Constitutional Development in India

Paper Code: 
POL 312
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Make learners aware of the various processes and circumstances in which the Constitution was crafted.

2. Acquaint the students with understand existing, contemporary and emerging trends in Politics.

Course Objectivies (CO)

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

POL 312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Constitutional Development in India

CO46: Recognize and understand historical processes and circumstances in which the Constitution was drafted.

CO47: Explain and analyze a key historical event and various acts formed post independence.

CO48: Identify and understand why parliamentary system of governance was preferred.

CO49: Think critically about the varieties of experience found in the historical record of the India, exploring direct and indirect diverse sources which formed present the constitution.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks.

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects
 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
I

Constitutional Development in India : a background - Acts of 1858,1861 & 1892 – provisions and significance

 

12.00
Unit II: 
II

Indian Councils Act- 1909-Morley- Minto Reforms- circumstances leading to the Act, main provisions- central & provincial legislative council, communal electorate, system of elections, significance, critical assessment

 

12.00
Unit III: 
III

Government of India Act 1919- Montague- Chelmsford Reforms- features, provisions & changes- home government, central executive & legislature, significance, drawbacks

Dyarchy- meaning, nature, working, critical assessment

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
IV

Government of India Act 1935- circumstances, features, provisions- proposed all India federation, federal legislature, executive and court, responsible government with safeguards, significance and critical assessment

Provincial autonomy- meaning, provincial executive & legislature, working of autonomy, restrictions

 

12.00
Unit V: 
V

Cripps Mission- circumstances, provisions, reasons of failure; Cabinet Mission- causes, provisions, critical assessment

Indian Independence Act 1947

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Grover, B.L, (2018), A New Look at Modern Indian History, New Delhi,S.Chand & Co
  • Fadia, B.L, (2019), Indian Government and Politics, Agra, Sahitya Bhawan
  • Laxmikanth,M,(2019), Indian Polity,Noida, Mc Graw Hill Education
  • Bandhopadhyay,S., (2016),  From Plassey to Partition and after: A History of Modern India, New Delhi, Orient Longman
  • Agarwal, R.C., (2018), Constitutional Development and National Movement of India, New Delhi, Sultan Chand & Sons
  • Chandra, B.,(2017), India’s struggle for independence, New Delhi, Penguin Books
  • Johari, J.C.,( 2012),Indian Government and Politics (Vol. I& II), New Delhi, Vishal Publications
  • Chandra, Bipan , (2017), In the Name of Democracy, New Delhi,Penguin BooksPublication

 

References: 
  • Austin, G. (1966), The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation, Oxford University Press, New Delhi,1966
  • Sharma R.K., (2008), History of Indian National Movement, New Delhi, Sonali Publications
  • Brass,P,( 2009), Politics of India since Independence, Hyderabad,Orient Longman
  • Datta,P , (2003), India’s Democracy: New Challenges, New Delhi, Kanishka Publishers and Distributors.
  • Pylee,M.V.(2010), An Introduction to the Constitution of India,New Delhi, Vikas

 

Academic Year: 
2021-22
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