Readings

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 1. Uday S Mehta, “Indian Constitutionalism” in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution”
(Oxford University Press, New Delhi) 38.
2. Granville Austin, The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation, Chapter I-
The Constituent Assembly- Microcosm in Action, pg. 1-31.
3. MP Singh, “The Federal Scheme” in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and Pratap
Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution” (Oxford
University Press, New Delhi) 451.
4. Upendra Baxi, ‘Outline and theory of practice of Indian Constitutionalism’.
5. Gautam Bhatia, The Transformative Constitution, (Prologue: The past is a foreign
country)
6. Chaudhry, Koshal & Mehta, Locating Indian Constitutionalism, Oxford Handbook of the
Indian Constitution

2. The Union and Its Territory

This unit will discuss the power to acquire and cede Indian territory to a foreign nation
and the power to create or extinguish a state along with the alteration of name, area and
boundary of existing states. These provisions are significant to the extent that India does
face several border disputes and issues of regionalism, where there is a demand for the
formation of new states from various stakeholders.

Case Law
1. In re Berubari Union & Exchg. of Enclaves, AIR 1960 SC 845 48
2. Babulal Parate v. State of Bombay, AIR 1960 SC 51
3. NM Sahib v. Chief Comnr. Pondicherry, AIR 1962 SC 797
4. Ram Kishore Sen v. Union of India, AIR 1966 SC 644
5. Union of India v. Sukumar Sengupta, AIR 1990 SC 1692
6. R. C. Poudyal v. Union of India, AIR 1993 SC 1804

3. The Executive: Union and State

This Unit will discuss the powers and position of the Executive within the Constitutional
scheme of governance. It will study the relationship between the President and Governor
and Council of Ministers and the judicial review of executive actions, thus covering the
ramifications of the relationship between the judiciary and executive. It will analyze the
unique position of Union Territories under the Constitution vis-à-vis the states. Most
importantly, it will study the legislative powers of the executive, with a focus on the
powers to promulgate ordinances and the exceptional circumstances which justify such
promulgations.

Readings: -

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 1. Justice (Retd) Ruma Pal, “Separation of Powers” in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla
and Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution
(Oxford University Press, New Delhi) 253.
2. Shubhankar Dam, “Executive” in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and Pratap Bhanu
Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution (Oxford University
Press, New Delhi) 307.
3. Report of the Commission on Center-State Relations (Sarkaria Commission) 1988.
4. Granville Austin, “The Governor’s Acutely Controversial Role” in Working a
Democratic Constitution- A History of the Indian Experience” (Oxford India
Paperbacks, 2017), 574.

Case Law
1. U. N. R. Rao v. Indira Gandhi, AIR 1971 SC 1002
2. Samsher Singh v. State of Punjab, AIR 1974 SC 212
3. Kehar Singh v. Union of India (1989) 1 SCC 204
4. S.P. Anand v. H.D. Deve Gowda, AIR 1997 SC 272
5. M.P. Spl. Police Estab. v. State of M.P., (2004) 8 SCC 788
6. State of Haryana v. Jagdish (2010)4 SCC 216
7. B P Singhal v. Union of India (2010) 6 SCC 331
8. Yakub Abdul Razak Menon v. State of Maharashtra (2015) 9 SCC 552
9. Krishna Kumar Singh v. State of Bihar (2017) Supreme Court
10. Ram Jawaya Kapur v. State of Punjab, AIR 1955 SC 549
11. Presidential Poll, re (1974) 2 SCC 33
12. N.B. Khare v Election Commission of India, AIR 1957 SC 694
13. S.P Gupta v President of India, AIR 1982 SC 149

4. Parliament and the State Legislature

This unit will study the role and relationship of the union parliament and the state
legislatures with each other. The unit will also focus on the composition, qualification,
disqualification of members of the parliament and legislative assemblies. The course will
also emphasize on the legislative privileges given to the members of parliament and state
legislatures.

Readings
1. Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege, First Report (1999)
2. MR Madhavan, “Legislature: Composition, Qualifications, and Disqualifications,” in
Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook
of the Indian Constitution (Oxford University Press, New Delhi) 270.
3. Shubhankar Dam, Can a Legislative Assembly Function without an Executive
Government under the Indian Constitution, Public Law 224 (2008).

