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Constitutional Law II

LAST-MINUTE REVISION

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – II

Quick Revision Sheet • KSLU 2nd Semester

Use this on the last day

This sheet has only the bare bones — Articles, one-line points, key cases and mnemonics. Read the full Notes first; use this for the final revision pass and just before entering the exam hall.

UNIT I — Federalism & Centre–State Relations

  • Nature: Quasi-federal (K.C. Wheare). Federal features + strong unitary bias. → West Bengal v. UOI; S.R. Bommai (federalism = basic structure).
  • Organisation of State (Art 1–4): Art 1 ‘Union of States’ (no secession); Art 2 = admit new States (outside); Art 3 = alter/form States (inside, President’s recommendation + State’s non-binding views); Art 4 = simple majority. → Berubari (cession needs Art 368); Babulal Parate (no fresh reference). SRC Act 1956 = linguistic reorganisation.
  • Legislative relations (Art 245–255): 3 Lists in 7th Schedule — Union > Concurrent > State. Residuary with Centre (Art 248).
  • Doctrines: Pith & Substance, Colourable Legislation, Repugnancy (Art 254 — Union law prevails), Territorial Nexus, Harmonious Construction.
  • Parliament on State List — mnemonic “RENT-356”: Rajya Sabha (249), Emergency (250), Treaties (253), Two states (252), 356.
  • Financial: Art 280 Finance Commission (every 5 yrs). GST — 101st Amendment, Art 246A & 279A (GST Council).
  • Trade & Commerce (Art 301–307): Atiabari (direct & immediate test); Automobile Transport (compensatory tax); Jindal Stainless (2016).
  • Local Govt: 73rd = Rural (Panchayats, Part IX, 11th Sch, 29 subjects); 74th = Urban (Municipalities, Part IX-A, 12th Sch, 18 subjects). 1/3 women reservation; State Election & Finance Commissions.
  • Art 370: J&K special status — abrogated 5 Aug 2019; upheld in In re Article 370 (2023). Art 371-A to 371-J special provisions (Karnataka = 371-J).