Law 2021 Paper I 50 marks Discuss

Q3

(a) "Free and fair election is the 'basic structure' of our Constitution and it is the 'heartbeat' of democracy." But widespread corruption and increasing criminalisation in the election process have made our democracy weak. Discuss the various efforts undertaken by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair election. 20 (b) "Article 356 of the Constitution contains provisions relating to the justification of imposition of 'President's Rule' in the State." Explain the consequences of proclamation of Emergency in a State. 15 (c) Explain the various principles of natural justice with the help of relevant decided cases. 15

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) "स्वतंत्र एवं निष्पक्ष चुनाव हमारे संविधान का 'आधारिक ढांचा' है और यह लोकतंत्र की 'धड़कन' है ।" किंतु चुनाव प्रक्रिया में व्याप्त स्तर पर फैले भ्रष्टाचार और बढ़ते अपराधीकरण ने हमारे लोकतंत्र को कमजोर बना दिया है । चुनाव आयोग द्वारा स्वतंत्र एवं निष्पक्ष चुनाव सुनिश्चित करने की दिशा में किए गए विभिन्न प्रयासों की विवेचना कीजिए । 20 (b) "राज्य में 'राष्ट्रपति शासन' लागू करने के औचित्य के संबंध में संविधान के अनुच्छेद 356 में प्रावधान हैं ।" किसी राज्य में आपातकाल की उद्घोषणा के परिणामों को स्पष्ट कीजिए । 15 (c) सुसंगत निर्णीत वादों की सहायता से नैसर्गिक न्याय के विभिन्न सिद्धांतों को समझाइए । 15

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Directive word: Discuss

This question asks you to discuss. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

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How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'discuss' in part (a) requires a balanced examination of the Election Commission's efforts alongside the challenges posed by corruption and criminalisation. Allocate approximately 40% of time and words to part (a) given its 20 marks, 30% each to parts (b) and (c) with their 15 marks each. Structure: brief introduction linking all three parts to constitutional governance; for (a) discuss ECI's powers under Article 324 and specific measures; for (b) explain Article 356 proclamation effects and S.R. Bommai limitations; for (c) elaborate audi alteram partem and nemo judex with leading cases; conclude with integrated observations on constitutional safeguards.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): ECI's constitutional mandate under Article 324, powers of superintendence, and specific measures like Model Code of Conduct, VVPAT, expenditure monitoring, criminal antecedents disclosure (PUCL case), de-registration of parties, SVEEP, cVIGIL app
  • Part (a): Challenges of criminalisation (increasing MPs with criminal records), money power, paid news, and ECI's limitations (no power to deregister parties, need for electoral reforms)
  • Part (b): Article 356 proclamation consequences—state legislature suspension/dissolution, President/Governor assuming executive functions, duration limits (6 months extendable to 3 years), judicial review grounds per S.R. Bommai (1994)
  • Part (b): Distinction between breakdown of constitutional machinery and mere maladministration; Bommai criteria for valid proclamation; 44th Amendment changes; recent examples like Maharashtra (2019), Uttarakhand (2016)
  • Part (c): Audi alteram partem (right to fair hearing)—notice, opportunity to present case, reasoned order; cases: Cooper v. Union (1970), Maneka Gandhi (1978), A.K. Kraipak (1969)
  • Part (c): Nemo judex in causa sua (rule against bias)—pecuniary, personal, official bias; cases: Gullapalli Nageswara Rao (1959), A.K. Kraipak (1969), Manak Lal v. Dr. Prem Chand (1957)
  • Part (c): Reasoned decisions as essential element; exceptions to natural justice (urgency, confidentiality, impracticability); cases: Union of India v. T.R. Varma (1957), Swadeshi Cotton Mills (1981)

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Provision / section accuracy20%10Precise citation of Article 324 (ECI powers), Article 356 (President's Rule), Article 352/360 (Emergency context), and specific constitutional amendments (42nd, 44th, 61st); accurate description of statutory provisions like RPA 1951 sections on disqualification and disclosureMentions correct articles but with minor errors in sub-clauses or amendment numbers; conflates Article 356 with Article 352 or misstates ECI's powers scopeIncorrect article numbers, confuses constitutional provisions (e.g., Article 356 with 360), or omits key statutory frameworks entirely
Case-law citation20%10Accurate and relevant case citations across all parts: S.R. Bommai (1994), Rameshwar Prasad (2006), PUCL (2003), Lily Thomas (2013) for (a)-(b); Cooper, Maneka Gandhi, A.K. Kraipak, Gullapalli Nageswara Rao, Manak Lal for (c); mentions bench strength and ratioCites major cases correctly but misses bench strength or misstates ratio; omits secondary but relevant cases like T.N. Seshan-related judgments or recent disqualification casesWrong case names, misattributed judgments (e.g., Bommai to Kesavananda), or complete absence of case law in any part
Doctrinal analysis20%10Clear exposition of 'basic structure' doctrine linking free elections to democracy; federalism principles in Article 356 analysis; distinction between procedural and substantive natural justice; evolution of doctrines through judicial interpretationStates doctrines superficially without explaining their development or interconnection; misses the 'basic structure' dimension in part (a) or federalism nuance in part (b)No doctrinal framework; treats provisions as isolated rules without constitutional philosophy; fails to identify 'basic structure' relevance
Comparative / constitutional angle20%10Comparative references: ECI's strength vs. Election Commissions in UK/US; Article 356's similarity to Commonwealth 'responsible government' interventions; natural justice in administrative law evolution; connects to 104th Amendment, electoral bonds judgment (2024)Limited comparative awareness; mentions federalism generally without specific state examples or international comparisons; misses recent developmentsNo comparative or contemporary context; ignores federalism implications of Article 356 or recent electoral reforms; static treatment of law
Conclusion & application20%10Synthesized conclusion linking all three parts to 'living constitution' and democratic resilience; specific reform suggestions (state funding, ECI independence, administrative tribunal reforms); critical evaluation of gaps in ECI powers and Article 356 safeguardsGeneric conclusion restating points; superficial reform suggestions without specificity; no integration across the three constitutional themesNo conclusion or abrupt ending; purely descriptive without evaluation; missing reform suggestions or critical assessment of institutional effectiveness

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