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Case Law
1. In re Keshav Singh, AIR 1965 SC 745
2. S.P. Anand v. H.D. Deve Gowda, AIR 1997 SC 272
3. B. R. Kapur v. State of T. N. AIR 2001 SC 3435 74
4. Anil Kumar Jha v. Union of India, (2005) 3 SCC 150
5. Jaya Bachchan v. Union of India, AIR 2006 SC 2119
6. Lily Thomas v. Union of India, (2013) 7 SCC 653.
7. Raja Ram Pal v. Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha (2007) 3 SCC 184
8. Kuldip Nayar v Union of India and Ors , AIR 2006 SC 3127
9. Special Reference No. 1 of 2002 (Re Gujarat Assembly Election Matter) AIR 2003
SC 87
10. Rameshwar Prasad v Union of India AIR 2006 SC 980
11. Raja Ram Pal v. Hon’ble Speaker , Lok Sabha (2007) 3 SCC 184

5. The Judiciary and Tribunals

The focus of this unit will be on the composition, appointment and removal of judges of
the Supreme Court. It will also highlight the powers and procedure relating to the
functioning of the judicial system. Additionally, it will focus on how the Constitution
gives effect to judicial intervention and judicial activism through Article 32 and Article
226. It will also study the role of quasi-judicial tribunals in administration of justice. This
unit also has additional significance for students considering the recent controversies of
judicial overreach and the collegium issues.

Readings:-
1. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, The Rise of Judicial Sovereignty, 18 (2) J. of Democracy 70, 74
(April 2007).
2. The Oxford handbook of the Indian Constitution, Justice (Retd) BN Srikrishna,
Judicial Independence, Pg 349.

Case law
1. Hira Lal Dixit v. State of UP AIR 1954 SC 743
2. Trilokchand Motichand v. H.B. Munshi, AIR 1969 SC 966
3. S. P. Gupta v. President of India, AIR 1982 SC 149.
4. Rudul Sah v. State of Bihar, AIR 1983 SC 1086
5. Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India, AIR 1984 SC 802
6. M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, AIR 1987 SC 1086
7. AR Antulay v. RS Nayak (1988) 2 SCC 602
8. L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India, AIR 1997 SC 1125 180 (Tribunals)
9. In re Special Reference No. 1 of 1998, AIR 1999 SC 1
10. Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India (1998) 4 SCC 409
11. Rupa Ashok Hurra v. Ashok Hurra, AIR 2002 SC 1771
12. Zakarius Lakra v. Union of India (2005) 3 SCC 161
13. SC Adv. on Record Association v. Union of India, 2016 5 SCC 1
14. Shanti Bhushan v Union of India, 2008 15 SCALE 647
15. Bhim Singh v State of J&K, AIR 1986 SC 494
16. Nilabati Behera v. State of Orissa 1993 2 SCC 746

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 17. A. K. Gopalan v State of Madras, AIR 1950 SC 27

6. The Panchayats, Municipalities and the Co-operative Societies

This unit will study the third tier of the governmental system in India, which includes
panchayats, municipalities and the incorporation of co-operative societies. The aim and
objective of this unit is to familiarize students with the functioning of local governing
bodies, with the broader aspect of discussing decentralized democracies.

Readings

1. KC Sivaramakrishnan, “Local Government” in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and

Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution (Oxford
University Press, New Delhi) 560.

Case Law
1. Union of India v. Rakesh Kumar (2010) 4 SCC 50
2. K Krishna Murthy v. Union of India (2010) 7 SCC 202
3. Bondu Ramaswamy v. Banagalore Development Authority (2010) 7 SCC 129
4. Kasambhai F. Ghanchi v Chandubhai D Rajput AIR 1998 SC 815
5. Kishansing Tomar v Municipal Corporation of the City of Ahmedabad, (2006) 8 SCC
352

7. Relations Between the Union and The State

This unit deals with the distribution of legislative powers between the centre and the state.
It imposes territorial limits on the legislative powers vested on the parliament and state
legislatures. This unit will study the Doctrine of Territorial Nexus; Doctrine of Pith and
Substance, Doctrine of Colourable Legislation, Residuary Powers of Legislation and the
Doctrine of Repugnancy.

