Law 2022 Paper I 50 marks Explain

Q3

(a) Can the constitutional head of the State be truly described as the nerve-centre of the federal system? Explain in the light of powers and duties of the Governor. (20 marks) (b) What are the grounds to declare a delegated legislation as substantive ultravires? Refer case laws. (15 marks) (c) Briefly discuss the impact of Proclamation of Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution. (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) क्या राज्य के सांविधानिक प्रमुख को वास्तव में संघीय व्यवस्था का मुख्य-केंद्र कहा जा सकता है? राज्यपाल की शक्तियों एवं कर्तव्यों के आलोक में व्याख्या कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) प्रत्यायोजित विधान को मूल रूप से अधिकारातीत घोषित करने के क्या आधार हैं? वाद विधियों का संदर्भ दीजिए। (15 अंक) (c) संविधान के अनुच्छेद 352 के अंतर्गत आपात घोषणा के प्रभाव की संक्षिप्त चर्चा कीजिए। (15 अंक)

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Directive word: Explain

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

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'explain' demands conceptual clarity with reasoning. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, and roughly 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief composite introduction, then dedicated sections for each sub-part with clear sub-headings, followed by an integrated conclusion that synthesizes the three themes—Governor's federal role, delegated legislation limits, and emergency provisions—into a coherent constitutional narrative.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Governor's constitutional position under Articles 153-163; dual role as constitutional head and Centre's agent; analysis of discretionary powers under Articles 356, 200, 201; Sarkaria Commission recommendations on federal balance
  • Part (a): Critical evaluation of 'nerve-centre' claim—assess whether Governor facilitates or disrupts federalism; reference to Bommai, Nabam Rebia on Article 356 abuse; comparison with Governor's role in Australia/Canada
  • Part (b): Distinction between procedural and substantive ultra vires; grounds for substantive ultra vires—excess of delegated power, violation of parent Act, unreasonableness, bad faith, uncertainty; delegated legislation exceeding constitutional limits
  • Part (b): Case laws—In re Delhi Laws Act (substantive vs procedural ultra vires), Hamdard Dawakhana (unreasonableness), Ajanta Industries (uncertainty), Gwalior Rayon (excess of power), Narayan Rao (colourable legislation)
  • Part (c): Article 352 proclamation—national emergency; effects on Centre-State relations, Fundamental Rights (Articles 358-359), federal to unitary shift; ADM Jabalpur on suspension of rights, 44th Amendment changes
  • Part (c): Impact analysis—legislative (Parliament's power to legislate on State subjects), executive (Centre directing States), financial (modification of revenue distribution); Minerva Mills, S.R. Bommai on judicial review of emergency

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Provision / section accuracy20%10Precise citation of Articles 153-163, 200, 201, 352, 356, 358, 359, 360; accurate reference to Sections of parent Acts in delegated legislation context; correct mention of 44th Amendment modifications; no conflation of Article 352 with 356 or 360Correct identification of major Articles but some gaps or minor errors (e.g., confusing Article 356 scope); general awareness of constitutional provisions without specific section numbers in delegated legislationSignificant errors like conflating President's Rule with National Emergency; wrong Articles cited; confusion between substantive and procedural ultra vires provisions; missing 44th Amendment entirely
Case-law citation20%10For (a): S.R. Bommai, Nabam Rebia, Rameshwar Prasad; for (b): In re Delhi Laws Act, Hamdard Dawakhana, Ajanta Industries, Gwalior Rayon, Narayan Rao; for (c): ADM Jabalpur, Minerva Mills, Makhan Singh; accurate facts and ratio decidendiMention of landmark cases with approximate facts; some case names correct but ratio unclear or partially misstated; missing 2-3 important cases across the three partsNo case laws or entirely incorrect case names; confused facts (e.g., attributing Bommai to Article 352); fictional cases; failure to cite mandatory cases like In re Delhi Laws Act for part (b)
Doctrinal analysis20%10Clear exposition of 'substantive ultra vires' doctrine with its theoretical foundations; analysis of 'colourable legislation' and 'excessive delegation' doctrines; critical examination of 'double jeopardy' in federalism through Governor's office; evaluation of 'necessity' doctrine in emergencyBasic understanding of ultra vires distinction; some doctrinal terminology used correctly but without depth; descriptive rather than analytical approach to Governor's role and emergency provisionsNo doctrinal framework; inability to distinguish substantive from procedural ultra vires; purely descriptive account of Governor's powers without theoretical engagement; missing 'colourable legislation' concept entirely
Comparative / constitutional angle20%10For (a): Comparison with Australian State Governors and Canadian Lieutenant Governors; reference to Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions' federal vision; for (c): comparison with Weimar Constitution's Article 48, German emergency provisions; analysis of 'federalism as basic structure' in Kesavananda contextMention of federalism as a concept; some reference to Sarkaria Commission; general awareness of comparative models without specific detail; basic structural analysis without Kesavananda integrationNo comparative dimension; isolated treatment of each part without federalism as connecting theme; failure to recognize Governor's role in federal architecture; no emergency provision comparisons
Conclusion & application20%10Synthesized conclusion linking Governor's contested role, delegated legislation safeguards, and emergency provisions as three mechanisms of Centre-State power balance; forward-looking suggestions on Governor's appointment reform, legislative oversight of delegated legislation, and emergency safeguards; contemporary relevance (recent Article 356 impositions, COVID-19 emergency debates)Separate conclusions for each part without integration; some contemporary reference but no reform suggestions; standard summary without critical forward-looking perspectiveNo conclusion or abrupt ending; missing conclusion for one or more parts; no contemporary application; purely academic treatment without UPSC-mandated 'way forward' element

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