Course Description:

Constitutional Law I is a foundational course that introduces undergraduate law students to the theory, doctrine, and practice of constitutional law in India. This is the first of two core courses on constitutional law that the B.A. LL.B (Hons.) cohort must complete. This course begins with   an introduction to constitutions,constitutional theory and  the making of India’s Constitution. It then focuses on the horizontal and vertical structures of constitutional governance:   the principle of Separation of Powers that justifies the horizontal division of institutional power between the Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary, and Fourth Branch institutions. Next we examine the principles  of Federalism and Decentralisation which justify  the vertical division of institutional power between the Centre, the States, and local government institutions.

A subsequent course – Constitutional Law II – will cover the provisions relating to Citizenship (Part II), Fundamental Rights (Part III), Directive Principles (Part IV), Fundamental Duties (Part IVA), as well as the role of the judiciary, among other topics.

Constitutional Law I has three central aims. First, and foremost, the course will provide students with a strong foundation in constitutional text and judge-made doctrine. Second, students will critically engage with fundamental questions of constitutional design, institutional choice and functions. Third, the course will introduce students to the political history and context in which the Constitution was drafted and subsequent judgments were delivered.