Political Institutions in India Syllabus

**Political Institutions in India K1UD108T** **Course Overview and Objectives** Political Institutions in India would provide an in-depth understanding of the various political structures, processes, and institutions that govern the world\'s largest democracy. Political institution of a state refe...

**Political Institutions in India K1UD108T** **Course Overview and Objectives** Political Institutions in India would provide an in-depth understanding of the various political structures, processes, and institutions that govern the world\'s largest democracy. Political institution of a state refers to the distribution of power in a polity at various levels (Centre, State and Local). This distribution of power is significant to decipher the functions of institutions in a polity and on that basis their legislative, executive and judicial functions is decided. The course will not only look at the functions of these institutions but will also look at their decision-making process and how do these institutions interact with other institutions. **Course Requirements** The course has been divided into a list of topics and readings will be provided for the same. As a part of the evaluation process there will be two exams (mid and end semester) and two internal assignments (IA 1 and 2). Internal assignments will comprise of two critical essays wherein students are supposed to write critical think pieces on the given topic. **Unit 1: Introduction to the Constitution of India** Meaning and Significance of the Constitution Constituent Assembly- Composition, Objectives Preamble and Salient features of the Indian Constitution **Unit 2: India's Constitution** Fundamental Rights Fundamental Duties & Directive Principles President of India- Election, Powers and functions Prime Minister and Cabinet -- Structure and functions **Unit 3: The Constitutional Law of India** Governor- Powers and functions Chief Minister and Council of Ministers -- Functions Parliament -- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha -- Composition and powers State Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council -- Composition and powers **Unit 4: Constitution of India** Judicial System in India -- Structure and features Supreme Court and High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction Federalism in India -- Features Local Government -Panchayats --Powers and functions; 73rd and 74th amendments Election Commission -- Composition, Powers and Functions **Unit 5: Indian Political System: Historical Developments** Powers and Functions; Electoral Reforms Citizen oriented measures RTI and PIL -- Provisions and significance Evolution of political parties in India **Unit 6: Federalism in India, Origin and Developments** Party systems and electoral politics Electoral reforms and campaign finance Coalition politics and regional parties **Readings:** 1. 2. 3. 4. +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+ | **Type | | | | **Total | **Final | | | of | | | | Marks** | Marks | | | Course* | | | | | CIE\*0. | | | * | | | | | 5+SEE\* | | | | | | | | 0.5** | | | **(T)** | | | | | | | +=========+=========+=========+=========+=========+=========+=========+ | | IA1^\#^ | MTE | IA2^\#^ | CIE | SEE | | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+ | THEORY | 25 | 50 | 25 | 100 | 100 | 100 | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+