Readings-

1.Legislative Competence: The Union and States by V Niranjan in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav
Khosla and Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution
(Oxford University Press, New Delhi)
2. Fiscal Federalism by Nirvikar Singh in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and Pratap Bhanu
Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution (Oxford University Press, New
Delhi)

Case Law
1. Prafulla Kumar v. Bank of Commerce, Khulna, AIR 1947 PC 60
2. Zaverbhai v. State of Bombay, AIR 1954 SC 752
3. State of Bombay v. R. M. D. C., AIR 1957 SC 699

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 4. Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. v. State of Bihar, AIR 1958 SC 452
5. State of Rajasthan v. G. Chawla, AIR 1959 SC 544
6. Union of India v. H. S. Dhillon, AIR 1972 SC 1061 262
7. Hoechst Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. State of Bihar, AIR 1983 SC 1019
8. Vijay Kr Sharma v. State of Karnataka, (1990) 2 SCC 562
9. State of Karnataka v. Drive-in Enterprises, AIR 2001 SC 1328
10. GVK Industries v. Income Tax Officer, (2011) 4 SCC 36
11. M. Karunanidhi v. Union Of India AIR 1979 SC 898
12. State of Bihar v Charusila Dasi, AIR 1959 SC 1002
13. State of AP v NTPC, (2002) 5 SCC 203
14. DAV College v State of Punjab, (1971) 2 SCC 261
15. B. Vishwanathan v State of Karnataka, (1991) 3 SCC 358
16. International Tourist Corporation v State of Haryana , 1981 2 SCC 779
17. Ashok Kumar v UOI, 1991 2 SCC 498
18. State of Assam v Horizon Union, AIR 1967 SC 442

8. Taxation and Government Contracts

Constitution of India, Articles 265, 286, 366(29A) and Schedule 7

Readings-

1.Government Contracts by Umakanth Varottil in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and

Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution (Oxford
University Press, New Delhi)
Case Law
1. Tata Iron and Steel Co. v. State of Bihar, AIR 1958 SC 452
2. Godfrey Phillips India Ltd. v. State of U.P., AIR 2005 SC 1103
3. Goodyear India v. State of Haryana, AIR 1990 SC 781
4. Gujarat Ambuja Cements Ltd. v. Union of India, AIR 2005 SC 302
5. Abdul Quader v. Sales Tax Officer, AIR 1964 SC 922
6. State of Rajasthan v Vidyawati, AIR 1962 SC 93
7. Pramod Chandra Deb v State of Orissa, AIR 1962 SC 1288
8. State of Rajasthan v Shyamlal, AIR 1964 SC 1495
9. Narendra Bahadur Tandon v Shankarlal, (1980) 2 SCC 253
10. LIC v Consumer Education and Research Centre, 1995 (5) SCC 482
11. Biharilal v Buri Devi, (1997) 2 SCC 279
12. State of Bihar v Karamchand Thapar and Brothers Ltd. , AIR 1962 SC 110
13. Union of India v Anglo Afghan Agencies, AIR 1968 SC 718
14. Kasturilal Ralia Ram Jain v State of UP , AIR 1965 SC 103
15. Peninsular Oriental Steam, Navigation Co. v Secretary of State, (1861) 5
BOM HCR 1(App)

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9. Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the Territory of India
This unit aims at studying the scope of freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse. The
unit will also discuss the restrictions on the legislative powers of the union and of the
state with regards to trade and commerce.

Readings

1.Arvind P. Datar , “Inter- State Trade, Commerce and Intercourse” in Sujit Choudhry,
Madhav Khosla and Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian
Constitution (Oxford University Press, New Delhi) 487.

Case Law
1. Atiabari Tea Co. v. State of Assam, AIR 1961 SC 232
2. Automobile Transport (Rajasthan) Ltd. v. State of Rajasthan, AIR 1962 SC 1406
3. G.K. Krishnan v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1975) 1 SCC 375
4. Shree Mahavir Oil Mills v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1996) 11 SCC 39 321
5. Jindal Stainless Ltd. v. State of Haryana, AIR 2006 SC 2550
6. Video Electronics v State of Punjab, AIR 1990 SC 820
7. State of WB v Kesoram Industries, AIR 2005 SC 1648

10. Emergency
This unit studies three kinds of emergencies. One related to proclamation of emergency
(war, external aggression and armed rebellion), failure of constitutional machinery in
states and financial emergency. It will discuss the power of the union executive to issue
directions and the effect of noncompliance.

