1. Define Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic.
Sovereign – India is free from external control; has supreme authority internally and
externally.
Socialist – Commitment to social and economic justice; reduction of inequality;
welfare state (post-42nd Amendment 1976).
Secular – Equal respect to all religions; no state religion; freedom of religion
guaranteed under Arts. 25–28.
Democratic – Government by the people, of the people, and for the people; universal
adult suffrage.
Republic – Head of state is elected (President), not hereditary monarchy.
2. Scope of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Part IV (Arts. 36–51).
Non-justiciable but fundamental in governance.
Socialistic principles – welfare state, reduce inequality (Art. 39).
Gandhian principles – village panchayats, cottage industries (Art. 40, 43).
Liberal principles – uniform civil code, international peace (Art. 44, 51).
Helps Parliament/Courts interpret laws (e.g., Kesavananda Bharati, Minerva Mills).
3. Preamble & Objectives.
Introduction to Constitution; key to its philosophy.
Objectives:
o Justice (social, economic, political)
o Liberty (thought, expression, belief, faith, worship)
o Equality (status, opportunity)
o Fraternity (unity & integrity of nation)
Landmark case: Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala – Preamble is part of
Constitution; reflects basic structure.
4. Right to Equality (Arts. 14–18).
Art. 14 – Equality before law, equal protection of laws.
Art. 15 – No discrimination on religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth.
Art. 16 – Equality in public employment.
Art. 17 – Abolition of untouchability.
Art. 18 – Abolition of titles.
Case laws: Indira Sawhney v. Union of India (reservations), E.P. Royappa v. State of
Tamil Nadu (arbitrariness = violation of Art. 14).
Set 2
1. Air India v. Nargesh Meerza (1981).
Case: Air Hostesses challenged discriminatory service conditions.
Court held:
o Retirement at 35 years, first pregnancy, or marriage within 4 years
unconstitutional.
o Violation of Art. 14 (equality) & Art. 15 (no discrimination on sex).
Significance: Gender equality reinforced.
2. Article 19 with Reasonable Restrictions.
Six freedoms: speech & expression, assembly, association, movement, residence,
profession.
Reasonable restrictions (Arts. 19(2)–19(6)):
Security of state, public order, morality, sovereignty & integrity of India, defamation,
contempt of court, etc.
Case: Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India – freedom of movement linked with personal
liberty.
3. Scope of Article 21 (Right to Life & Liberty).
"No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to
procedure established by law."
Expanded meaning: includes right to livelihood, dignity, privacy, education, clean
environment.
Case laws:
o Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India – “procedure must be just, fair, reasonable.”
o Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corp. – Right to livelihood.
o K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India – Right to privacy.
1. Constitution & Salient Features.
Definition – Fundamental law of land; framework for government.
Salient features of Indian Constitution:
o Longest written Constitution.
o Blend of rigidity & flexibility.
o Federal system with unitary bias.
o Parliamentary democracy.
o Independent judiciary.
o Fundamental Rights & DPSP.
o Secularism, Universal adult suffrage, Single citizenship.
2. Writs under Article 32 (Enforcement of Fundamental Rights).
Habeas Corpus – produce person unlawfully detained.
Mandamus – command public authority to perform duty.
Prohibition – prevents lower court from exceeding jurisdiction.
Certiorari – quashes illegal order of lower court/tribunal.
Quo Warranto – questions authority of person holding public office.