Topics
Forms of Government: Totalitarian and Authoritarian States, and Liberal Democratic State
- Totalitarian and Authoritarian States
- Liberal Democratic State
- Unitary and Federal States
- Parliamentary and Presidential Forms of Government (U.K. and U.S.A.)
- Decentralisation in India
- Overview of Forms of Government: Totalitarian and Authoritarian States, and Liberal Democratic State
Constitution and Government
Forms of Government: Unitary and Federal States
- Meaning of Constitution
- Kinds of Constitutions - Written and Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible, Enacted and Evolved
- Amending Procedures
- Conventions - Meaning and Examples with Reference to U.K., U.S.A. and India
- Overview of Forms of Government: Unitary and Federal States
Indian Democracy
Forms of Government: Parliamentary and Presidential Forms of Government
- Methods of Election - Direct and Indirect
- Constituency - Single Member and Multi-member
- Universal Adult Franchise
- First Past the Post System
- Minority Representation
- Political Parties
- Kinds of Party System - Single Party, Bi-party, Multi-party System
- Overview of Forms of Government: Parliamentary and Presidential Forms of Government
Constitution
Franchise and Representation
Organs of Government: The Legislature
Organs of Government: The Executive
Organs of Government: The Judiciary
Indian Constitution the Preamble and Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
- Unicameral and Bicameral Legislatures
- Legislative Functions
- The Legislature in India and U.S.A.
- Composition and Powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Comparison of the Rajya Sabha and the U.S. Senate
- Lok Sabha with the U.S. House of Representatives
- Overview of Indian Constitution the Preamble and Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
Fundamental Rights
- What is an Executive
- Functions of Executive
- Discretionary Powers of the President
- Civil Service
- Difference Between the Political Executive and the Permanent Executive
- Political Executive in India and U.S.A. - a Comparative Study
- Powers and Functions of Executive Heads of U.S.A. (President)
- Changing Role of the Indian Prime Minister in the Coalition Era (1996 Onwards) - with Reference to Increasing Role of Regional Political Parties
- Overview of Fundamental Rights
Directive Principles of State Policy
- Introduction and Composition of Judiciary
- Functions of Judiciary
- Conditions of Independence of Judiciary
- Judiciary in India and U.S.A
- Judicial Review
- Principles and Critical Evaluation with Special Reference to U.S.A. and India
- Judicial Activism
- Judicial Restraint
- The Supreme Court
- Overview of Directive Principles of State Policy
Local Self-Government
Democracy in India: Perspective of Challenges Faced
Estimated time: 50 minutes
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Features of Directive Principles of State Policy
- The Objective of Part IV Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP).
- DPSP are not Enforceable by Courts.
- DPSP as the Compass of the Constitution.
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Classification of DPSP in Practice
- DPSP guide the State to build a welfare state.
- They are divided into Socialistic, Gandhian, Liberal and General Principles.
- Socialistic – Social justice, equality, workers’ protection.
- Gandhian – Village self-government and rural development.
- Liberal & General – Uniform Civil Code, education, environment protection and international peace.
CISCE: Class 12
Difference Between Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Rights
| Basis | Fundamental Rights (Part III) | Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Negative in nature | Positive in nature |
| Enforceability | Justiciable – enforceable by courts | Non-justiciable – not enforceable by courts |
| Purpose | Ensure political democracy | Ensure socio-economic democracy |
| Legal Status | Have legal and constitutional supremacy | Have moral and political importance, but no legal force |
| Priority in Conflict | Prevail over DPSPs in case of conflict | Must conform to Fundamental Rights |
| During Emergency | Can be suspended | Cannot be suspended, but remain unenforceable |
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Implementation of Several Directive Principles
- Zamindari Abolition & Land Reforms – Reduced land concentration and promoted social justice.
- Local Self-Government – 73rd & 74th Amendments strengthened Panchayats and Urban Bodies.
- Welfare of Weaker Sections – Reservations and support for SCs, STs, OBCs, women and minorities.
- Women, Children & Labour Welfare – Laws for protection, minimum wages and worker benefits.
- Education & Economic Development – Free education, rural programmes and national development plans.
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Criticism of Directive Principles of State Policy
- Lack of Legal Force
- Mere Declarations
- Lack of Clarity & System
- Impracticable in Practice
- Outdated / Borrowed Ideas
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Justification / Significance of Directive Principles of State Policy
- Backed by Public Opinion.
- Foundation of a Welfare State.
- Moral Ideals of the Constitution.
- Guide for State Policy.
- Supplementary to Fundamental Rights.
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Reason behind some conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
- Fundamental Rights are justiciable, Directive Principles are non-justiciable.
- Fundamental Rights focus on civil-political rights, Directive Principles on socio-economic goals.
- Welfare laws under Directive Principles often restricted Fundamental Rights.
- Conflict arose over equality, freedom, and property rights.
- State duty to implement Directive Principles was limited by Fundamental Rights.
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: View of the Parliament
- Implementation of DPSP alone can complete our democracy.
- Implementation of DPSP constituted a bigger priority than Fundamental Rights.
- Fundamental Rights can be amended for implementing DPSP.
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: View of the Supreme Court
- Earlier view of Supreme Court
- Champakam Dorairajan case
- Nature of Fundamental Rights
- Golaknath case (1967)
- Kesavananda Bharati & Minerva Mills cases
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: The Present Position
- Parliament can amend Fundamental Rights under Article 368, but not the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
- Judiciary has the power of judicial review.
- Fundamental Rights enjoy legal superiority.
- Article 31(c) is still operative, but protection is limited only to laws implementing Article 39(b) and (c) against Articles 14 and 19.
- State must implement both FRs and DPSPs together.
