Dear Friends,
We are starting Political Science Optional Initiative.
Test 1 : Political Science Mains Marathon
INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Comment in about 150 words each (10 marks each)
1. Doctrine of Basic Structure
2. Cooperative Federalism
3. Constitutional role of Governor
4. Gandhi’s concept of ‘Swaraj’
Answer the following (15 marks, 200 words)
5. Identify the reasons for secessionist movements in India. Has government dealt with it successfully? Give reasons.
6. Examine the role of election commission in conducting free and fair elections in India. Has it been given enough powers to function as expected?
7. How has the nature of electoral participation changed in recent years? has it become more representative?
Answer the following (15 marks, 200 words)
8. Write a note on the changing nature of Public interest litigation in India. Has it been serving its purpose?
9. Write the steps taken by the Supreme court and Election commission in the decriminalization of Parliament.
10. Mihir Shah committee has recommended setting up of permanent National Water Commission. What is the lacuna in present river dispute resolution? Highlight the role of Supreme Court settling interstate river disputes. How effective has it been? Discuss.
Note: Plan would be uploaded soon.
All Mains Marathon Optional Questions are updated in this page.
Hi Sir, Where do we need to post answers for this questions?
Same query. Please update the plan as well time table soon 🙂
Thanks for the initiative 🙂
Thank you sir…. Please continue this initiative
Sure.
Such a great initiative sir
Thank you forum ias
I dun have words to thanks forum….
Thanks for the initiative..pls upload the plan soon.
Hope we will get some model answers too. Thank you for the initative
Answer
1. Doctrine of Basic Structure
One of the most original contribution of Indian judiciary in the feild of constitutional jurisprudence, doctrine of basic structure is another manifestation of doctrine of implied limitations.
Supreme court in keshwananda Bharti case in 1973, in order to resolve the conflict regarding the amenability of the part 3 of the Constitution opined that every part of the Constitution is amenable receipt some basis features. Parliament is competent to change the provisions of the Constitution including the the article related to amendment procedure ie article 368, as the Constitution is an organic document.
The only limitation is that it can not subvert the most fundamental provisions. The reasoning that was given by supreme court was this that popular sovereignty that parliament enjoys is different in its mandate that constituent assembly of that period was entrusted with. Changing the basic structure is akin to framing of the new constitution and that will require another constituent assembly.
Supreme court did not provide any exhaustive list of the provisions that constitute basic structure of the Constitution, but in various verdicts pronounced different features like secularism, rule of law, parliamentary form of government, etc that constitute basic structure of the Constitution.
2. Cooperative Federalism
Federalism , as Blackstone says, is not characterised by what is put in the theory but how it evolves in practice.
Cooperative federalism , is the term used by one of the ardent observer of Indian Constitution Granville Austin. It refers to the constitutional makeup whereby central government and state government work together as partners.
Federalism , in such scheme is not imposed from the above and devolution of power is not only vertical ( although it remains underlying principle), but there is horizontal distribution of powers and responsibilities.
In provisions of the Constitution of India many articles impose a certain kind of duty over states with regard to the the orders and directions of the centre.
The provisions like president rule ( article 356, and 365 ) provide enough room for the center to exercise authoritative control over the states.
In sphere of finance and distribution of revenue , institutions like Planning Commission weilded much control restricting the space of states in policy formulation and implementation.
New efforts in the direction of cooperative federalism like NITI Aayog hold much promise. It provides states with greater say in policy formulation takes into account the local greivances and most of all make the states equal partner in national development.
The recommendation of the fourteenth finance commission with regards to greater percentage of the states in divisible pool and subsequent streamlinning of centrally sponsored schemes also promote cooperative federalism.
3. Constitutional role of Governor
The Constitutional post of Governor in India is the connecting link between union and states.
Article 163 of the Constitution provides the role of Governor. Similar to the role of president at the central level , Governor as the head of the executive in the state is to act in accordance with the advice tendered by council of ministers. Apart from that, it also provides discretionary power to Governor. The article prescribes that Governor is to act on his discretion and it also empowers the Governor to decide upon the necessity of the discretion. No act of the Governor will be called upon to question on the basis that it was beyond his discretionary power.
This has provided significant room to the central government to encroach upon the affairs of the state. At times Governor has acted as the agent of the centre.
Article 356 prescribes for the report of the Governor which can be the basis of declaring the president’s rule if the “the government of the state can not be carried out according to the provisions of the Constitution”. This provision of the Constitution has been abused and misused various times. In S R Bommai case in1994 supreme court opined that the report of the Governor and subsequent declaration of the president’s rule is not beyond judicial review.
Soli Sorabjee considers Governor to be the lynchpin of Indian federation.
Hi rahul . Can u plz tell from which sources you prepared. I’m a beginner.i Wish to choose psir. Plz help . Is coaching necessary ?
rahuk1729@gmail.com
Such a great answer
Sir please provide model answers too ! It will be helpful . And thnx for the best initIative . Plz Continue this