Constitutional Democracy and Governance in India

Unit 1
The Constituent Assembly and the Constitution

2015
1. Discuss the philosophy of the Indian Constitution with reference to the Preamble.
2. How do the Fundamental Rights enunciated in the Constitution of India protect the
citizens from encroachments by the Indian State?
3. Right to Freedom of Religion

2016
1. Elucidate and discuss the features of the Indian Constitution. To what extent does the
Preamble reflect these features?
2. Do you agree that the Directive Principles of State Policy complements the Fundamental
Rights? Give reasons for your answer.

2017
1. The preamble of the Indian Constitution is a reflection of its philosophy. Comment?
2. Write an essay on the importance of Fundamental Rights with special reference to Article
19?
3. Discuss the composition and contribution of the Constituent Assembly in framing of the
Constitution?
4. Right to Equality - short notes

2018
1. Critically examine the Philosophy as enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution of
India.
2. Do you agree that Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution get precedence over the
Directive Principles of State Policy? Give reasons for your answer.
3. Right of Life and Personal Liberty - short notes

2019
1. Discuss the features of the Indian Constitution. To what extent does the Preamble reflect
these features?
2. Discuss the features of Directive Principles of State Policy. How far has the state been
successful in implementing them?

Unit 2
Organs of Government

2015
1. The functioning of the Indian Parliament has significantly changed since 1989. Do you
agree? Give reasons for your answer.
2. Discuss change in the role of the Indian Prime Minister under coalition governments.
 3. How does the 42nd Amendment Act redefine the role of the President of India? Discuss.
4. Does the Supreme Court of India encroach upon the realms of the Executive and the
Legislature through judicial activism. Discuss.
5. Public Interest Litigation - short notes
6. Parliamentary Committees - short notes

2016
1. Examine how has the changing nature of representation affected the functioning of the
Indian Parliament.
2. The Indian Prime Minister was never ‘first among equals’. Do you agree? Give reasons
for your answer.
3. How is the Supreme Court of India constituted? Critically examine its role in protecting
the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
4. Judicial Review - short notes
5. Fifth and Sixth Schedule - short notes

2017
1. Assess the functioning of the Indian Parliament.
2. Critically evaluate the role and position of the president in the Indian Political System.
3. Explain in brief the powers and functions of the Supreme Court of India with special
reference to judicial review?
4. Judicial Activism - short notes
5. Basic Structure Doctrine - short notes

2018
1. “Prime Minister is the first among Equals”. Comment.
2. Critically examine the powers and functions of the President of India.
3. Discuss Judicial Review in the context of the “Basic Structure Doctrine” of the
Constitution of India.
4. Judicial Activism - short notes

2019
1. Write an essay on the role of the Parliament.
2. Critically examine the emergency powers of the President of India and their impact on
the democratic functioning of the country.
3. What is Judicial Review? Examine the impact of Judicial Review on the relationship
between Parliament and Judiciary.
4. Criminalisation of Politics - short notes

Unit 3
Federalism and Decentralization

2015
1. Critically examine the major areas of tension in Centre-State relations in India.
2. 74th Amendment Act - short notes
 2016
1. Critically examine the basic features of strong-Centre Federalism in India
2. Discuss the growth and development of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India
3. Women’s representation in local government - short notes

2017
1. How have Centre-State relations evolved in the post-1991 era? Discuss.
2. 73rd Amendment - short notes

2018
1. What is Federalism? Examine the tension areas between the Union and State in India.
2. Discuss the evolution and development of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India.
3. Women’s representation in local government - short notes
4. Fiscal Federalism - short notes

2019
1. Critically examine the basic features of Centre-State relations in India.
2. Discuss the growth and development of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India.
3. Public Interest Litigation - short notes
4. Judicial Activism - short notes

Unit 4
Constitutional Provisions and National Security Laws

2016
1. Emergency Provisions - short notes

2019
1. Critically examine the emergency powers of the President of India and their impact on
the democratic functioning of the country.
2. Preventive Detention - short notes