Indian Constitution and its salient features
- The Indian Constitution provides for a democratic system in India. In this backdrop, briefly analyse the constitutional provisions with regard to tyranny of majority and appeasement of minority.
- What is the difference between a National party and a Regional party, in case of parties recognised by the Election Commission of India ? Explain the features of the Indian party system.
- Analyze the effectiveness of implementation of the Directive Principles of State Policy and suggest ways to improve it.
- Describe the various special provisions in the constitution relating to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes and Anglo- Indians.
- Explain the concept of minorities with reference to the Indian constitution and the safeguards available for protection of their rights.
- Explain the Right to Equality guaranteed under the Constitution of India in the light of the doctrine of reasonable classification.
- Analyse the concept and importance of Directive Principles of State Policy. Explain the relationship and difference between the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles.
- The constitution postulates in its Preamble that India shall be a Secular Republic. What are the constitutional provisions consistent with this declaration?
- Examine the classification of Scheduled Castes within the constitutional scheme.
- Preamble is a part or the Indian Constitution. Comment.
Issues and challenges pertaining to the Federal structure
- “In spite of unitary features of the Constitution, federalism survived in India.” Comment.
- The Indian constitution is federal in form but unitary in spirit -Discuss?
- what is concept of cooperative federalism? Does it exist in Indian polity?
- Is India a Federation?
Distribution of powers between the Union and States
- Describe the formation and functions of Inter-State Council. State some of the important decisions taken by the Inter-State Council in the last 3 years.
- Comment briefly on the financial relations between the Union and the States in India. What are irritants generally encountered?
- Discuss the administrative relations the Union and the States.
- Give instances wherein the Constitution provides control of the Union over the States.
- Do you agree with the view that functions are given to the States while resources are with the Centre?
Rural and Urban Local Governance under 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment
- Panchayati Raj is a “God that failed.” Evaluate.
Parliament and State Legislatures
- What is office of profit ? Critically analyse the developments in India on this issue.
- What is the relative position of the Rajya Sabha as compared to the Lok Sabha in our political system?
- Explain the privileges and immunities of legislature under the Constitution of India. How far can the judiciary interfere with such privileges and immunities?
- Explain the conflict resolution mechanism in case of deadlock between the two houses of a State legislature on a piece of legislation.
- The basic structure of the Constitution in effect limits the amending power of the Parliament. Discuss.
- Comment on the declining trend of legislative debates.
- Article 356 is more misused than used. Comment.
Judiciary in India
- What according to the Supreme Court constitutes “the basic structure” of our constitution? Please name a couple of important judgements of the Supreme Court on this issue?
- Trace the genesis and development of Uniform Civil code in India. Cite authoritative judgments on this issue.
- What are the principle adopted by the Courts in an irreconcilable conflict between a law made by the Parliament and a law made by the State legislature?
- There is no constitutional basis to claim absolute immunity from parliamentary proceedings. Explain with reference to leading cases.
Judicial Review & Judicial Activism
- Distinguish between Judicial Review and Judicial Activism and also cite the important decisions of the Supreme Court on the two subjects.
- What is meant by “judicial activism” ? What is its impact on Indian polity?
- Discuss the grounds on which administrative action may be reviewed by the judiciary, and the various modes of such judicial review.
- What are the novel trends in Judicial Review?
Constitutional Authorities and their Role
- Briefly describe the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission with regard to devolution of funds to rural local bodies (Panchayati Raj Institutions). What measures have been implemented by the Government of India for monitoring and audit of the finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions ?
- What are the functions of the National Commission for Women?
- Dicuss the powers and functions of the Election Commission of India and explain its role in protection of representative democracy in India.
- What are the Constitutional guarantees given to women ? Explain the role of the National Commission for Women in protecting the rights of the women.
- Explain the powers and functions of the Human Rights Commission.
- The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India is a friend, philosopher and guide of Public Accountg Committee. Discuss.
- Analyse the functions and functioning of National Scheduled Castes Commission.
Emergency Provisions
- Write a critical note on the Emergency Powers under the Constitution and their misuse, if any.
Constitutional Amendments
- Describe the procedure for amending the constitution? What is the criticism against it?
- Analyse the Constitutional Amendments made so far in relation to the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution.
- Explain the Constitutional guarantee to the Right to property in the light of the 44th Amendment Act.
Polity and Governance Issues in News
- Mention the important events in usage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections in India. Analyse the recent allegations on tampering of EVMs and suggest solutions.
- “The Right to Information Act is meant only for providing information but not grievance redressal.” Comment.
- Analyse the aims and objectives of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention or Atrocities) Act 1989. Explain whether such objectives have been achieved.
- Bring out the politics of Women’s Reservation Bill.