Readings:
1. A Thiruvengadam,,V Ramraj, Emergency powers in Asia : Exploring the Limits of
Legality (Cambridge, 2009)
2. Rahul Sagar, “Emergency Powers” in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and Pratap
Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution (Oxford
University Press, New Delhi) 213.
3. Khosla & Krishnaswamy, Regional Emergencies Under Article 356, Indian Journal
of Constitutional Law

Case Laws
1. State of Rajasthan v Union of India AIR 1977 SC 1361
2. S R Bommai v Union of India AIR 1994 SC 1918
3. Rameshwar Prasad v Union of India AIR 2006 SC 98

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11. Amendment of the Constitution

Constitution of India, Article 368 (Discussion of Basic Structure Doctrine and Amendments)

Readings

1. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Introduction to “Democracy and Constitutionalism in India”,

Oxford University Press
2. Madhav Khosla, “Constitutional Amendment” in Sujit Choudhry, Madhav Khosla and
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, eds, The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution (Oxford
University Press, New Delhi) 232.

Case Laws
1. Sankari Prasad v. Union of India, AIR 1951 SC 458
2. In Re Berubari Union, AIR 1960 SC 845
3. Golak Nath v. State of Punjab, AIR 1967 SC 1643
4. Kesavananda Bharti v. State of Kerala, AIR 1973 SC 1461
5. Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain, AIR 1975 SC 2299
6. Minerva Mills v. Union of India, AIR 1980 SC 1789
7. M. Nagraj v. Union of India, AIR 2007 SC 71

12. Constitutional Institutions

Election Commission, Finance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Attorney
General of India, Public Service Commission, National Commission for SC and ST, Inter-
state River Dispute Resolution Tribunals, Central and State Service Tribunals.

Case Laws
1. Comptroller & Auditor General of India v. Mohan, AIR 1991 SC 2788.
2. Jai Sankar Prasad v. State of Bihar, AIR 1993 SC 1906.
3. K.Vasudavan Nair v. Union AIR 1990 SC 2295.
4. Om Prakash v.State of UP, AIR 1991 SC 425.
5. Ram E.Sharma v. State of Bihar, AIR 1990, SC 1368.
6. Sampath Kumar v Union, AIR 1987 SC 386.
7. T.N.Cauvery Sangam v. Union, AIR 1990 SC1316.

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STUDIO WORK / LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS:
NA

TEXT BOOK
1. Main textbook: M. P Jain, Indian Constitutional Law, Eighth Edition (Lexis Nexis)

Reference Books:

1. H.M. Seervai, Constitutional Law of India, 4th Edition,2017 (Volumes 1, 2, and 3),
Universal Law Publishing.
2. The Oxford handbook of the Indian Constitution , Eds, Sujit Choudhury, Madhav
Khosla, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, 2016, Oxford University Press
3. Working a democratic Constitution- A history of the Indian Experience, Granville
Austin, Oxford University Press, Ninth Impression 2017, Oxford India Paperbacks.
4. The Indian Constitution, Cornerstone of a Nation, Granville Austin, 29th Impression
2017, Oxford India Paperbacks. (One copy available in the library)
5. Constitutions of the World, M. V. Pylee, 4th Edition, 2 Volumes, 2012, Universal
Law Publishing Company. (One copy available in the library)
6. Introduction to the Constitution of India, DD Basu, 22nd Edition, 2015, Lexis Nexis.
7. Commentary on the Constitution of India, Durga Das Basu, 9th Edition 2014, Lexis
Nexis

Supplementary Readings
1. India, Government, ed. Constituent Assembly Debates: Official Report New
Delhi: The Assembly; Lok Sabha Secretariat, 1950.
2. Selected scholarly articles to be emailed to students in advance of classes which
are to be read. Please refer below to essential readings.

TEACHING-LEARNING STRATEGIES
Lectures, Classroom Discussions, Case Law Method; Project Work; Use of audio-visual
methods, guest lectures.

EVALUATION POLICY

Components of Course Evaluation % distribution

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 Mid Term Examination 20%
End term Examination 35%
Internal Assessment (MCQs – 30 marks, Project – 10,
45%
Participation -5)
Total 100%

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