Past Year Questions

Constitutional Law

1. Constitution and Constitutionalism, Distinctive features of Constitution

a. The goals specified in the Preamble contain the basic structure of the Constitution, which
cannot be amended under Article 368 of the Constitution. Analyse this statement in light of
leading decided cases. 2020 (10)

2. Fundamental Rights, Public Interest Litigation, Legal Aid and Legal Services Authority
a. Examine the scope of protective discrimination offered to persons belonging to Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Classes and Other Backward Classes under Article 15 and 16 of the
Constitution. Explain with help of decided cases. 2020 (20)
i. Insight – Art 15 and 16, positive discrimination for depressed classes, background and
extent
b. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of life and personal liberty enshrined under
Art 21 of the Indian Constitution. Elucidate this statement in light of the decision of Justice KS
Puttuswamy v. Union of India.
i. Insight – right to privacy part of Art 21, KS Puttuswamy
c. Critically evaluate the changing dimensions of concept of ‘State’ under Article 12 of the
Constitution of India 2018 (10)
i. Insight – definition of state and its evolution
d. The liberty of press implicit in the freedom of speech stands on no higher footing than the
freedom of speech and expression of a citizen and no privilege is attached to the press as
such distinct from ordinary citizen.” Explain this statement and also distinguish the term
‘freedom of speech and expression’ from ‘speech and expression’. 2018 (20)
i. Insight – Art 19, freedom of press v individual freedom, defn of FOSE
e. Discuss the importance of ‘Right to Life and personal liberty’ with reference to recent case
laws. 2017 (10)
i. Insight – Art 21, importance – purposive interpretation
f. Right to life means something more than mere animal existence.” Discuss with reference to
case laws. Is there any difference between the expression ‘right to life’ and ‘personal liberty’?
Explain critically. 2016 (10)
i. TD – Art 21, true nature and evolution, defn of term ‘right to life’ and ‘personal liberty’
g. What is ‘Protected discrimination’? Examine how far is it constitutional under Article 15 and
16. Give reference of decided cases. Also mention the limitations of these articles as per its
applications. 2016 (10)
i. TLDR: positive discrimination, affirmative actions, limitations
h. Given the contemporary economic, political and social realities, critically evaluate the judicial
framework developed to determine whether ad agency/body is ‘State’ for the purposes of
Article 12. Is this test currently too narrow? Justify your answer. 2015 (10)
i. TLDR: definition and evolution of ‘State’, Art 12, critical analysis
i. “Article 14 of the Constitution forbids class legislation not reasonable classification”.
Examine and also discuss how far equality for status and opportunity are achieved by this
Constitutional provision. 2015 (10)
 i. TLDR: Art 14, class legislation vs reasonable classification. Application of Art 14 and
related
j.
k. Public Interest Litigation is a tool to promote politics of the Judiciary. 2019 (7.5)

3. Relationship between Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles