Working of the Indian Political System

Paper Code: 
Pol 402
Credits: 
03
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper focuses on the political processes and the actual functioning of the Indian Political System. It simultaneously studies the political structure both constitutional and administrative. Some pressing contemporary issues of Indian democracy have also been incorporated so as to provide a complete understanding of the Indian political fabric to the students.

The objectives of this course are to:

1.  Acquaint the students with the working of Indian political system and the way it shapes institutions India.

2. Make student aware about the Constitutional design of state structures and the challenges faced by it.

Course Objectives (CO)

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

POL 402

Working of Indian Political System

 

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

CO41:  Acquaints students with the Constitutional design of state structures and institutions, and their actual working over time.

CO42:  Describe the ways in which the provisions of the Constitution have worked in real political life.

CO43: Understand and further encourages a study of state institutions in their mutual interaction, and in interaction with the larger extra-constitutional environment

CO44: Understand the role of various issues and problems like Casteism, Communalism and Regionalism 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

 

 

9.00
Unit I: 
Unit 1

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

 

9.00
Unit II: 
Unit 2

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

 

9.00
Unit III: 
Unit 3

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

 

9.00
Unit IV: 
Unit 4

Nature of Indian Party System;

Election Commission and Electoral Reforms;

Major issues facing Indian Democracy- Regionalism and Communalism

 

9.00
Unit V: 
Unit 5

Governance and Politics of States: The State Executive- Governor; Chief Minister and Council of Ministers; The State Legislature (with special reference to the Politics of Rajasthan)

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Agarwal ,R.C.(2018) Constitutional Development and National Movement of India,New Delhi, Sultan Chand & Sons,
  • Laxmikanth,M ,(2019), Indian Polity,Noida,Mc Graw Hill Education
  • Basu,D.D. , (2017), Constitution of India,New Delhi, Prentice Hall of India
  • Chandra,B ,(2017), In the Name of Democracy, New Delhi,Penguin Books
  • Fadia,B.L(2019),Indian Government and Politics, Agra,Sahitya Bhawan
  • Jayal, N.G.,Mehta, P.B.(2011),(ed.), The Oxford companion to Politics in India (edited) ,London, Oxford
  • Rudolph,L.I., &  Rudolph,S.H.,  (2008), In Pursuit of Lakshmi : The Political Economy of the Indian State, Delhi,Orient Longman
  • Johari,J.C.(2012), Indian Government and Politics (Vol. I& II), New Delhi,Vishal Publications
  • Jaffrelot,C .,(2010), Religion, Caste and Poltics in India, New Delhi, Primus Books

 

References: 
  • Austin,G, (2003), Working of a Democratic Constitution, New Delhi,OUP
  • Brass,P ,(2009), Politics of India since Independence, Hyderabad,Orient Longman
  • Pylee,M.V.,(1998), An Introduction to the Constitution of India,New Delhi,Vikas Publication

 

Academic Year: 
2020-21
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