What is meant by Public Interest Litigation (PIL)? Describe the nature of court orders that are passed by courts in PIL cases.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL): A Deep Dive Introduction: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) represents a significant departure from traditional litigation. While traditional litigation focuses on private disputes between individuals or entities, PIL allows individuals or organizations to approach the courts to address issues of public concern, even if they are not directly affected. This mechanism empowers … Read more

Briefly discuss the different kinds of motions used to discuss matters in Parliament. Comment on the difference between motions and resolutions.

Different Kinds of Motions in Parliament: A Brief Discussion Introduction: Parliamentary procedure relies heavily on motions to facilitate discussion and decision-making. A motion is a formal proposal put before a legislative body for consideration and debate. These motions, depending on their purpose and effect, can significantly shape the legislative agenda and the government’s actions. Understanding … Read more

The Finance Commission, though not being a permanent body, has still maintained its credibility by promoting fiscal democracy in India. Comment.

The Finance Commission and Fiscal Democracy in India: A Balancing Act Introduction: The Finance Commission of India, a non-permanent constitutional body established under Article 280 of the Constitution, plays a crucial role in India’s federal fiscal architecture. Its primary function is to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States, ensuring … Read more

Discuss the scope of judicial review in reviewing administrative action, legislative enactments, and judicial decisions.

The Scope of Judicial Review in India Introduction: Judicial review, a cornerstone of any robust democracy, is the power of the judiciary to scrutinize the actions of other branches of government – the executive and the legislature – and to declare them void if they are found to be inconsistent with the Constitution or the … Read more

Describe the matters in which the Legislative Council stands equal with the Legislative Assembly, along with the matters in which it stands unequal with the Legislative Assembly.

The Legislative Council: Equality and Inequality with the Legislative Assembly Introduction: The Indian Constitution establishes a bicameral legislature at the state level in most states, comprising the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). While both houses are integral parts of the state legislature, their powers and functions differ significantly. This essay … Read more

Discuss the scope and challenges involved in the political empowerment of women through Panchayati Raj. Suggest ways to enhance women’s empowerment in rural and urban local governance.

The Scope and Challenges of Women’s Political Empowerment through Panchayati Raj Introduction: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992 introduced Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India, aiming to decentralize power and promote participatory democracy at the grassroots level. A crucial aspect of this reform was the reservation of seats for women in PRIs, specifically … Read more

The National Education Policy (2020) has been criticized as denuding the autonomy of states. In this connection, examine the rationale behind the transfer of matters from the State List to the Concurrent List.

The National Education Policy (2020) and the Devolution of Power: An Examination of the Shift from State to Concurrent List Introduction: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a landmark reform in India’s education system, aims to transform the sector by 2040. While lauded for its progressive vision, it has faced criticism for potentially undermining the … Read more

The office of the Governor in certain situations carries with it the exercise of discretionary functions and special responsibilities. Discuss this statement in view of the constitutional provisions.

The Discretionary Functions and Special Responsibilities of a Governor: A Constitutional Analysis Introduction: The office of the Governor in many federal systems, including those based on the Westminster model, occupies a unique position. While largely ceremonial in some aspects, the Governor also holds significant discretionary powers and special responsibilities, often acting as a crucial check … Read more

Explain the genesis of the Inter-State Council and discuss its relevance in the context of Centre-State and Inter-State coordination and cooperation in India.

The Genesis and Relevance of the Inter-State Council in India Introduction: The Indian Constitution, recognizing the potential for friction between the Union and States, and amongst the States themselves, established the Inter-State Council (ISC) under Article 263. This provision, however, remained dormant for several decades. The ISC’s genesis lies not in a single event but … Read more

Examine the scope of ‘reasonable restrictions’ and the ‘test of reasonableness’ in connection with Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.

Examining the Scope of ‘Reasonable Restrictions’ and the ‘Test of Reasonableness’ under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution Introduction: Article 19 of the Indian Constitution guarantees six fundamental rights related to freedom of expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession. However, these freedoms are not absolute. The Constitution explicitly allows for “reasonable restrictions” on these … Read more