Indian Government and Politics-I

Paper Code: 
Pol 121
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The focus of this paper is on the political processes and the actual functioning of the political system in India in the framework for a modern, secular and democratic society and simultaneously discussing the working of select political institutions like the Union Executive, the Parliament and the Judiciary .This course is aimed at making students develop an understanding of the Indian constitutional provisions, major legislations and reforms. 

The objectives of this course are to:

1.  Introduce the student genre to the issues in Indian polity.

 

2. Acquaint the students with a holistic overview of functioning of Indian Constitution

3. Facilitate a holistic and integrated comprehension of the important institutions of the Indian Union: the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

Course Objectives (CO)

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

POL 121

Indian Government and  Politics – I

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

CO1:  Develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and values appropriate for the overall civic and cultural development of our society

CO2:  Understand the strategic importance of  Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in the Indian government and analyze the competent interests of state and non-state actors in Indian politics

CO3:  Develop an in-depth interrogation of the principles of the Indian Constitution.

CO4:  Learn about  parliamentary form of government and how it has shaped contemporary rhetorics and policy orientations in Indian politics

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

 

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: 
Unit 1

Composition of the Constituent Assembly, Framing of India’s New Constitution and its Philosophy, Philosophical Foundations of the Constitution

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Unit 2

Salient features of the Indian Constitution, Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Federalism

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Unit 3

The Union Executive- the President (with special reference to his Emergency Powers) Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers;

The Union Legislature- the Parliament, Parliamentary Committees, Law making process, Parliamentary Procedures

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Unit 4

State Executive – The Governor, Chief Minister, Legislature, Union-State Relations

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Unit 5

The Indian Judiciary- Supreme Court of India; State High Courts; Judicial Review; Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Judicial Activism

Constitutional Amendments

 

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Agarwal,R.C, (2016), Indian Political System, New Delhi, Sultan Chand & Sons
  • Laxmikanth,M,(2019), Indian Polity,Noida, Mc Graw Hill Education
  • Austin,G,(2003), Working A Democratic Constitution,New Delhi,  Oxford University Press
  • Basu,D.D. , (2017), Constitution of India,New Delhi, Prentice Hall of India
  • Jayal, N.G.,Mehta, P.B.(2011),(ed.), The Oxford companion to Politics in India (edited) ,London, Oxford
  • Chandra,B ,(2017), In the Name of Democracy,Delhi, Penguin Books
  • Johari, J.C.,( 2012),Indian Government and Politics (Vol. I& II), New Delhi, Vishal Publications
  • Brass,P,( 2009), Politics of India since Independence, Hyderabad,Orient Longman

 

References: 
  • Achin,V,(1990), The Painful Transition : Bourgeois Democracy in India, London,Verso
  • Deshpande, S,(2003), Contemporary India : A Sociological View, New Delhi,Penguin Books India.
  •  Francine,F,(ed) (2002), Transforming India : Social and Political Dynamics of Democracy,NewDelhi, OUP
  • Jones,W.H.M., (1987), Indian Government and Politics, Hull, University of Hull Press
  • Hasan,Z ,  (ed.),(2001), Parties and Party Politics in India, New Delhi,OUP
  • Kaviraj, S,(2000), Politics in India, New Delhi,OUP
  • Kohli, A.,(ed.),(2001), Success of India’s Democracy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
  • Narain,Iqbal,(1995), Secularism in India, Jaipur,Classic Publishing House

 

 

Academic Year: 
2020-21
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